Aiding Hjalmar an Craite: A Witcher’s Guide to the Lord of Undvik
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Helping Hjalmar an Craite in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt involves undertaking his personal quest, “The Lord of Undvik,” a key side quest that directly impacts the succession of the Skellige throne. The main objective is to assist him in killing the giant on Undvik, but the process involves a series of steps and choices. These steps include:
- Starting the Quest: Speak with Crach an Craite during the main quest “The King is Dead – Long Live the King.” He’ll ask for Geralt’s assistance in aiding his children, Cerys and Hjalmar. Accept Crach’s request to begin “The Lord of Undvik.”
- Traveling to Undvik: Sail or fast travel to the island of Undvik. Be prepared for a harsh, frozen environment and hostile creatures.
- Locating Hjalmar: Head towards the Dorve Ruins, a fast travel point on Undvik. Hjalmar and his crew can be found there, having already encountered significant resistance.
- Tracking Hjalmar’s Path: Use your Witcher Senses to investigate the village around Dorve Ruins. You will find signs of a struggle and eventually pick up the trail of Hjalmar’s crew. Follow the blood trail and footprints.
- Exploring the Vildkaarl Village: The trail leads to a Vildkaarl village where you’ll discover more evidence of the battle and the fate of some of Hjalmar’s men. Use your Witcher Senses to examine the environment thoroughly.
- Dealing with Ice Trolls: As you progress, you’ll encounter ice trolls guarding the path. You can either fight them or attempt to negotiate, depending on your build and preference.
- Finding the Shipwreck: Continue following the trail until you reach a shipwreck where more of Hjalmar’s men met their end. Examine the area to gather clues about the giant’s activities.
- Ascending the Mountain: The trail eventually leads up a mountain. Prepare for a challenging climb and potentially more hostile creatures.
- Reaching the Giant’s Lair: At the summit, you’ll find the giant’s lair. This is where you’ll finally encounter the Ice Giant itself.
- Fighting the Giant: Engage the giant in combat. This is a challenging fight, so be sure to use oils, potions, and signs effectively. Quen is particularly useful for absorbing the giant’s powerful attacks. Exploit the giant’s weaknesses, typically fire-based attacks.
- Helping Hjalmar: Throughout the quest, support Hjalmar in his decisions and combat. Make sure he survives the encounters, as his survival is crucial for him to become a potential ruler of Skellige.
- Claiming Glory (Optional): After defeating the giant, you’ll have a dialogue choice where you can either take credit for killing the giant or let Hjalmar claim the glory. This choice has minimal impact on the overall outcome, so choose whichever option you prefer. However, choosing to stick around to loot the giant’s corpse is advised.
- Completing the Quest: Once the giant is defeated and the dialogue is resolved, the quest “The Lord of Undvik” will be completed. Your actions will directly contribute to Hjalmar’s reputation and his potential candidacy for the Skellige throne.
By completing this quest and actively supporting Hjalmar, you significantly increase his chances of becoming the ruler of Skellige, which has consequences for the game’s overall narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you help both Hjalmar and Cerys?
No, you cannot directly “help” both Hjalmar and Cerys simultaneously in the sense of completing their individual quests together. Each quest requires a specific focus. You can, however, complete both quests separately and then make a choice during the coronation regarding who you will support. This decision significantly impacts the future of Skellige.
What happens if Hjalmar becomes king?
If Hjalmar becomes king, he will rule Skellige with a focus on military strength and traditional values. He may initiate raids against Nilfgaard, potentially leading to the deaths of many Skelligers. Hjalmar’s rule is generally considered less beneficial for the long-term prosperity of Skellige compared to Cerys’ rule.
Who to support for King of Skellige?
Choosing who to support is a matter of personal preference. Cerys is generally considered the “best” choice due to her focus on diplomacy and sustainable development, leading to a more prosperous Skellige. Hjalmar is a viable option if you prefer a strong, militaristic leader, but be aware of the potential consequences. Consider which ruler best aligns with your overall narrative goals and Geralt’s character.
How to help resolve the matter of the succession to the Skellige throne?
The matter of succession is resolved by completing the quests associated with Cerys and Hjalmar, then making a choice during the main questline. This will directly influence the outcome of the Skellige succession crisis. Your interventions during these quests, including choices made in dialogue, will determine their popularity and chances of becoming ruler.
Witcher 3 – Brothers in Arms – Help Hjalmar with his expedition to kill the giant of Undvik
The quest “Brothers in Arms” involves gathering allies for the upcoming battle against the Wild Hunt. Helping Hjalmar with his expedition to kill the giant contributes to this cause by securing his support and potentially the support of his clan. Completing “The Lord of Undvik” is crucial for this aspect of the main quest.
Who is the best choice for the Skellige King?
As stated above, Cerys is often seen as the better choice due to her strategic thinking and focus on long-term prosperity. However, the “best” choice depends on your preferred leadership style and the desired outcome for Skellige.
What happens if you don’t help Hjalmar?
If you choose not to help Hjalmar and allow his quest to fail (or intentionally fail it through dialogue), both Hjalmar and Cerys may die during the final battle in the game. This results in a weaker Skellige and potentially impacts the ending.
Who should I help Hjalmar or Cerys?
Helping Cerys is often recommended, as her questline reveals a crucial piece of information related to the Skellige succession crisis and grants access to a Place of Power. However, helping Hjalmar is a perfectly valid choice if you prefer his leadership style.
Who is a better king Cerys or Hjalmar?
Cerys is generally considered the better ruler. Her approach to governance focuses on diplomacy, innovation, and the well-being of her people, leading to a more stable and prosperous Skellige. Hjalmar’s militaristic approach, while strong, can be detrimental in the long run.
Does killing Radovid change anything?
The decision to kill Radovid impacts the political landscape of the Northern Kingdoms. It can lead to different power dynamics and alliances, affecting the outcome of the war against Nilfgaard. If Radovid is eliminated and Dijkstra gains power, the Northern Kingdoms can become a much harsher place.
Should you give Hjalmar the glory?
Giving Hjalmar the glory after killing the giant has minimal impact. This choice is largely cosmetic and doesn’t significantly alter the quest’s outcome. However, by choosing not to give him the glory, you’ll often have time to loot the giant’s body and the surrounding area.
Is Radovid a bad guy?
Radovid is generally considered a villain due to his extreme methods and persecution of mages and non-humans. While some may argue that his actions are motivated by a desire to protect the Northern Kingdoms, his ruthlessness and paranoia make him a dangerous and ultimately destructive force.
Should you race Cerys?
Racing Cerys up the mountain is an optional side activity during her quest. There is no reward for winning, so it is purely for enjoyment and immersion.
Does Hjalmar love Ciri?
There’s a misconception that Hjalmar and Ciri are romantically involved. The game describes Hjalmar and Ciri having a close bond, and there may be romantic undertones, but it is never explicitly stated that he loves Ciri romantically.
Should you accept the sword from Crach?
Accepting the sword from Crach is a symbolic gesture. While the sword itself may not be the most powerful weapon in your arsenal, it’s a memento and a sign of Crach’s trust and respect. It’s generally recommended to accept it.
The choices you make in The Witcher 3 carry significant weight, shaping the world and the fates of its characters. Helping Hjalmar is a crucial step in determining the future of Skellige. You can explore and learn more about gaming, education and communities at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck on the path, Witcher!