A romance that affects Geralt

[Nexus-77]

A romance that affects Geralt

Sorry for one more thread.

Ok, I believe romances in The Witcher have been discussed ad nauseam but still I couldn't resist and write/talk a little bit about it with my very poor English.

I'm just annoyingly writing this new thread because I finished reading “On human bondage” - one of the best things I've ever read.
S. Maugham spends the whole book describing the absurdity of life - with a lot of finesse and subtleness - and then he makes Phillip Carey marry a blond girl in the end - he was almost as ironic as life itself. But that's not important, the important thing (or at least one of the important things in that book) is how much Mildred completely affected my poor Carey. How she humiliated him and made him suffer, how she led him to make some questionable choices. He learned a lot about life from her and when he “got over her” he was a very changed man.

I don't think that kind of 'deep writing' will be present in any game soon (thought I think – and TW 2 is proven of that – that games can evolve and get closer and closer to a good book in terms of story), but I was asking myself if in The Witcher 3 we could see something similar in terms of romance. I'm talking about a character *really* affecting another character (not like in ME).
I mean, I know Geralt is an older witcher, not easily amused, but even older men/Geralt are/could be sometimes seduced by women/sorceress. I mean... Yennefer. A romance with her (much more then with Triss or Shani in TW 1 and 2) has the potential to actually affect Geralt and even the way the story unfolds and ends. Or not? In other words: will it be possible that if the player decides to engage in a romance with Yennefer this choice can *completely* change the finale, it can have a real impact on something big? Or at least (and more interesting) *affects* Geralt somehow as I said? It's just that I've never seen this in any game I've played: a big change in the plot or finale or character because of a relationship.

Maybe something a little (really little) close to what I'm talking about would be the romance with Alistair in DAO (it's not a bad written romance, spite of the silly gift system, etc). Your female warden and him fall in love, once you make him a king he dumps you and it's bearable. Sad but bearable. But then you take him to kill the dragon with you - he's a good 'tank' for me - without the dark ritual (my grey warden was a 'paragon' so to speak)... well, if you do all this the end is so bitter and sad because he dies. That death certainly made my warden a sad person - in the end I decided she would not follow any companion or reclaim any reward, she would just wonder around, traveling the world without direction in complete solitude because of that tragic death. Yes, I'm a bit dramatic.

But I didn't complain about how cruel the writer was to kill a nice gentleman like Alistair. The game was successful in depicting a little what is to have a loved one dying on you – and that changed at least the 'tone' of the end for me - bittersweet instead of happy.

I'm not sure my example is good, but what I'd like to know, especially from anyone who has read the books, is that if the romance with Yenefer has the potential to actually give us a different end or *affect* Geralt in anyway. Playing TW 2 and listening to Letho talking about her – and watching Geralt's reaction to it - I had the feeling that this romance has the potential to actually affect Geralt in various ways, showing more layers of him, maybe giving us different endings (for instance, if she somehow betrays him politically or romantically, etc. etc). A romance which is relevant and really counts made by CDPR would be great in my opinion. Any chance of this happening?

 

[Senteria]

Hey tiadelamare, I believe that what you have described has a very good chance of happenening.

 

[Gr3aves]

Nice, but it all doesn't matter to me anymore.

Can't romance Philippa. Heart is still broken.

 

[wright1978]

I just hope there's the option to not rekindle the romance with Yen and carry forward the relationship with Triss for which sacrifices have been made over the first 2 games.

 

[amitasis11]

I just hope there's the option to not rekindle the romance with Yen and carry forward the relationship with Triss for which sacrifices have been made over the first 2 games.

I hope that Shani will apear again in the game... although Im not going to be romance with her... I just wany to see how she freaking out whan I will choose Triss again... Triss is my major priority. .. than Yen and if she (Shani) will make comeback in the third game... I choose her in my third playthrough

 

[Gr3aves]

What do you people see in Triss? Explain it to me.

 

[ReptilePZ]

I'm not sure the forum rules will allow it.

