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<h1>Do the Crones Drop Anything in The Witcher 3? A Deep Dive</h1>
<p>Yes, the Crones in The Witcher 3 do drop items when defeated, although the loot is often considered **mostly useless**. Specifically, they drop an **ear** (a somewhat gruesome trophy) and some other minor, often unremarkable, items.</p>
<h2>The Crones' Loot: What to Expect</h2>
<p>When facing the **Crones** – Brewess, Whispess, and Weavess – in the climactic battle during the questline associated with finding Ciri, your expectations for substantial rewards should be tempered. The items they drop are largely symbolic and narrative-driven rather than game-changing in terms of gameplay enhancements.</p>
<h3>Typical Drops from the Crones</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>An Ear:</strong> Each Crone drops an ear, serving as a grisly reminder of your encounter with these terrifying creatures. These ears have virtually no practical use beyond being a macabre trophy.</li>
<li><strong>Random Loot:</strong> Alongside the ear, the Crones may drop other random items, typically low-value alchemy ingredients, crafting materials, or minor pieces of equipment. These items are rarely significant upgrades and often end up being sold for a small amount of coin.</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Real Reward: Narrative Significance</h2>
<p>While the tangible loot from the Crones might be underwhelming, the true reward lies in the **narrative consequences** of your actions and the impact on the game's storyline. Defeating the Crones is a crucial step in progressing the main quest and determining the fate of key characters like Ciri and the Baron's family. The choices you make during and after the battle have far-reaching implications that shape the ending of the game. Understanding this element is a key aspect of game studies, as further discussed by the **Games Learning Society** at <a href="https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/">GamesLearningSociety.org</a>.</p>
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Crones</h2>
<h3>1. Can you loot the Crones' bodies after the fight?</h3>
<p>Yes, you can loot the Crones' bodies after the fight. Make sure to thoroughly search the area to collect all available items. It's important to note that some players have reported occasional glitches where loot might be difficult to access, but this is relatively rare.</p>
<h3>2. Does looting as Ciri affect Geralt's inventory?</h3>
<p>No, any loot picked up while playing as Ciri does not transfer to Geralt's inventory and is generally unobtainable later. So, while playing as Ciri, focus on story progression and immediate needs rather than hoarding items for Geralt.</p>
<h3>3. What are the consequences of the Crones' actions in the game?</h3>
<p>The consequences of the Crones' actions are significant. Their malevolence directly impacts the fate of Gran (Anna, the Baron's wife), potentially leading to her transformation and death. The Baron's reaction to these events also results in tragic outcomes, including his potential suicide. The quests surrounding the Crones are central to the Bloody Baron storyline.</p>
<h3>4. Can you prevent Anna's death in the Crones' questline?</h3>
<p>Yes, you can influence Anna's fate. The key decision revolves around the **Whispering Hillock** quest. Killing the spirit in the tree before completing the "Ladies of the Wood" quest will spare Anna from the worst of the Crones' curse, though outcomes may still vary.</p>
<h3>5. Is there a "best" outcome for the Ladies of the Wood quest?</h3>
<p>There is no universally agreed-upon "best" outcome. Each choice – freeing the spirit or killing it – has its own set of consequences. Freeing the spirit saves the orphans but dooms the village of Downwarren. Killing the spirit saves Downwarren but leaves the orphans at the mercy of the Crones. It boils down to a moral choice with no easy answer.</p>
<h3>6. How do you effectively fight the Crones?</h3>
<p>The key to beating the Crones is to **focus your attacks on one Crone at a time**. This strategy quickly reduces the overall damage output from the enemy. Use oils effective against Relicts, utilize Quen for protection, and dodge their attacks effectively. Signs like Igni and Aard can also be helpful.</p>
<h3>7. Can Geralt fight the Crones directly?</h3>
<p>No, Geralt cannot directly fight the Crones. The battle against the Crones is exclusively fought by Ciri during her segment of the questline.</p>
<h3>8. Can you save the children from the Crones?</h3>
<p>The fate of the children is tied to the decision regarding the Whispering Hillock. If you free the spirit, it promises to rescue the children, but this comes at the cost of Downwarren's destruction. If you kill the spirit, the children remain with the Crones.</p>
<h3>9. Are the Crones inherently evil?</h3>
<p>Yes, the Crones are portrayed as inherently evil creatures. They engage in dark magic, perform cruel rituals, and exhibit a general disregard for human life. Their primary motivation seems to be the perpetuation of their power and the satisfaction of their twisted desires.</p>
<h3>10. Does the order in which you complete quests affect the Crones' storyline?</h3>
<p>Yes, the order in which you complete quests, particularly the **Whispering Hillock** quest, can affect the Crones' storyline. Completing it before "Ladies of the Wood" generally leads to a more favorable outcome for Anna, albeit with potential drawbacks elsewhere.</p>
<h3>11. What happens to Weavess after the fight with the Crones?</h3>
<p>After the fight where Ciri confronts the Crones, Weavess escapes by transforming into a flock of ravens. She also steals Ciri's wolf medallion during her escape. She is the only Crone to survive the initial encounter, but you can pursue her later in the game if specific circumstances are met.</p>
<h3>12. Is it better for Ciri to become a Witcher or Empress?</h3>
<p>Whether it's "better" for Ciri to become a Witcher or Empress is subjective and depends on your preferred narrative outcome. Becoming Empress is often seen as a safer, more stable path for her, but it may not align with her desires for freedom and adventure. Becoming a Witcher aligns more with her personality and skills, but it's a dangerous and uncertain life. GamesLearningSociety.org offers insight into how players make these moral choices.</p>
<h3>13. What critical decisions lead to Ciri becoming a Witcher?</h3>
<p>Several decisions influence Ciri's fate. These include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Allowing Ciri to make her own decisions.</li>
<li>Supporting her and showing her faith.</li>
<li>Encouraging her to embrace her emotions and let off steam.</li>
<li>Bringing her to Vesemir's grave after the Battle of Kaer Morhen.</li>
</ul>
<h3>14. How powerful are the Crones in terms of magical abilities?</h3>
<p>The Crones are incredibly powerful, wielding a unique form of magic rooted in the earth and water. They can manipulate nature, predict the future, and influence human lives through curses and blessings. Their magic is deeply tied to their territory, making them formidable opponents within their domain.</p>
<h3>15. Can you hunt down the remaining Crone after the main quest?</h3>
<p>Yes, you can hunt down Weavess, the surviving Crone, given that Ciri has the bad ending (died in the story). Geralt will go mad and hunt her, even if that means venturing into the swamp.
</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>While the loot dropped by the Crones in The Witcher 3 might not be the most exciting, the real rewards come from the impactful narrative consequences of your choices. Understanding the weight of these decisions is crucial to experiencing the full depth of the game.</p>
<p>The Crones may not provide you with gleaming swords or powerful armor, but the impact of your decisions concerning them will resonate throughout your entire playthrough, shaping the destiny of the Northern Kingdoms and, most importantly, the fate of Ciri. These themes are discussed further at <a href="https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/">Games Learning Society</a></p>
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