20 years of CD PROJEKT RED: Challenge #3

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Zoltan is steadfast friend to Geralt. Although he pretends to be more interested in playing cards and drinking, he is as fierce a freedom fighter as Iorveth. He is very much concerned about the fate of the non humans but uses a more stealthy approach than the elves. I see him as the secret leader of a dwarven freedom fighter organization who not only employ swords but also finances in their goal to change society. So Zoltan's path will be fraught with intrigue and stealth assignments, transporting sensitive goods, protecting important people, ambushes and carrying messages.
 
Zoltan' s path should be more like delivering weaponary to elves to fight for their freedom with so many elementts of drinking and playing Gwent... That should be way of some heavy weapons maybe with some mythical drwaves swords like Sihill from book
 
Zoltan shares a vivid characteristic with his good friend Geralt: he is not fond of politics. Contributing to help a human king as treacherous and vicious as Henselt would be a real martyr for him (the one he would only endure for his friends), but sadly he would also know too well that seizing a land and proclaim a realm for the non-humans would only bring ruin. War is inevitable, and he knows war too well: Brena was a necessary evil, but one he doesn’t want to live again.

Like Roche and Iorveth, his path would lead to Vergen. There, his goal would be to convince his fellow companions to leave this madness while they can. The kings can’t tolerate a realm of non-humans. Even if they manage to win this battle against Henselt, sooner or later another army will come to exterminate them. Peace would always remain a beautiful dream.

Things would not go as expected. Zoltan would be thrilled to meet his old comrades, and the best way to convince a dwarf always involves beer and a physical prowess – with mixed results. Of course, he wouldn’t abandon his fellow white-haired witcher and Zoltan would land him a hand to complete some contracts – he know well the mines and the battlefield after all – and even healing Saskia. But the main objective of Zoltan would be to scout the region, searching for some safe paths in the mountains - and for clues about Triss. His friends and relations would give him some hints, he would hire Geralt to get rid of monsters nests too close to the road, and even the spectral malediction which block some ways around Vergen.

When the conflict will occur, Zoltan would strike a deal with Saskia: he would lead the civilians out of Vergen by the secret paths he discovered, and leave some traps and equipment for Saskia’s army if they are defeated and need to retreat by the same way. Without even knowing the outcome of the fight, Zoltan would do what he do best: helping his friends and those in need and do his best to protect them.

At the beginning of their long travel, while discussing where they can go to find another safe place, a refugee would advise them to avoid Loc Muinne, not even knowing where it is: he overheard a conversation between Cynthia, the servant of Philippa Eilhart, and an indistinct figure in a megascope, where they mention Loc Muinne and a summit with kings and mages where everything will be revealed. Geralt would understand that he needs to go there, to clear his name and save Triss.

They would then part ways, hoping that they could meet each other again in a better place and time.
 
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Zoltan draws his sword. He reads the inscription aloud. He acts on exactly what it says.

Geralt helps a bit. Triss frowns. Dandelion watches.

Credits roll.
 
Today's challenge is all about The Witcher 2:

There's Roche's path and there's Iorveth's path... but what do you think Zoltan's path would look like?

For more challenges, check 20yearsof.cdprojektred.com/20challenges on Mondays and Thursdays! Rules can also be found there ;)

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Drinking for sure, taste all different flavours in a vast area to finally find out one of the rarest liquors has magic properties that greatly enhances the Witcher habilites and that's exactly what Gerald needs to defeat the temible new monster that's frightening the Uncharted area of.... YouNameIt.
 
