Whispering Hillock: Witcher 3’s Moral Maze – Tree Spirit, Crones, and Utter Chaos
So, you found the Whispering Hillock in The Witcher 3? Get ready. You face a moral dilemma. This quest is more than monster-slaying; it’s about choosing your apocalypse. Let’s break this down. Making the “right” choice here is like solving a Rubik’s Cube after drinking.
The Spirit in the Tree: Who or What Are We Dealing With?
First, the spirit in the Whispering Hillock. This entity whispers creepy things to Geralt, saying she is a wronged druidess, a guardian gone bad. Sounds real? Wrong. This is Velen, not a place for sunshine and rainbows.
Rumors say this “druidess” could be the mother of the Crones. Yes, those Crones: Brewess, Weavess, Whispess. They are charming residents of Crookback Bog. Known as the Ladies of the Wood. Think of them as kind aunts who enjoy brewing nasty potions and cooking kids for dinner… literally.
This tree spirit might be more powerful than her daughters. They imprisoned her instead of inviting her for tea. They killed her body, but trapping her in a tree? That’s family drama.
Choice Time: To Free or Not to Free the Whispering Hillock?
Now comes your choices, and there are consequences. The spirit begs for freedom. It promises to save the orphans from the Crones. Sounds like a fair deal? Let’s look at your options:
- Free the Spirit? Should you release this entity? What if you don’t kill the tree spirit? These questions swirl in Geralt’s mind.
- Kill the Spirit? Is it better to just destroy it? “Is it better to kill the tree in Witcher 3?” – a question many have pondered, maybe over ale.
- Trick the Being? What if you try to outsmart a powerful spirit? Probably not a good outcome.
The ultimate question boils down to player agony: “What is the best choice in Ladies of the Wood Witcher 3?” Spoiler: There isn’t a “best” choice. It’s more of a “pick your poison” situation.
Consequences: Buckle Up for the Wild Ride
Let’s dig into what happens based on your choice. Actions have consequences. Prepare for a rollercoaster of moments that will make you groan.
Freeing the Spirit – The “Good” Intentions Route (Spoiler: It’s Not All Rainbows)
If you choose to release the spirit, thinking you do a good deed, here’s the breakdown:
- Orphans Saved (Sort Of): The spirit whisks the orphans away from the Crones. You find them later in Novigrad under Marabella’s care. Yay for orphan rescue!
- Village Goes Kaboom: Downwarren isn’t so lucky. A freed spirit isn’t a benevolent force. It possesses a horse and destroys Downwarren, turning it into regret’s ashes. You saved orphans, but sacrificed a village. Clever Witcher math.
- Anna’s Fate Takes a Nosedive: Remember Anna? Things worsen for her. Freeing the spirit before dealing with the Crones curses her to become a water hag. Charming.
- Baron’s Downfall Guaranteed: The Baron’s story doesn’t end nicely either. His mental state deteriorates, leading to a grim conclusion. He does not survive.
The “Secret” Ending (Not Really Secret, But Extra Depressing): Freeing the spirit *before* confronting the Crones has a bleak outcome. Anna lives… but becomes a water hag. The children are saved, but Downwarren is destroyed. A darkly comedic tragedy.
Killing the Spirit – The “Pragmatic” Approach (Less Chaotic, Still Messed Up)
Killing the spirit? Here’s what happens:
- Downwarren Spared: Good news! The villagers remain safe, and they avoid becoming spirit-horse food. Village saved! High five!
- Orphans… Well, Let’s Just Say the Crones Have Plans: The Crones get their way. The orphans are taken, destined for their dinner table. “Likely to be eaten” is one way to say it.
- Anna’s Fate – Still Grim, But with a Glimmer of Hope: Killing the spirit weakens Anna’s curse. You can try saving her in the “Return to Crookback Bog” quest. It’s not guaranteed happiness, but it’s a chance.
The Crones: Meet Velen’s Loveliest Residents
The Crones: Brewess, Weavess, Whispess. “Vile creatures” is an understatement. They are major antagonists in Velen. The locals are weirdly dependent on them.
Ciri gets to settle scores with Brewess and Whispess later. Geralt mentions they plan to return for revenge. If Ciri survives, it implies the last Crone, Weavess, faces consequences off-screen. Justice eventually prevails.
Impact on Your Witcher-y World
The Whispering Hillock quest impacts several storylines. It affects other characters and quests:
Anna Strenger – Poor Woman Can’t Catch a Break
Anna’s fate ties to your choice at Whispering Hillock and during “Return to Crookback Bog.” Want to save her? Pick the doll with the violet hollyhock bloom. Pick right, and she returns to human form, but she will die soon after. Choose wrong, and she burns. Delightful choices in Witcher life.
If you free the tree spirit before “Ladies of the Wood,” saving Anna becomes nearly impossible, and her transformation is practically certain.
The Bloody Baron – From Bad to Worse
No matter your choice, the Baron suffers greatly. He feels remorse for his abuse towards Anna. His story ends tragically regardless of your decision. He hangs himself after Anna’s death.
Orphans – Pawns in a Crone-y Game
The orphans are caught in the crossfire. They may end up “safe” or as Crone-prey based on your Whispering Hillock decision. The Crones? They are not good candidates for “Parents of the Year.” They mutilate themselves and send kids to become hag-food.
“Family Matters” Quest – Patience, Witcher, Patience
Trying to rush through the Baron’s questline? “Family Matters” cannot progress until you finish “Ladies of the Wood,” which includes the Whispering Hillock dilemma.
Wild Hunt? Just a Quick Pit Stop
The Wild Hunt gets a mention because of the Crones’ mother connection. The Wild Hunt, led
by Eredin. They are Aen Elle elves from another world. Their hobby is raiding worlds and enslaving humans, especially those with Elder Blood like Ciri. They seek Ciri to regain their world-hopping abilities. Eredin plans to impregnate Ciri to create an Elder Blood heir. Charming, right?
Random Witcher Wisdom
Here’s a sprinkle of Witcher knowledge:
- White Orchard Revisited: You can return to White Orchard, the tutorial zone. Some quests are missable if not done during the prologue. For completionists, take note.
- Isle of Mists – Point of No Return: The Isle of Mists quest is the big “point of no return.” Once you start, story events lead to the grand finale.
- Magic Acorn Shenanigans: Found a magic acorn? Eat it for 2 Ability Points! Or give it to villagers for no story gain and lose those sweet AP. Your choice.
- Succubi Dilemmas: Succubi can be monsters or less so. Killing a succubus can yield a Succubus Mutagen. It is key for the Succubus Decoction. Two chances in the game, so choose wisely.
- Vesemir – Forever in Our Hearts: You cannot save Vesemir. His death is needed for Ciri’s character development. Prepare tissues; it’s emotional.
- Tree Spirits Hate Magic: Tree spirits are weak to magic. Good knowledge for combat planning.
There you have it – the Whispering Hillock explained. No easy answers, only shades of grey and grim choices. Welcome to the Witcher world, where saving orphans can lead to calamity. Happy hunting!