 

[Nexus-77]

What do you people see in Triss? Explain it to me.

She's lovely. Not perfect of course, she lied to him or at least omitted important things. But she likes the man you can't deny it.. but I'm saying it because of the games, not the books.

What rules, Reptile?

 

[Luxorek]

What rules, Reptile?

Rules, that I imagine, prohibit posting Triss Playboy session.

I imagine romance will play a bigger role in TW3, given the whole personal storyline. I can't imagine CDPR doing it Bioware style, but some drama will definitely be there given the whole amnesia thing. Rekindling your relationship with Yennefer might prove to be just what you want. I hope though that it won't amount to choosing between Yennefer and Triss, and in between sleeping with every woman that is willing...

Let's be honest people, this is probably how it's gonna be.

 

[wright1978]

She's lovely. Not perfect of course, she lied to him or at least omitted important things. But she likes the man you can't deny it.. but I'm saying it because of the games, not the books.

From the books i've read and the games i've experienced i'm far more drawn to the character of Triss than that of Yen.

 

[Geralt_of_bsas]

OP i think the description of what you want kind of fits the history of Yen and Geralt in the books pretty well, so I really doubt that any kind of romance could affect Geralt after that or beyond that.

All we got left in this subject in my opinion is seeing this relationship from the books well presented and told in the game and then just play it and continue it, remember this time you're playing a very different Geralt in TW3, you're playing the real Geralt, not the amnesia suffering one.

 

[shawn_kh]

OP i think the description of what you want kind of fits the history of Yen and Geralt in the books pretty well, so I really doubt that any kind of romance could affect Geralt after that or beyond that.

All we got left in this subject in my opinion is seeing this relationship from the books well presented and told in the game and then just play it and continue it, remember this time you're playing a very different Geralt in TW3, you're playing the real Geralt, not the amnesia suffering one.

This tired, old story again. Geralt has lost his memory, so he was blank at the start of Witcher 1. No emotions and no memories from the past. He gained his memories back at the end of Witcher 2, but he can't get his emotions and feelings back. Plus Triss was the one who helped him, saved his life several times, offered to give up everything and leave with him, helped him regain his memory, and stock with him while Yen and Ciri where no where to be found. I have read the books and played the games, and I personally wish people wouldn't assume that the Geralt-Triss relationship isn't as strong as Geralt-Yen from the books. If you compare the two relationships with Geralt not having lost his memory, then that would be true but that's not the case. I think Geralt's bond to Triss is stronger than Geralt's bond to Yen after memory loss, at least at the start of Witcher 3. He remembers going through the emotions and feeling with Triss, while with Yen he just remembers the fact that they were together once.
And also I'm tired of seeing games getting compared to the books, the games are not the books. As a matter of fact the games are RPGs, and so each player's Geralt might be different from the next. And people would enjoy the games more if they just imagined they have lost their memories like Geralt, and would forget about the books. Let CDPR to reintroduce you to the books in the Witcher 3 and go with the flow.

 

[GHOSTMD]

Yes we play the "real" Geralt,

but does that change anything we did in the games aka we will do in tw3? We remember now but we also remember what happend in the games.
So why shouldn t Geralt go with Triss after all? When you realize that a relationship can t work out... you leave or you end up hating each other.
We know Yen is Geralts love of his life... but there are players (just like me) they decided to romance with Triss even more serious in the elven bath.
After she told us out past on Roches Ship. I still think that it is a extreme difficult decision to make.

Besides all that ( HE HE HE) we still don t know if we meet Yennefer alive in TW3 and if we do if she's rememnbering us... or if she is suffering the
same amnesia like Geralt. If that is so keep in mind we ll meet the Yen before the last wish... uhhhhgggffff gives me some headache to think about
what i ll do and what not

damn it!

 

[amitasis11]

What do you people see in Triss? Explain it to me.

