The Windblume Event in Version 3.5 of Genshin Impact introduces players to the enigmatic Hexenzirkel, a secret society of powerful mages. Hexenzirkel, which translates to "Circle of Witches" or "Coven" in German, comprises witches who possess incredible magical abilities. However, not all witches or mages in Teyvat are members of this group, and some even distance themselves from it. Alice, who refers to the other members of Hexenzirkel as her sisters, is one of the most prominent members of the group. While the witches' abilities and powers are shrouded in mystery, some are known to have their own successors, such as Mona. The group gathers for formal tea parties, but little else is known about their activities.
The Hexenzirkel's true motives and goals are still a mystery, and it's unclear whether their intentions are good or nefarious. It's been revealed that they conduct explorations in Irminsul, but what they're searching for remains unknown. As players delve deeper into the world of Genshin Impact, they may uncover more secrets about Alice and her fellow witches. The Hexenzirkel's significance in Teyvat's lore and history is undeniable, and they may play a significant role in the game's overarching story.
Hexenzirkel Members
Currently, there are six confirmed members of the Hexenzirkel. During the "Joy Above the Clouds" quest, players were introduced to them, being, Alice, Rhinedottir, Nicole, "J," "B," and "M." However, only the initials of the latter three were revealed, leaving their true identities a mystery. Fortunately, a few days later, the "Story Teaser: The Mages' Tea Party" unveiled their full names, along with the names of their respective voice actors.
Interestingly, the Hexenzirkel's tea party table has seven seats, potentially reserved for guests like the Anemo Archon. Additionally, the Hexenzirkel's artwork displays eight witches, although only six have been officially confirmed. It's unclear if these witches represent specific elements or nations or why there are more spots in the artwork than confirmed members.
6 Alice
Alice, also known as codename A, holds the position of an Elder in the Hexenzirkel and is one of the few members that players have learned the most about so far. As Klee's mother, Alice has been introduced early on in the game and has played a significant role in limited-time events such as Midsummer Island Adventure and Summertime Odyssey. Despite her importance, little is known about her physical appearance except for the fact that she is an elf, similar to Klee and Layla. Due to her elven heritage, Alice has a longer lifespan than most humans in Teyvat.
Klee's personality is said to be greatly influenced by her mother, and Alice is described as energetic, impulsive, and curious, yet also caring. By her description in the Windblume Event's story, she's also "the one who would never lie". She is a renowned adventurer and the author of the Teyvat Travel Guide. Alice's magical abilities are also noteworthy, and she is described by Albedo as a near-omnipotent mage. She is skilled in astrology, alchemy, magic, and inventions.
5 Barbeloth
Barbeloth, a member of the Hexenzirkel known by the codename B, is frequently mentioned by her successor Mona. Mona often refers to her as the "Old Hag," and claims that she is a master of hydromancy and astrology. Although Barbeloth appears to focus on a narrow range of magical disciplines, she is rumored to possess immense power as she is the rival of Alice.
In an interesting tidbit, players who have completed the Windblume quest and encountered Klee and Mona together may learn that Barbeloth has a fondness for selecting hats, and even helped Alice choose Klee's signature hat. As Barbeloth is believed to hail from the Fontaine region, players may uncover further information about Mona's enigmatic master in future updates, starting with Version 4.0. Alongside J, B is the only other character, who hasn't been given a description in the "prophecy" letter.
4 I. Ivanovna N.
I. Ivanovna N, who was initially introduced as "J," plays a central role in the 3.5 Windblume Event's story quest. In the quest's cutscene, she is depicted as a blond woman wearing a red dress and a large hat. Although not much is known about her personality, her story revolves around her falling in love with a man and leaving the Hexenzirkel for him. The remaining witches of the group write a prophecy letter for her before her marriage, expressing their desire to see her again. J is also known to have ended her husband's life to relieve him of his suffering.
Unlike some of the other Hexenzirkel members whose current status is unknown, J has already passed away. Her title has been passed down to her successors, although none of them were recognized by the other members until Scarlett. Scarlett plays a significant role in the Windblume Event story, but her affiliation as a full member of the Hexenzirkel is not entirely confirmed. There is little information available regarding J's skills or strengths, but her successor continues to carry on her legacy within the group.
3 Andersdotter
Andersdotter, who goes by the codename M, is a writer who is known for authoring the fairytale book "The Boar Princess." Her name is believed to be inspired by the famous fairytale author, Andersen. In the story quest cutscene, she mentions that her lifespan is much shorter than some of the other members of the Hexenzirkel, which is why she wishes to give her book to them.
Although her current status is unknown, her storybook is a widely accessible collection of seven volumes in Genshin Impact, suggesting that she may have already passed away. Her abilities and powers are not explicitly stated, but she is referred to as the "legend that never ends" due to the impact of her stories.
2 Nicole
Although highly regarded by Alice, Nicole (codenamed N) does not appear in the event story quest in terms of cutscenes or voice. She is also the only member of the group who does not have a confirmed voice actor. However, it is believed that she was the mysterious and ominous voice heard at the end of the Archon Quest "As Though Morning Dew" during the Interlude Chapter Act 3, following the events involving Scaramouche and Irminsul. Traveler wonders if this is the case, as Alice describes Nicole.
According to Alice, Nicole is a prophetess and an extraordinary woman who studies the order and direction of Teyvat, serving as a guide to those in need. In the prophecy letter, she is described as the "guide who will never get lost." Given the traveler's potential mysterious encounter with Nicole, it is likely that she, along with Alice, will be a prominent figure in the future storyline of the traveler's journey.
1 Rhinedottir
Rhinedottir, also known as R, is one of the few members of the Hexenzirkel that players had knowledge about before the Windblume event story. Known by titles such as Gold or The Great Sinner, she is considered one of the world's most powerful alchemists, with the ability to create life, such as Durin and Albedo. It is said that she unintentionally created certain monsters, including the Golden Wolflord and whooperflowers. While her current status is unknown, it is known that she lived a long time ago and survived the Cataclysm.
Rhinedottir is believed to be very ambitious, with her ultimate goal being the creation of life itself. According to Albedo, she was cold and strict, as she was more concerned with achieving perfection than nurturing Albedo. Rhinedottir is originally from Khaenri'ah, so it is possible that this is where she crossed paths with Alice, but the details of their meeting are unknown. She is described as the "flower that is not of this world" in the prophecy letter.
Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.