The Witcher 3: The Calm Before the Storm
The Calm Before The Storm is a well-named quest, as The Witcher 3 stop pottering about and starts to get serious from here on in.
The Witcher 3: The Calm Before the Storm
After a few cutscenes, The Calm Before the Storm has you in control of Ciri. 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. Hie 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; if you're here after visiting Velen and Novigrad and completing the quests in full, you've now completed Act One. Act Two begins with Ugly Baby.
Onwards to Ugly Baby, or back to The Witcher 3: Act One - Skellige.
Back to The Witcher 3 guide and walkthrough.