Witches of Barovia

In Barovia , a land governed by strict codes around gender, sexuality, and behaviour, there are many unenviable fates for women who act out of turn. None are used to frighten children at bedtime quite so much as the prospect of becoming a witch.   Witches, as we know, are evil women who let selfishness guide them, who only become corrupted more and more with each foul act — eventually becoming hags, any reasonable Barovian parent will tell you.   Since its fall, Berez has been home to many of Barovia's witches, who used to live under the guidance and protection of Baba Lysaga . It may not have been an ideal community — Baba was not known for her gentle kindness — but for women who were cast out of their communities, or who felt too stifled by the stringent codes of morality and submissiveness expected of them, it was one of the safest options available to them. What's a lone woman to do to survive in the Svalich Woods, after all?   Another cluster of witches appeared to be in residence at Castle Ravenloft , working more directly with Strahd . Judging by Ireena Kolyana 's early maps, the witches were there well before the fall of Baba Lysaga.   The exact connections between Barovia's witches and Strahd are not known. With people like Anna Krezkova joining Baba Lysaga's ranks, only to turn against Strahd with her fellows in the first battle, it seems that Barovia's witches aren't uniformly evil, though there's certainly reason to believe the average Barovian has cause to fear them.  

Known Witches

Elvira Davydovna

One of the castle's former witches; Tatiana was reluctant to talk much about her and the other witches who had fought at Strahd's side in the Battle of the First Two, but Godfrey was able to get her to share that Elvira had been a coven mother, strict and demanding. A coven mother, she explained, was more powerful than the average Barovian witch, after years of study and dedication to Baba Lysaga.  

Ilinca Drüf

One of the castle's former witches; Tatiana was reluctant to talk much about her and the other witches who had fought at Strahd's side in the Battle of the First Two, but Godfrey was able to get her to share that Ilinca was a witch of average talent but exceptional cruelty.  

Anna Krezkova

The wife of the former burgomaster of Krezk (and the man responsible for plunging the Fidatov Estate into a years-long curse), the party first met Anna when she was covering for her son Ilya, who was dealing with the ol' "They Raised Me From the Dead But I Came Back Wrong" trope. In the wake of her disgrace, Anna fled to Berez; after Baba's destruction at the party's hands, she apparently relocated to the castle, where she presumably served under Strahd before turning against him in the first battle.  

Baba Lysaga

The former leader of Barovia's witches, defeated by the party in their assault on Krezk. Once Strahd's nursemaid, and part of the reason for his arcane talents — and perhaps some of his darkness, too.  

Verochka Mescheryakovna

One of the castle's former witches; Tatiana was reluctant to talk much about her and the other witches who had fought at Strahd's side in the Battle of the First Two, but Godfrey was able to get her to share that Verochka had been a witch of average talent, though she'd had a mean right hook.  

Kala Nikodim

One of Tatiana's former allies; as described to Godfrey, she was an evocation specialist, and sweet — nervous, unsure of herself. Killed, captured, or turned in the Battle of the First Two.  

Rahela Ozera

One of Tatiana's former allies; as described to Godfrey, she was a transmutation specialist, and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. If it hadn't been for her, it's unlikely the witches of Barovia would have come to your aid at all. She is, Tatiana clarified, the first witch you saw — your invisible friend. Killed, captured, or turned in the Battle of the First Two.  

Svetlana Petrova

One of Tatiana's former allies; as described to Godfrey, she was... not particularly pleasant to be around. However, she had been the only survivor among the witches in Strahd's assault on the Wizard of Wines winery, and that night had shown her how little their lives meant to Strahd. Morals, Tatiana thinks, were not her concern — but being treated as disposable was not something she would tolerate. Killed, captured, or turned in the Battle of the First Two.  

Alina Polunin

One of the castle's former witches; Tatiana was reluctant to talk much about her and the other witches who had fought at Strahd's side in the Battle of the First Two, but Godfrey was able to get her to share that Alina had also been a coven mother, wild and reckless.  

Rosa Remazova

One of the castle's former witches; Tatiana was reluctant to talk much about her and the other witches who had fought at Strahd's side in the Battle of the First Two, but Godfrey was able to get her to share that Rosa had been a transmutation specialist.  

Agniya Sharapova

One of the castle's former witches; Tatiana was reluctant to talk much about her and the other witches who had fought at Strahd's side in the Battle of the First Two, but Godfrey was able to get her to share that Agniya had been a conjuration specialist.  

Sina Vesntetsov

One of Tatiana's former allies; as described to Godfrey, she was like a mother to those witches less inclined to heed Strahd's every word. Particularly to Tatiana and Rahela, who were both teenagers. A conjuration specialist, she was whip-smart and sarcastic, close-lipped about what had led her to Baba Lysaga all those decades ago. Killed, captured, or turned in the Battle of the First Two.  

Tatiana Yashkin

The only one of the witches to join you on the Ethereal Plane, Tatiana is uncertain why she's the only one to return. It may be that some of her allies were turned or captured rather than killed; it may be that some of them were soulless, though she certainly hasn't suggested that possibility. 17 when she died, with dark skin and pale pink hair. She has largely been quiet through her journey with you.