Like tiadelamare said Triss is truly lovely woman, she has a class style and she know how to touch man hearts that sometimes I forgot that she only program (now I made myself sad ) and her red hair is freaking beautiful... like Zoltan said... 'Triss Marigold you are a treat to be hold'

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

What do you people see in Triss? Explain it to me.

As a character in the books she is more sincere than Yennefer. Yennefer is a more complex character in general.

From the books i've read and the games i've experienced i'm far more drawn to the character of Triss than that of Yen.

I'd say Triss is more likeable, but from Geralt's perspective that can be different.

 

[Blothulfur]

In my opinion the whole series has been a romance, even though Geralt didn't realise it: When he awakens in Kaer Morhen and tells Triss that he knows a sorceress is important to him, that is the bone deep knowledge that not even the Aen Elle can remove, his soul yearns for the other half of his last wish, tremendously romantic to me. If you pursue the romance with Triss 'til the end you will find written in the identity quests last entry an acknowledgement that a sorceress being the love of your life feels right, and personally I feel Triss has been using this mistake from the beginning.

For me that all ends at the Prison Barge however, I know then that I made a mistake, and I suspect the visit to the Roses of Rememberance is Triss' last attempt to ensnare Geralt. Personally I don't hate her for this, it seems very reasonable and truth told I think my Geralt would be flattered and feel a little pity. Especially since he knows with utter certainty that Yen is his love, and that his dalliance with Triss was nothing in comparison. It was a pleasant fever dream of a family and a different life with Alvin and the sorceress waiting for him in Murky Waters, an mirage shimmering in the midday sun quickly consumed by the Eternal Fire.

Lying with Yen under the apple blossom was the paradise he had, and he wants it back. What the price will be to attain that again is what I wonder at, nothing is easy and nothing is free, and in the end you always face your worst fears i've found.

That's my thoughts on the Witcher's romance, the only one i've ever found palatable really.

 

[Gilrond-i-Virdan]

@Blothulfur: Sounds very true to the storyline I'd say.

 

[shawn_kh]

In my opinion the whole series has been a romance, even though Geralt didn't realise it: When he awakens in Kaer Morhen and tells Triss that he knows a sorceress is important to him, that is the bone deep knowledge that not even the Aen Elle can remove, his soul yearns for the other half of his last wish, tremendously romantic to me. If you pursue the romance with Triss 'til the end you will find written in the identity quests last entry an acknowledgement that a sorceress being the love of your life feels right, and personally I feel Triss has been using this mistake from the beginning.

For me that all ends at the Prison Barge however, I know then that I made a mistake, and I suspect the visit to the Roses of Rememberance is Triss' last attempt to ensnare Geralt. Personally I don't hate her for this, it seems very reasonable and truth told I think my Geralt would be flattered and feel a little pity. Especially since he knows with utter certainty that Yen is his love, and that his dalliance with Triss was nothing in comparison. It was a pleasant fever dream of a family and a different life with Alvin and the sorceress waiting for him in Murky Waters, an mirage shimmering in the midday sun quickly consumed by the Eternal Fire.

Lying with Yen under the apple blossom was the paradise he had, and he wants it back. What the price will be to attain that again is what I wonder at, nothing is easy and nothing is free, and in the end you always face your worst fears i've found.

That's my thoughts on the Witcher's romance, the only one i've ever found palatable really.

