Baba: lore

Baba, the Central Park Pigeon Lady, is a New York witch who enters the ritual to protect the city from outsiders seeking power. She belongs to the SoHo Coven; whether she leads it is unconfirmed. She has grandchildren and experienced the first Maelstrom fifty years before the present ritual. She says the current one may be her last. The Archmother’s herald says she has waited since the first Maelstrom. Her exact age is unknown; Billy calls her an octogenarian, possibly guessing. Arthritis makes walking difficult.

She has visited Greece, where she learned skills used in Baba’s Brew. She knows about the Patrons, the Doorman’s true nature and an apparently little-known earlier attempt by Lionel McLusky to summon the Patrons. A proud New Yorker and Knickerbockers fan, she lives in a rent-controlled apartment. She enjoys quilting, Bunko and hexing, dislikes the government, and is alleged to have thrown a brick at the mayor. Her manner is often rude and irritable, though she can be tender toward people in need; she values street smarts and cares for her protective pigeons.

Appearance and companions

Baba wears a red headscarf over short white hair, round gold-rimmed glasses, a purple coat and trousers, a green shirt, jewelry and purple shoes. She rides a rusted green park bench with metal chicken feet. Its possessions include a cup, knitting bag and cane. The large pigeon beside her is Preston; whether he was once human is uncertain. The bench has a mind of its own and is barred from the subway. “Yaga” appears to be Baba’s surname.

Relationships

Baba hates Mildred for an unknown reason; the similarly named rat may be unrelated. Nurse Harrow reminds her of Mildred. Baba is friends with Miss Shelly and Solomon; she wants to help Shelly and regrets killing Shelly’s golem Bebop. Solomon calls Baba Yaga. Billy respects Baba and regards fighting alongside her as an honor; Baba reciprocates some respect, while also considering him a potential sacrifice.

Other interactions

Baba addresses Lady Geist and Grey Talon by their first names, mentions Geist’s late husband Johann, asks Shiv about Mira and says she would apologize to Hank after killing Infernus. She knows Celeste’s nature and Lenny’s problems, doubts Holliday can kill the Troubadour, and suspects Kelvin has lost himself. She suggests a SoHo tattoo shop for Victor’s markings. Seven warns her against displaying her full power. She finds Lash attractive; Vyper stole her purse, Paradox wants her bench, and Silver once passed out on her favorite bench.

Sources and editorial notes

Adapted from Baba/Lore, revision 205118, by Deadlock Wiki contributors; checked 2026-11-01. Source-derived content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Literary biography and voice-line dialogue are summarized rather than reproduced; direct interaction quotations, media and navigation omitted.