Walkthrough for Family Matters quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt

This guide is for The Witcher 3 and provides a step-by-step walkthrough for the main quest Family Matters. It includes details on how to investigate the castle, how to handle the villagers in front of the sorcerer\’s hut, how to navigate the burning barn, how to win a fight against the baron, how to make a crucial decision regarding the botchling, and when to start looking for Tamara.

Investigate Crow\’s Perch to find a talisman
Meet the Pellar
Return to the castle to save Oswina from the burning barn
Fight the baron and choose what to do with the botchling
Option A – Attack the botchling to kill it
Option B – Transform the botchling into a lubberkin
Continue with the main quest
Find Tamara in Oxenfurt

Investigate Crow\’s Perch to find a talisman

After meeting with the baron Philip Strenger in Crow\’s Perch (M3,3) during the Bloody Baron main quest, this quest will be automatically added to your list. Follow the baron to the upper floor and explore the two rooms there. Check the closet and collect the Rusty Key and Incense. Then, go to the bedroom and examine the doll lying next to the bed.

Activate the witcher senses and follow the red smells to the basement. Enter the room on the left and use the Rusty Key to open the closed door. Walk to the altar and take A Prayer from it. Examine the large bowl.

Return to the highest floor and enter the room where the baron is. Use witcher senses to investigate the interactive objects, including the damaged wooden candlestick, vase with flowers, empty space on the wall, and the painting on the neighboring wall. Examining the painting will reveal a hole. Check the wooden furniture on the other side of the wall, then return to the candlestick and examine the tracks of spilled wine. Follow the red smells to reach the staircase, walk down, and examine the wooden desk to collect the Talisman.

Meet with the baron and tell him about the doll, the tracks, and the talisman. You will receive 150 experience points and Strenger will send you to meet with a Pellar.

Meet the Pellar

The Pellar\’s house can be found in the forest west of Crow\’s Perch (M3,7). When you arrive, you\’ll see a group of baron\’s men trying to enter. You have three options for how to react.

There are three options available in dealing with the bandits who are on the sixth experience level. The first option is to attack them and quickly dispose of the crossbowmen as they may have rare types of bolts. The second option is to ask the baron\’s men why they are visiting the Pellar and offer to heal their friend in exchange for leaving the Pellar alone. The last option is to use the Axii sign during the conversation to gain control of the bandit\’s mind and convince them to leave, receiving 40 experience points. After taking action, knock on the Pellar\’s house and ask him about the baron\’s wife and daughter. The Pellar will not help Geralt until he gets his goat back, which is part of the \”A Princess in Distress\” quest. Once the goat is found, talk to the Pellar again to learn about the botchling. On the way back to Crow\’s Perch, you will come across a burning barn where you can choose to help save Oswin or go directly to the baron. If you choose to help, use Aard sign or the sword to effectively destroy obstacles and reach Oswin in the central part of the stables. Quickly get him and the horses out of the barn through the main exit door. In a subsequent meeting with the baron, a fist fight will occur. After winning, follow the baron to the place where he buried the newborn and make an important decision about the botchling.

There are two options in our guide: A, attack the botchling and try to kill it; B, try to transform the botchling into a lubberkin.

Both options are described below and lead to the same conclusion, which is explained in the Continuation of the main quest section.

Option A – Attacking the botchling to kill it

Begin by stunning the botchling with the Axii sign.

If you choose this option, the botchling will transform into a much larger beast, and the battle will be similar to facing a miniboss with a health bar visible at the top of the screen. Before the fight, consider using cursed oil on your sword to increase your damage output.

Initially, the botchling\’s attacks will not be too difficult to avoid – jump back or to the sides to evade them. Use the Axii sign to stun the botchling and deal quick damage while it\’s helpless. But be careful not to overdo it, as the botchling can counterattack with great force once it regains its strength. Later in the fight, the botchling will summon wraiths to assist it. While you shouldn\’t ignore the wraiths, focus your attacks on the main beast and deal with the ghosts only when they pose a direct threat to Geralt. After the fight, speak with the baron and obtain Botchling Blood.

Relight the fire whenever it goes out.

Next, return to the Pellar and follow him to the place of the ritual, defeating any wolves you encounter. Once you arrive, light the three baskets on fire by approaching them and pressing the interaction button, or by using the Igni sign from a distance.

