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Who Kills Anna Henrietta? A Deep Dive into The Witcher 3’s Blood and Wine Climax

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Anna Henrietta, the beloved Duchess of Toussaint, does not always die in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s Blood and Wine expansion. Her fate, along with that of her sister, Syanna, is entirely dependent on the player’s choices throughout the questline, specifically those made in “The Night of Long Fangs” and, most critically, “Beyond Hill and Dale.” There are multiple endings where Anna Henrietta survives, and even thrives, while in others, she meets a tragic end.

Understanding Anna Henrietta’s Potential Fates

The conclusion of Blood and Wine is anything but straightforward. It hinges on Geralt’s ability to unravel the complex history and motivations of the sisters, Anna Henrietta and Syanna. Depending on Geralt’s actions, several outcomes are possible, ranging from blissful reconciliation to devastating tragedy.

The “Good” Ending: Reconciliation and Survival

In the most optimistic scenario, both Anna Henrietta and Syanna survive. This ending requires Geralt to:

Read the diary found in the children’s room during “The Night of Long Fangs” to learn the full story of Syanna’s childhood.
During “Beyond Hill and Dale,” acquire Ribbon from the Little Flint Girl by winning a game of Gwent or paying her off. This is crucial.
During “Tesham Mutna,” convince Regis not to kill Detlaff.
During the conversation with Syanna before the duchess’s award ceremony, discuss the childhood injustices she experienced and prompt her to forgive Anna Henrietta.
During the award ceremony, Syanna will forgive Anna Henrietta.

If Geralt manages to achieve these steps, the sisters reconcile, and both survive the events of Blood and Wine. This is widely considered the “good” ending.

The “Bad” Ending: Death of Both Sisters

The darkest possible outcome sees both Anna Henrietta and Syanna killed. This occurs if Geralt:

Fails to acquire the Ribbon from the Little Flint Girl.
During “Tesham Mutna,” convince Regis not to kill Detlaff.

Without the Ribbon, Syanna is vulnerable to the fifth victim Dettlaff. After the fourth of her childhood tormentors is killed, and after Syanna carries out her plan to kill the fifth victim, she is confronted by Anna Henrietta at the ceremony. The Little Flint Girl told Syanna that without the ribbon Syanna would be harmed, and Syanna planned to harm Anna. Syanna fatally stabs Anna Henrietta, and then is immediately killed by Damien de la Tour.

The “Bittersweet” Ending: Syanna Dies, Anna Henrietta Survives

This ending is a mixed bag, as one sister lives while the other perishes. It happens if Geralt:

Does not read the diary in the children’s room during “The Night of Long Fangs”.
Acquires the Ribbon.
During “Tesham Mutna,” allows Regis to kill Detlaff.
OR During “Tesham Mutna,” convince Regis not to kill Detlaff and does not discuss the childhood injustices with Syanna before the duchess’s award ceremony.

In either of these scenarios, Syanna’s revenge plot continues, but because she possesses the Ribbon, the fifth victim is not her primary target; instead, she kills her tormentors according to her plan. When she goes to confront Anna Henrietta with the intention of killing her as well, her plan is foiled by Geralt, who kills her to save the duchess.

Why the Choices Matter: Unraveling Syanna’s Motivations

The key to saving both Anna Henrietta and Syanna lies in understanding Syanna’s past. The diary in the children’s room details the brutal circumstances of Syanna’s banishment from Toussaint. The knights and nobles she targets were responsible for mistreating her as a child. Geralt’s choice to read the diary and then confront Syanna about her childhood injustices becomes pivotal. This dialogue allows Syanna to express her pain and, potentially, to choose forgiveness over revenge.

The Importance of the Ribbon

The Ribbon is not just a trinket; it’s a magical artifact that protects Syanna from harm. Dettlaff is furious when he realises that Syanna plans to kill the fifth victim herself, and he plans to kill her as well. The Little Flint Girl tells Syanna that without the Ribbon, Syanna would be harmed. Therefore, If Geralt fails to obtain it, Syanna will be vulnerable when Detlaff is defeated or escapes. Syanna is not killed by Detlaff but by Damien, after Syanna kills Anna.

