Hexenzirkel

The Hexenzirkel is a mysterious organization of powerful witches. It was founded by the mage Alice.^[1] The group sometimes gathers around for "formal tea parties,"^[2] with one such meeting spot being a secret island above Falcon Coast.

Overview

The purpose, motives, and objectives of the Hexenzirkel are shrouded in mystery, although the individual members seem to largely pursue their own goals. The coven is comprised of some of the most powerful beings in Teyvat, with some possessing abilities that rival even the gods. While never being explicitly cast in either a benevolent or antagonistic light, members of the Hexenzirkel have nonetheless been implicated in matters of world-changing significance, such as the Cataclysm. In fact, Alice's main criteria for new members was being "interesting,"^[3] and it is evident by her and Rhinedottir's past actions that moral virtue is not a requirement.

The organization is known to conduct Irminsul explorations^[2] and possesses substantial knowledge about the mysteries and true nature of the world. The Hexenzirkel once challenged the authority of the Anemo Archon Barbatos, although he managed to pacify them and bring the conflict to a peaceful resolution.^[4][5] They are also behind the creation of Simulanka,^[6] a mirror-world based on Teyvat, as well as the Imaginarium Theater.^[7]

Of the current members, Alice is a "near-omnipotent sorceress" who possesses the power to lift or mold entire island systems on command,^[8] and has a much longer lifespan than normal humans. She is responsible for maintaining the "borders" of Teyvat,^[9][10] and has traveled to many worlds in the Sea of Stars beyond.^[11]

Barbeloth is a master astrologist who pioneered the art of hydromancy in Teyvat,^[12] and later took students under her wing, such as Mona. She single-handedly mapped out the fates of all living things in Simulanka,^[6] and, according to Mona, is capable of reading the fortunes of entire nations, Teyvat, and the world itself.^[13]

Rhinedottir is one of the Five Sinners of Khaenri'ah, each of whom obtained "world-shattering" Abyssal power and are believed to have contributed to the Cataclysm. She is known for her practice of the Art of Khemia, a form of alchemy that is capable of creating life and doesn't entirely conform to the rules of Teyvat. Prior to the events of the game, she consumed the heart of Naberius and assumed the latter's role as the Ruler of Life.

Nicole is an Angel who survived the downfall of her kind.^[10] As such, she has intimate knowledge about the history of Teyvat and its inner workings, including "fate" and Irminsul.^[14] She acts as a prophetess, guiding people towards the truth when a major change has occurred.^[15]

Octavia is the creator of Miliastra Wonderland, a pocket realm that can be manipulated however the creator wants. She spends much of her time traveling in the Sea of Stars, and has visited at least 1896 planets thus far.^[16]

Although they are often collectively referred to as "witches" or "mages," some members of the Hexenzirkel never had any magic training, such as Andersdotter and I. Ivanovna N..^[17] Nevertheless, both of the aforementioned became prominent figures in their own right.

Anya "Marie" Andersdotter was an exceptional writer, whom Alice credits with teaching her the meaning of "true pain and sadness." Her published novels became popular across Tevyat, and she was instrumental in the creation of the realm of Simulanka, as well as in rewriting fate for her child, the present-day Durin.^[18]

Ioanna Ivanovna N. gained significant political power in Snezhnaya during the reign of the Belyi Tsar, and was later appointed the first Mayor of Snezhnograd by the Tsaritsa.^[19] She left behind a line of successors that has continued to this day.^[15]

Recently, at the behest of Grand Master Varka, Barbatos set up the Tripartite Conference between himself, the Hexenzirkel and the joint forces of the Knights and Church of Favonius. Through an unknown agreement with Varka, the Hexenzirkel agreed to help Mondstadt in their "greatest time of need."^[20] During the events of The Gardener, Albedo requested another Tripartite Conference to discuss his planned transmutation of Durin, which was attended by Alice and Barbeloth.

