Is There a Way to Save Jorund in The Witcher 3?
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Yes, Jorund can be saved in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but it requires specific timing and understanding of the game’s quest structure. His fate is tied to the order in which you complete certain quests, specifically the contract “The Phantom of Eldberg” and the quest “King’s Gambit.”
The key to keeping Jorund alive lies in completing the “King’s Gambit” quest before you finish “The Phantom of Eldberg.” If you turn in “The Phantom of Eldberg” before finishing “King’s Gambit,” Jorund’s death is scripted. If you prioritize “King’s Gambit,” the event that leads to his death in “The Phantom of Eldberg” will simply not occur, allowing him to live, albeit potentially missing out on some dialogue or scenes related to his demise.
Understanding the Quest Dependencies
The narrative design of The Witcher 3 often intertwines seemingly unrelated quests, and the Jorund situation is a prime example. “The Phantom of Eldberg” involves investigating a sea monster, while “King’s Gambit” is a major questline focusing on the succession of the Skellige throne.
The connection lies within the political climate of Skellige. Jorund is a member of the clan tasked with dealing with the sea monster. If the events of “King’s Gambit” haven’t played out, a particular power struggle unfolds during “The Phantom of Eldberg,” leading to Jorund’s demise.
Practical Steps to Save Jorund
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Prioritize “King’s Gambit”: As soon as you can, focus on completing the entire “King’s Gambit” questline. This involves navigating Skellige’s political landscape, making crucial decisions that influence who becomes the ruler.
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Delay “The Phantom of Eldberg”: While you can start “The Phantom of Eldberg,” avoid turning it in to Jorund until “King’s Gambit” is fully resolved. Accept the contract, investigate the monster, but hold off on collecting your reward.
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Complete “King’s Gambit”: Finish all the objectives and sub-quests within the “King’s Gambit” storyline. Make sure the succession issue is settled.
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Turn in “The Phantom of Eldberg”: Once “King’s Gambit” is complete, return to Jorund and turn in “The Phantom of Eldberg.” Because of your previous actions, the original trigger that led to his death will no longer occur, and he will be alive and well.
Potential Consequences and Trade-offs
Saving Jorund comes with a minor trade-off: you might miss a brief scene related to his death in “The Phantom of Eldberg.” However, this is a small price to pay for keeping a friendly face alive, especially given the harsh realities of the Witcher world. Players who prioritize completing every single quest and experiencing every possible outcome might want to create a save point before turning in “The Phantom of Eldberg,” allowing them to witness the alternate outcome on a subsequent playthrough.
The decision is ultimately up to the player. However, for those who value Jorund’s character and prefer a slightly more positive outcome, prioritizing “King’s Gambit” is the way to go. This seemingly small choice highlights the complexity and depth of The Witcher 3, where even minor quests can have significant consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I complete “The Phantom of Eldberg” before “King’s Gambit”?
Jorund will die during the questline of “The Phantom of Eldberg.” The specific circumstances leading to his death are part of the narrative consequences of the events unfolding within that quest, influenced by the overarching political tensions in Skellige.
2. Is Jorund important to any other quests besides “The Phantom of Eldberg”?
No, Jorund’s primary role is within “The Phantom of Eldberg.” He doesn’t appear in any other significant quests in the game, making his survival a matter of player choice based on their preference.
3. Does saving Jorund affect the ending of the game?
No, saving Jorund does not directly affect any of the game’s multiple endings. It’s a contained decision within the Skellige questlines and doesn’t have broader implications for the main storyline.
4. Can I still complete all the quests in Skellige if Jorund dies?
Yes, you can still complete all the other quests in Skellige. Jorund’s death only impacts the narrative details within “The Phantom of Eldberg” and doesn’t lock you out of any other content.
5. Is there a way to revive Jorund if he has already died?
No, once Jorund dies in the game, his death is permanent. There are no in-game mechanics or glitches to revive him. The only way to keep him alive is to prevent his death by completing “King’s Gambit” first.
6. What level should I be to attempt “King’s Gambit” and “The Phantom of Eldberg”?
“King’s Gambit” is a higher-level quest, typically recommended for players around level 16 or higher. “The Phantom of Eldberg” is suitable for level 14. Therefore, completing both within these level ranges will allow you to finish “King’s Gambit” before turning in “The Phantom of Eldberg.”
7. Where can I find Blueboy Lugos?
You can find Blueboy Lugos outside the Cave of Dreams. The place is southeast of Kaer Muire in Skellige – there may be a cave entrance marker on your map. Once you get to the location, walk over to the ship. You can start the Blueboy Lugos quest on your own by finding Blueboy Lugos and his crew on a ship, near a cave far southeast of Holmstein’s Port and Kaer Muire, but the location is quite remote and nothing else leads you there.
8. How do I get the “Cave of Dreams” quest?
The “Cave of Dreams” quest is a Skellige side quest that can be obtained after “Contract: The Phantom of Eldberg”, and has suggested level 14. It involves helping Madman Lugos’s son, Blueboy Lugos, as he investigates the Cave of Dreams. You can reach the cave via boat.
9. Where can I find the Black Pearl in Witcher 3?
To find the Black Pearl in The Witcher 3, talk to Nidas on top of the broken bridge. Follow him until you get to the shore near the oyster bed and he’ll ask you to go dive for the black pearl. While underwater use your crossbow to fend off any attackers. Once you find the oyster bed use your Witcher Senses to find to find the oysters.
10. Should I choose Cerys or Hjalmar during the Skellige questline?
Choosing between Cerys or Hjalmar has significant impacts on the “King’s Gambit” questline. Helping Cerys is the best option for both roleplaying and character development.
11. What other quests should I do before going to the Isle of Mists?
It is important to note the consequences of going to the Isle of Mists after completing the quests listed below:
- Ciri’s Room.
- The Fall of the House of Reardon.
- Ghosts of the Past.
- An Invitation from Keira Metz.
- A Towerful of Mice.
- A Favor for a Friend.
- For the Advancement of Learning.
- Magic Lamp.
12. Where is the Sunstone located in Witcher 3?
Once all three mirrors have been turned once, go meet with Philippa. The two of you find the Sunstone and she leaves you with it. Head out the nearby door and follow the path upwards. Kill any Ghosts of the Wild Hunt you encounter along the way.
13. Does letting Mikkjal stay in the village have any consequences?
You can either let him stay where he is, or you can force him to leave. This decision won’t affect the quest. If you didn’t find the letter, then Mikkjal will just stay.
14. Who trapped the Deathless Mother?
The Deathless Mother could not be killed, which is why the Witchers decided to trap her instead.
15. Is Philippa Eilhart a good person?
While Philippa would not be considered a “nice” person by any stretch of the imagination, she was more of a politician and had her own code of ethics, similar to Geralt’s own code, than in the games.
The world of The Witcher 3 is built on choices and consequences, and the fate of Jorund is just one small example of how those choices can shape the game’s narrative. By understanding the quest dependencies and prioritizing accordingly, players can influence the lives of even minor characters and experience the full depth and richness of the game’s storytelling. The Games Learning Society examines topics like this, exploring the educational and narrative facets of gaming. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.