The Blood and Wine expansion for The Witcher 3 introduces players to the vibrant yet dangerous region of Toussaint, filled with monsters and tragic mysteries. One of the most unforgettable narrative segments in this DLC is the main quest titled La Cage au Fou, which revolves around tracking a rare creature known as a Spotted Wight. Players must navigate a dark, cursed estate to solve a centuries-old riddle that directly affects the fate of the beast.
Investigating the Wight Lair
Geralt of Rivia arrives at the abandoned Trastamara Estate to locate salivary glands needed for a crucial concoction. The estate is heavily plagued by hundreds of spoons, indicating a deep-rooted affliction affecting the resident monster. Players need to use their Witcher senses to scour every room, collecting items and reading diary logs scattered across the property.
Examining the brewing cauldron and the diverse collection of spoons reveals the tragic history of a woman named Marlene who was cursed by a mysterious merchant. Gathering these clues before confronting the creature changes how Geralt can approach the situation. Preparing thoroughly ensures you understand the nature of the curse before making a definitive choice.
To Kill or Lift the Curse
When the Spotted Wight finally returns to its cellar, Geralt hides inside a nearby closet to observe its behavior. At this pivotal moment, players are presented with a major narrative choice that determines the outcome of the quest. You can choose to attack the monster directly or attempt to lift the ancient curse by having dinner with it.
Attacking the beast leads to a traditional combat encounter where you must defeat the wight to harvest its glands. Choosing to lift the curse requires navigating a specific set of rules based on the riddle left by the curse-giver. Selecting the peaceful option opens up a much deeper narrative path that expands on the rich lore of the realm.
The Riddle of the Spoons
If you decide to lift the curse, Geralt sits across from the monster at the dining table to share a meal. The riddle dictates that no spoon will feed the target, meaning players must select the correct dialogue option to proceed successfully. To successfully break the curse, you must choose to eat without any spoons at all.
Choosing incorrectly causes the monster to panic, forcing a battle that terminates the opportunity for a peaceful resolution. When handled properly, the wight catches a glimpse of its true reflection in the mirror and flees the estate in human form. Following this path transforms the creature back into Marlene, an elderly woman who can later reside at Corvo Bianco.
Securing the Ultimate Rewards
Regardless of the choice made, Geralt successfully obtains the required ingredients to advance the primary storyline of the expansion. However, saving Marlene provides long-term gameplay benefits, including unique home decorations and additional dialogue opportunities back at your vineyard. This beautifully tragic quest exemplifies the masterful storytelling that makes the Witcher series stand out among modern role-playing games.
