Recovering Your Coin in the Savage Isles: A Guide to Getting Your Money Back in Skellige
So, you’ve braved the treacherous seas and set sail for Skellige in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. You’ve shelled out a hefty sum for passage, only to be shipwrecked upon arrival. Fear not, weary traveler! Retrieving your hard-earned crowns is indeed possible, though it requires a bit of scavenging.
How to get your money back in Skellige?
The answer depends on the context. If you’re referring to the initial 1,000 crowns paid for passage to Skellige and the subsequent shipwreck, you can recover it by locating the body of Captain Wolverstone on the beach near the wreckage. After the shipwreck, head directly behind the ship’s wreckage. There, you’ll find Captain Wolverstone’s corpse. Loot his body, and you will find your 1,000 crowns. Consider it a morbid form of insurance.
Alternatively, if you’re referring to the lesser evil choice of releasing the man who owes money (150 crowns) instead of killing him for being late on his debt, you can eventually recoup that investment plus interest. This scenario plays out in a quest involving a debt owed to Geralt. The ‘wisest’ decision is to let the man go, because you can find him in Fyresdal village a day later, with 200 crowns waiting for you. Combined with the initial 20 crowns received earlier, this nets you a profit of 70 crowns.
Let’s delve deeper into these scenarios and answer some common questions that might arise on your Skellige adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions About Skellige and Your Coin
H3: Passage to Skellige and the Shipwreck
1. Can I get to Skellige without paying 1,000 crowns?
Unfortunately, no. The archipelago’s reputation as a haven for raiders makes it a risky destination. No captain will ferry you there without a substantial payment. Consider it a pirate tax. You will need 1,000 crowns to pay for passage to Skellige.
2. Does the guy in Skellige pay you back after the shipwreck?
In a sense, yes. You’re recouping your losses from the captain’s dead body. It’s not a voluntary repayment, but you do get your money back. There is also another instance where a man owes you money, and eventually, you can get more money back from him.
3. What happens if I miss looting Captain Wolverstone’s body?
While you can still complete the main storyline and explore Skellige without those 1,000 crowns, it’s a significant amount of money early in the game. If you progress too far without looting the body, it may despawn. Therefore, looting his corpse should be a top priority immediately after the shipwreck.
H3: Exploring Skellige and its Quests
4. Can you return from Skellige?
Absolutely! Skellige isn’t a one-way trip. Once you discover a fast travel point, you can freely travel back to the mainland (Velen/Novigrad) and return to Skellige whenever you please. The main questline will also naturally take you back and forth.
5. What is the best ending for Skellige?
This is subjective, but many consider Cerys an Craite to be the best ruler for Skellige. If you complete the Clan an Craite side quests and side with Cerys during King’s Gambit, Skellige will experience peace and prosperity under her rule. Cerys prioritizes the well-being and safety of her people, ruling with wisdom and diplomacy.
6. Should I side with Cerys or Hjalmar?
While both siblings have their merits, Cerys is often considered the wiser choice. Her approach to solving the mystery surrounding the king’s death during the “King’s Gambit” quest reveals Birna Bran as the real culprit. In contrast, Hjalmar’s path only clears his family’s name, without unveiling the larger conspiracy. The game subtly nudges players towards supporting Cerys.
7. Should you race Cerys?
During the “King’s Gambit” quest, Cerys will challenge Geralt to a race up the mountain. You can accept if you’d like, but there’s no reward for winning. It’s purely for fun and a bit of character interaction.
8. Where is the hidden treasure in Skellige?
Skellige is littered with hidden treasures, often marked by question marks on the map. One notable example is the Nilfgaardian Treasure. Located near the harbor on the northeast island, you’ll need to fight off a siren, find a corpse with a note, and use your Witcher Senses to locate the hidden loot underwater.
9. Is it worth getting all the question marks in Skellige?
This depends on your playstyle. While exploring the question marks can lead to valuable loot, including crafting materials, armor, and relics, many of the items you’ll find are just vendor trash. If you’re a completionist or need extra cash, go for it. If not, focus on the main quests and interesting side quests.
H3: Economics and Investments in The Witcher 3
10. Should I invest 5000 in Witcher 3?
This likely refers to investing in the runewright in Hearts of Stone. Investing the first 5000 crowns to unlock the first tier of services is worthwhile because it grants access to the Preservation enchantment. Preservation is extremely valuable and prevents the loss of upgrades when replacing gear.
11. What should I always sell in Witcher 3?
Focus on selling items with a high weight-to-value ratio. Common-quality weapons and armor from bandits or soldiers are good candidates. Boots and gloves often weigh very little but can sell for a decent price. Selling to the appropriate vendors is key; armorers pay more for armor, blacksmiths for weapons, and herbalists for alchemy ingredients.
12. Should I win the race or pay the debt in the quest “The Dangers of Gambling”?
If you win, you receive a master saddle, and Dandelion gets his placards. If you lose, Rautlec incurs more debt, and you have the option to pay it off or abandon him. Paying his debts can be considered the morally good thing to do.
13. How to get rich early in Witcher 3?
Loot everything and sell strategically! Prioritize selling to the correct vendors (armor to armorers, weapons to blacksmiths, etc.) for better prices. Focus on completing contracts and side quests, as they offer substantial rewards. Gwent can also be a lucrative source of income if you’re skilled.
H3: Miscellaneous Skellige Questions
14. Can you save Uncle Vesemir?
Sadly, no. Vesemir’s death is a fixed point in the narrative. No matter your choices, Vesemir will die defending Ciri from the Wild Hunt.
15. How do you get a full Skellige Gwent deck?
To start your Skellige Gwent journey, challenge merchants and craftsmen in Toussaint to Gwent. Defeating them rewards you with Skellige cards and triggers the quests “Gwent: Never Fear, Skellige’s Here” and “Gwent: To Everything – Turn, Turn, Tournament!”.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers a rich and complex world, full of choices and consequences. Understanding the economics of the game, mastering Gwent, and making informed decisions during quests can significantly impact your experience. Whether you’re seeking to recover lost coin, become a Gwent master, or influence the fate of Skellige, remember to explore, experiment, and immerse yourself in this captivating world. Learning through play is a valuable concept explored by the Games Learning Society, emphasizing the educational potential of video games. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more.
The choices you make in Skellige matter and can have a significant effect on the rest of the game. Be sure to make them wisely.