Should You Spare the Ghost in the Tree in The Witcher 3? A Veteran Witcher’s Perspective
The question of whether to spare or kill the spirit in the Whispering Hillock in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a moral quandary that has plagued Witchers (and gamers) for years. There’s no easy answer, as both choices lead to dire consequences. However, based on my extensive experience (both in-game and philosophically), sparing the ghost in the tree is, generally speaking, the “lesser evil,” provided you do it after starting the “Ladies of the Wood” questline. This decision hinges on the understanding that while it carries a heavy cost, it ultimately saves the lives of the orphans at Crookback Bog. This seemingly benevolent act, however, triggers a chain of unfortunate events. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this pivotal choice and unpack the consequences of each path.
The Weighing of Souls: Understanding the Choices
The core of this decision rests on your understanding of the situation. The Whispering Hillock is home to a powerful, ancient entity trapped within a tree. This entity claims to be a wronged druid who can help the children being held captive by the Crones of Crookback Bog. However, freeing the spirit comes at a price: it needs a vessel, typically a horse, to escape its imprisonment, which can lead to disastrous results for the inhabitants of Downwarren.
On the other hand, killing the spirit ensures the safety of Downwarren and the potential, albeit temporary, stability of the Baron’s family. This is because the Crones will be able to continue with their plans unhindered. The problem is that in that unhindered state, they turn their attention to the orphans, and the fate of the Baron’s wife will be drastically affected.
Analyzing the Consequences
Let’s break down the specific outcomes of each choice:
Sparing the Spirit (After Initiating “Ladies of the Wood”)
- Pros: The orphans at Crookback Bog are saved. The spirit, true to its word, spirits them away from the Crones’ clutches. They are eventually found in Novigrad, under the care of Marabella.
- Cons: The village of Downwarren is massacred. The freed spirit, now unburdened, wreaks havoc on the unsuspecting villagers. Furthermore, the Crones, enraged by the spirit’s interference, curse Anna, the Baron’s wife, transforming her into a Water Hag. Anna eventually dies. While the Baron is spared her initial death, the curse still claims her and he ends up taking her on a journey to find a cure.
Killing the Spirit
- Pros: Downwarren is spared destruction. The villagers remain safe, and their worship of the Crones continues. The Baron’s family is temporarily intact. Anna does not initially become a monster; however, she still suffers from mental instability.
- Cons: The Crones proceed with their plans for the orphans. In most likelihood, they are consumed. The Baron’s wife, Anna, may survive but she will never fully recover mentally, leaving the Baron distraught and setting out to find a cure for her madness.
Why Sparing the Spirit (After “Ladies of the Wood”) is Generally “Better”
While the massacre of Downwarren is a horrific consequence, it’s important to remember that the Baron’s wife can still be affected when the spirit is killed. This is especially the case if the Baron and Anna can still be seen as savable when taking the overall story into account.
Moreover, the fact that the orphans get saved is the deciding factor. Saving the lives of innocent children from an absolutely terrible fate arguably outweighs the loss of the adults in Downwarren. While both outcomes are tragic, the possibility of saving the orphans represents a sliver of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.
The Importance of Timing
Crucially, the order in which you undertake these quests matters. If you complete the “Whispering Hillock” quest before starting “Ladies of the Wood,” the consequences are slightly different. If that happens, Anna will merely go mad, and the Baron will take her away to seek healing. While a tragic outcome, it is often viewed as the “best” bad ending available in this questline.
Understanding the Spirit’s Nature
The “evil” of the spirit is a matter of perspective. The texts within the game suggest it was once a powerful druid, potentially wronged and unjustly imprisoned. While its actions after being freed are undeniably destructive, they might be seen as a desperate act of vengeance against those who wronged it. This doesn’t excuse the massacre of Downwarren, but it adds a layer of complexity to the decision. Perhaps a world that offers so much suffering to innocent women can be understood by the spirit who has spent so long suffering.
Learning and Morality in The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3, like many RPGs, presents difficult choices that force players to confront complex moral dilemmas. These scenarios, much like the research conducted at the Games Learning Society (link: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/), demonstrate how games can be powerful tools for exploring ethical considerations and understanding the consequences of our actions. The game has had numerous academic takes exploring the moral complexities of player agency. The choice at the Whispering Hillock encapsulates this perfectly.
