Explaining Yennefer's behaviour in the game (with a canon Geralt as partner)

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Explaining Yennefer's behaviour in the game (with a canon Geralt as partner)

Me again :)

I still haven't given up explaining people who struggle to understand who Yennefer really is and I think the game didn't such a bad job, though it isn't always that easy to understand that, especially if you haven't read the books.

Main new thread: Yennefer of Vengerberg (all spoilers) The-Revival
In my original thread, which is sadly still closed, yet still informative I think, I tried to give people a thread, where they can talk/ask/discuss whatever refers to her, maybe this was a dumb idea, because it evolved in chaos. Too much small talk, too much fan art, too many screenshots and too many "my opinion is an argument and I don't need actually arguments".
That's why I want to do second try, but
this time with organisation and structure and with an actually topic instead of a general idea of it:



There is a whole thread dedicated to fan art/screenshots/everything else.


The first one is rather long, as I wanted to show the general idea behind this. The later sequences will be shorter, I will post them, whenever the discussion slows down, though I have no idea how fast I can throw them out.

The start will be the




Here is the whole video series.

Dream
You know I don’t find that amusing.
It wasn’t meant to amuse, but to prod you to hurry. It’s midday, already
Pfff….
You promised Ciri you’d train with her.
Go, before Vesemir bores her to death with those etchings.

So… later, then?
Mmh. See you later.

You’re running out of juice.
I know. You might bring me some more once you’re done training.
Reference to the books, when Geralt meets Yennefer for the very first time, he brings her apple juice, just because of that, she listened to his appeal and so their fateful relationship started.
Lilac and gooseberries, of course.
Geralt, stop fingering my toiletries.

Nothing but silver…
Gold clashes with my complexion. You should know that.
Indeed he does, we will see it later in the game.

Got any clothes that aren’t black or white?
Mhm. Undergarments.

See, I thought Ciri could stand to wait a little longer.
It’s uninstructive. Not to mention unreasonable.
"unreasonable" is really something Yennefer-like, she never does something without a reason and she does never something unreasonable.
Wanna stay with you a little longer.
I missed you. A lot.
And I missed you. But we’ll have plenty of time to make up for that.
Go and train with her. Then come back. It’ll give me a chance to put my face on.
Of all the women I’ve known, you’re the only one who does that before…
You’ve known many?
What’s it matter? Only ever thought of you…
Another reference to the books, after a long long trip she asks him:
‘Geralt?’
‘I’m listening, Yen.’
‘When we … When we were not together, where you with other women?’
‘No.’
‘Not once?’
‘Not once.’
‘Your voice did not tremble. So I do not know why I don’t believe you.’
‘I only thought of you, Yen.’
‘Now I do.’

It also shows that the woman he always think of is Yennefer, in reality as in dreams. It also shows his feelings quite early in this game, showing how important she is in his life.

"What's it matter? Only ever thought of you..."

Also meaning, "What do I care about other women, you are the only one that ever mattered to me."
Something he again and again showed in the books.

Let’s be unreasonable.
I don’t wanna be reasonable.
Aha! So that’s the way the wind blows…

You’re right. I should go see Ciri.
Ahh, yeah. Better go see Ciri.



I took the freedom to re-add Yennefer again in the following cutscene, because that's where she belongs and not Vesemir.
Awake from a dream
You all right?
Mhm, Had a nightmare….
About?
Take forever to explain.
Dawn’s some way off. We’ve got time.

I dreamt of Kaer Morhen…
Started in the guest room at Kaer Morhen. I was relaxing in the tub, and next to me…
Triss?
Yennefer. Funny, isn’t it? She’s never been there. Seemed so real in my dream, though.
Was she nagging you about something?
Hm. Mhm.
True to life, indeed.
We’ll find her.
Haha Vesemir, you know who else is always nagging about something? Yeah, Geralt.

Something many probably don't really realize, Yennefer and Geralt have actually quite a lot in common and are not those contrasts many see, for example this "nagging" thing. It's something Geralt does actually quite often, I mean, did you know that he had to fight a Zeugl and that he hates teleports?

