The Crones of Crookback Bog — three ancient beings who predate the continent’s current religion and maintain a brutal bargain with the people of Downwarren — are the primary antagonists of the Velen storyline. Their bargain: they provide food and protection, and the village provides children and the occasional adult as tribute. This is presented matter-of-factly. The horror builds slowly.
Anna, the Baron’s wife, fled to the Crones after her husband’s abuse. The Crones kept her as a servant — the Whispess, the Weavess, and the Brewess using her as a washerwoman who maintains their domain. When Geralt’s choices in Velen play out, Anna can be freed or left with the Crones. Neither outcome is good. The Crones curse her as punishment for Geralt’s interference.
The most disturbing detail is not displayed — it is in item descriptions. The orphans that the Crones take from Downwarren are processed. The item ‘Children’s Shoes’ found throughout the Bog, and certain meat sources in the Crones’ larder, are never explicitly labelled. The implication is present throughout the environment for players who read item descriptions and look at what is hanging in the smokehouse.
CD Projekt Red designed the Velen questline to have no resolution that feels like a victory. Every choice in the Baron’s questline distributes harm differently but never eliminates it. The Crones exist because the world requires something like them.
Really fascinating breakdown — I had no idea this was hidden in plain sight the whole time. Going back for another playthrough immediately.
The amount of craft that went into hiding this detail is remarkable. Pure game design artistry.