The Witcher 3: Ladies of the Wood Quest Guide
Ladies of the Wood is a pivotal main quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that leads Geralt into the eerie depths of Crookback Bog. To find clues about Ciri’s whereabouts, you must navigate the deceptive “Trail of Treats” and strike a dangerous deal with the Crones—the powerful and malevolent rulers of the swamp.
To unlock this quest, you first need to complete Wandering in the Dark. Once finished, “Ladies of the Wood” triggers automatically, setting you on a path toward one of the most atmospheric and unsettling regions in Velen.
Last updated: 2026
TL;DR: Ladies of the Wood Quick Summary #
- Goal: Find information about Ciri by contacting the Crones of Crookback Bog.
- Prerequisite: Complete the quest “Wandering in the Dark.”
- Key NPC: Johnny the Godling, who helps you reach the Crones.
- Critical Battle: Fight a Wyvern and Harpies at Raven’s Nest to recover Johnny’s voice.
- Outcome: Leads directly into the high-stakes choice of The Whispering Hillock.
Quick Reference Guide #
| Phase | Primary Objective | Key Requirement | Rewards/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Read the “Ladies of the Wood” book | Access Inventory $\rightarrow$ Quest Items | Map marker for Trail of Treats |
| Infiltration | Reach Crookback Bog | Follow the Trail of Treats | Entry to the orphans’ village |
| Investigation | Speak with the boy | Distract Gran (Hide & Seek or Sweets) | Location of Johnny the Godling |
| Rescue | Recover Johnny’s voice | Defeat Wyvern & Harpies | Johnny’s cooperation & Ciri clues |
| Negotiation | Contact the Crones | Use the tapestry in the hut | Assignment to visit Downwarren |
| The Deal | Help the Ealdorman | Complete The Whispering Hillock | Proof of service (an ear) |
Full Walkthrough: Step-by-Step #
1. Read the Lore #
Before heading into the swamp, open your inventory and read the book “Ladies of the Wood” given to you by Keira Metz.
Pro Tip: Don’t just click through the pages. Reading the book in full provides essential lore about the Crones’ nature and their relationship with the people of Velen, which helps set the mood for the horror ahead.
2. Navigate the Trail of Treats #
Once the book is read, a marker appears for the Trail of Treats. This is a winding path marked by sweets and sculptures. Use your Witcher Senses to stay on track. While the path is straightforward, be mindful of opportunistic monsters that may ambush you along the way.
3. Meet the Children and Gran #
Upon arriving at Crookback Bog, you’ll encounter a group of orphans and their caretaker, Gran. While the children are frightened, they are your only lead to Ciri. Gran will attempt to block your progress and discourage you from questioning the children.
4. Outsmart Gran #
To get the information you need, you must speak with the boy who knows about Johnny. Since Gran won’t let you, you have two choices to distract her:
- Play Hide and Seek: Chase the children using your Witcher Senses. Find all four to earn their help.
- Give them Sweets: A faster option if you have the items on hand. Once Gran is lured away, speak to the boy. He will reveal that Johnny is hiding in a hut to the east.
5. Find Johnny the Godling #
Follow the marker to the east of the bog. You’ll encounter several Drowners on the way—don’t let them surround you. When you reach the hut, you’ll meet Johnny, a Godling. He knows where Ciri is but has had his voice stolen by the Crones.
6. Recover the Voice at Raven’s Nest #
Follow Johnny to a cliffside nest. To get the bottle containing Johnny’s voice, you must fight a Wyvern and three Harpies.
- Combat Strategy: Start by firing your crossbow at the Wyvern to draw it down to ground level and isolate it. Once the Wyvern is dealt with, use the Axii sign on the Harpies while they are airborne; this will knock them to the ground, leaving them vulnerable to heavy attacks.
7. Contact the Crones #
Return the voice to Johnny, and he will lead you back to the village. Johnny can persuade Gran to let you communicate with the Crones. Inside the hut, interact with the Tapestry to speak with the Ladies. They agree to tell you about Ciri, but only if you perform a favor for them first.
8. Visit Downwarren and the Ealdorman #
Travel north to Downwarren and speak with the Ealdorman. He will task you with removing an “evil” presence from the woods, triggering the quest The Whispering Hillock.
Edge Case: Auto-Completion If you have already dealt with the spirit in the Whispering Hillock before speaking to the Ealdorman, the quest will auto-complete, and you can proceed immediately to the final meeting with the Crones.
The Final Reveal and Consequences #
After returning the “proof” (the severed ear) to the Crones, you will finally learn about Ciri’s fate. During this sequence, the true identity of Gran is revealed, tying back to the events of Family Matters. Depending on your choices in the Whispering Hillock, the Crones will be either pleased or furious with you, though they will provide the necessary information regardless.
FAQ: Ladies of the Wood #
Q: How do I start the Ladies of the Wood quest? A: Complete the quest “Wandering in the Dark” first. “Ladies of the Wood” will then trigger automatically.
Q: What is the best way to distract Gran? A: If you want to save time, giving the children sweets is the fastest way. If you enjoy the exploration and use of Witcher Senses, playing hide and seek is a more immersive choice.
Q: How do I beat the Wyvern and Harpies at Raven’s Nest? A: Use the crossbow to ground the Wyvern first. For the Harpies, use the Axii sign to knock them out of the sky for easy kills.
Q: Who is Johnny the Godling? A: Johnny is a rare, humanoid swamp creature capable of speech. He acts as a guide and ally in navigating the political landscape of Crookback Bog.
Q: Does the outcome of this quest affect Ciri? A: While this specific quest provides information, the subsequent quest (The Whispering Hillock) contains a major choice that significantly impacts the fate of the children in the bog and the village of Downwarren.