Really rather not talk about.
Rather not talk about.
Gotcha.

I know we will. That’s not what worries me.
You’ve seen her tracks. She’s at full gallop all the time, breakneck speed through wild lands, devastated battlefields… She’s in a hurry to get somewhere, or fleeing something. Either way, it means trouble of some sort.
She’s always poked her nose in beehives. Courtly intrigues here, mages’ conspiracies there. What do you expect?
Don’t know…Guess I thought, once we were finally reunited, things would be calm. At least for a while.
Calm? With Yennefer? Hmph. Good Luck.
Again, you could almost replace Yennefer with Geralt and the sentences will still make sense:
"I know we will. That's not what worries me."
Self-confidence and determination, something you would also accredit Yennefer.

"He's always poked his nose in beehive. Courtly intrigues here, assassins' conspiracies there. What do you expect?"
"Don't know... Guess I thought, once we were finally reunited, things would be calm. At least for a while."
"Calm? With Geralt? Hmph. Good Luck."

Funny, isn't it? Could be a talk with 2 sorceresses instead of 2 witchers.
Geralt actually lived with Yennefer for a while in Vengerberg, it was really dull and boring for him, he didn't want to calm down at this point in his life, so he ran away. Only at the end of the books he and she want the same in life, a peaceful home.

Again, Geralt and Yennefer show the same attributes, yet it is implied that only Yennefer had this bad characteristic, when in actual fact both think the same.


Then we trained with Ciri…
In the dream, I went and found Ciri. Then we trained.
Those were the days… Hm, little she-devil.
I’ve trained kids who were faster, stronger – but none had her character.
Didn’t end well, did it? Your dream.
No. The Wild hunt appeared, attacked Ciri… I couldn’t move. Stood there like a stump.
It was just a dream.



Time to go
Be dawning soon. Time to go.

Wait. Show me the letter from Yennefer, might’ve overlooked some hint in there.
Didn’t overlook anything. We were meant to meet in Willoughby – that’s what she wrote. Meanwhile one army or another burned the village to the ground. All we can do is follow her trail, so…
Stop talking for a minute and give me the letter. Well, how about that! It does smell of lilac and gooseberries.
You were gonna read it, not sniff it .
“We must meet. Soon”…”Willoughby, near Vizima” … Hm, nothing else to guide us there.
What’s this postscript? “I still have the unicorn?”

That's private.
That's private. Very private.
A-ha... I understand. Least I think I do. Maybe not entirely, but... perhaps that's for the best.

Stuffed unicorn - we used it as bed once.
Stuffed unicorn. Used it once or twice. In certain… situations.
Hm! The things young folk get up to these days…
In my opinion Geralt wouldn't exactly tell Vesemir what he is doing in his private time, so I took this option. Either way Vesemir can think whatever he wants :)
Back on topic. How’s it look – how far behind Yennefer are we?
Two, three days… Trail’s fresh. But it looks like it leads towards the main road. Could be muddled there.
This letter, great. It's again a book reference, when Geralt wrote Yennefer to take care of Ciri:

White Orchard
...
Folk say the lady rode through the village a few days back. Gallopi’ so fast she knocked Radobor into a ditch.
Which way did she go?
Dunno… Lots of tracks leadin’ off the main road. Coulda gone anywhere.
...

Of course not. Unlike the populace, I know the Horsewoman of War is pure poppycock.
Horsewoman of War – what’s that about?
Folk say an omen, a beautiful phantom rides the fields at night. Looks as you described her. Armies follow her, and all who cross her path meet with misfortune.
I can vouch for the last bit. Know where they saw her?
No. Facts interest me, not fairytales.
It's a shame that we don't get to see that except in that render video and we don't get much information about her from the first NPCs, at least the last one has actually information and as we already know will this one even be quite important in the upcoming expansion.

All in all I thought we would find out much more about her, so new players would know who she is and who she is for Geralt.

Looking for a woman.
Ahh, like everyone.
Not like everyone, and not just any woman. Mine smells of lilac and gooseberries, dresses in black and white.
Two schnappses!
Hah. It’ll lift your spirits.
Fine, I’ll have a drink.
Can we cut to the chase? You seen her or not?
Yennefer of Vengerberg?
Never mentioned her name.
Yet you described her perfectly. And once I hear something, I never forget. Can’t help it.

