Succubi are a type of sentient monster found inThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Unlike many of the game’s other beasts, succubi are not overtly violent towards humans. Though they still pose a threat, albeit for unconventional reasons.
InThe Witcher 3, players can come across two succubi. One is in Novigrad, while the other is in Skellige. Both their associated quests are optional. Thus, it’s best to complete them before advancing too far into the main questline.
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The Witcher 3’s Succubi: Creatures with Carnal Desires
Succubi are hybrid monstersthat are humanoid in figure. They appear as attractive females with horns, goat legs, and a long, tasseled tail. Despite their humanoid appearance, succubi are closely related to fiends and chorts, from which they likely get their goat-like features. Succubi also have a male counterpart known as incubi, but according to theWitcherbooks series, the incubi only appear once a year, during the new year holiday known as Saovine. Succubi, in contrast, roam the world freely.
According to their bestiary entry, succubi are not violent creatures. They would much rather lie with men and other humanoid creatures than harm them. This is done in an attempt to quell their insatiable lust. Often, the succubi’s chosen prey rarely rejects their advances. However,this may prove dangerousas succubi do not tire of the act, and may push their partner to madness or, in some cases, death.
Given that succubi prefer humanoid creatures, they usually settle down near oreven within populated locations, like towns and cities, where they can seduce their prey. They’ll first appear in a person’s dreams, then they’ll leave their lair at night to meet with their prey physically. Succubi generally don’t have particular leanings when choosing prey as they’re happy with both sexes, regardless of age and physical appearance. However, some are quite fond of religious individuals as they treat seducing them as a sort of game.
Even though succubi are not violent creatures, they’re still capable of defending themselves when faced with danger. Their powerful goat legs and their sharp horns easily crush bone. They’re also able toharness the power of fire, casting spells relentlessly at their foes.
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‘Deadly Delights’ in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Whileexploring the streets of Novigrad, the player can come across a notice detailing the recent murders of some officers of the Temple Guard. This triggers the “Deadly Delights” contract quest. Gathering information from the authorities reveals that a night patrol of well-armed men was killed, with their bodies desiccated. The bodies were found in the city’s brothel district and had scratches “from their adventures,” as the medical examiner says.
Further investigation leads Geralt to a house near Crippled Kate’s. Inside isa succubus named Salma. When speaking to her, the player can choose between attacking immediately or letting her explain her side of the story. The latter option reveals that Salma’s murders may have been an act of self-defense. She explains that the night patrol had caught her off guard and intended to kill her, so she had no choice but to protect herself. Salma also insists that she doesn’t kill without reason.
However, something doesn’t quite add up with her story. In the game, succubi rely primarily on firespells when in combat. Though, as the medical examiner said, the guards’ bodies were desiccated, not burned. They even had fresh scratches from their “adventures.” This suggests that Salma is lying. She likely wasn’t ambushed but, instead, spent the night with the guards, draining them all of their life force in the process.
Even the bestiary entry hints that Salma isn’t innocent. Should the player decide to let her go, there will be new text added to the end of the passage.It writes that Geralt“could not shake off the feeling that he might live to regret that decision.” However, this is where players last hear of Salma.
The Flower-loving Succubus of Skellige
Another succubuscan be met in Skellige. During the quest “Practicum in Advanced Alchemy” given by a druid named Gremist, Geralt will be tasked with finding a plant called pimpernel. Heading to the specified area on the map will reveal that the pimpernel plants have been picked clean. This then prompts another druid to appear, who explains that Gremist has sent plenty of apprentices to go and collect pimpernel, but all of them have returned empty-handed, with a blank expression on their faces.
One exception to this is a druid named Ramund, who hasn’t yet returned from his search for pimpernel. Geralt joins the druid in looking for Ramund, and eventually finds him with a succubus. The unnamed succubus explains that she isn’t out to harm anyone, and that it’s come to the point where shehas to use magicto send expectant druids away. She’s taken a liking to Ramund though, which is why she lets him stay.
That said, she has caused the death of one of the local druids — a man named Jorre the White. According to the succubus, Jorre wanted to sleep with her even though his heart was weak. After doing so multiple times, his heart eventually gave out and the succubus buried him according to the land’s customs. At this point, the player must choose between killing the succubus or letting her live. Regardless of their choice,the quest will advance, and they’ll be able to acquire pimpernel.
Succubi need to sleep with other humanoids in order to feed. It’s how they sustain themselves. However, succubi also need to be cautious when feeding on their prey, as overdoing it could very well lead to their deaths, as is the case with the Temple Guardsmen and Jorre the White. Given this, it’s difficult to make a general statement on whether succubiare good or evil.
Some succubi could be more careful with their feeding patterns and pose no threat to those they sleep with. On the flip side, some could act with no regard for their prey, draining them of their life force and leaving their corpses desiccated. Thus, succubi are monsters that fall into a morally gray area, leaving the witcher to deal with them as he sees fit.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
