I've not read the book and hence my take on the characters are solely based on their actions in the game.I reckon Triss is the better choice. Shani is homely and cute- all that is fine, but those who say Triss's work for the Lodge of Sorceresses won't allow her to be a good wife or mother must be those who feel women shouldn't go too high in the corporate chain if they want to have their personal life intact.She's not being bossy really, nor is she using Geralt as a tool. Though I can't explain why she doesn't tell Geralt the truth about that conversation in the beginning of Chapter III (perhaps she had reasons to be secretive- she's part of a powerful community of sorceresses who may as well as murder her if she let Geralt know the truth of her "unconventional methods").Furthermore, it's not clear as to what she means when she says- "The King gave me his protection".The reason why her amulet doesn't work is not clearly stated so one can't blame it's failure on her.She does seem pretentious though- just like Lambert mentioned in the prologue, but there's no way to verify- all leads seem to meet a dead end in the game.Almost everything in the game is unclear- every decision must taken looking at the lesser evil- there's no clear cut good or bad, truth or lies.Above all this- she saved your life at the end of chapter 2. She also nursed you to life in the prologue. And she saves you at the end of Chapter 3 by teleporting you.Just look at Triss with an uncomplicated mind- just how Geralt the simple witcher would have perceived and you find that she is wonderful character. The reason why you find her bossy or scheming is that she is sophisticated and worldly- part of a powerful organisation like the Lodge while Geralt is just a simple Witcher whose job is to kill monsters and hence has to do the dirty work.As for Triss' or Shani's help in the final battle- I don't think you need anyone's help in any battle- perhaps Berengar's help is useful in the end (he distracts Azar for a few moments before he dies), although Geralt should be able to defeat Azar without that.The first time I played the game (intermediate level), once the 5th chapter started I wanted to find out how the game ends. So I didn't finish most of the quests in this chapter- going only for the most essential ones. My level was 33 I think. I had Aerondight and Dwarven Rune Sihill. I had the armor Vesemir gave me at the beginning. I didn't use a lot of potions- no more than 3 swallows for the entire chapter as well as the Epilogue. I never had to reload- winning all boss fights in the first attempt itself. And I forgot to mention that I didnt take too many pitstops (meditation) either- maximum 3 I think.(Not trying to boast here- just saying how simple is the game)So it's not very tough that you need someone's help to win. The Grand Master should be terribly easy, especially after the Koschey, Azar and the Zeugl. So choose whomsoever you want, without thinking about the boss fights.And if you do feel the game is unfair on Geralt- Triss holds the upper hand for most part, then is it not Geralt who saves her and his friends by removing the Striga curse on the Princess? Does she not say in Chapter 5 that she is no more than a political prisoner and that her life depends on his actions?That's poetic justice.About Shani- we must understand that she is a very simple girl who is in love with Geralt. So there's nothing wrong with her being jealous. As for her being rude- everyone will be rude if you were to disturb them at work, especially if that work involved taking care of people affected with a deadly disease.She is a fine character and would have made a good wife for Geralt if he had not been a Witcher.So my choice is Triss. Please give your opinions. If I offended anyone, I'm sorry- that's not what I meant to do.