During the ritual, you must help the Pellar keep the fire going in all three baskets while fighting off wraiths. Use wraith oil and the Yrden sign to help you, but don\’t waste your time trying to defeat every wraith, as they will respawn constantly. Instead, keep an eye on the baskets and quickly relight any that go out using Igni. Keep fighting and maintaining the flames until the ritual is complete. Speak with the Pellar again, discuss the third vision, and escort him home (100 experience points). He will tell you to seek out a local fisherman\’s house west of Crow\’s Perch, which is explained in the Continuation of the main quest section.

Option B – Transforming the Botchling into a Lubberkin

To calm the botchling carried by the baron, use the Axii sign.

Choosing this option means the baron will pick up the botchling from the ground and carry it to the main courtyard of the perch. The journey will not be without obstacles as Geralt and the baron will be attacked by groups of wraiths. It is recommended to use wraith oil before beginning the walk and to use the Yrden sign regularly as magical traps are effective against these types of monsters.

After defeating each group of monsters, use the Axii sign to calm the botchling and continue the march. Once you reach the destination (150 experience points), go to the botchling\’s burial site and press the right button. This will trigger a longer cutscene.

Following the lubberkin on horseback is better.

In the next part of the quest, you must follow the lubberkin. You can walk or use a horse, but using a horse is recommended. You can attack or ignore the monsters you encounter along the way, such as wraiths and wolves. After reaching the cabin, dismount and examine the surroundings with witcher senses. Look for horse tracks, a bracelet on a barrel, and abandoned clothes.

Keep moving. Near another stop, Geralt will be attacked by rotfiends. Dismount and eliminate the monsters one by one. During the battle, be sure to jump away from the rotfiend when its health is low as it will explode when it dies. After the battle, examine the dead horse and choose all the options from the list. Resume following the lubberkin to a fisherman\’s hut, where you can rest until the next part of the main quest.

Continuation of the Main Quest

Both options (A and B) will lead you to the fisherman\’s cabin east of Crow\’s Perch. Knock on the door and meet with the fisherman and his family. During a conversation, you will learn what happened to the baron\’s wife and daughter. Leave the cabin (300 experience points) and return to Crow\’s Perch. Oswin, whom you previously saved, may speak to you and give you 20 crowns.

Find the baron and start a conversation. Geralt will be asked to meet Tamara in Oxenfurt. If you agree, you will receive an additional 50 crowns and a Letter of Safe Conduct from the baron, which allows passage through border outposts. The game will activate a new quest connected to Ciri – Ciri\’s Story: The Race. After completing this short task, you can begin the task of finding Tamara (the baron will give Geralt her doll).

Continuing the Quest with Keira Metz

The next part of the quest is connected to the main quest Ladies of the Woods. Keira Metz will give you a book that reveals the location of the \”Trail of treats\” (M9,16). This trail leads to a small village (M9,17) that is further detailed in the Ladies of the Woods walkthrough. Once you inform the Baron that his wife is in the swamps, you will be given a side quest called Return to the Crookback Bog. It\’s recommended to complete this quest as the choices you make will have a significant impact on the overall story of the Bloody Baron.

It\’s important to note that before starting the Ladies of the Woods and The Whispering Hillock quests, you should read the description of the Return to the Crookback Bog quest. This is due to the irreversible decisions that can affect the ending of the story plot.

Locating Tamara in Oxenfurt

The quest to find Tamara in Oxenfurt is brief. As you already have the Baron\’s pass, getting to Oxenfurt is simple. While this quest is not mandatory, a family reunion will occur during the further phase of finding Anna. After locating Tamara and a brief conversation, you can proceed directly to Crow\’s Perch to report or continue the search for the Baron\’s wife.

FAQ

1. What is the \’Family Matters\’ quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt?

The \’Family Matters\’ quest is a main story quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. In this quest, Geralt is tasked with finding and rescuing the wife and daughter of his friend, the witcher Vesemir. Along the way, Geralt discovers a dark secret involving the family and must decide how to handle the situation.

2. How long does it take to complete the \’Family Matters\’ quest?

The length of time it takes to complete the \’Family Matters\’ quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt can vary depending on the player\’s skill level and playstyle. On average, the quest can take anywhere from 1-3 hours to complete. However, some players may take longer if they choose to explore the world and complete side quests along the way.

3. What are some tips for completing the \’Family Matters\’ quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt?

One helpful tip for completing the \’Family Matters\’ quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt is to take your time and explore the environment thoroughly. There are many clues and pieces of information scattered throughout the world that can help you uncover the dark secret of the family. Additionally, it\’s important to be prepared for combat encounters, as there are several challenging battles throughout the quest. Make sure to stock up on potions and oils before starting the quest to give yourself an advantage in combat.