Members

The Hexenzirkel had seven founding members:^[21][5]

Image	Name	Codename	Epithet	Description	Status
	Alice	"A"	Merry-Witch	"One who would never lie"	Alive
	Barbeloth Astromancer Barbeloth Trismegistus	"B"	Seer-Witch		Alive
	I. Ivanovna N. Ioanna Ivanovna N.	"J"	Tricksy-Witch		Deceased[15]
	Andersdotter Anya "Marie" Andersdotter	"M"	Story-Witch	"A legend that never ends"	Deceased[15][18]
	Nicole Nicole Reeyn	"N"	Memory-Witch	"Guide who will never get lost"	Alive
	Octavia	"O"	Wander-Witch		Alive
	Rhinedottir Gold	"R"	Sage-Witch	"A flower that is not of this world"	Alive, merged with Naberius

Successors

Becoming a successor (Chinese: 继承者/继承人 "heir") to a Hexenzirkel member does not guarantee Hexenzirkel membership.

• Scarlett, successor of J

Little Hexenzirkel

Founded by Klee in Phantasmal Pals, the Little Hexenzirkel has 6 members:

Member		Imaginary Friend		Joined In
	Klee		Dodoco	Founding members — joined before Event Story Quest The Forest Boar and the Little Witch in Phantasmal Pals: Part I - The Forest Boar and the Little Witch
	Qiqi		Tuantuan
	Sayu		Gena
	Yaoyao		Yuegui
	Paimon	None[22]		Event Story Quest The Forest Boar and the Little Witch in Phantasmal Pals: Part I - The Forest Boar and the Little Witch
	Prune		Descartes	Event Story Quest The Magic That Never Fails in Phantasmal Pals: Part III - The Magic That Never Fails

Gallery

Introduction Magic

Hexenzirkel

Little Hexenzirkel

Trivia

• Despite the eight portraits shown in the representative image of the Hexenzirkel, the tea party table in both the cutscene and in the open world only has seven chairs, and only six members were immediately identified in Joy Above the Clouds. It is unknown who the missing chair belongs to.
  • The Imaginarium Theater's Accolades and Credits show 9 symbols in the circle for the witches, which could imply that there are actually up to 9 members in the Hexenzirkel.
• Not all witches are members of the Hexenzirkel. Lisa, the Witch of Purple Rose,^[23] explicitly denies her interest in the Hexenzirkel.^[2] La Signora, who was once known as the Crimson Witch of Flame, has no known ties to the Hexenzirkel and takes great offense to being called a "witch" at all.^[24]
• It is unknown if Alice's "acknowledgment" of Scarlett is also an invitation to join the Hexenzirkel.
• Based on Lisa's voice-over about Mona as well as her status as Barbeloth's student, it seems like Mona is affiliated with the Hexenzirkel. However, Mona does not seem to be familiar with the other Hexenzirkel members, as she says, "Who would have guessed that there are so many mysterious women in this world, and that they would all know each other..." after Alice's explanation in Joy Above the Clouds. Scarlett also describes Mona as Barbeloth's student (Chinese: 弟子), not her successor (Chinese: 继承者/继承人 "heir").
• During Mona's Story Quest, Astrolabos Chapter: Act I - Beyond This World's Stars, Mona originally thought that Alice had a successor (Chinese: 继承者/继承人 "heir"), who would be guarding a certain box that Mona was sent to retrieve. The person with the box turned out to be Klee, who does not appear to be Alice's successor, as she has not learned any of Alice's mystical arts.
• Mona's Special Dish, Der Weisheit Letzter Schluss (Life), is a direct quote of the play "Faust" by the German poet Goethe. In Faust, a coven of witches convenes on top of the windy mountain Brocken in Germany's Harz Mountains, an area infamous for its folklore of witches and witchcraft. This is parallel to how the Hexenzirkel meets on top of a mountain.

Etymology

• "Hexenzirkel" is German for "Circle of Witches," and could also be more commonly translated to "Coven of Witches."

Other Languages

Change History

References

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