Destination: Skellige

Embark on 'Destination: Skellige', arranging sea passage and facing a monster en route to the archipelago.

Embarking on your journey to the rugged, windswept Isles of Skellige is a pivotal moment in Geralt's quest to find Ciri. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to arrange passage, prepare for the perils of the open sea, and successfully reach this new, expansive region.

Quest Overview: Destination: Skellige

The quest to reach Skellige is aptly named "Destination: Skellige". It typically becomes available after progressing through the main storyline in Velen and Novigrad, particularly after completing quests like "Pyres of Novigrad" and "Broken Flowers." While not a combat-heavy quest, it does feature a memorable encounter that requires some preparation.

Arranging Your Passage

To travel to Skellige, you'll need to find a ship captain willing to make the perilous journey. There are two primary locations where you can arrange passage:

• Novigrad Port:
  • Head to the bustling docks of Novigrad, located on the eastern side of the city.
  • Look for a ship captain named Captain Wolfram. He can usually be found near his vessel, identifiable by the large sails and the general commotion around the loading area.
  • Speak with him and select the dialogue option to travel to Skellige. He will demand a payment of 1000 crowns for the passage.
• Southern Velen Port (Fyke Isle area):
  • While less commonly used, there is also a captain available at a small port located south of Fyke Isle in Velen.
  • This captain also charges 1000 crowns for the journey.

Recommendation: Novigrad Port is generally more convenient as it's a major hub you'll likely frequent during your time in the city.

The Perilous Voyage: Preparing for the Siren

Once you've paid the captain, the journey will begin. However, the seas between the mainland and Skellige are not entirely safe. You will be interrupted by an attack from a formidable flying foe:

• The Monster: During the voyage, your ship will be attacked by a Siren. This creature is a harpylike monster that can be quite agile and deal significant damage if not dealt with quickly.
• Preparation Tips:
  • Crossbow: Your crossbow is your best friend here. Sirens are flying enemies, and a well-aimed bolt can knock them out of the sky, making them vulnerable to melee attacks. Equip your crossbow before the encounter.
  • Aard Sign: The Aard Sign can also be effective at staggering or knocking the Siren down, creating openings for attacks.
  • Igni Sign: If you have upgraded Igni, a burst of fire can also be useful for damaging the Siren while it's airborne.
  • Silver Sword: Ensure your silver sword is equipped and in good condition, as Sirens are considered monsters.
  • Potions: Consider having a Swallow potion ready if you anticipate taking damage, or a Thunderbolt potion to boost your attack power.
• Combat Strategy:
  • As soon as the Siren appears, switch to your crossbow and aim for it. One or two successful hits should bring it crashing down onto the ship's deck.
  • Once grounded, quickly close the distance and engage it with your silver sword. Sirens are less dangerous on the ground but can still inflict damage.
  • Repeat this process until the Siren is defeated. The fight is relatively straightforward if you utilize your crossbow effectively.

Arrival in Skellige

After successfully fending off the Siren, the journey will continue uninterrupted. You will soon arrive at the main port of Skellige, Kaer Trolde Harbor, on the island of Ard Skellig. Upon disembarking, the quest "Destination: Skellige" will be completed, and the next main quest, "The King is Dead - Long Live the King," will begin, plunging you into the complex political landscape of the Skellige Isles.

Rewards and Next Steps

While "Destination: Skellige" itself doesn't offer significant monetary or item rewards beyond the experience points for completing it, the true reward is access to an entirely new, vast, and lore-rich region. Skellige offers:

• New main quests and side quests.
• Unique monster contracts.
• Hundreds of Points of Interest (question marks) to discover.
• New Gwent cards, armor sets, and weapon diagrams.
• A breathtaking new environment to explore.

Prepare for a colder climate, a different culture, and a whole new set of challenges as you delve into the mysteries of Skellige!