Can You Free Anna From the Crones in The Witcher 3? A Definitive Guide
Yes, you can influence Anna’s fate in The Witcher 3’s gripping questline involving the Crones and the Whispering Hillock. However, freeing her from the Crones’ direct influence comes at a cost and requires careful consideration of your choices. This article will delve deep into the mechanics of this quest, outlining the different outcomes and providing the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. It’s crucial to understand that “freeing” Anna doesn’t necessarily guarantee a happy ending; it only changes the circumstances of her fate.
Understanding the Questline
The questline in question branches off from the main story quest “Ladies of the Wood.” The quest is a cornerstone of the Bloody Baron’s story, and it’s fraught with difficult choices and morally ambiguous characters. There are several factors in play, including:
- The Crones: Ancient, powerful beings deeply connected to the land of Velen.
- Anna Strenger: The Bloody Baron’s wife, cursed and transformed due to complex circumstances.
- The Whispering Hillock: The location of an ancient spirit bound to a tree.
- The Orphans: The children residing at the orphanage at Crookback Bog.
The core dilemma revolves around a choice Geralt must make: whether to appease the Crones by fulfilling their request or to act independently. Your decision here will have a significant impact on the fates of several characters.
The Two Primary Paths and Their Consequences
The main fork in the road occurs when you encounter the Whispering Hillock. You have two primary choices:
1. Killing the Spirit of the Tree
- How to Do It: Follow the Crones’ instructions after speaking to them. They will task you with killing the spirit bound to the tree.
- Outcome: The Crones are satisfied, and Anna is spared from becoming a water hag. However, they uphold their part of the bargain, which involves consuming the children at Crookback Bog. The Bloody Baron might find Anna and seek a cure for her condition.
- Moral Implications: While Anna survives, you are complicit in the Crones’ horrific act of devouring innocent children. This is often considered the “lesser of two evils” choice for many players, but it’s undeniably a dark outcome.
2. Freeing the Spirit of the Tree
- How to Do It: Before speaking to the Crones about the Whispering Hillock, complete the quest to free the spirit. If you wait to free the tree, the Crones’ curse is already placed. Inside the cellar, you will encounter multiple dolls. The correct doll to choose is the one with the Hollyhock blossom, Anna’s favorite flower.
- Outcome: The Spirit, in return for being freed, rescues the orphans from the Crones. However, the spirit is vengeful and unleashes its fury on Downwarren, killing the villagers. Anna will be turned into a water hag and is beyond saving in that state.
- Moral Implications: While you save the orphans, you contribute to the deaths of the villagers of Downwarren. This highlights the grim reality of the Witcher world, where even the best intentions can have devastating consequences.
Important Consideration: Your choices regarding the Whispering Hillock must be made before you make your final decision.
The Hollyhock Doll: The Key to “Freeing” Anna
If you choose to free the spirit of the tree, finding the correct doll in the cellar is paramount. The doll with the Hollyhock blossom represents Anna and is the key to lifting the immediate curse. Choosing any other doll will lead to a different, likely negative, outcome.
The Larger Impact on the Story
The repercussions of your choices extend beyond Anna and the orphans:
- The Bloody Baron: Depending on Anna’s fate, the Baron’s story can end tragically with his suicide, or with a sliver of hope if he chooses to seek a cure for Anna.
- Tamara Strenger: Anna and the Baron’s daughter, Tamara, reacts strongly to the events. Her relationship with her father is deeply affected by the Baron’s actions and the consequences of the curse.
No Truly “Good” Outcome
It’s essential to recognize that there is no truly “good” ending in this questline. All choices come with a cost, forcing the player to grapple with difficult moral dilemmas. This is one of the reasons The Witcher 3 is so highly regarded for its mature storytelling and complex characters. Consider how your Geralt would act given the weight of these impossible choices.
Visit the Games Learning Society for more on the educational aspects of gaming and complex moral choices in storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you save both Anna and the orphans in The Witcher 3?
No, it is not possible to save both Anna and the orphans simultaneously within the game’s established mechanics. You must choose one over the other, or, potentially, Anna survives as a cursed individual.
2. What happens if you kill the Whispering Hillock spirit?
If you kill the spirit, the Crones are satisfied, and Anna is spared from becoming a water hag. However, the Crones then consume the children at the orphanage.
3. What happens if you free the Whispering Hillock spirit?
If you free the spirit, it saves the orphans but unleashes its wrath on Downwarren, killing the villagers. Anna will also be turned into a water hag and is beyond help in that state.
4. Which doll do you choose to save Anna?
If you are seeking to free the spirit, choose the doll with the Hollyhock blossom in the cellar. This doll is symbolic of Anna’s favorite flower.
5. Does the order in which I do the quests matter?
Yes, the order matters significantly. You must decide whether to free or kill the spirit before speaking to the Crones about the Whispering Hillock.
6. Can you fight the Crones as Geralt?
No, Geralt does not directly fight the Crones during the main questline. Ciri faces them later in the game.
7. Is it better to save Anna or the orphans?
This is entirely a matter of personal preference. The choice depends on your own moral compass. One leads to the death of children, while the other leads to the death of villagers and Anna’s transformation.
8. What happens to the Bloody Baron depending on my choices?
If Anna is saved (by killing the spirit), the Baron attempts to find a cure for her. If she is turned into a water hag, he may hang himself in despair.
9. How do I trigger the Whispering Hillock quest?
The Whispering Hillock quest is triggered as part of the main quest “Ladies of the Wood.” You will be directed to investigate the Whispering Hillock by the villagers of Downwarren.
10. Can Yennefer or Triss help with the curse?
Neither Yennefer nor Triss can directly help with the curse afflicting Anna during this questline. The fate of Anna rests solely on Geralt’s decisions regarding the Whispering Hillock and the Crones.
11. Are the Crones inherently evil?
The Crones are complex characters. They are powerful, ancient beings with their own motivations and code of conduct. Whether they are considered purely evil is a matter of perspective.
12. Can I trick the Crones?
While you cannot directly trick them in a way that leads to a completely positive outcome, you can subvert their expectations by freeing the spirit before they give you specific instructions.
13. Can you save Anna Henrietta in the main game?
Anna Henrietta is a character from the “Blood and Wine” expansion, not the main game. Her fate is determined by your choices within that expansion, independent of the Anna Strenger questline.
14. Does this quest affect Ciri’s ending?
While it doesn’t directly add or subtract positive points for Ciri’s ending, the moral implications of your choice can influence your overall role-playing and subsequent decisions, which do impact Ciri’s fate.
15. Where can I learn more about the ethical considerations in gaming?
Explore resources like the GamesLearningSociety.org, which studies the intersections of gaming, learning, and social impact, for more insights into the ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes that games like The Witcher 3 can present.
Conclusion
The quest involving Anna and the Crones is one of the most memorable and morally challenging in The Witcher 3. There is no simple answer or perfect outcome. Your choices have significant consequences, and it is up to you to decide what kind of Witcher Geralt will be. By carefully weighing the options and understanding the repercussions, you can navigate this complex questline and shape the fates of those involved, even if a truly happy ending remains elusive.