Why would Triss want to "ensnare" Geralt ?
Geralt is not the dashing Prince who sweeps ladies off their feet. As a matter of fact he is ugly and he has a lot of ugly scars to go with it, and he looks like a freak with the spooky eyes and the white hair. So looks are out of the window.
She doesn't want Geralt for his political status, since she is a sorceress and an adviser to King Foltest and a member the lodge of sorcerers. As a matter of fact she helped Geralt by introducing him to major political players such as Thaler, Ada, and the rest of them at the party. She did not tell Foltest that the assassin was a Witcher to protect Geralt. She kept Geralt away from the lodge to protect him.
Triss does not need Geralt for protection, because she is a powerful sorceress. As a matter of fact she could turn Geralt into dust before he can even draw his sword. Geralt did not protect her, she protected Geralt when he had lost his memory. She took care of him when he ran away from Wild hunt and appeared at Kaer Morhen, she saved his life when he was defeated by Azar Javed, she took him to her home and took care of him until he recovered after the Javed fight, she created a magic barrier to prevent the Scoiatel from arrowing Geralt and Roach, and so on. Geralt is nothing but burden for her.
The way i see it, Triss loves Geralt from the bottom of her heart and she expected nothing in return. Geralt couldn't give her anything after he had lost his memory, and he needed someone to protect and guide him. Out of all of his friends, Triss was the one who stepped up. She loved, nurtured, and protected Geralt, when he was at his most vulnerable state and could give nothing back to her.

 

[goopit]

"Triss isn't completely innocent, she hasn't been honest with you about many other matters.."
-Philippa

hmm.. wonder what those could be.

 

[Geralt_of_bsas]

This tired, old story again. Geralt has lost his memory, so he was blank at the start of Witcher 1. No emotions and no memories from the past. He gained his memories back at the end of Witcher 2, but he can't get his emotions and feelings back. Plus Triss was the one who helped him, saved his life several times, offered to give up everything and leave with him, helped him regain his memory, and stock with him while Yen and Ciri where no where to be found. I have read the books and played the games, and I personally wish people wouldn't assume that the Geralt-Triss relationship isn't as strong as Geralt-Yen from the books. If you compare the two relationships with Geralt not having lost his memory, then that would be true but that's not the case. I think Geralt's bond to Triss is stronger than Geralt's bond to Yen after memory loss, at least at the start of Witcher 3. He remembers going through the emotions and feeling with Triss, while with Yen he just remembers the fact that they were together once.
And also I'm tired of seeing games getting compared to the books, the games are not the books. As a matter of fact the games are RPGs, and so each player's Geralt might be different from the next. And people would enjoy the games more if they just imagined they have lost their memories like Geralt, and would forget about the books. Let CDPR to reintroduce you to the books in the Witcher 3 and go with the flow.

You got confused, i never said Geralt keeps his feelings or emotions for Yen, especially his love, if that's what you mainly referred too, after the amnesia, I said he remains to be the changed person that he is after living such things. By how your comment reads, its as if Geralt with amnesia or without it would be exactly the same person to you except he remembers the past in the later, well, remembering the past changes a person and his feelings and emotions deeply in my opinion.

I also never assumed Geralt's relationship with Triss isnt currenty strong compared to that the one with Yen now, but I'll just take it as a generalization that you just used to give an example and hopefully didnt meant include me in it.

And about the books, well if you're tired of seeing games compared to the books, don't read the comments past the part where you see someone refers to the books in a thread related to the game, I on the other hand think you can compare pretty much anything with anything and get something valuable and insightful of it if you do it properly and organized, especially when its in a way that one doesnt use later to try to change everything to personally fit his own taste or opinion.

In my second paragraph, in case you also misunderstood me or assumed wrong things, i want to clarify that I meant that that's what i think CDPRED will do for TW3, not what I want, its speculation.

Regarding this "As a matter of fact the games are RPGs, and so each player's Geralt might be different from the next. And people would enjoy the games more if they just imagined they have lost their memories like Geralt, and would forget about the books. Let CDPR to reintroduce you to the books in the Witcher 3 and go with the flow. "

I agree with it mostly, but I think a lot of people love to get into the role of a pre-existing and defined character rather than also creating him/her besides role-playing, and im fine with that, I know we dont "create" Geralt but an amnesia Geralt is closer to a blank character more than just regular Geralt, and in fact, i've experienced the taste of this myself, not all the times in RPGs I like my char to be either a fully blank page, or a partially blank page, especially when we take into account that a TON of RPGs suffer from terrible writing, choice and consequences implementation, and social relationships portrayal, only because they must give you freedom, but thats another subject, perhaps for another thread.