Witcher 3 Tree Spirit Best Choice and What Happens Next
The Whispering Hillock quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt presents players with one of the most morally complex decisions in RPG history. Geralt of Rivia must decide whether to destroy or liberate an ancient entity imprisoned beneath a giant tree in Velen. This choice triggers a ripple effect that reshapes the fate of the local populace and key main characters.
What Happens When You Free the Tree Spirit
Choosing to free the entity requires completing a dark ritual involving raven feathers, horse bones, and a wild steed. Once released, the spirit fulfills its promise to rescue the orphans living in Crookback Bog. It transports the children safely to Novigrad, saving them from the sinister Crones.
However, this salvation comes at a devastating cost to the surrounding community. Enraged by the loss of the children, the Crones punish Anna Strenger by cursing her into a water hag. Even after Geralt lifts the curse, Anna dies from its lingering effects, driving the Bloody Baron to commit suicide out of grief.
Furthermore, the newly freed spirit seeks vengeance on the nearby settlement of Downwarren. It razes the entire village, leaving no survivors among the inhabitants who served the Crones. The creature then disappears into the wilderness, unleashing another unpredictable threat upon Velen.
What Happens When You Kill the Tree Spirit
If Geralt chooses to destroy the spirit, a fierce fight breaks out beneath the Whispering Hillock. The entity summons waves of Endrega creatures to protect its exposed heart during combat. Once defeated, the threat of the ancient entity is permanently eliminated from the region.
With the spirit dead, the Crones proceed to capture and consume the orphans of Crookback Bog. Because the children were not saved, the Crones have no reason to punish Anna for their disappearance. She remains alive, though her tragic experiences leave her mind deeply fractured.
The Bloody Baron survives this outcome and decides to take Anna away to seek medical treatment. Downwarren also avoids total annihilation, maintaining its fragile existence despite its subservience to the Crones.
Which Option Is Considered the Best Choice
Determining the best choice depends on which lives you prioritize in war-torn Velen. Killing the spirit is often regarded as the lesser of two evils because it saves the Baron, Anna, and the village. Freeing the spirit saves innocent children but leads to widespread destruction and major character deaths.
Ultimately, both paths demonstrate the grey morality that defines the Witcher universe. Player decisions in this quest leave lasting impacts on the narrative without providing a perfectly happy resolution. Evaluating these consequences allows players to tailor Geralt's journey according to their personal moral compass.