How to Save the Bloody Baron in The Witcher 3: A Comprehensive Guide
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The fate of the Bloody Baron, one of the most compelling and tragic characters in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is a complex one, heavily influenced by player choices during the “Family Matters” questline. The short answer to saving the Baron is: you must ensure his wife, Anna, survives. This can only be achieved by freeing the tree spirit before starting the quest that asks you to kill it. This choice carries its own grim consequences but is the key to ensuring the Baron lives and (eventually) gets Anna to a healer.
It’s not simply a matter of choosing a “good” ending though. The Witcher 3 is designed to present players with morally gray choices, and the Baron’s story is a prime example. There’s no perfect outcome where everyone lives happily ever after. Saving the Baron comes at the expense of others and involves understanding the intricate choices.
Understanding the Key Decisions
The critical junction comes with the Whispering Hillock quest, an optional side quest that becomes available early in the game. You have two main choices here:
1. Free the Tree Spirit (Before “The Ladies of the Wood”):
- How to do it: Before you first speak to the Crones, go to the Whispering Hillock location. Locate and speak to the tree spirit. You will have to complete a short quest to release it.
- Outcome: If you release the spirit before speaking to the Crones for the main quest, it will help you later. Later, when you go to the orphanage and save the children, the spirit will intervene and save them from the Crones.
- Consequences:
- The children at the orphanage are saved.
- Anna lives (initially) but will be cursed by the Crones.
- After removing the curse, Anna will die. The Baron will take her to a healer. This is the “good” outcome for the Baron.
- The village of Downwarren is destroyed.
2. Kill the Tree Spirit (Or do not complete the side quest)
- How to do it: You can kill it as part of the “Ladies of the Wood” main quest. The Crones will ask you to kill it.
- Outcome: You are forced to kill the spirit during the main questline.
- Consequences:
- The children of the orphanage will die.
- Anna will live and is not cursed.
- The Baron and Anna leave Velen together to seek healing, leading to a happier (relatively) ending for the Baron.
- The villagers survive.
The Best Outcome for the Baron
The “best” outcome for the Baron, from his point of view, is that he survives and Anna lives. This is achieved by freeing the tree spirit before completing the Ladies of the Wood quest. While this outcome is not without cost, it does lead to a more hopeful ending for the Baron and Anna. It allows them to have a shot at recovery, even if Anna’s fate is ultimately sealed, this allows them to take her for healing.
Steps to Take
- Explore early: Don’t rush the main questline. Explore the Velen map thoroughly.
- Locate Whispering Hillock: Discover this location as soon as possible. It is near the village of Downwarren.
- Complete “The Whispering Hillock” quest: Choose to free the spirit before speaking to the Crones about Anna.
- Continue the “Family Matters” quest: Follow the main questline, knowing that the children at the orphanage will be saved and the spirit has been freed.
- Complete “Ladies of the Wood” quest: The Crones will be enraged by your prior actions.
- Follow up on Anna’s fate: A curse will turn Anna into a hag. You will need to remove the curse.
- Witness the Baron’s choice: After removing the curse and Anna passes away, the Baron takes her for a healer. This is the only way to ensure he does not hang himself.
A Note on Morality
There’s a reason this questline is hailed as one of the best in gaming. It forces players to confront the terrible choices often faced in a world as bleak as that of The Witcher 3. The idea of a true “good” outcome is not possible, you have to choose between the lesser of two evils. This adds depth to the game and forces you to weigh the consequences of your actions. It also stays true to the moral complexities of the Witcher universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the Bloody Baron ever appear again?
No, the Bloody Baron does not appear again after the completion of this questline. He is either dead or has left with Anna.
2. Is there any way to save both Anna and the Children of Downwarren?
Unfortunately, no. The game forces you to choose between the two. Saving Anna (and therefore the Baron) means the children will be saved, but the village will be destroyed.
3. What if I kill the Tree Spirit?
Killing the tree spirit (or not completing the side quest) will result in the children of the orphanage dying. However, Anna will live and not be cursed. She and the Baron will leave to find healing.
4. Does the Baron’s death affect the main story?
No. While his story is significant and emotional, the Baron’s death does not impact the main story progression. It is however an integral part of that story.
5. Can I loot the Bloody Baron’s house without consequences?
Yes, you can loot any house in the game without any significant repercussions.
6. What happens if I don’t return to Crookback Bog?
If you don’t follow the Baron to Crookback Bog, you won’t witness the resolution of his story. He will eventually disappear and may die.
7. When should I go to the Whispering Hillock?
You should go to the Whispering Hillock and resolve that quest before speaking to the Crones for the main quest.
8. Is the Bloody Baron questline optional?
No, the questline is integral to the main story and must be completed to progress in the game.
9. Is the Bloody Baron a Gwent player?
Yes, you can play Gwent with the Baron, and by defeating him, you win the Sigismund Dijkstra card. However, if you don’t do this before he leaves/dies, you will miss your chance.
10. Should I tell the Baron about Tamara before going to see her?
Yes, telling the Baron about Tamara will give you a doll and letter which unlocks additional dialogue and gives you more insight into their family dynamics.
11. Does it matter if I go find Tamara first?
While optional, finding Tamara first will mark off an objective on the quest list, helping keep your progression clear.
12. What happens if Nilfgaard wins?
Nilfgaard gaining control will result in most of the Continent falling under their rule, with Temeria retaining a semblance of autonomy.
13. What is the ‘good’ ending in Caspian Metro?
This is not related to the Witcher 3.
14. Does killing Radovid change anything?
Yes. If you kill Radovid and side with Djikstra, he will rise to power with harsh consequences for the land.
15. How many endings does the Bloody Baron questline have?
There are effectively two major endings: one where you free the tree spirit and another where you kill it (or don’t interact with it) . Each results in a different fate for the Baron, Anna, and the children of Downwarren.