HoYoverse’s latest Genshin Impact animated short, “Another Prologue,” does more than tease Varka’s past story. It finally gives us a first on-screen look at one of the game’s most mysterious figures: Barbeloth, Mona‘s long-referenced master and a member of the Hexenzirkel.
For years, Barbeloth has existed mostly in dialogue, usually through Mona’s less-than-affectionate nickname for her, “the old hag.” Now, she has an official design and presence in the story.
And fans have opinions.
A Divisive Old Hag
Barbeloth’s appearance leans fully into Mona’s usual description. Unlike some Hexenzirkel members who carry a more youthful, ageless look, she appears older, with sharper features and a more mature presence.
Some players were surprised by that choice. In a game where many powerful female characters are designed to appear youthful, Barbeloth’s age-coded look stands out.
At the same time, her design feels deliberate. She embodies the archetype of a seasoned astrologer, someone who has spent decades observing fate. It reinforces the idea that the Hexenzirkel is not just a group of normal witches, but scholars and observers of destiny. On top of that, her design remains rather original.
The Connection to Mona Is Hard to Miss
One of the most interesting details is how closely Barbeloth’s outfit mirrors Mona’s.
The resemblance really feels like this is not a simple coincidence. It means that maybe Mona’s iconic outfit was either inspired by or directly passed down from her master after she became her apprentice.
That detail, if intentional, adds even more importance to the relationship between the two characters. What once looked like a basic astrologer costume may actually represent much more, maybe even a continuation of Barbeloth’s teachings and legacy.
An Important Member of the Hexenzirkel
Barbeloth’s appearance also means that the Hexenzirkel’s importance is getting more and more important in the main story. With Alice already established as a powerful and unpredictable force in Teyvat, Nicole playing a massive role in Nod-Krai, and now Barbeloth stepping into the spotlight, HoYoverse seems to be gradually bringing this secretive coven out of the margins.
The animated short links her presence to Varka’s expedition and a prophecy involving Nod-Krai. Even if the details remain vague, the tone is clear: certain individuals are aware of a looming fate, and they are choosing if they want to intervene or simply observe.
It is destiny versus choice, and it seems to be at the center of the upcoming Arc.
More Than a Cameo
Her introduction arrives just before Varka’s release and as the story edges closer to Nod-Krai’s end and Varka’s return to Mondstadt. It does not feel like a coincidence.
For longtime players, seeing Mona’s elusive master finally animated adds depth to a relationship that previously existed only in anecdotes and random documents.
And if nothing else, it proves that when Mona calls someone an “old hag,” she might not be entirely exaggerating.
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