What do witches do?

[Furry Eskimo]

Are they actually helpful? The one on my island asked for a bunch of wheat, but doesn't seem to offer much in return. Based on other witch related posts, it seems like she demands a lot, people fail to deliver, and then she gets upset and they never manage to repair the relationship, loading to endless hostilities.

[Jeebz-24]

They're a little bit helpful! You have to do a few favors for them before you see benefits; they start offering 'spells' that you can purchase for gold. Things like wood production boosts, help against dragons/vikings, a few others.

I've only encountered one so far and pissed her off a few times, but I just waited until she wanted another favor and the relationship seemed to repair easily enough. If you have the resources to spend I think its worth it.

[Furry Eskimo]

Well she’s on my second island, and I have a lot of excess resorpurces on the first island, but the transport system isn’t very effective. I have multiple boats, each transporting specific items, but the people don’t keep the pier well stocked, even though it’s set for export only. This means that quickly transporting whatever loot she asks for isn’t reliable, even if I have the resource.. I’ve been expanding industry on the second island, but I’m still not so sure if it can match her demands, or if it’s worth dealing with her in the first place. I have most of what I need, and building more ballista towers seems to be enough to deal with most of the enemies. Plus, I can usually repair whatever’s burnt down, and I have an industry large enough that the loss of money doesn’t really hinder me.