Should I Save the Tree or Kill It in The Witcher 3? A Deep Dive into the Whispering Hillock Choice
The choice presented by the Whispering Hillock in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is arguably one of the most morally challenging and impactful decisions in the entire game. There’s no clear “good” option, and each path leads to devastating consequences for different characters. The short answer to the question of whether you should save the tree or kill it is this: there is no right answer, only a choice with different sacrifices.
Ultimately, the “most generally positive solution,” as some might term it, is to kill the spirit in the tree. This choice results in the survival of Downwarren, the safety of the Baron and his wife, though it comes at the cost of the orphans at Crookback Bog. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the only valid choice. Let’s delve deeper into the consequences of each path and the moral implications you need to consider before making your final decision.
The Grim Reality of Choices in Velen
The Whispering Hillock quest demonstrates the bleak and unforgiving nature of the Witcher world. There are no easy answers, and every decision carries a heavy burden. This situation is not about good versus evil, but rather about the lesser of two evils. Let’s break down the scenarios you face.
Option 1: Killing the Tree Spirit
Choosing to kill the spirit imprisoned in the tree has the following results:
- The Crones’ Plan Succeeds: The Crones proceed with their plan to sacrifice the children at Crookback Bog. This is perhaps the most immediate and brutal consequence.
- Anna’s Fate: The Baron’s wife, Anna, does not become a water hag. However, she is driven to madness by the loss of the children, who she considers her grandchildren.
- The Baron’s Survival: The Baron lives, and he takes Anna away to try and find a cure for her madness.
- Downwarren is Safe: The village of Downwarren is spared from destruction and the villagers live.
Option 2: Freeing the Tree Spirit
Choosing to free the spirit yields these outcomes:
- Orphans are Freed: The spirit keeps its promise and frees the children from the Crones. This sounds positive, but it’s far from a happy ending.
- Downwarren Destroyed: In a fit of vengeful rage, the spirit massacres the entire village of Downwarren.
- Anna’s Transformation: The Baron’s wife, Anna, is transformed into a water hag and ultimately dies.
- The Baron’s Fate: The Baron lives, but he is consumed by grief and regret. His relationship with Geralt suffers, as his wife’s curse is a direct result of Geralt’s choice to free the spirit. The Baron is more likely to eventually commit suicide.
Why is This Choice So Difficult?
The core challenge of the Whispering Hillock decision lies in the fact that you are forced to choose between two terrible outcomes, both affecting innocent people. The game intentionally creates a scenario where there is no way to achieve a completely positive outcome.
- The Brutality of the Crones: The Crones are presented as monstrous creatures, and the thought of them eating children makes players want to retaliate, pushing many towards saving the children by freeing the tree spirit.
- The Immediate vs. Long-Term Consequences: Killing the spirit may seem heartless because you are directly condemning the children. However, it spares many more lives in the long run by preventing the Downwarren massacre.
- The Moral Ambiguity: The game never tells you what the ‘correct’ choice is. It forces players to grapple with their own morality and accept that no matter what choice they make, innocent lives will be destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the complexities surrounding this quest, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. What happens if I kill the tree spirit before meeting the Crones?
If you kill the spirit before starting the “Ladies of the Wood” questline, Anna will be driven mad, the Baron will live and will take her away to try and help her. Downwarren is safe and the orphans will die.
2. Does the order of the quests affect the outcome?
Yes, the order in which you complete quests can significantly impact the outcome. For instance, freeing the spirit before encountering the Crones has a different set of consequences than doing so after starting the “Ladies of the Wood” quest.
3. Can I save Anna and the orphans?
Unfortunately, no. The game is designed so that you can’t save both Anna and the orphans simultaneously. One group is always sacrificed for the benefit of the other.
4. Does the Baron die regardless of my choice?
The Baron’s life primarily depends on Anna’s survival and the decisions you make during the main quests. Keeping her alive indirectly helps the Baron stay alive for a longer time. You can, however, be a major cause for his future demise if you cause his wife’s death.
5. Is there a way to kill the Crones during this questline?
You cannot directly kill the Crones during the Whispering Hillock quest. There is only an opportunity to do so much later in the game during Ciri’s questlines. Trying to kill the crones prematurely during Ciri’s sequence results in a game over.
6. What happens if I free the spirit after meeting the Crones?
If you free the spirit after meeting the Crones, the children will be freed from their imprisonment, but the spirit will then destroy Downwarren, the Crones will curse Anna (turning her into a water hag) and she will die and this will indirectly cause the Baron to die eventually.
7. What is the true identity of the Whispering Hillock spirit?
The game doesn’t explicitly state the true identity of the spirit, adding to the mystery and moral complexity of the quest. However, hints suggest that she is a powerful ancient being tied to the land.
8. Does killing the spirit make me a bad person?
There is no clear-cut “good” or “bad” decision in this scenario. Your decision reflects your moral compass and what you value most. Killing the spirit saves Downwarren, but at a cost. Freeing the spirit saves children, but at a greater cost.
9. Can the villagers of Downwarren be saved if I free the spirit?
No. If you choose to free the spirit, the villagers of Downwarren will be massacred.
10. Do I get any special loot by killing or saving the spirit?
The loot or material reward is the same no matter what the outcome, so the decision should only be based on the moral implications and effects.
11. Can I reverse my decision later in the game?
No, the consequences of your decision regarding the spirit are permanent.
12. How does this quest relate to the overall story of The Witcher 3?
The Whispering Hillock is a microcosm of the moral complexities and grim choices Geralt constantly faces throughout The Witcher 3, demonstrating that there are no easy answers in the world. It also sets the tone for further encounters with morally ambiguous characters.
13. What are the long-term impacts of these decisions?
The outcomes affect the fate of key characters, particularly the Baron and Anna, and impact your perception of Velen, a region ravaged by war, monsters, and tragedy.
14. Is it true that freeing the spirit leads to more suffering?
Yes, generally, if you weigh the number of lives lost. Freeing the spirit results in far more casualties, including Anna and the villagers, although the orphans are briefly saved.
15. Should I consult other sources before making a decision?
Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, however, consulting sources can provide insight into all potential outcomes. It is also important to consider your own moral code when making this important decision.
Conclusion
The Whispering Hillock quest is a masterful example of storytelling and player agency. It forces us to grapple with difficult choices and accept that even the most well-intentioned decisions can have tragic consequences. Whether you choose to save the tree or kill it, the decision will forever impact the lives of the characters in the game. There’s no right answer, only the consequences you’re willing to live with. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and understanding all the factors at play is paramount for making an informed and personalized decision.