In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players frequently encounter moral dilemmas that challenge their understanding of right and wrong. The side quest titled In the Heart of the Woods takes Geralt to the isolated village of Fayrlund on the main island of Skellige. Here, players must navigate a deep conflict between traditional elders and rebellious youths regarding an ancient forest spirit.
Starting the Quest and Investigating the Woods
To begin the contract, players can check the notice board at Kaer Trolde Harbor or travel directly southwest of Fayrlund. Upon arriving, Geralt witnesses a dispute among the villagers concerning recent brutal deaths in the surrounding forest. Using Witcher Senses allows you to examine nearby monster tracks and uncover the true identity of the creature threatening the community.
Understanding the Ancient Leshen Threat
Consulting the Bestiary reveals that the Woodland Spirit haunting Fayrlund is an ancient Leshen. This powerful creature has bound its life force to one of the villagers, making it impossible to slay permanently without resolving the connection first. Geralt must use his Witcher Senses around the village to identify the marked individual, who turns out to be a young woman named Hilde.
Choosing Between Harald and Sven
Players are presented with two distinct paths to resolve the conflict between the village elders and the younger generation. Siding with Harald involves making a traditional sacrifice at an altar in the woods to appease the creature. Alternatively, choosing Sven requires exiling or sacrificing Hilde before hunting down the Leshen in its lair.
Defeating the Leshen or Completing the Ritual
If you choose to destroy the beast, Geralt must locate and shatter three totems before engaging the monster in combat. Utilizing Quen shields and Igni signs effectively counteracts the Leshen's relentless attacks and wolf summons. Completing the objective earns valuable rewards, including experience points and specialized crafting loot.