The Role of Regis

Regis, Geralt’s close friend and a powerful higher vampire, plays a significant role in determining the outcome. His willingness to kill Dettlaff (or not) affects the narrative. While allowing Regis to kill Dettlaff might seem like the “easy” solution, it ultimately closes off the path to the “good” ending, where both sisters survive.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Anna Henrietta’s Fate

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Anna Henrietta’s possible demise in The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine:

Can Anna Henrietta die in Blood and Wine? Yes, Anna Henrietta can die. Her death depends on the choices made by the player, primarily concerning Syanna and Dettlaff.
What choices lead to Anna Henrietta’s death? If Geralt fails to obtain the Ribbon from the Little Flint Girl, and convinces Regis not to kill Dettlaff, Syanna will kill Anna Henrietta, and be immediately killed herself.
How can I save Anna Henrietta? To save Anna Henrietta, Geralt must: Read the diary in the children’s room, obtain the Ribbon from the Little Flint Girl, during “Tesham Mutna” convince Regis not to kill Detlaff, and then discuss Syanna’s childhood injustices with her before the duchess’s award ceremony. This leads to Syanna forgiving Anna Henrietta, allowing both to survive.
Is the Ribbon the only thing that matters for Anna Henrietta’s survival? No. While the Ribbon is critical, the conversation with Syanna before the ceremony is equally important. Even with the Ribbon, if Geralt fails to address Syanna’s past trauma, the good ending will not occur.
Does letting Regis kill Dettlaff guarantee Anna Henrietta’s survival? No. If Regis kills Dettlaff, Syanna will still follow through with her revenge plot. If Geralt obtained the ribbon, Syanna will still live but Anna will be killed.
What happens if I don’t read the diary in the children’s room? If Geralt skips this step, he won’t have the necessary context to understand Syanna’s motivations, making it impossible to convince her to forgive Anna Henrietta. The “good” ending becomes unavailable.
Why is Syanna so angry at Anna Henrietta? Syanna’s anger stems from her banishment and the childhood injustices she suffered. She believes Anna Henrietta played a role in her mistreatment, fueling her desire for revenge.
Is there a “canon” ending for Blood and Wine? CD Projekt Red has not officially declared a canon ending. All endings are valid and contribute to the player’s individual experience. However, the “good” ending is often considered the most satisfying.
Can I redo the choices if I get a bad ending? Yes, if you have a save file from before the critical choices, you can reload and make different decisions to alter the outcome.
Does the ending of Blood and Wine affect the rest of The Witcher 3? No. Blood and Wine is a standalone expansion, and its ending does not impact the main game or previous expansions.
What are the consequences of the bittersweet ending? In the bittersweet ending, Anna Henrietta survives, but Syanna is killed. This leaves Anna Henrietta heartbroken, and Geralt might feel a sense of failure for not being able to save both sisters.
Is there any way to know which ending I’m heading towards? Your choices, particularly during the “Beyond Hill and Dale” and the conversation with Syanna, will provide clues. The game subtly hints at the potential consequences of your actions.
Does Geralt have any personal stake in the outcome of Blood and Wine? While Geralt isn’t directly involved in the conflict, he’s hired to solve the mystery and protect Toussaint. His Witcher instincts also compel him to seek justice and help those in need, making the sisters’ fates a personal concern.
Is it possible to get a truly happy ending in Blood and Wine? The “good” ending, where both sisters reconcile and survive, is the closest thing to a truly happy ending. However, even this outcome acknowledges the pain and suffering both characters endured.
Does Damien de la Tour’s role affect the ending? Yes, if Geralt fails to obtain the Ribbon and convinces Regis not to kill Dettlaff, Syanna kills Anna and Damien will kill Syanna.

In conclusion, the question of whether Anna Henrietta lives or dies rests entirely in the player’s hands. By understanding the complex motivations of the characters and carefully considering each choice, players can navigate the treacherous path to a satisfying, or devastating, conclusion in The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine.