Anna

Biodata

Background / History

Marriage and Flight from Crow’s Perch

Anna’s marriage to Philip Strenger, the Bloody Baron, deteriorated amid his drinking, domestic violence, and the killing of her lover. While Philip was away serving in the army, she had an affair with her childhood sweetheart. After discovering it, Philip killed him. Anna subsequently regarded her husband as an enemy and made several attempts to murder him 20.

Anna asked the Crones to abort her pregnancy, although Philip believed his drunken abuse had caused her miscarriage. The hastily buried fetus later became a Botchling. Anna eventually fled home with their daughter, Tamara 20 26 31.

According to Philip, Anna also slept with the painter he had commissioned to paint her portrait during her pregnancy, deliberately seeking to hurt him 27.

Captivity in Crookback Bog

A follower of the Ladies of the Wood, Anna had maintained a shrine and altar at Crow’s Perch. The Crones captured her and made her raise orphans in the swamp, feeding and clothing the children until they were ready to be eaten 20 26 30.

When Chen Xu found the settlement, Anna protected the children from the unfamiliar rider, refused his gold, and gave him bread and directions north. Asked directly about the children’s fate, she defended their comfortable lives without denying that the Crones intended to eat them 20.

Anna later refused Geralt’s questions about Ciri and denied having seen her. Johnny contradicted this account, then persuaded Anna to introduce Geralt to the Crones by reminding her of the help he had given her and the children 38 39.

Rescue from the Crones

Anna contacted the Crones through their portrait, allowing them to possess her body and speak to Geralt. They offered to release her from their curse if he destroyed the dark power threatening Downwarren. After the possession ended, Anna begged Geralt to save the children rather than concern himself with her 39 40.

Chen Xu and Geralt used Tree Heart’s survival as leverage to secure the removal of Anna’s curse. Once Tree Heart was killed, however, the Crones betrayed the agreement: Weavess restored the curse mark, and the witches attempted to claim the children 41 42.

During the ensuing battle, Anna took the orphans into their cottage and barricaded the door with furniture. Philip arrived with reinforcements and called out to reassure her, prompting her to shed tears of remorse 43.

Chen Xu ultimately forced Whispess to remove the curse again and verified its complete disappearance with Detection. When the Wild Hunt’s arrival exposed the battlefield to the White Frost, Philip shielded Anna and the children with his body 44.

Return to Crow’s Perch

Immediately after her rescue, Anna remained focused on nursing the sick orphans and refused to speak to Philip. Chen Xu offered Philip a ritual and potion that could make her fall in love with him or become dependent on him, but Philip declined 45.

By the banquet celebrating Anna and Tamara’s return, Anna had recognized that Philip would not abandon her despite her changed appearance. Their relationship began to ease, while Tamara also considered forgiving her father because of his courage and changed behavior 49.

Appearance

• Before captivity: A portrait painted the previous year depicts a good-looking woman of about forty 27.
• Under the curse: Completely white-haired, with thin, withered hands; Chen Xu estimates that she looks at least twenty years older than in her portrait 20 27.
• Clothing: A long green dress made from fine fabric, a light chestnut leather vest, and blue sleeve covers—clothing noticeably finer than an ordinary peasant woman’s 20 21.
• After rescue: She remains white-haired, and her former youth and beauty have not returned by the homecoming banquet 45 49.

Personality

Anna is stern with the orphans but also physically affectionate and protective. Her first encounter with Chen Xu combines suspicion and brusque speech with practical generosity: she refuses payment yet provides food and directions 20.

Her conduct in captivity is shaped by fear and resignation. She knows the Crones’ true nature and has abandoned hope of rescue. Her hostility toward outsiders partly reflects a desire to keep others from being deceived and, especially, to prevent Tamara from learning of her captivity and attempting a dangerous rescue 38 40.

Anna initially rationalizes the children’s situation by emphasizing their food, clothing, and shelter. Once rescue appears possible, she openly prioritizes their survival over her own. During the battle, that hope gives way to self-reproach as she blames herself for drawing her rescuers into danger 20 40 43.

Curse and Possession

Life-Draining Curse

• Mark: An ancient curse symbol on Anna’s arm, recognized by Geralt 26 27.
• Effects: Drains life force, causing premature aging, exhaustion, and a persistent need to rest 27 38.
• Control: The Crones can activate the mark to threaten her life and restore it after removing it 41 42.
• Removal: Whispess removes it twice; the second removal is confirmed as complete by Chen Xu’s Detection 41 44.
• Classification: Lifting Anna’s curse counts toward Chen Xu’s requirement to resolve Qi Sense-tier curses for advancement as a witcher 50.

Vessel for the Crones

• Anna summons the Crones by touching their enshrined portrait and praying 39.
• During possession, only the whites of her eyes remain visible, and multiple wills speak through her body 39.
• Their invasion of her will leaves her clutching her head in pain afterward; this is control imposed on her, not a demonstrated independent magical ability 40.

Relationships

• Philip Strenger / Bloody Baron — Husband. Their abusive, embittered marriage drives her flight from Crow’s Perch; his rescue efforts later begin to soften their estrangement 20 26 43 49.
• Tamara — Daughter, who leaves home with Anna. Anna conceals her captivity partly to prevent Tamara from risking herself in a rescue 20 40.
• The orphans — Children entrusted to her by the Crones. Anna ultimately pleads for their rescue, shelters them during the battle, and continues nursing them afterward 40 43 45.
• The Crones / Ladies of the Wood — Objects of her worship and her captors. They drain her vitality, use her as a mouthpiece, and threaten her over the children’s condition 26 38 39 41.
• Johnny — Godling who calls her “Gran.” He treats the children, helps Anna with her headaches through singing, and persuades her to assist Geralt 39.
• Geralt of Rivia — Rescuer hired by Philip. Despite disapproving of her dishonesty, he negotiates for her release and refuses to surrender the children 39 40 42.
• Chen Xu — Discovers her location and helps organize her rescue. Although personally hostile toward her, he secures the final removal of her curse 20 27 44.
• Fringilla Vigo — Helps protect Anna during the rescue, intervening when the Crones threaten to kill her over the sick orphans 41.