What happens to the kids of Crookback bog?

The fate of the children of Crookback Bog is a pivotal and complex aspect of the Witcher 3 storyline, heavily influenced by the player’s decisions throughout the game, particularly in the Ladies of the Wood quest, where choosing to free the spirit in the Whispering Hillock can lead to their rescue, but at a grave cost to the villagers of Downwarren. Ultimately, the children’s survival depends on the player’s choices, with potential outcomes including being saved and ending up in a Novigrad orphanage, or succumbing to the Crones and meeting a dire fate.

Understanding the Context

The Role of the Whispering Hillock

The Whispering Hillock, a sentient tree spirit, plays a crucial role in determining the fate of the Crookback Bog children. By freeing this spirit, Geralt of Rivia can potentially save the children from the clutches of the Crones, who intend to harm them. However, this action comes with significant consequences, including the destruction of Downwarren and its inhabitants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you save the kids in Crookback Bog? Yes, it is possible to save the kids by freeing the Whispering Hillock spirit after starting the Ladies of the Wood quest, which will prompt the spirit to rescue the children, but this comes with the cost of endangering Gran and the villagers.

2. What happens to the kids if you free the spirit? If the spirit is freed, it will save the children from the Crones, and they will end up in an orphanage in Novigrad. However, this act of mercy towards the children will lead to the spirit exacting revenge on the villagers of Downwarren.

3. Can you save the orphans of Crookback Bog without freeing the spirit? No, freeing the spirit is a crucial step in saving the orphans. If the spirit is killed as per the Crones’ instructions, the children will be eaten by the Crones.

4. How do the Crones fit into the story of the children? The Crones, also known as the Ladies of the Wood, are central to the plot involving the children. They have been taking children from the Crookback Bog area, intending to eat them.

5. Can the Crones be killed? Yes, the Crones can be killed, but this does not directly save the children. The player must navigate the Ladies of the Wood quest carefully to achieve the desired outcome.

6. What is the consequence of killing the Crones? Killing the Crones does not directly impact the fate of the children in Crookback Bog but is a part of the larger questline involving Ciri and the Wild Hunt.

7. Can you save the children and the Baron’s wife, Anna? The game presents a difficult choice where saving one group may endanger another. Killing the Whispering Hillock spirit saves Anna but condemns the children, while freeing the spirit saves the children but endangers Downwarren and possibly Anna if the player hadn’t already secured her safety through other means.

8. How does the Baron’s story intersect with the fate of the children? The Baron’s storyline, particularly his quest to save his wife Anna, intersects with the children’s fate through the Ladies of the Wood quest, where choices made can impact both storylines.

9. What happens to Ciri in Crookback Bog? Ciri is found by the Crones while she is on the run from the Wild Hunt and wounded. She manages to escape, but this encounter is crucial for understanding the Crones’ motivations and actions.

10. Can you free Anna from the Crones? Anna‘s fate is tied to the player’s choices in the Ladies of the Wood quest. She can be saved if the player follows a specific path that involves killing the Whispering Hillock spirit as instructed by the Crones.

11. Do you ever fight the Crones? Yes, Ciri fights the Crones during the Bald Mountain quest, which is a pivotal moment in her storyline and the overall narrative of the game.

12. What are the true forms of the Crones of Crookback Bog? The true forms and origins of the Crones (Brewess, Weavess, and Whispess) are shrouded in mystery, adding to their enigmatic and dangerous nature.

13. What is the best choice in Ladies of the Wood? The most generally positive solution is to kill the Ghost in the Tree, as it leads to the greatest happiness for the majority, including the survival of Anna, Philip, and the villagers, although it condemns the children.

14. Does it matter if the Baron dies? The Baron’s fate does not significantly alter the main storyline outcomes regarding the children or the Crones, but his survival and the resolution of his personal questline can impact the game’s overall narrative and character development.

15. Can you save everyone in Crookback Bog? Unfortunately, the game’s design does not allow for a scenario where everyone, including the children, Anna, and the inhabitants of Downwarren, can be saved. The player must make difficult choices that prioritize one group’s survival over another’s.