One of the Most Iconic RPGs Hid Its Best Story in a Side Quest

The history of role-playing games is defined not just by sprawling worlds, elaborate systems, and branching dialogue trees, but also by the narratives that contain it all. The most successful RPGs leave a story that lingers long after you put the controller down, such as epic conflicts between nations, apocalyptic threats, or richly developed protagonists and characters. These often comprise the primary goal of the player, but sometimes they are not the best stories available. The strongest narrative may, at times, be hidden somewhere else in the journey, one that some players may never even discover. These smaller quests prove that emotional depth doesn’t need to depend on saving the world for it to resonate with players.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is regarded as one of the finest RPGs in gaming history. Geralt of Rivia is one of the most iconic characters, and CD Projekt RED’s story is widely praised across multiple mediums of entertainment. However, while the main story is excellent, there is a side quest tucked away that remains one of the most popular in the game — in fact, it’s one of the most popular side quest in all of gaming. This quest is the Bloody Baron.

When Side Quests Surpass the Main Journey

In most games, side quests are designed as distractions or ways to pad the game. Fetch quests, hunting monsters, or delivering messages are common examples of this. But sometimes, developers put great care into crafting side quests, care that rivals the main story itself. Rarely, these quests eclipse the main story, as is the case for The Witcher 3’s The Bloody Baron quest. Even among the other side quests in the game, this one stands above all the rest.

The Bloody Baron begins as a straightforward mission: track down a missing family member. But what unfolds explores grounded, human themes like abuse, alcoholism, redemption, and the consequences of our choices. How the quest unfolds also depends on your choices as Geralt, starting from the very beginning. Players can approach Crow’s Perch and meet the Baron through different means, showcasing the branching paths at the start.

The quest ultimately revolves around Phillip Strenger, the Bloody Baron, asking Geralt to search for his missing wife and daughter in exchange for information on Ciri. Geralt’s quest leads him to Crookback Bog, where he uncovers that Phillip is both an alcoholic and an abuser, which caused his wife to flee with their daughter. To further complicate things, Anna, the Baron’s wife, had previously made a deal with the Crones, a deal that had come back to bite her. There are multiple ways the Bloody Baron quest can end, with none of them being particularly happy.

The Bloody Anatomy of a Side Quest Masterpiece

What makes this quest so haunting and endearing is the events that lead up to its multiple endings. On the surface, the Baron seems concerned for his wife and daughter, and merely wants them back. However, it becomes apparent that they fled because of him. Their fear traces back to before his daughter was grown, when Anna made a pact with some Crones to stop a child with the Baron. The Crones twisted this, sapping her strength along with the baby’s. Fortunately, Anna was able to acquire a talisman to protect herself.

Unfortunately, in their haste to flee, Anna lost the talisman and was captured by the Crones and forced to care for children in the Crookback Bog. This sets off the events of the quest, in which Geralt ultimately locates Anna with the Baron. This is where the ending can change, either with the Baron and Geralt “saving” Anna. But even the best ending sees her mind gone, while others see her perish as herself or a water hag. These darker endings are further saddened by the Baron taking his own life.

There is complexity throughout each stage of the quest. While other missions can be divided into good or evil, The Bloody Baron forces players to navigate shades of gray in a harrowing exploration of a deeply flawed man attempting to redeem himself and reconcile with his family. The tension between empathy and condemnation elevates the quest beyond just storytelling, where all decisions carry weight. The fate of the Baron and Anna can range from bittersweet to heartbreaking, and each ending will stay with players after it’s finished.

The Witcher 3’s main quest is no slouch, but the compelling storylines of its side quests are something else. What many games would put as a small tangent, CD Projekt RED has turned into an unforgettable quest. Because of how the world and gameplay are, some players may not even encounter The Bloody Baron and his quest. This shows the attention to detail in the world, even when it’s not the focus.