How do you know Yennefer?
What a question. Master Dandelion’s ballads, of course. The only way a humble merchant might hope to rub up against greatness. Unless, that is, he’s as lucky as I am.
And runs into a very patient witcher?
Into Geralt of Rivia himself. The Butcher of Blaviken.

Recognize me from Master Dandelion’s ballads, too?
To your health.

What do you do? Who are you?
A mangy vagrant. Gaunter O’Dimm, at your service.
Vagrant – that a profession now?
Ah, once a merchant of mirrors. The madding crowd dubbed me Master Mirror, or the Man of Glass.

You seen Yennefer?
Deepest apologies, but I must ask: Is this about love?
Guessed it. It’s love.
I knew it at once.
What do you know? Tell me.
Before you appeared, it never occurred to me that might’ve been Yennefer. Who would’ve have thought…
Get to the point.
A Nilfgaardian scout from the local garrison saw her.
Where?
At their camp. She rode in there – dark of night, black and white, gooseberries and… yes, I know. Had a terse exchange with the garrison commander and raced off.
Where to?
I’m not omniscient. Ask at the garrison.
Thanks.
We men of the road must stick together. Perhaps one day I’ll be in trouble and you’ll be nearby to help.
This is the only time we actually get information about her from another NPC in a dialogue.
She is not like every woman, she is unique.
Her name has a reputation, she has a reputation.
Her name and their relationship is mentioned in ballads through the northern realms.
The ballads are about their passionate love life.
Geralt perfectly describes her, giving the player information about the key figures of her.
Geralt is also known in the world, even as The Butcher of Blaviken, which was already a book reference in Witcher 2.
Gaunter O'Dimm asks Geralt, whether it is about love? And playing as a canon Geralt, yes, it is about love.
Gaunter starts to describe her again, probably just like in one of those ballads, giving an impression how they are. In the books, we actually witness such a ballad once as Dandelion performs it in front of a group.
The short Reunion
Excuses, excuses… You’ve not changed a bit.
That's something you will hear a lot in the game that Geralt didn't change and so didn't Yennefer, thank god and screw the amnesia :)
Ye… Yen? How?
I received a report. About a witcher who’d appeared in White Orchard. I knew it was you. Looking for me.
I might’ve waited until you found me, but… you know me. Patience has never been my strong suit.
It’s… good to see you, Geralt. I… I’d even embrace you… were you not covered in blood.
Sorry… Wasn’t expecting to see you. To be honest, this isn’t at all how I imagined we’d meet.
How did you imagine it?
Yeah, me too and unfortunately it will take a while until the real reunion comes.

The whole reunion here is really awkward, if you ask me. Both don't really know what to say, both don't really know what to do. You can see the awkwardness in their faces.

Yennefer sticks to the business and keeps the feelings away, for now. Geralt does the same, he doesn't really know what to make out all of this and just goes with her, what else would he do anyway? He was looking for her, there she is.
He didn’t imagine you’d have a Nilfgaardian escort.
Don’t get me wrong, Yennefer. I’m glad to see you… but I do think you owe us an explanation.
And I shall provide it… in Vizima. Ready your horses.


Why Vizima?
We can talk here. Some charming orchards nearby. In bloom, even, so you almost can’t smell the corpses.
A tempting proposition. Sadly, I must say no.
You see, someone awaits you in Vizima. Someone who doesn’t like to be kept waiting.

Why the rush?
Spent the last six months in the saddle. Haven’t seen you for two years. Can’t we take a moment to---
Sadly, we cannot. Someone awaits you, Geralt. Someone who doesn’t like to be kept waiting.

Emperor Emhyr var Emreis… or, to those on more intimate terms with him, the White flame Dancing on the Graves of His Foes.
Doubt I number among that group. Far as I remember, last time we saw each other, he wanted to kill me.
Well, now he wishes to make you an offer.
The kind one can’t refuse?
I didn’t. Though I could have.

