Questions tagged [the-witcher]
This tag relates to "The Witcher Series" of books, comics, games, TV Series and movies, originally inspired by the writings of Andrzej Sapkowski.
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Folklore and mythology in The Witcher's bestiary
The Witcher's world has a very rich bestiarium.
For example the arts of a vampire:
Higher Vampire
Alpor
Katakan
Moola
Bruxa
Nosferat
Ekimma
Fleder
Garkain
Plumard
Or the Necrophages:
Abaya
...
9
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2answers
391 views
Why is the “Law of Surprise” so important in the Witcher's world?
The Law of Suprise, in the Witcher's world, is a tradition dictating that someone who saves another man's life has the right to demand, as a payment, something unknown to both persons. A typical ...
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2answers
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What is the “Valley of Plenty” referenced in “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher”?
In the Netflix series "The Witcher", S1 E2, Jaskier the bard composes and sings a song "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" which references the "Valley of Plenty".
What is this "Valley of Plenty" that ...
6
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1answer
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Who was the person that Vilgefortz killed at the end of the Battle of Sodden?
In the final episode of the Season 1, Vilgefortz stands as one of the mages opposing Nilfgaard. During the battle of Sodden, he duels Cahir and looses, however, he manages to escape. We can see him ...
4
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2answers
526 views
Why do Witcher books use modern scientific terms?
In this answer on Movies SE, there is a quote :
I underwent the usual mutation there, through the Trial of Grasses, and then hormones, herbs, viral infections. And then through them all again. And ...
8
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1answer
348 views
Why didn't the Doppler know the answers to these questions?
The Doppler claimed, after taking the form of Mousesack, that everything Mousesack had known belonged to them. And indeed, Doppler-Mousesack displayed knowledge of certain facts, such as that ...
6
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2answers
223 views
How common is the ability to create portals?
Various mages are seen to have the ability to create portals for transport. It seems that Yennefer is particularly talented, but her ex-boyfriend also was able to do it, and the assassin that was ...
2
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1answer
266 views
Are the swords of the Nilfgaardians magical?
In the first episode of The Witcher (2019) we see the Nilfgaardians fighting against regular soldiers. Their weapons seem extremely effective: while we do see one hacking ineffectually at a shield for ...
5
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2answers
258 views
What was Geralt's reasoning with the ultimatum?
In the TV series, when Geralt was confronted with the ultimatum of whether to kill
he ultimately chose the former, but I don't quite grasp his motivation.
On the one hand, he would have to kill ...
2
votes
2answers
280 views
What if there is no Surprise?
I understand what the Law of Surprise is, but what if there is no surprise? In the TV series it is explained that it might be a bumper crop, or a newborn puppy but what if the giver returns to no ...
6
votes
1answer
300 views
What are Geralt's killing principles?
I have just seen Netflix's show The Witcher.
In the first episodes, I got the feeling that Geralt doesn't kill live being if they are intelligent unless it is in defense. He says to the Sylvan in the ...
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4answers
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How did Geralt and this character know each other?
In season 1 episode 8 of The Witcher, Geralt meets
However, I'm pretty sure
Wouldn't they be strangers to each other? It seems like the show leaves a lot of things unexplained. Book/game answers ...
5
votes
1answer
9k views
What happened to the “eels” in Aretuza?
This question is exclusively about Netflix's The Witcher. I know this doesn't happen in either The Last Wish (which I've read) or the Witcher saga, but I'm not interested in how it differs from the ...
3
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0answers
108 views
Astronomy in Witcher: how long is a year and a synodic month?
In the world of Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher books, how many days long is a year? How many days long is a synodic month (the average time between two full moons)?
I used to assume that the stories ...
9
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4answers
482 views
Timeline of The Witcher tv series
I have just finished watching The Witcher on Netflix and I am completely lost as to the timeline of events depicted in the series.
It is obvious to me that Ciri's escape is happening in the present, ...
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3answers
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What is the lifespan of a Witcher?
What is the maximum lifespan of a Witcher? They are mutated creatures who age slowly as compared to humans, so how much longer than the human lifespan do they have? I want to know: what is the maximum ...
