The "Turn and Face the Strange" quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Blood and Wine expansion serves as a pivotal mission for players seeking to enhance Geralt's combat capabilities. Triggered by a letter delivered to Geralt in Toussaint, this quest unlocks the powerful mutation system. Navigating the ancient laboratory and solving its puzzles requires careful observation and strategic preparation.
Starting the Quest and Locating Professor Moreau's Laboratory
To begin the quest, Geralt must follow the clues leading to the flooded ruins where Professor Moreau conducted his secret research. After investigating the tomb of Moreau's son, Geralt recovers a map that points toward a hidden underwater entrance. Diving into the portal leads deep into a subterranean complex filled with ancient traps and protective constructs.
Navigating these ruins requires resolving several environmental puzzles to bypass locked doors. Gamers keeping up with daily gaming news often highlight this mission as one of the most rewarding side quests in the entire expansion. Defeating the gargoyles protecting the entrance triggers mechanisms needed to access the main research facility.
Solving the Portal Puzzle and Unlocking the Mutant Chamber
Inside the laboratory, Geralt faces a maze of magical portals that must be entered in a specific sequence. Reading Moreau’s discarded journals provides vital clues regarding the correct path through the portals. Following the wrong doorway teleports Geralt back to the central hall, resetting his progress.
Once past the portals, Geralt discovers Moreau's mutation apparatus, designed originally to reverse witcher mutations. The machinery requires specific mutated monster tissue to operate properly. Harvesting mutated centipede eggs from nearby nests allows Geralt to power up the device for his own transformation.
Narrative Themes and Important Story Details
Beyond its gameplay benefits, the quest delivers a poignant story about parental obsession and tragic failure. Professor Moreau spent decades attempting to cure his mutated son, eventually realizing his experiments only intensified the mutations. This tragic lore adds emotional depth to the practical upgrades rewarded upon completing the experiment.
Geralt's decision to enter the apparatus yields immediate results, opening new skill trees that dramatically alter build possibilities. The unlocked mutations allow players to customize signs, combat abilities, and alchemy to suit challenging endgame content. Understanding Moreau's research enhances both character progression and appreciation for Toussaint's rich history.