Suppose I can hear him out…
Fine. Guess I’m willing to hear him out.
The emperor of Nilfgaard, lord of Metinna, Ebbing and Gemmera, sovereign of Nazair and Vicovaro, will feel honored, I’m sure.

Wonder what he offered you.
Must’ve been a damn good offer, then.
Not many things you’d give up your freedom for. And even fewer people.
The sooner we set off, the sooner you’ll find out.
The dialogie is strict to business, she doesn't want to talk about Ciri in public, which is reasonable, so she expects Geralt to just trust her and come along, even though it's Nilfgaard.
What about you?
I’m going in the opposite direction. I somehow doubt the emperor’s invitation mentioned me. Besides, I’ve got things to do at Kaer Morhen, remember?
Yeah, I remember. Thanks for your help, Vesemir. See you soon.

How’s your horse? Swift?
Can’t complain. Why do you ask?
I’d like to be back behind some thick city walls. As soon as possible.


You know… had a dream about you recently.
Knowing you, it was probably filthy.
Just the beginning. But then—
But then?
This is the very first real coversation between them, small talk like you would expect between them everynow and then and thank godness, they add A LOT of this in the game, which really made me smile. Shorts like these underline their relationship, their trust, their sincerity, their faith and passion between them.
Ride! Now!

Yennefer, how’d they—
We shall talk of this tomorrow, all right? After the audience.

...
Seems reasonable as we will found out later.
Geralt! That tunic - you look positively smashing.
Ugh, dying to take it off.
I'd consider that a proposition under different circumstances... one I might even take you up on. But we've matters to attend to.
Ha, see ;)
Now do you understand why I’m at Emhyr’s court?
Mhm. And seems we’re in the same boat, now.
Yeah, I am not so sure about that. CDPR failed to show here the progress from "being a prisoner" to "look for my daughter and you will be free and have access to unlimited ressources by me".
I wish CDPR would have made it more clear how exactly she was put in this position, this way it almost looks like she voluntarily did it for Emhyr, but she would have done this anyway, but working with Emhyr meant also having his ressources, also his agents, which were to this point quite useful apparently. She didn't take his "offer" like it is suggested to Geralt, she did it just like Geralt for Ciri.

Despite being Geralt now "in the same boat" like her, the game kinda shows even though both are doing the same now, the game decides to show Yennefer working with or for Emhyr, while Geralt does it on his own, even though he can actually take crowns for bringing Ciri back to Emhyr!!!

It's a shame the game doesn't make it more clear how Yennefer stands to all this.

Ciri – she’s really back? No chance he’s mistaken?
Look – that’s more or less what she looks like now, or so our agents claim. Out little witcher’s grown into a young lady.

So they’re our agents now?
Hm, so they’re “our” agents now? My, my… you’ve clearly settled in quick.
Geralt, don’t twist my words.
I know who Emhyr is. He started this war and its bloodshed. He had my friends killed. But I haven’t any other choice, so please… let’s not belabor the pros and cons and instead focus on finding Ciri. All right?
Yes, very important. Geralt wouldn't say that, it's distrusting Yennefer and question her loyality, even though he should know better that all she will do is for the sake of Ciri.

Just as Yennefer says, Emhyr killed her friends and she won't forget that, she won't forget what he did, yet she is reasonable and thinks of the living, of Ciri. She is more important, even though she has to swallow her pride.

Yeah… all grown up
How about that… she’s grown up.
It’s been years since you trained together at Kaer Morhen.
A great deal has changed.

You haven’t. Not a bit.
I missed those awkward compliments of yours…
But let’s focus on Ciri, all right?
Once again, "she hasn't changed a bit."

