The Witcher 3: The Calm Before the Storm quest guide
Here's how to complete The Calm Before the Storm quest in The Witcher 3.
The Calm Before The Storm is a well-named quest, as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stop pottering about and starts to get serious from here on in. This quest will conclude Act One of the game and swiftly take you into Act Two, while also letting you play as Based Ciri for a short while.
For a helping hand playing as Ciri and keeping her from harm, here's our guide on how to complete The Calm Before the Storm quest in The Witcher 3.
The Witcher 3: The Calm Before the Storm quest guide
After a few cutscenes, The Calm Before the Storm has you in control of Ciri in The Witcher 3. Chat away with Skjall, whom as you probably recall is the Craven you were searching for in Nameless, and then with his sister Astrid, who insists you go to the sauna.
Don't bother politely demurring; Ciri's health bar is alarmingly low, and the sauna will revive you. Follow Astrid to the sauna and enter the changing room; you need to interact with the cabinet at the far end to change clothes. Wear a towel, if you like, or go starkers to learn about Ciri's rose tattoo.
Enter the sauna proper and chat with Astrid and her mother for a while (you can say whatever you like, but note that there are no negative - or racy! - consequences to saying Ciri prefers women, which is a nice bonus for those who have read the books) before announcing your intention to leave. They suggest a plunge in the pool before you leave, and you should absolutely do so - just follow your HorsePS outside to the deck and leap in. Follow along to the next waypoint and take a shot to completely fill your health bar. Much better!
Return to the changing room and put on your clothes, then go looking for Skjall at the stables. Unfortunately before you can leave, the Hunt attacks. Dispatch Hunters and Hounds until Skjall calls to you to run for it, updating the quest goal. Head back to the stables and mount up.
This riding section is actually a bit tough if you go about it the wrong way. Don't just gallop for the goal; whenever you see a red dot pop up on the mini-map, steer your horse in a wide circle around it, slowing down if necessary. Your main goal is to not let them touch Ciri.
When you make it to the end waypoint unharmed, you'll trigger a bunch of cutscenes which eventually drop you back with Yennefer at the conclusion of Nameless. Talk to her about one last favour she wants from you before exiting the garden.
Congratulations is now in order, because if you're here after visiting Velen and Novigrad and completing the quests in full, you've now completed Act One of The Witcher 3. Act Two begins with Ugly Baby.
If you fancy doing something else as Geralt for a bit, here's our The Witcher 3 guide and walkthrough, as well as our Hearts of Stone walkthrough, and Blood and Wine walkthrough to help you out with whatever endeavour you embark on.