2
votes
1answer
455 views
What's the Law of Surprise exactly?
What's the Law of Surprise exactly?
It is mentioned several times in the series with Paveta and Durry or Geralt and Ciri but it can't seem to have any good explanation of what is this Law.
5
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1answer
450 views
In the Witcher books does Ciri have a magical scream?
I've just watched the first episode of the NetFlix Witcher adaptation, and very good it is too though there was one plot device I'm unsure about.
In the adaptation, as in the books, Ciri is abducted ...
4
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2answers
1k views
Is Geralt a “Ladies man” in the books series?
The videogame series depicts Geralt to be a ladies man, bedding every tavern girl in every village he stays in.
Is this behavior also present in the books, or something that is introduced only in the ...
5
votes
2answers
371 views
Viewing requirements for Netflix's The Witcher
Following the overall positive feedback and Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt in Netflix's series The Witcher, I look forward to start watching it. However, I haven't read the book on which the ...
4
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1answer
517 views
Who are the mages of different kingdoms of the Witcher?
In The Witcher there are many kingdoms and each has its own mage. Who are the different mages of the different kingdoms? Some of the famous mages I know are Yennefer, Triss, Sabrina, etc. I want the ...
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1answer
146 views
Story where Geralt needed help from a werewolf to infiltrate an enemy’s lair
For some reason I remember a story about Geralt of The Witcher series infiltrating an enemy’s hideout and needing the help of a werewolf to do it.
In this story while looking for the entrance to the ...
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1answer
315 views
Bonhart From The Witcher
How is it possible, that Leo Bonhart, an "ordinary" human, was able to kill three Witchers?
Was he so well trained, or did the magic help him as well?
3
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1answer
240 views
Who is the pilgrim in “The Lady of the Lake”?
Towards the end of The Lady of the Lake, two travelers meet up with Boreas on the road: a pilgrim and an elf. It is fairly clear who the elf is. There is an implication we should know/figure out who ...
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2answers
536 views
How did Geralt kill the basilisk?
In "The Bounds of Reason" as the story opens we learn that
Geralt has been hired to kill a basilisk lurking in a ruined crypt. As the story opens, it has been quite some time since the witcher ...
4
votes
1answer
6k views
What potions does the Witcher Geralt take before battle?
The ones Geralt carries regularly and uses before battle - the effects can sort of be found in various sources, like in this trailer for the game.
I know from the books he takes elixirs that are ...
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2answers
5k views
How does Geralt transport his swords?
A significant difference between The Witcher game and its Netflix interpretation was shown in the series teaser, where Geralt carries only one sword behind his back.
In the games Geralt is carrying ...
4
votes
2answers
469 views
Why did a witcher help a queen fight humans?
In Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, Geralt helped Meve, the queen of Lyria and Rivia, to fight the Nilfgaardians. I expect witchers tend to be neutral in wars and don't kill humans unless humans want ...
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0answers
707 views
Which translation (Russian or English) of The Witcher books is closer to the Polish original?
I'd like to read Sapkowski's The Witcher book series.
Unfortunately, I can't understand Polish; so can't read the originals.
Fortunately, I am fluently bilingual in English and Russian; so have the ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Why did the djinn appear after “Dandilion's last wish”?
Yennefer was trying to capture the djinn and believed Dandilion to currently be its "master" and so made him express his wish upon going through the portal.
“The last wish!” repeated the priest. “...
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1answer
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What made Geralt realise that Vereena wasn't a rusalka but actually a vampire?
In The Last Wish shortly after leaving Nivellen Geralt pulls up to a stream to let Roach have a drink. Whilst drinking Roach backs away from the stream at the sight of "an ordinary devil's ring".
...
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1answer
876 views
Why did Geralt drink Black Gull in the first place?
In the short story Something more from Sword of Destiny why did Geralt drink the black gull to hallucinate in the first place? What was his goal?
5
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1answer
578 views
Timeline of All Witcher Games/Books?