Not only means that she is as beautiful as she always was, it also means she is the same woman he is thinking of, dreaming of.
Right. Emhyr said the Wild Hunt’s after her. I’d find that hard to believe – before what happened yesterday. How did they track us down?
Because of me. You see… I’ve spent months searching for Ciri. Using locating spells, haruspicy, geomancy, anything, really. I knew the Wild Hunt might sense it, perhaps even find me, but… I thought I’d tricked them.
Well, guess you were wrong.
Hm. I’ve sensed them on my trail, hunting me, for some time. If not for you and Emhyr’s soldiers, they’d have gotten what they were after.
I can’t risk another encounter like that. It’s time to put away the magic, turn to more traditional methods… to the best tracker I know.
You must find her, Geralt. Before the Wild Hunt does.
This is indeed strange. Why didn't she contact Geralt earlier? Even if she was in prison during Witcher 1 and maybe 2, after that she was apparently(?) freed by Emhyr and was looking for Ciri. She could have sent Geralt a letter or even just teleport to him, but she didn't.

Maybe Emhyr didn't allow it, but why would she listen?
Maybe she did send a letter, but it only reached him much much later.
Maybe she contacted the Lodge and they prevented it.
Maybe, maybe.

The Wild Hunt – what could it want from Ciri?
I’ve no clue, Geralt. Might’ve written them to ask, but I don’t have their address.
I know as much as you do. It must be about her blood, her gift.
As for what the Hunt wishes to do with that gift, I—I’d prefer not to think about, really.

So where’s Ciri been seen, exactly?
In two places – Velen and Novigrad.
The trail in Velen is most promising. You should make that your first stop. Ask for a merchant named Hendrik at the Inn at the crossroads. One of the emperor’s agents, he should get in touch with you.

That’s it? No passwords, secret handshakes?
None. Sorry to spoil your fun, your boyhood fantasies about the crafts of the trade.
All we have in Novigrad are unconfirmed reports, rumors. But there you will have the help of our mutual acquaintance.
Triss Merigold. Apparently she’s got a cozy flat on the main square.

Sure she’ll be delighted to see me. What about you? What will you do?
I shall sail for Skellige. There was a magic explosion there recently, blew half a forest down. I believe this had something to do with Ciri. I’ll be in Kaer Trolde. Join me there once you’ve learned something.

One thing before we go… Why didn’t you contact me? Didn’t need me, didn’t even want to see me?
I didn’t want to spoil things. I’d heard you and Triss made a great couple.
Yen… I’d lost my memory.
Really – that’s your excuse?
Let’s drop it, all right? “It’s not what you think” or “it helped me understand how much I love you” – I don’t wish to hear it, any of it.
Yeah, a shitty excuse if you ask me, but it doesn't matter whether you slept with her or not, CDPR forced you to do that and so they forced this dialogue. I think CDPR could have solved this much smoother by savegame import, but...oh well...

Anyway, it's still interesting.

First, why didn't she contact him? I already tried to explain it above, but there is another explanation, the one the game gives you and one the books already showed:
She didn't want to spoil things and she trusted him.

You might say, but wait, isn't Ciri more important than that? Yes, she is, but guess what Yennefer and Geralt did in the books. They got split, though against their will, but who was Geralt looking for after he recovered? Yes, it was Ciri and not Yen (until he learned where Yennefer is and looked for her instead, since the leads to Ciri were ice cold long ago).
Who was Yennefer looking for after she recovered? Yes, it was Ciri and not Geralt.

This is not a problem of trust or love, it's the opposite. Because they trust each other, know each other strengths, they know each one of them will manage even without the other one.

What she didn't know was that NOBODY FUCKING CARED ABOUT CIRI IN THE WHOLE FIRST TWO GAMES and about her too except Geralt in Witcher 2, but nobody really wanted to talk straight with him...

This isn't a fault by Yennefer per se, it's indeed a fault by CDPR. If Triss or Dandelion had told Geralt about Ciri and Yennefer the very first moment, he would have gone on a trip to look for her instead of playing bodyguard for a king. So how exactly is that a fault by Yennefer then?

The best we can do is just ignore that, just like the game ignored a lot of decisions from the previous games.

Second, "Let's drop it, all right?"

Yes, she might appear harsh to new people here, yet the whole situation is actually harsh to her.

It isn't new to her that Geralt left her and banged the next woman, even other sorceresses, but this time it is actually a really different thing.

Geralt went after the Wild Hunt to free Yennefer, but he couldn't do it, so he offered his life for hers to the King of the Wild Hunt and he accepted. He was giving his life for her.