Outdrink Yarpen Zigrin, Henselt and Draug. Took Saskia from Filippa by wining in Gwent. Wear a cloak of dwarfs that is passed down through generations and is never washed. In the final battle, defeat the Dracoturtle and free the long-bearded dwarf queen into which she was turned. Discover the ancient history of the Vrans and Dragons (whom are native here with the wyverns, (that from games)), and the arrival of the Bobolaks. How they lived, so different, without extirpation each other, end even have joint holidays in reservations. The Vrans retreated because of climate? and wanted to leave the lands to those who would suit them better? But many fanatical races have fallen into the world, trying to make the world better by making extinction for someone. Help Villentretenmerth and Zerrikanterment cool down the religious fervor of their worshipers on the other side of the Blue mountains, just dink the beer. Establish a brewery there where everyone can enjoy sharing stories their adventures. a place where everyone who can talk can speak, - all the "eared" races according to Iorveth - people, elves, dwarves, dryads, merpeople; but also others - dragons, nixys (sirens), ghouls, water and grave hugs, drowners, trolls, cyclops, vodyanois, vrans, bobolaks, nakers, ice giants, various vampires, leshens, sylvans and succubs and maybe others whose languages are still un-understandable.. It hard to be a witcher that don’t kill souled races, and rare species to.. Zoltan's path leads to Zolte dragon. It’s hard to talk to so different, and also to convince them don’t kill each other, and save their lives when they go to kill you, mostly. If anything, ice giants and maybe, Bullwores, work as bouncers.
 
Zoltan's path would be more neutral. It would not be a path of endless fights and moral choices - which side of the barricade to take.
Following the path of the dwarf, Geralt, Zoltan, Triss and Dandelion tried to achieve some kind of balance between Iorveth and Roche, to get some compromises.

Perhaps our heroes would go to Mahakam to convince its ruler - Brouver Hoog, to support their efforts. On the way to Dwarven kingdom, new adventures and witcher contracts will surely await them.

Of course, in the company of Zoltan and Dandelion, frequent visits to taverns and consuming fine drinks would lead Geralt to get acquainted with Gwent during the events of the Assassins of Kings.

The purpose of this path would be to make the opposing sides aware that together they can achieve more, and that only together they could face an even greater threat - from the south.

Ultimately, Zoltan's merits would be honored by Brouver Hoog with his own Mahakam tavern, Dragon's Pit.

dragons-pit.jpg
 
I always thought the third Path was Triss', as you pretty much leave Iorveth/Roche to their fate if you choose her, but it's okay as it is the truly right thing to do and what Geralt would do
 
AAAAAAAAND it's our pleasure to announce the winner of our 3rd Challenge! A round of applause goes to @ElweTheGrey :cool:
Congratulations!!!!!


Zoltan shares a vivid characteristic with his good friend Geralt: he is not fond of politics. Contributing to help a human king as treacherous and vicious as Henselt would be a real martyr for him (the one he would only endure for his friends), but sadly he would also know too well that seizing a land and proclaim a realm for the non-humans would only bring ruin. War is inevitable, and he knows war too well: Brena was a necessary evil, but one he doesn’t want to live again.

Like Roche and Iorveth, his path would lead to Vergen. There, his goal would be to convince his fellow companions to leave this madness while they can. The kings can’t tolerate a realm of non-humans. Even if they manage to win this battle against Henselt, sooner or later another army will come to exterminate them. Peace would always remain a beautiful dream.

Things would not go as expected. Zoltan would be thrilled to meet his old comrades, and the best way to convince a dwarf always involves beer and a physical prowess – with mixed results. Of course, he wouldn’t abandon his fellow white-haired witcher and Zoltan would land him a hand to complete some contracts – he know well the mines and the battlefield after all – and even healing Saskia. But the main objective of Zoltan would be to scout the region, searching for some safe paths in the mountains - and for clues about Triss. His friends and relations would give him some hints, he would hire Geralt to get rid of monsters nests too close to the road, and even the spectral malediction which block some ways around Vergen.

When the conflict will occur, Zoltan would strike a deal with Saskia: he would lead the civilians out of Vergen by the secret paths he discovered, and leave some traps and equipment for Saskia’s army if they are defeated and need to retreat by the same way. Without even knowing the outcome of the fight, Zoltan would do what he do best: helping his friends and those in need and do his best to protect them.

At the beginning of their long travel, while discussing where they can go to find another safe place, a refugee would advise them to avoid Loc Muinne, not even knowing where it is: he overheard a conversation between Cynthia, the servant of Philippa Eilhart, and an indistinct figure in a megascope, where they mention Loc Muinne and a summit with kings and mages where everything will be revealed. Geralt would understand that he needs to go there, to clear his name and save Triss.

They would then part ways, hoping that they could meet each other again in a better place and time.
 
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