Mortal Shell 2 features a pair of intertwined questlines centered around the frog-obsessed witch Hilga and the ailing toad Gorf. These characters offer some of the game's more peculiar and heartwarming side content, starting in the Mushroom Village and Fainweald regions.
Hilga's Questline: Experiments and Amphibian Affections
Hilga, a witch with a peculiar fondness for frogs, is first encountered in Mushroom Village alongside Grom, a man who appears to be undergoing some sort of transformation. To begin her quest, players must first locate Hilga and Grom. Head east from the Mushroom Village Beacon to a crossroads, take the left path towards hanged figures, then turn left again and cross a bridge into a walled enclosure.
Upon your first meeting, Hilga is busy with an elixir and Grom in a pot. She is initially dismissive but allows the player to drink from her cauldron, which seems to have no ill effect. It's also worth examining Harwald, Hilga's frog companion.
Resting at a beacon will advance time and Hilga's quest. On subsequent visits, players will find Hilga absent while Grom remains. The cauldron will be empty, and Grom may remark on Harwald's appearance and Hilga's affection for the toad.
Eventually, Hilga returns to stirring Grom's broth. This stage sees Grom becoming increasingly erratic, muttering madly. The cauldron is refilled, and drinking from it again yields no apparent effect on the player.
Further progression reveals Grom's transformation into a frog-like state, with Hilga claiming it's to cure his bad habits. This is followed by Hilga inviting the player to sit in her now-empty cauldron, described as a place of no worries and no pain.
Tragedy strikes when the player discovers Harwald's carcass. Grom is implicated in the toad's death, leaving Hilga distraught. Subsequently, Grom is found locked in a cage, and Hilga appears bitter. Players can visit Harwald's grave nearby.
To proceed with Hilga's quest, players must then engage with Gorf's questline until the Poisoned Dagger is acquired. Presenting this dagger to Hilga revitalizes her quest, prompting her to go and help Gorf.
After resting, players will find a note left by Hilga, indicating she has gone to find Gorf. The final stages involve meeting Hilga with Gorf, providing a Common Moonshine to aid his recovery. Gorf's condition improves dramatically, and he thanks the player with a Marsh Pearl.
Gorf's Questline: A Toad's Ailment and Transformation
Gorf, a character returning from the first Mortal Shell, is encountered early in the Fainweald region. Teleport to the Widow's Overlook Beacon, proceed towards the Trial obelisk, and veer right into a side enclave to find him.
Initially, Gorf is suffering from an ailment. He mentions that a mushroom might help. Weltcaps, found on a path to the left of the Trial obelisk near a broken bridge, can be given to him. This provides temporary relief and rewards the player with a Marsh Pearl. He remarks that red mushrooms used to grow everywhere, referencing their healing properties in the original game.
Repeating this process, by resting at a beacon and revisiting Gorf, leads to him offering another Marsh Pearl after receiving a second Weltcap. Over multiple visits, Gorf begins to discuss mental ailments and the need to attract a mate by singing, while also coughing up more Marsh Pearls.
Eventually, dead bodies appear near Gorf, indicating brigands attacked him. After this encounter, Gorf reflects that his song attracted the wrong crowd and offers another Marsh Pearl. The quest then requires progression in Hilga's storyline.
Intersecting Quests and a Happy Amphibian Ending
After advancing Hilga's questline, returning to Gorf reveals he is severely unwell, with a Poisoned Dagger lodged in him. Obtaining this dagger is the next step. Players are then directed to give this dagger to Hilga, who recognizes it and sets off to save Gorf.
The player must then find Hilga with Gorf, who is unconscious. Hilga reveals Gorf is the Great Frógga and requires a Common Moonshine, a relatively common item found in dungeons and from looting brigand camps.
Upon the next visit, Gorf has recovered and expresses gratitude with a song and another Marsh Pearl. It is revealed that Hilga has undergone her own transformation, becoming a giant amphibian to join Gorf.
The questlines culminate with the discovery of four toad babies around Gorf and Hilga's clearing, one of which resembles Harwald, bringing a thematic closure to Hilga's affection for her lost companion. Playing the Troubadour's Lute in front of the couple elicits a joyful response.
Completing these quests does not yield additional direct rewards beyond the accumulated Marsh Pearls, but offers a satisfying narrative conclusion to these characters' stories.