The quest lines in Velen within The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are renowned for forcing players into morally complex situations with heartbreaking outcomes. During the Return to Crookback Bog quest, Geralt of Rivia may find Anna Strenger transformed into a hideous monster due to the vengeful curse of the Crones. Deciding how to break this curse requires choosing the correct doll from a hidden cellar, which drastically alters the final moments of the Strenger family.
Identifying the Correct Doll in Crookback Bog
When searching the cellar beneath the orphan hut, Geralt encounters four distinct voodoo dolls representing different items. The correct choice to break Anna's curse is the doll adorned with the hollyhock flower. This specific bloom connects directly to Anna's past and her favorite flower mentioned earlier in the narrative.
Selecting any of the other three dolls results in an immediate failure of the ritual. If Geralt chooses incorrectly, Anna instantly bursts into flames and dies in agony right in front of her family. This disastrous choice leaves both Tamara and the Bloody Baron completely devastated and resentful toward the witcher.
What Happens When You Choose the Hollyhock Doll
Picking the doll with the hollyhock flower successfully lifts the Crones' transformative magic. Anna returns to her human form, granting her a peaceful moment to reconcile with her husband and daughter. She is able to share heartfelt goodbyes before the remaining magic fades away completely.
Despite restoring her human appearance, the Crones constructed the curse so that her life force was permanently bound to it. Consequently, lifting the spell inevitably causes her to pass away shortly after her reunion. While tragic, this option provides the family with emotional closure compared to the violent death caused by an incorrect pick.
The Overarching Consequences for Velen
Regardless of whether Geralt chooses the right or wrong doll, Anna dies as a direct result of freeing the Whispering Hillock earlier in the game. Upon returning to Crow's Perch to collect his reward, Geralt discovers that the Bloody Baron has hanged himself in despair. His tragic death leaves the settlement of Crow's Perch under the harsh control of his ruthless sergeant.
Players seeking a scenario where both Anna and the Baron survive must instead destroy the spirit in the tree during the earlier quest. Doing so prevents the Crones from cursing Anna into a monster, though it comes at the tragic cost of the swamp orphans. Understanding these branching paths highlights why this narrative remains one of the most memorable storylines in modern gaming.