In the Blood and Wine expansion for The Witcher 3, “Father Knows Worst” is a secondary quest during which Geralt will have to help a family solve some disputes.
Along the way, you will face some monsters, solve the mystery of a father’s last words, and make a choice regarding how his sons end their dispute. How you play it out will determine whether the Father Knows Worst quest has a peaceful ending or a violent one.
How to get the Father Knows Worst quest
The best way to start the Father Knows Worst quest in The Witcher 3 is by reading the notice named “Armed Escort Wanted” in Beauclair. The game will take you towards the Albertus Grotto cave located south of Bastoy Prison Ruins. Alternatively, you can reach the cave directly, and it will start the quest.
As soon as Geralt approaches the cave, he runs into Lucien Monnart and Auguste Monnart, who demand help in saving their brother, Hugo Monnart. They won’t provide much useful information, only that Hugo got attacked by some monsters. Haggle for a good price for the contract and then enter the cave.
After settling on the price of the contract with the Monnart Brothers, you must now enter the cave. Geralt won’t know much about the kinds of enemies he will face so you’re pretty much going in blind. But considering what you have faced till now, it won’t be something you can’t handle.
Get inside Albertus Grotto
Once you enter, go to the South, inside where the path widens up a bit. Here, you will find the monsters you need to slay: Kikimores. They aren’t the toughest of enemies, but they have poison that raises your toxicity. This reduces the number of potions and decoctions you can down.
The Kikimores are vulnerable to Igni so use that on them before unleashing your sword attacks. Once they are dealt with, proceed further down the corridors until you reach a wall that can be broken. Use Aard and go on ahead until you reach a fork in the path.
Find Hugo
Taking the South part will lead you to more Kikimores, but beyond them is a Place of Power that you can use.
Return through the path you came, and now take the Northern route. We are looking for the body of young women that you can find easily using your Witcher Senses.
Upon finding the body, we will find a paper titled “Letter to Martina Crisca” explaining everything about Hugo. Apparently, all three Monnart brothers are equal heirs to Mr. Monart’s wealth and business.
The other two brothers got greedy and wanted a bigger piece of the pie. This is when they decided to get rid of Hugo in the cave. Monnarts have a liquor business, which was to be divided among the brothers.
The father split a condenser into three pieces, and Hugo’s piece is inside the cave, which is why he’s here. To find Hugo, head southbound and use the Witcher Senses to look for a blood trail and a sword. Follow the trail to find Hugo and talk to him. His story will match up with the one you found in the letter.
The only thing remaining to do is to find the missing piece, for which you will get the choice at this point. Find it now, or escort Hugo out first.
Find the missing piece
To find the missing piece of the distiller in Albertus Grotto, find a hot spring. Apparently, the missing piece in the Father Knows Worst quest in TW3 is at the bottom of the spring, but the hot water is unbearable, and Geralt will get hurt if went unprepared.
Protecting yourself from the hot spring water is rather easy, which can be done with the help of Quen. You need to be quick in recovering the missing piece from the spring, as the sign’s effect will start to wear off in some time and then you will take damage from hot water.
If you decide not to get the missing piece, the other Monnart brothers will enter the cave to get it themselves. So better to grab it now. After you have found Hugo and the missing piece, you can give it to Hugo, which would result in a 150 Xp and 100 Crowns reward.
Best choice to make in Father Knows Worst
After you have found Hugo and the missing piece in The Witcher 3, you need to head out of the cave. The Monnart brothers will be outside waiting, along with some reinforcements. They have made up their mind to finally solve the matter once and for all.
Solving the matter means getting rid of Hugo. Geralt will get two choices when Hugo asks for protection:
- Fight the Monnart Brothers
- Settle the thing with Monnart Brothers
Option A: Fight Lucien and Auguste
Fighting the Monart Brothers is one of the hardest decisions that Geralt can take, as all of them are experienced fighters. The Monnart brothers won’t be killed, but you can stun them instead. Hugo will thank you for saving him, and you will receive 150 XP as a reward.
Option B: Settle the dispute between brothers
The other option would be to settle things with Monart Brothers. This option, in my opinion, is the best way to end Father Knows Worst quest in The Witcher 3, as everyone lives happily. Talk to the brothers and appeal to their better nature. They all make up and decide to live happily and share the business.
For this peaceful choice, Geralt will get 300 Crowns as well as 150 XP. This option also grants the brothers to be part of your later journey. All three are found in the tavern near the Lebioda’s Gate in Beauclair. This tavern is named The Clever Cogs. Hugo Monnart would now act as a merchant whom you can later go to and buy some unique items.