After Geralt managed to escape the Wild hunt, what does he do? Exactly, bang a dear friend of her and play politics for the next 2 years, but she is the one being harsh? She is the one who swallows down again her pride and wants just to forget that this ever happened, it doesn't matter anymore, the only thing that matters is that they are back together and to find Ciri.

She is reasonable, she knows Geralt and knows that he probably have decided otherwise, if he had regained his memory much earlier, but he didn't, but so what? Let's drop it. We are adults, people have sex, that happens, let's get to more serious issues like finding our daughter.

Guess this means we need to split up again. Not my preference, but I understand. Clock’s ticking.
It is indeed. So, why don’t I teleport you to Velen, get you there at once?
Not gonna happen. I’ll go on horseback. Soon as I can get changed.
Have it your way. Oh, and… you really look quite dashing in black velvet.
Think so? Maybe I can have some of my armor lined with it. Hm. Good luck, Yen.
Same to you. And if you wish to learn what’s happened in the world while you and Vesemir roamed the wilderness, talk to Ambassador var Attree. That’s him, over there.
And Geralt, I know it’s wartime, but try not to be a hero, all right? Just check those leads and come back to me – in one piece.

*kiss*
I shall be waiting.
Again, really interesting and it shows more than you think at first.

First Ciri is more important than anything else, she is the reason she considered to work with Emhyr or with his ressources and the same counts for Geralt now. They are in the same boat now.

Both put their own feelings aside, it has to wait, Ciri is more important. They can always later come back to this, as we will see.

Yet, she still shows how much Geralt actually means to her, yes, Ciri is important, "but try not to be a hero, all right?"
Don't risk your own life for stupid things, just like she always wanted that he stops living so risky and do stupid things like getting involved in everything.

She doesn't want to lose him again.

And that's it, the introduction of Yennefer in the first hours. The next time we see her again will be in approx. 15-25 hours, which is really a shame, considering how short this introduction was for such a character. Only a certain ballad will mention them again.

For me personally the whole presentation was really good, but I also read the books and I can understand how they react to each other, it feels natural between them and not forced, but I can't imagine that new players were already satisfied with just this, especially if you consider that it will take A LOT of time to see her again, the real reunion, if you ask me.

This was a brief introduction and yes, it already showed a lot of her character and the relationship between her and Geralt, yet the real deal starts at Skellige.

It's really unfair that in the whole time until that you learn almost nothing new about her except for the ballad by Priscilla and just as many fans of Triss criticize that there is too few content for Triss in the latter part game, I wished Yen had more content in the earlier parts of the game, especially because she is a new character. I thought the very first part of the game would be much much more longer about looking for Yennefer, a real introduction for her to the new players, hmm :( Looking for clues about her whereabouts, while learning who she is.

It couldn't be much worse that you can finish whole questlines and already lock yourself onto Triss, while you didn't even really become acquainted with Yennefer, not really fair in terms of information, especially if the real reunion starts at Skellige, after all of this, but that's just my humble opinion and aside of that (and the part in Kaer Morhen), the rest of this project will be exclusively about Geralt and Yennefer :) so what do you think?

Was the introduction good enough for you? As book reader? As a player? As a complete new player?

Do you agree with what I see in those dialogues or do you see even more or other things?

Their whole relationship isn't easy to explain, it is unique and not your usual relationship you will find in videogames or even other mediums. That's why I want to try to explain it and not just with the books, but actually with what the game offers me and the player, because I think the game does indeed a lot to explain it, but just as their relationship it isn't always so easy to see it at first.

They love each other, but they are clearly past this first loveydovey phase. They already have seen the best and worst parts of each other and still love, respect and trust each other. This isn't a relationship of a newly wed couple anymore, but of two people, who know each other for more than 20 years, yet as we will see later, the sparks between them are still there burning brighter than ever. Maybe even more after each break, because they realize how much they've missed each other, makes the reunion even more delightful :)

The next part will be about the ballad, depending on how the discussion, if one arises, goes along, I will post the next parts sooner or later. This way we have some kind of structure, talk and discuss about the above and I will bring the discussion to the next part, if it fits or I can't wait to post it :)

But that doesn't mean you can't ask questions about other parts already, so if you have a burning question, just post it.
 

