Baba Lysaga

"'Yes, she's here, in the heart of the ruins of Berez. Acres of swamp, mist and scarecrows ward off any potential wanderers. She is here.' -- Archwizard Khazan"Baba Lysaga was a legendary follower of the Mother Night. The mere mention of her name left Father Lucien visibly terrified, and he confirmed that she is a dangerous channeller of the Mother Night's power. She was described by Madam Eva as having the appearance of an old woman and certainly not having beauty. Archwizard Khazan stated that she is a powerful woman specialising in transmutation and divination magic.

Baba Lysaga was Count Strahd von Zarovich's nursemaid, and according to Dr Rudolph van Richten claims to be Strahd's birth mother.

Madam Eva was surprised at her name when Narid Ashplantt asked about her, and mentioned that she has not been seen for a long time in any of Eva's visions, although it was possible she would be able to make herself undetectable. Strahd stated that he was not aware of Baba Lysaga ever returning to Barovia since being banished. Khazan stated she is living within the ruins of Berez, confirming that which Kasimir Velikov stated.

She controlled insects of the swamp, scarecrows, and her animated hut.

Baba Lysaga was killed in battle by Hallgrimm Mikkenson, Narid Ashplant, Eklyre Temere, Ezmerelda d'Avenir, and Zrazire Caluhazan in Y735.

Eating her heart prevented Eklyre being able to leave the Standing Stones of Berez and he had to forcibly regurtigate it to be able to leave.

History
Two women gave life to Strahd von Zarovich. The first was Queen Ravenovia van Roeyen, Strahd's biological mother. The second was the queen's midwife, a devout follower of Mother Night named Baba Lysaga. Although it was the former who raised Strahd and enabled him to follow in his father's footsteps, it was the latter who sensed a potential for greatness and darkness in Strahd surpassing that of any other mortal. Lysaga believed then, as she believes now, that she is Strahd's true mother.

When Strahd was still a baby in his crib, Baba Lysaga cast protective spells on him and crept into his nursery on stormy nights to sing magical rhymes to him. She also placed the "spark of magic" in him, ensuring that he would become a spellcaster.

Baba Lysaga's unhealthy attachment to the baby Strahd did not go unnoticed. After she received several disturbing reports, Queen Ravenovia was forced to banish the midwife from the kingdom. (Strahd stated that King Barov was the one that banished her.)

According to Kasimir after Berez was flooded Baba Lysaga moved in and for the most part avoided detection, with both Madam Eva and Strahd himself being unaware of her presence.

In Y734 when rallying troops for his battle against Strahd, Khazan stated that he found Baba Lysaga in Berez, and that she has the skull of Argynvost in her possession. He stated that the only other person that he saw in Berez was Jenny Greenteeth.

Tale
A woman clothed of muck and mire

Delivered babe rising death tolls higher

An evil birth in a time long past

Her role as maid she's long surpassed

She clings to hope of something more

Her false son's love she'll never secure

She bathed in blood to gain her youth

Her words are barely laced with truth

She does not have the ladies ear

The death of the son her only fear

Her power's immense and very old

There's truth to all the stories told

But all attempts of scouts and scrys

Will result in force fed lies

To tell the real and fake apart

The answer rests within the heart.