It's pretty easy to find the order of the main books and Witcher 1, 2, and 3, but where do Thronebreaker and the graphic novels fit in this chronology? More than anything I'm interested in the amount ...
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1answer
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884 views
Why are there no Trials of the Grasses anymore?
In the game series, while Jen puts Uma through the Trial of the Grasses, Vesemir tells us that it's the first Trial for 50 years. Also all the Witchers are not very happy about all of this mess.
So ...
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2answers
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What's Ciri's skin color?
Based on the rumor about the new Netflix witcher series, I'm asking how Cirilla's color of skin is described in the books?
6
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1answer
764 views
Why is Pinety asking Geralt about how he fishes?
In Sezon burz (the Witcher's Season of Storms), the sorcerer Pinety has this conversation with Geralt.
"Have you ever angled, Witcher? Does hunting attract you?”
“I hunt when I have an urge ...
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2answers
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Was the Wild Hunt and the Red Riders the same thing in the books?
In the books, the Wild Hunt is mentioned as a phenomenon of ghostly riders appearing in the sky, and when Ciri gets to Tir ná Lia, she is introduced to Eredin's Red Riders, who later chase her ...
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1answer
20k views
In the books is Geralt an exceptional witcher?
In the video games Geralt is clearly exception since he effortlessly wipes out hordes of mooks, takes down powerful monsters (human and otherwise) with ease, and dramatically affect the course of ...
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4answers
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Was Ciri raped?
At the end of Time of Contempt, Ciri joins a band of Rats. On their first night, Kayleigh tries to rape her.
He lay down beside her, slowly and cautiously. Ciri tried to get up, but Kayleigh ...
5
votes
1answer
717 views
What is the significance of “Munchkin” in Witcher?
I've been playing The Witcher 3 recently and enjoying it quite a bit. One of the achievements in the game is Munchkin if you reach level 35. Why was this name chosen for the achievement? Does it mean ...
5
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1answer
2k views
How many of Geralt's visions in “Something More” reflect real events?
The short story "Something More", last in the Sword of Destiny collection, jumps rather confusingly between reality with Yurga and Geralt's drug-induced hallucinations. Four of the latter are covered ...
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2answers
4k views
What makes Johnny a scary monster in Witcher 3?
Having gotten through Witcher 3 a couple of times, I am curious about something that I don't think is really described in the story. By which I mean in the game - I haven't read the books, although I ...
8
votes
1answer
680 views
What is Yennefer thinking about?
At the end of Blood of Elves, Yennefer and Ciri have the following exchange (emphasis mine):
“Lady Yennefer?”
“Yes.”
“What are you looking at like that?”
“At that tree. That linden ...
6
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1answer
6k views
Why does Velerad question Geralt's action at the end of “The Witcher” short story?
In The Last Wish, at the end of the short story The Witcher, Geralt is hurt and in bed, recovering. He briefly wakes up and Velerad is talking with him, and explains what happened after he passed out. ...
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1answer
1k views
What existing songs, if any, was the soundtrack of “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” based on?
The soundtrack to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt featured songs composed by Mikolai Stroinski, Marcin Przybyłowicz, Piotr Musiał, and the band Percival Schuttenbach (which takes its name from the character ...
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1answer
829 views
What secondary languages does The Witcher use in the original?
In the English translations of the Witcher books, Elvish/Old Tongue is Irish, and Dwarven is some pastiche of Dutch and German. What languages were they in the original Polish?
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1answer
13k views
Are “The Witcher” books as explicit as the game?
The son of a friend wants to read The Witcher books. We both know the game and there are some moments where Geralt collects the Ladies "business cards" and this might not be appropriate for children.
...
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1answer
3k views
How canon are the 1993-1995 Witcher comic books?
I have recently acquired some digital copies of 6 issues of the Witcher comics that were published from 1993 to 1995.
Sadly, they were in Polish, so more digging was required to find a Russian (fan-)...
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3answers
7k views
Why does everyone think they can best Geralt in a fight?
I know from a gameplay point of view that challenging Geralt to a fight is to further the story or complete a quest, but witchers are made out to be the pinnacle of discipline and skill, and Geralt ...