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You really did a great work. I must say i'm a little mad about the fact how they present Yennefer in the game. For me in this first ours of the game we really looking fo her, then when we find her we have some little time to talk to her. I know it is important to find Ciri in first place but c'mon they are safe in Wyzima palace.Why can't they have little more conversation between them about what was happening in the last two years when they don't see each other? She always a very important part of his live. After that we don't see her for quite same time until we are on Skellige. How supposed the new player have to know her more in this few ours where there is some little of her? We do find about her more later but there is after the Novigrad where you can make some decisions that ruins the relationship with Yennefer (you know what i mean) and there is now turn back from that. And what about Ciri? Ciri behaves like her mother is not an important part of her life anymore which is complety mind-blowing like WTF?




P.S.Well they gonna to fix the romance dialogues with Yennefer also not just Triss so I hope they gonna to do it really well. I would like to see more softer side of Yennefer especially when you choosing her. They made her more like she was in first two books not like she was later in Saga, how she change.
I want es Geralt show her how I really trust her, despite the fact that others don't.
 
Yennefer in TW3 (games not books, of course) is a strong willed woman, cold character and cold personality. Very calm woman and she makes everyone think that she always want to control anything. At least, she totally different with Triss.

I think they would make two personality for two character and we will choose one who we feel fit with us.

However, like you said, something is uncomplete. Example, relationship with Ciri and she seems always "treat Garalt like a dog" (original sentence in game). But I think they have a reason to do it. And I think they will not fix about her romance, unless it will affect in the the furute (expansion pack ?)
 
However, like you said, something is uncomplete. Example, relationship with Ciri and she seems always "treat Garalt like a dog" (original sentence in game). But I think they have a reason to do it. And I think they will not fix about her romance, unless it will affect in the the furute (expansion pack ?)

There will indeed be tweaks to the Yennefer romance as well, if you are interested, you can read some new dialogue (which may not necessarily be the final version) in this post. However, it should be noted that these tweaks are fairly minor for both romances, and they also more or less agree with how the characters are already portrayed in the game. At least now Ciri reacts to Geralt's choice.

Even with the lighter way they handled Geralt's relationship with Yennifer in the game, I still don't understand how people can choose Triss, and I love Triss.

Well, people have different subjective preferences, and they are entitled to them. The writers at CDPR obviously intended it to be a valid choice, otherwise it would not be in the game, or it would have negative consequences.
 
Please don't turn this topic about Triss vs. Yen again - as @sv3672 said Triss is a valid choice and good romance option in the game but this topic isn't about her.

As a book reader I liked the "nightmare dream" introduction of Yennefer because of many book references, I was really happy to recognise many sentences and descriptions from books and also immeditalely liked her new ingame model :animier: (I was surprised because I thought she will look like the model from the trailers and from the cosplay PDF).

Anyway I agree with you that the later part in White Orchard and Vizima was a little bit disappointing - I wanted to find out more what really happened with Yennefer during TW1 and TW2. :unsure:

After Vizima I spen 30-40 hours in Velen/Novigrad - when I finally travelled to Skellige and saw Yennefer after such long time...it was a great moment! :)

Looking forward to your next posts @Kallelinski
 
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Was the introduction good enough for you? As book reader?

Good enough. For the very first time I was a bit confused what exactly is going on with her during our meeting in White Orchard, but dialogue in Vyzima clarified it all, and in retrospect it looks just like it should be. She's struggling with number of strong emotions at once - happiness to see Geralt again, memories about their time together and with Ciri which only make her anxiety about Ciri's fate even more sharp in the moment - and she, as always, trying to hide it under stone face and sarcasm.
 
This is indeed strange. Why didn't she contact Geralt earlier? Even if she was in prison during Witcher 1 and maybe 2, after that she was apparently(?) freed by Emhyr and was looking for Ciri. She could have sent Geralt a letter or even just teleport to him, but she didn't.
But what did she doing in White Orchad in opening cinematic search for Geralt or Ciri ? When you give her raven she say she was using it as weapon, did she ever explain in game what she was doing in White Orchad before meeting with Geralt.
 
