Striga

From Witcher Wiki

A striga (Polish: strzyga) is a woman transformed into a monster by a curse. She is filled with hatred towards all living beings, devouring them without second thought.

Contents 1 Curse and transformation 1.1 Lifting the curse 1.2 Life after the curse 2 In The Witcher computer game 2.1 Journal Entry 2.1.1 Details 2.2 Location 2.3 Source 2.4 Notes 3 Gallery

[edit] Curse and transformation

There is not much known about the curse that turns females into striga. The only well-documented example of a striga's lifetime was that of Adda the White, daughter of Foltest, king of Temeria. She was cursed prior to her birth, then born a striga. She and her mother, who did not survive the birth, were laid to rest in a single tomb. For seven years she grew inside the sarcophagus, only to emerge a creature of predatory instinct with the size and skill to carry it out.

Some details of the curse which transforms people into strigas, are outlined in Ostrit's journal.

[edit] Lifting the curse

In order to lift the curse on a striga, "someone must prevent the striga from returning to her coffin by the third crowing of the rooster. Then she would be cured, turning into an ordinary little girl."

[edit] Life after the curse

After a person has been cured from the striga-curse, there is the chance that the person will not fully recover mentally, keeping part of the vicious and somewhat dull-witted nature of her previous striga-form.

There is also the chance of a relapse, turning back into a striga. To prevent this, cured striga wear amulets and participate in rituals designed to ward off the curse.

[edit] In The Witcher computer game

[edit] Journal Entry

"Where does it come from? Spells, magic?" "I have no idea, sire. The Sages research these phenomena. For us witchers, it is enough to know that strong will may create them. We also like to know how to fight them." "And kill them?" "Most frequently, yes. That is what we are usually paid for. Few want the spell lifted. People usually just want to be protected. If the monster has killed people, revenge may be another motive."

This is a quote from a conversation between king Foltest and witcher Geralt of Rivia in the short story The Witcher.

[edit] Details

Occurrence: A striga may tolerate necrophages; she needs a hideout during the day, often choosing a sarcophagus in a forgotten branch of a crypt Immunity: Resistant to steel Susceptibility: Sensitive to silver; a striga may be freed from her curse by those who survive a night near her sarcophagus Tactics: A striga is a very strong and agile creature, but not as resilient as she might seem; she attacks by surprise and tries to tear opponents to pieces without giving them a chance to fight back; near her sarcophagus, a striga is always stronger Alchemy: Striga Heart

[edit] Location

• Swamp Cemetery; Striga's Crypt

[edit] Source

• Curses and the Cursed
• Velerad

[edit] Notes

• The intro to the game depicts the night Geralt cured Adda's curse.
• Ostrit's journal is required for the game to progress.

[edit] Gallery

In The Witcher computer game

In The Hexer TV series

In Wiedźmin: Gra wyobraźni PnP RPG