Navigating the Grey: No Easy Answers
Ultimately, the decision of whether to spare or kill the ghost in the tree rests on your own moral compass. There is no objectively “right” answer. Both choices result in significant loss and suffering. Consider your priorities: Do you prioritize the safety of a village or the lives of orphaned children? What impact will your choice have on the Baron’s family? The choice is yours, Witcher. Make it wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly happens if I kill the spirit in the Whispering Hillock?
If you kill the spirit, Downwarren is spared, and the Crones proceed with their plans for the orphans. The Baron’s wife, Anna, may survive but often will not recover mentally. The Baron then vows to take her away to seek help.
2. What happens if I free the spirit before starting “Ladies of the Wood”?
Freeing the spirit before starting “Ladies of the Wood” results in Anna simply going mad, and the Baron taking her away to seek help. This is often considered a “lesser evil” outcome.
3. Is the spirit in the tree truly evil?
The spirit’s “evil” is subjective. It claims to be a wronged druid. While its actions upon being freed are destructive, they can be interpreted as revenge against those who imprisoned it. It is up to the player to decide their point of view of the spirit.
4. Can I save both the orphans and Downwarren?
No, there is no way to achieve a completely “good” outcome in this questline. Both choices have negative consequences.
5. What are the trigger warnings associated with the Ghost in the Tree quest?
The quest contains trigger warnings for blood, gore, racism, and romantic plot lines and discussions of sex between adults and minors (though not depicted on screen).
6. Can I kill the Crones earlier in the game?
Yes, during Ciri’s quest, “Ciri’s Story: Fleeing the Bog,” it is possible for Ciri to return to the cabin and kill the Crones. This can only occur after the “Ladies of the Wood” main quest.
7. Can Geralt kill all the Crones?
Geralt cannot kill all the Crones. You can only fight the last Crone if Ciri dies, leading to a specific “bad” ending.
8. How do I save Anna and the orphans?
Freeing the spirit (after starting “Ladies of the Wood”) saves the orphans, but it comes at the cost of Downwarren and Anna being cursed into a water hag. You can save Anna by killing the spirit.
9. How can I save the Baron’s wife, Anna?
You can “save” Anna from becoming a Water Hag by killing the spirit. The Baron’s family will remain safe, and the nearby village will be safe too, although Anna’s mental state remains unstable.
10. What happens to the orphans if I free the spirit after starting “Ladies of the Wood”?
If you free the spirit, it saves the orphans from the Crones. They are later found under the care of Marabella in Novigrad.
11. What happens if I kill the spirit in the Whispering Hillock after starting “Ladies of the Wood”?
If you kill the spirit, Downwarren is spared, but the orphans are likely consumed by the Crones. The Baron’s family may remain together but Anna often suffers from mental issues.
12. Is there a way to trick the spirit?
There is no way to “trick” the spirit into a better outcome. The quest will always lead to either the destruction of Downwarren or the loss of the orphans.
13. Can I change my decision after making it?
No, once you make your choice at the Whispering Hillock, it is permanent. The consequences will play out accordingly.
14. Why does the order of the quests matter so much?
The order of the quests affects the specific outcomes of the “Whispering Hillock” quest. Completing it before “Ladies of the Wood” alters the fate of Anna.
15. What is the “best” outcome for this questline?
There is no “best” outcome, only the lesser of two evils. Most players consider sparing the spirit (after “Ladies of the Wood”) to be the best choice because it saves the orphans. Others prioritize the well-being of Downwarren and choose to kill the spirit. The decision is ultimately a personal one.
Ultimately, the decision to spare or kill the ghost in the tree in The Witcher 3 is a testament to the game’s complex storytelling and moral ambiguity. It is a choice that requires careful consideration and a willingness to accept the consequences, whatever they may be. This exploration of complex decisions reflects the power of games for learning, as championed by organizations like GamesLearningSociety.org. Embrace the grey, Witcher, and make the choice that aligns with your own principles.