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Part of Yennefer’s opaque plan to discover Uma’s true identity requires forktail spinal fluid. Fortunately, one such beast has made its home in Kaer Morhen, giving Geralt a chance to catch up with his old friend, Eskel.The Witcher 3quest To Bait a Forktail covers this particular part of the story.
Related:The Witcher 3: Iron Maiden Side Quest Walkthrough
Though working with another professional makes this task easier, you will still need to demonstrate your mastery over Geralt’s talents at tracking and slaying to hunt the forktail. Do not worry if you are struggling; we cover how to track the monster down and how to get the most from the quest below.
Tracking Eskel
This quest startspartway through Ugly Baby,with Geralt helping the other witchers with Yennefer’s errands. Eskel was tasked with getting forktail spinal fluid from a specimen stupid enough to make its home next to a witcher fortress.
Go to Kaer Morhen’s main gateand use Geralt’sWitcher Sensesto find a set of horse prints that could only belong to Eskel. Follow them through Kaer Morhen’s hills until you reach his camp where Scorpion, his horse, has been left behind.
You will now have tofind Eskelwith the clues at his camp. You need touse Witcher Sensesto pick upanother set of tracks,a human’s and a goat’s.
Inspectingalchemical toolsat Eskel’s camp will get youEnhanced Draconid Oil.Make sure to pick it up ifyou haven’t made your own yet.It will be particularly helpful against the forktail.
Eskel’s tracks will disappear after a short distance, where the dirt turns to rock. Fortunately, Geralt canuse his sense of smellto sniff out the goat’s stench.Look for a tuft of fur stuck to a treenot far from the campsite. Investigating it willlet Geralt pick up the scent.
Follow the scent, finding the footsteps continuing on dirt andthe goat stuck to a post.Approach the animal for Eskel togreet Geralt in a cutscene.
Fighting The Forktail
Their conversation is cut short bythe forktail taking the bait.Neither witcher wastes time as they begin fighting the forktail. The monster willspend most of the fight on the ground,using its talons and teeth as its primary weapons.
The forktail’s tail isspiked with a venomous stingerthat willpoison Geralt if it hits him.Geralt’s health will slowly deplete when poisoned unless you consumeGolden Orioleto remove the venom from Geralt’s body.
It willflee when most of its health has been depleted,forcing you to track it back to its home. Use Witcher Senses toinvestigate some of its blood on the ground.The witchers use it to determine which direction it had flown away.
The trail leads up several ledges and through a ravine before continuing into a forest.
Eskelmay become confusedwhen climbing up the ledges and through the ravine. He may not be able to climb the ledges. If this happens,keep walking forward.He will teleport next to Geralt after a short distance.
The Cave’s Location In To Bait A Forktail
The forktail’s cave is well-concealed and easy to miss if you havelost the trail left by its blood.To find it,turn west at the ravine’s exitand follow the cliff leading north. The cave will be at the end.
All you need to do is tofollow the bloodinto the cave until you find the forktail. With nowhere left to run, it has no choice but tofight Geralt and Eskel.The same tactics that got you through the first encounter will work here, too.
Make sure tosearch the forktail’s cavefor treasure. You can find the diagram forEnhanced Wolven Gauntletsin a chest in the final chamber.
The Rewards For Racing Eskel
The monster might be dead and the spinal fluid may have been extracted but that does not mean that the excitement is over. Eskel will ask if youwant to race back to Kaer Morhen.You might as well accept becauseyou are riding back either way.
If you have beeninvesting in Roach’s equipmentor have beencompleting races likethe ones inCrow’s Perch,Novigrad, andSkellige,this race should be a one-sided stomp.
While the course is both scenic and easy,be careful at the end.The finish line is not the gate, butKaer Morhen’s courtyard.You will need tomake a hard-right turnafter the gate to reach the finish line. You might not make the turn if you are going too quickly, giving Eskel a chance to snatch victory.
Eskel willoffer you a reward for winning.They aren’t particularly grand.
Accept The Prize
You will receiveMountain Folk Bootsand the recipe forHanged Man’s Venom.Both items are unlikely to be useful at this stage of the game.
Decline The Prize
Geralt will suggestbuying a round next timeinstead of accepting the items.
The quest ends here, though you will need to complete bothDisturbanceandThe Final Trialto continue the story.
Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough
