The Witcher One: Abigail’s Decision—A Comprehensive Study
The Witcher: Enhanced Edition has a coherent and well-thought atmosphere throughout the game which is cohesive and compelling. The factor that mostly dragged me to The Witcher: Enhanced Edition is its hidden depth and beautiful soundtracks, which I liked in Morrowind too.
It is not uncommon to play games that all minor/or random characters in the streets/homes/etc have few short replies; but in (The Witcher Enhanced Version), these random encounters can be interesting (not for doing any quest) but just its relation to the situation at hand. I think the outskirts/town/lakeside people gave me several good points and information regarding the quests I was taking and looking for a decision. And another intriguing about these people remarks were their well-established connection to the lore, even more than the game at play. It was nice to know that the head of the sorcerer lodge, Philippa, was in Trade Quarter, even you don’t interact with her in the game in any way. Was her presence somehow related to Redevid's plans in Vizima? I wonder. Or what about the Bootblack in Temple Quarter? Who gives you a fascinating ring, which solves the issue of handling otherwise most annoying/the funniest character in the game: Shani's Landlord. Moreover, this book, can be obtained from Thaler by out-drinking him, is one of the most interesting books in the series and gave me such curiosity and awe towards Dijkstra: the spymaster. My suggestion for playing The Witcher: Enhanced Edition is not to ignore anybody. Talk to everyone.
Context
People who played the game, are aware that the toughest decision in the Chapter 1 is to decide to save Abigail or let her die by the hand of the mob. The Witcher: Enhanced Edition did everything in its power to make the decision ambiguous and make sure you doubt your decision regardless. Most of the doubts about this critical choice could be resolved by getting a piece of straightforward information from Abigail: Why does she have a Voodoo doll of the local merchant, who killed his (knight) brother, in her cottage. The game doesn’t let you ask such a question; and therefore, you hope that you selected the lesser evil. Both groups who decided concerning Abigail have good arguments: one group point out the simple fact of (proved) evil villagers and their damning acts on other people, especial witches, and finally the remark of later to be seen in Chapter 4, herbalist. And the Against-Abigail group, mention her manipulation tendencies, stories’ inconsistencies, and belonging to a cult that is dedicated to bringing and worshipping death in her words: Lionhead Spider Cult.
On the latter, it should also be noted that Abigail has a very disturbing romance card which demonstrates her in a cave full of skulls and her in a state of ecstasy: an apparent node to her belonging to the Lionhead Spider Cult and all its available paintings in the lore.
I like to think that behind all the vagueness and ambiguity concerning Abigail's choice; there was a transparent chain of events but then second, and later writers took out these events and news from the story to have the following effect on the audience: no right choices for making a memorable choice for the gamer. But here and there, you can find the signs of the first original intended plot.
Information on Abigail
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima – The Villagers: “So tired. My neighbour disturbed my sleep, beating his wife again.”*
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima – The Villager: “Kill my uncle! He's evil!”
The mob mentality of blaming everything on the witch (especially based on her gender) and shouting her death is obviously ridicules. Before that, Reverend believed lighting a few candles for his shrines will stop all the evils upon the people of the outskirts.
Abigail, in numerous instances, was just a catalyst for all the bad things in the village. The villagers have created an environment of the religious facade and ruthless child sacrificing, women defying situation which the only natural to bring a curse upon itself. This is the version of the story that the witcher also believes that this is the villagers themselves who created the evil dog of hell.
Witcher 1—Alvin Telling the Atrocities of Villagers: “Why'd they skin the puppy? Why'd they hurt him? He was gentle, he hurt no one. And the girl from outside the village, she screamed, horribly, unlike any human. Bad children, torturing the witch's puppy again? Innocent blood… evil faces twisted by drink and desire. “Plough her well. Show her you're a man”… blood-stained gold… the Beast is born! Death, the final judgment. The Beast has met its end once. It doesn't fear death. It is death.”
Abigail death doesn't change the plot regarding the satanic dog. It does appear for a final show-down, regardless of Abigail's being alive or dead.
She is visibly more honest about her faults and vices in comparison to any other person in Outskirts. She calmly admits that she is evil (though a lesser one in comparison to local villagers) and everybody hides a monster.
In chapter four, a herbalist vouches for Abigail’s innocence. This herbalist could be seen only if the Abigail is lynched; else Abigail will be the lakeside herbalist.
Abigail doesn’t even deny her manipulations and being a catalyst in many of the misfortunes, but counter-argues that her sins are less than the villagers. The witcher also can tell her that she is evil, though less than all the villagers altogether.
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Abigail: “We All Hide a Monster inside us.”
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima – Abigail's Comment on Reverend and other villagers: “… Because his heart is as black as those of all the rest! “ Do you hate all humans? “Yes, you don't know what it is like to live here, to endure their evil looks, their whispers, while knowing all their secrets!” I'm no favourite, either. “A few noble deeds and you'll depart. This is my home.”
Information on the Villagers
Reverend
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Reverend's House—First Floor
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Reverend's House—Basement: An Impressive Wine cellar for Toussaint Wine
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Salamndra kidnaps Kids via the Reverend
* Alvin's Conversation with very drunk Geralt: “You look like the Reverend coming back from the Cellar… You won't hit me, will you?”*
A fanatic, hypocrite and dangerous entity. His home is an excellent example of this trope: in a poor village, he has the biggest table of food that you can find in any house, though lonely, and the basement full of Toussaint wine. The Alvin, later on, has this chilling conversation about his life with Reverend to a drunken witcher: “You look like the Reverend coming back from the Cellar… You won't hit me, will you?”. He has a daughter: Helena who was impregnated by the group of villagers led by one of the most successful members of this miserable and forgotten village: Mikul, and consequently Reverend throw Helena out of the house and caused her to be a Madame in most inferior and dangerous part of the lowest level of Vizima city:Eager Thighs brothel. Furthermore, he has dealing with the evil Salamandra organization (claims due to fear) by channelling village kids into caves. The religious obnoxious and his sexism in his lynch the witch rant can create any sense of empathy for anyone.
Mikul
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Villiager's Comment on Mikul: “Mikul the guard buys hunting trophies.”
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Villiager's Comment on Mikul: “Bastard Mikul made another pass at me.”
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Young Men Comment on Mikul: “Mikul's a detestable fool!”
The officer of the law who is the pride of the poor outskirts village. This office of judge is a gambler and dimwit who has to impregnate Helena (the daughter of the Reverend) and got away with it successfully due to the nature of the Reverend (see the previous paragraph). He claims to have a girlfriend who died in the crypt, and he became sad because of the incident. He lets the witcher to his arrest and survives the consequences of all of your decision. There is one, not proven claim against him by Abigail, who claimed he defied her which caused to her suicide. Abigail is the person who sold her poison for death. Later, Salamandra thugs point out the opposite and admit, proudly, that they have defied her, which is a contrast to Abigail story. She could say, the bad guys hurt her and then nobody helped her and just shunned her to her death.
Haren Brogg
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima-Evidences of Haren Brogg's Racism Towards None-humans
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima-Evidences of Haren Brogg's Racism Towards None-humans
The fisher village and person with many connections who can supply your demand in a fast and convenient way (including weapons and food for a rebellion). He has attachment and provided arms to the evil organization: Salamandra. Very first thing, you notice in his domain is that is the living location of many thugs (probably more than in another place in the Witcher 1 game). And in your first encounter, these thugs are harassing Zoltan (dwarf) and want to kill or beat him due to being a dwarf. This creates a very racist environment for the fishing section of the Outskirt village, and then you enter the house of Harren Brogg. He has only one book in his home (in his closet): a repulsive, religiously empowered racist book which talks about the conspiracy and dedication of non-humans against humans and blah blah who drink the blood of kids. With all of these puking nonsense, you realize one thing shortly: Haren is provided with a weapon for the Elves Freedom Movement: Social. Something is hidden. Later, Haren Borg pointed out this inconsistency by saying he was offered by Abigail her body if he provides a weapon to the Elves which made him furious with her as he said: not everything is about money concerning his hatred towards elves and his previous work with them. The witcher correctly points out that he has seen this attitude of Abigail, offering her body, for achieving her goals in the cave recently. Abigail mentioned that Haren sold-out squirrels to the guards, which are consistent with Haren hatred towards non-human.
Odo
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima – Odo and Financial Status as Motive: “Someone sends you to see Odo? Someone that wealthy had to end badly.”
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- Villiager's Comment on Oddo's Brother: The Murdered Knight: “Odo's brother would've protected us from the Beast.”
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima- The Armour of Oddo's Brother: “From the blood and dents, this armour's a warrior's. But this fatso's more familiar with tankard than sword.”
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima – Odo's account of the Beast and its relationship with Abigail: “…one time strayed to the witch's house, where a great beast stared in her window…”
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima – Gerald's comment on Odo's doll inside of Abigail's hut: “A man-shaped doll of oakum and wax. I wonder what the witch uses it for…”
Geralt with Oddo's old dog: “That dog seems to be looking for something. What are you guarding?”
Odo is the most complicated one. He is an obese born-to-be merchant person who enjoys gambling and drinking. He has inherited a large amount of money from his murdered knight brother. Not only that, but he has killed his knight brother in secret (and cowardly, in his sleep) and buried him in the garden (now guarded by his brother’s dog). The armour of his brother is still in his house: gleaming and impressive armour for a knight. As many mentioned, there is a small indication that he has also killed another person afterwards due to having two murdered-victim born plants in his house. The Salamandra mention he came to them for the asking to find a way to kill his brother, which they refused due to him being apathetic. He claims he has done it due to having disturbing dreams and be voodooed by Abigail. You can find his doll and the ritual ceremony stuff in Abigail’s hut. Odo points out a few other things:
- Abigail yearned for his knight brother, but he discards her feelings resolutely and instead scorned her for being a witch publicly.
- First that he saw the evil dog who brought a curse and deaths to the village coming from Abigail hut. He also mentions that Abigail. And therefore, Abigail’s house is possibly the birthplace of the evil dog.
Conclusion
As much as I like to make a concrete decision, it should be warned that my impression is solely based on the English game play. As many good articles mentioned; the English dub of the Witcher 1 is altered or cut (nearly 20%). I am doubtful of the accuracy of the translations in several cases. Witcher 1 was not a familiar title in Western countries, and the books were translated after the success of this game. As one of the game critics correctly mentioned: “… the lines they say aren't any better. It is clear that English wasn't the writers' first language and that the voice actors didn't exactly know what to do with the script.”
Nevertheless, it is possible to speculate based on the given dialogues.
There is one small information who I didn’t see anybody mention in their arguments online: many villagers mention that “If the Odo’s knight brother were alive, he would save them from the satanic dog”. It seems that in the city there are many stories concerning Abigail's sexual behaviour, which is a common notion in any small village (as two ladies talk about Shani's clothing too). It is funny to hear that many male villagers mentioned that “that the witch has an eye on me”. And the very first thing that you see outside her cottage is a male villager in pain who wanted to start a relationship with her. For me, this shows two things: (a) she used to be as the centre of the attention of men in the outskirts, with all of its good and bad; and (b) she doesn't react nicely to any relationship issue. And interestingly enough, in the trade temple, several citizens point out that: “nowadays, there are many cults; such as Salamandra and Lionhead Spider”. For me, it was interesting to hear these two organization names right after each other. Lionhead Spider has a dedicated crypt at the Vizima’s sewers, close to the Salamandra's one.
Townsman comment on Secret Cults: “Salamndra, the cult of Lionhead Spider. So many secret organizations lately.”
The Lore picture for Lionhead Spider Cult and the Romance Card of Abigail
The other possible connection was that the villagers skinned Abigail's poppy alive. This information was given by Alvin in a short but significant vision. This is the first and only time Geralt conversed with Alzur's beast directly.
In another note, Shani’s attitude should be mentioned here. After trusting Alvin to the witch: Abigail, she lost all her trust in such act later on. She is most familiar with the powerful sorcerer lodge and Triss’s background. But still has a strong objection against giving the young boy to any other witch after Abigail. And not respecting her opinion would cause her nearly to be mad at Geralt nearly diasporas until the end of the game (and the Witcher 3: Heart of Stone DLC). Although there are other reasons for Shani not liking Triss, I firmly believe she wouldn’t want any other witch, after Abigail’s experience, as the guardian of Alvin.
Witcher Outskirts of Vizima-Shani's Hesistant Towards Abigail's Guardianship of Alvin: “Abigail, a local soothsayer, offered to care for him. I hope I did right, entrusting the boy to her. She seems strange…”
After hearing this, I came up with a new narrative for the story:
“Abigail, a young witch member of a Lionhead Spider Cult, to a small village, to have more freedom and less interruption. Little by little, Abigail started to comprehend the structure, gossips, and small details of these villagers. As the lore mentioned, her substantial knowledge of potions helped her to be confident of many villagers who had to access to any medicine and only had one church as their only possible medicine for any disease. Although she was dedicated not to earn the direct hatred and anger of the villagers, she couldn’t stop her mischievous based on her cultist views: to bring more death. The arrival of Reverend and his daughter after the plague and all the fanaticism, short-mildness of the order caused her to be more confident. In one of the dark moments, these villagers skinned the Abigail's poppy. In this village of short-minded people, there was a dashing brave middle-aged knight who lived and fought outside of the village for a long time and in his middle age came back to live with his brother in their father's farm. This knight, who was adored enormously by the simpleton villagers, could bring respect, safety, and ease of mind to the witch: a pillar of strengths again the ever-influencing order. But the knight strongly rebuked her advances and instead mocked her publicly and asked villagers to avoid her. This was the last drop of her cautious and not taking part directly in bringing death and misery to the village. She voodooed the knight’s brother to kill the knight to avoid future confrontation by an already suspicious opponent. Then, she started to create pain to the people who she certainly believes deserve the mischievous. For her view, there is nothing more interesting to see a racist human helping the non-humans in their fight against humans for lust. Selling poison to a young woman who was defied to kill herself. And finally, her final achievements: bringing this village to the attention of hound of hell. To punish and perish all the villagers and bringing the constant shadow of death on the village. In her final act in Outskirt, she could convince a neutral witcher to take her side, by any means necessary, or to be perished by the villagers who she despised.”
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