The King is Dead—Long Live the King is a main quest in Skellige. It begins right after “Destination Skellige.”

The King is Dead - Long Live the King Walkthrough

As the quest begins you'll need to meet Yennefer at the gates of Kaer Trolde, but first, you need to put on some fancy attire. Take the key Yennefer gave you and go to her house to find some proper clothing. You may need to switch the objective marker, since the fancy clothing is optional.

There is plenty to look at and interact with in Yen’s house, if you wish. By the megascope in the corner, you will find the clothing. Pick it up and put it on. Then follow the path up the mountain to the gates of Kaer Trolde. At the gates, Yennefer is talking to the Queen Mother in a heated discussion. When the Queen Mother takes her leave, Yennefer and Geralt head inside. They’ll take a seat with all the prospects for the next king or queen. Cerys will even challenge Geralt to a race up the mountain. You may race if you’d like, but there is no reward for it.

When your time at the table comes to an end, Yennefer will lead you around the dining room. Follow her to the door on the opposite side. Two men will stop and chat with you. They insult Yennefer. You may either defend her or not. The former leads to a fist fight. When you leave the dining room, the real purpose for your attendance at the wake is revealed.

Yennefer needs to find the druid Ermion’s secret laboratory. Follow her down the halls, hiding from any guards. Soon, you’ll come across a locked door. Head out the nearby window and walk around the balcony. Back inside you will find a room filled with stuffed animals. Use your Witcher Senses to investigate the animal room.

When you check the door, the room has a purple glow and smells of mushrooms. It doesn’t take long for the stuffed animals to come to life. Take care of them all to continue. Use Igni for crowd control. The beasts are bears and wolves. Focus on the wolves first, since they are the fastest. Then Use Igni to burn the bears to a crisp while also using heavy attacks to the back and the side of the bear. They should all be down in no time.

It turns out that Geralt was hallucinating. Yennefer brought him back to his senses and the two continue. The next room seems to be Ermion’s study. You can interact with a bunch of objects in here. Activate your Witcher Senses and look around! The two key objects in here that you need to interact with are the mug of mead on the left and the huge thinking statue at the end of the room. Place the mead in the statue’s hand and a secret door will open. In the hidden room is the mask that Yennefer was searching for! When she grabs it, a giant Earth Elemental wakes up and attacks!

Monster Fight: Earth Elemental

Earth Elemental’s are weak to Elementa Oil and Dimeritium Bombs. If you have either of those, equip them before opening the secret door. If not, no big deal. The Earth Elemental’s main attacks are huge swings or stomps with plenty of heads up. Read him and dodge out of the way. Swoop back in after it attacks and hit it with some heavy blows to the side and the back. Equip Quen first and then use Igni for some distance attacks. Using Swallow and Thunderbolt can also be helpful in taking down the beast. Otherwise, Yennefer will be helping out too, so the Earth Elemental will go down in no time.

When the Earth Elemental is down, the room will fill with a poisonous gas. Run around for a bit, trying to find an exit. It doesn’t take long to discover there is no way out except a portal. Yennefer will ask you to think of something. You have two options-

When you two return to the wake, people will put their weapons down on a fur to cast their vote for king or queenship. Yennefer and Geralt will go outside to talk to Crach about Ciri and investigate the magical blast.

He gives you permission and you offer to help his children. After talking to Crach, the quest will conclude.