You’re wandering through the dense, oppressive greenery of Skellige when the atmosphere shifts. The music swells with those haunting, discordant strings. You find a group of villagers arguing near a corpse—nothing new for a Witcher, right? But In the Heart of the Woods isn't your standard "kill the beast, collect the coin" contract. It’s a mess. Honestly, it’s one of the most morally grey moments in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and that’s saying something for a game built on the "lesser evil" trope.
I’ve played through this quest three times now. Each time, I feel like a bit of a jerk regardless of what I pick.
Basically, the village of Fayrlund is dying. Or thriving? It depends on who you ask. The elders think the "Spirit of the Wood" makes their warriors strong through a blood pact. The younger generation, led by a guy named Sven, just sees a monster murdering their neighbors. You, as Geralt, are stuck in the middle of a literal generational war.
The Leshen of Fayrlund is Not Your Average Monster
Most monsters in the game are just pests. Drowners? Annoying. Ghouls? Gross. But the In the Heart of the Woods contract features a Woodland Spirit, an ancient Leshen. These things are terrifying. They look like a mix between a deer skeleton and a rotting oak tree, and they have this creepy habit of controlling crows and wolves to do their dirty work.
In Fayrlund, the Leshen isn't just a predator. It’s a god.
Harald, the village elder, argues that the trials the Leshen puts the village through—mostly death—are what keep the Skelligers tough. He wants you to renew the pact by sacrificing wolf hearts at an altar. Sven, on the other hand, wants the thing dead so people stop ending up as crow food.
It sounds like a simple choice between progress and tradition, but CD Projekt Red loves to twist the knife. If you side with Sven, you aren't just a hero. You’re an executioner. If you side with Harald, you’re basically a cult accomplice.
Why the Marking Changes Everything
Before you can even touch the Leshen, you have to find out who it has "marked." This is a biological tether. As long as a marked person stays alive within the village boundaries, the Leshen can't truly die; it’ll just keep regenerating like a bad penny.
Geralt uses his Witcher senses and finds out the marked person is Hilde, a young woman who arguably has done nothing wrong. She’s just a host.
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Now you have a choice. You can tell the villagers to exile her, or you can let them... handle it. "Handle it" usually means murder. This is where the quest gets dark. You realize that by helping the "progressive" youth, you are triggering a purge. Sven isn't just looking for safety; he’s looking for power.
Killing the Woodland Spirit: The Combat Reality
If you decide to go the monster hunter route, prepare for a fight. The Woodland Spirit is an ancient Leshen, which means it has a few more tricks than the ones you find in the forests of Velen.
It teleports. Constantly.
You’ll be swinging your silver sword at a cloud of crows while the actual beast spawns behind you to jam a branch through your ribs. Use Igni. Wood burns. It’s a basic rule of thumb in The Witcher 3, but here it’s your best friend. Keep the Quen shield up because one hit from those root attacks coming out of the ground can shave off half your health bar on Death March difficulty.
The fight is atmospheric as hell. The fog rolls in, the crows scream, and you’re hacking away at a creature that has lived for centuries. But the real fight happens once the Leshen drops.
When you get back to the village to collect your reward, you find out Sven didn't wait for you to finish the job. He and his buddies have already slaughtered the elders, including Harald. They didn't just stop at the "marked" girl. They wiped out the old guard.
You got your gold, but Fayrlund is a bloodbath.
Siding with Harald: The Ritual Route
Maybe you’re feeling more traditional. Or maybe you just don't want to see Hilde murdered. If you talk to Harald, he asks you to prove your worth the "old way." This involves heading to an altar, killing five white wolves, and burning their hearts.
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It’s surprisingly peaceful compared to the boss fight.
The Leshen accepts the offering. The "Spirit" stays in the woods, the pact is renewed, and Harald is happy. He gives you some boots and a bit of coin. But as you walk away, Sven and his goons corner Harald anyway. They want to kill him for being a "relic."
You can step in and kill the youngsters to save the old man, or you can walk away and let the cycle of violence continue.
There is no "Good" ending here.
There is no "Best" outcome.
If you save the Leshen, the village remains a brutal, superstitious place where people die to "stay strong." If you kill the Leshen, you pave the way for a group of murderous thugs to take over.
The Real-World Folklore Behind the Leshen
CDPR didn't just make this stuff up. The Leshen is based on the Leshy from Slavic mythology. In actual folklore, the Leshy was a tutelary spirit of the forests. He wasn't necessarily evil, but he was incredibly protective. He could lead travelers astray or hide the axes of woodcutters.
In the game, In the Heart of the Woods explores the transition from the old world of gods and spirits to the new world of men and politics.
Sapkowski’s books always emphasized that the "monsters" were often less dangerous than the people. This quest is the perfect distillation of that theme. The Leshen is just doing what a Leshen does. It’s an elemental force. Sven, however, chooses to use the crisis to commit a coup.
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A Quick Breakdown of Rewards
| Path | Reward | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Kill the Spirit | Leshen Trophy, 50-100 Crowns, Mutagens | Elders are murdered; Village is "free" but bloodstained. |
| Renew the Pact | 60 Crowns, Harald's Boots | Elders live (initially); Human sacrifice/trials continue. |
Honestly, if you're looking for the best loot, you kill the monster. The Ancient Leshen Mutagen is essential for certain decoctions that help with stamina regeneration. If you’re a completionist or playing a Sign-heavy build, you almost have to kill the Spirit.
It feels dirty, but that's the Witcher life.
Why This Quest Ranks So High for Fans
Most RPGs give you a "Save the Village" or "Let the Village Burn" option. This isn't that. It forces you to look at the collateral damage of "doing the right thing."
If you're a lore nerd, you’ll notice the dialogue differs based on whether you've read the bestiary. Geralt knows exactly what's going to happen to Hilde if he identifies her. He even tries to warn the villagers, but they are blinded by fear and ambition.
It’s the nuance that makes it stick. The way the wind howls through the trees during the ritual. The way the crows follow you. It’s peak environmental storytelling.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re heading into Fayrlund soon, keep these points in mind to make the most of the experience:
- Check your Bestiary first. Read the entry on "Ancient Leshens." It gives you a tactical advantage and some extra dialogue context.
- Don't rush the decision. Talk to both Harald and Sven fully. Listen to their arguments. The game doesn't give you a timer, so weigh the moral cost.
- Loot the Leshen carefully. If you kill it, make sure you grab the trophy and the mutagen. The mutagen is a rare drop and you won't get another chance at it easily in Skellige.
- Prepare for a fight either way. Even if you side with Harald, you might end up fighting Sven’s group if you decide to protect the elder at the end. Have your steel sword ready for the humans and your silver for the wolves.
- Exile or Death. If you go the Sven route, try to push for Hilde's exile. It doesn't change the ultimate fate of the elders, but it's one less death on Geralt's conscience.
Ultimately, In the Heart of the Woods serves as a reminder that being a Witcher isn't just about swords and spells. It’s about navigating the messy, violent, and often contradictory nature of humanity. You’re a mutant, an outsider, and no matter what you choose, someone is going to hate you for it.
Make sure your silver sword is oiled with Forest Folk Oil before you step into those trees. You're going to need it.