The Witcher 3: Saving Anna and the Orphans – A Definitive Guide
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Yes, it is possible to save both Anna Strenger (the Baron’s wife) and the orphans in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but it requires specific actions and a precise sequence of quest completion. The key lies in resolving the “The Whispering Hillock” quest before progressing too far into the “Ladies of the Wood” questline. Mess this timing up, and you’re looking at difficult choices with less-than-ideal outcomes. Let’s dive into the hows and whys of this complex scenario, and how to achieve that seemingly impossible “happy ending.”
Understanding the Key Choices
The entire questline surrounding the Crones of Crookback Bog is rife with moral ambiguity. There are no easy answers, and every decision carries significant weight. The fate of Anna, the orphans, and even the village of Downwarren hangs in the balance. The two crucial quests are intricately linked, and the order in which you tackle them drastically alters the narrative landscape.
“The Whispering Hillock”: Spirit or Monster?
This quest involves a mysterious entity trapped beneath the Whispering Hillock. You’re presented with a choice: kill the spirit or free it. This decision reverberates throughout the rest of the storyline.
- Killing the spirit: This option, presented initially by the Crones, seems like the “good” choice. The Crones promise to spare Anna if you fulfill their request. However, killing the spirit means the orphans at the orphanage in Crookback Bog are destined to die. On the flip side, Downwarren remains safe.
- Freeing the spirit: This path is more complex. The spirit, despite its monstrous appearance, claims to be acting in self-defense and promises to help the orphans. If you free the spirit before starting “Ladies of the Wood“, it allows you to achieve the “best” outcome – saving both Anna and the Baron. However, the village of Downwarren is utterly destroyed.
“Ladies of the Wood”: Deception and Deals
This quest is initiated by following Johnny the Godling. He leads you towards interacting with the Crones. The quest involves gathering Anna’s memories by finding specific dolls. Crucially, the decisions you make before even entering the orphanage heavily affect the outcome.
The Path to Saving Anna and the Orphans
To successfully save both Anna and the orphans, you must follow these steps precisely:
- Start “Ladies of the Wood”: Begin the quest normally, following Johnny until he regains his voice.
- Before Meeting the Crones, Do “The Whispering Hillock”: Instead of following Johnny back to the orphanage after he gets his voice back, immediately go to the Whispering Hillock.
- Free the Spirit: During “The Whispering Hillock,” choose to free the spirit.
- Complete “Ladies of the Wood”: Return to the orphanage and complete “Ladies of the Wood” as normal. This time, the spirit you freed will intervene, saving the orphans before they can be consumed by the Crones.
- Find Anna: Find and administer the cure to Anna. Because you freed the spirit, she will be afflicted with a lesser curse instead of being turned into a water hag. The Baron will be able to take Anna to a healer.
Important Considerations:
- Downwarren’s Fate: Choosing this path comes at the expense of Downwarren. The freed spirit will destroy the village. Consider this when making your decision. There is no way to save everyone.
- Moral Implications: The choice is far from simple. Is the destruction of a village worth saving a group of orphans and Anna? This decision rests solely with the player.
- The Baron’s Role: Saving Anna is vital to the Baron’s survival. If Anna dies or remains cursed, the Baron will take his own life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I kill the spirit in “The Whispering Hillock”?
If you kill the spirit, Anna will be spared a terrible fate, but the orphans at Crookback Bog will die. Downwarren will be safe.
2. Does the order of doll selection matter in “Ladies of the Wood”?
Yes, choosing the correct doll is crucial. The correct doll has a violet hollyhock bloom attached, as it’s Anna’s favorite flower. Picking the wrong doll will result in Anna’s immediate death.
3. Can Tamara, the Baron’s daughter, be convinced to return to Crow’s Perch?
No, Tamara will not return to Crow’s Perch, regardless of your actions. She remains dedicated to her work with the Witch Hunters.
4. Is there a truly “good” ending in the Crookback Bog questline?
No, there isn’t a definitively “good” ending. Every choice involves sacrifice and has tragic consequences for someone. It’s a testament to the moral grayness of The Witcher universe.
5. How does the fate of the Whispering Hillock spirit affect the ending of the game?
The fate of the spirit primarily affects the immediate outcomes of the Crookback Bog questline. It doesn’t have a direct impact on the overall ending of the game.
6. Can I fight the Crones directly?
Yes, Ciri fights the Crones during the “Bald Mountain” quest. However, you, as Geralt, cannot directly engage them in a full-fledged boss battle outside of that specific scenario.
7. What happens if the Baron dies?
If the Baron dies, the atmosphere at Crow’s Perch changes significantly. The area becomes less lively and more depressing, reflecting the loss of its leader.
8. What are the consequences of ignoring “The Whispering Hillock” quest entirely?
If you ignore “The Whispering Hillock” and proceed directly through “Ladies of the Wood”, you essentially default to the Crones’ plan. Anna will suffer a terrible fate, and the orphans will likely die.
9. Does the difficulty level affect the outcomes of these quests?
No, the difficulty level does not affect the narrative outcomes of these quests. The decisions you make are the sole determining factors.
10. Is it possible to save everyone in Downwarren, the orphans, and Anna?
No, it is impossible to save everyone. A choice has to be made to sacrifice one group to save the other.
11. Where can I learn more about game narrative and its impact?
You can explore resources on game narrative, including scholarly articles and discussions, on platforms like the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org, which examines the educational and social impact of gaming.
12. Does completing other side quests affect the outcome of the Crookback Bog storyline?
No, other side quests do not directly influence the outcome of the Crookback Bog storyline. The key decisions are contained within the “Ladies of the Wood” and “The Whispering Hillock” quests.
13. How does the game indicate whether Anna will live or die?
While the article mentions Anna Henrietta’s hairpin indicating her fate in the Blood and Wine expansion, this is a separate scenario and doesn’t apply to Anna Strenger. In the Crookback Bog questline, the consequences of your choices during “The Whispering Hillock” and “Ladies of the Wood” directly determine her fate.
14. What is the best outcome for the village of Downwarren?
The “best” outcome for Downwarren is to kill the spirit in “The Whispering Hillock.” This ensures their survival. However, it comes at the cost of the orphans’ lives.
15. Can you free Anna from the Crones after starting Ladies of the Wood?
You cannot free Anna from the Crones after fully committing to their plan by helping them kill the Whispering Hillock spirit or going back to the Crones after Johnny gets his voice back. The pivotal moment is choosing to free the spirit before finishing the Ladies of the Wood quest.
Conclusion
The choices presented in The Witcher 3’s Crookback Bog questline are among the most challenging and morally ambiguous in the entire game. Successfully saving both Anna and the orphans requires careful planning, precise timing, and a willingness to sacrifice the village of Downwarren. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue this outcome rests with the player, weighing the lives of all involved and accepting the consequences of their actions. Remember, in the world of The Witcher, there are no easy answers, only difficult choices.