Well I just finished reading The Last Wish .....whew rough start .

I can say the game did a great job basing off the story's first meeting to capture the emotions of each of them . Now The Last Wish in game seems a little comical because they are going through all the trouble to remove a wish that Geralt made that didn't take because he was already in love with Yen. I know it is only a glimpse but from it the game has captured their rawest emotions which probably how it should be considering what they are up against .
 

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That first meeting was a bit anti-climatic for me, we meet her too early in the game, have a short conversation, and then she is gone for almost half the game. To really understand what she feels inside and why, despite her cold welcome and "straight to business" attitude, it's necessary to read the books. Her "real" introduction happens on Skjellige, where she shows her softer side too, but for many people is it's too late then, since first opinion was bad.
That is where writers made a mistake imo - Geralt didn't need more time to know her, but player did.
 
Honestly I don't care about those who didn't read the books and don't understand Yennefer behaviour. It's not my or CDPR problem. The way they handle her character is very good. It could be better but overally it's great. I love numerous hint's to books incidents. And I don't want to CDPR dumb down her character so that everyone would love her. No. Thank you. Yennefer is Yennefer :D no need to make her more understandable for everyone.

Kallelinski you did amazing job with this post but if people don't want to understand her why help them?
 
Honestly I don't care about those who didn't read the books and don't understand Yennefer behaviour. It's not my or CDPR problem. The way they handle her character is very good. It could be better but overally it's great. I love numerous hint's to books incidents. And I don't want to CDPR dumb down her character so that everyone would love her. No. Thank you.
Agreed.

I am more than happy with Yenn in W3. I like how she's written, I enjoyed playing her questline and voice actress is great.

Yenn, Philip Strenger and Crones saved this game. Keira helped, too... :D
 
But what did she doing in White Orchad in opening cinematic search for Geralt or Ciri ? When you give her raven she say she was using it as weapon, did she ever explain in game what she was doing in White Orchad before meeting with Geralt.

Not that I know. She even kills a nilfgaardian soldier in this short cinematic, she is clearly trying to escape from Nilfgaard.

Even bigger the surprise that she works with the ressources Emhyr is giving her.

Honestly I don't care about those who didn't read the books and don't understand Yennefer behaviour. It's not my or CDPR problem. The way they handle her character is very good. It could be better but overally it's great. I love numerous hint's to books incidents. And I don't want to CDPR dumb down her character so that everyone would love her. No. Thank you. Yennefer is Yennefer :D no need to make her more understandable for everyone.

Kallelinski you did amazing job with this post but if people don't want to understand her why help them?

Thanks and because many of them have just a wrong impression of her and while it is always recommended to read the books, I think the game didn't do such a bad job, it could be better, much better, but it just isn't so easy to understand it anyway, to see behind the hard shell.

It's almost funny how people criticize some aspects of her, even though you could say exactly the same about Geralt, almost double standards :)

Geralt and Yennefer have actually quite a lot in common, that's why they can understand each other, that's also why their chats feel so organic and natural and that's also why they come in conflict with each other, but arguments in a relationship are healthy, because it means you can talk with your partner about it and find a common ground. I will show an example of this later in the game.

Even though her colours are black and white, they are not Yin and Yan, not good and bad, not 0 and 1, but they are still able to complement each other, not because they fit each other perfectly, but because they know the good and bad parts of each other and not ignore them, but embrace them.

For example the mind reading thing, Geralt hates it, but he still loves to think for her.

Edit: So, gonna give it an own post, better this way :)
 
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In Game.

The first thing must think the Gamer is so yes or not He considers that Geralt is faulty or not to have to recover more quickly of its amnesia,

and so yes or not he must hide behind double excuses that of its amnesia and also Geralt did not find Yennefer before her.

For me Geralt is faulty, because she is a women, whatever He can say she is right if he doesn't find her before him.

Find her first, Geralt, That's my advice. Geralt doesn't care about war, doesn't care about Monsters or anything, it's a Guideline.

No excuses, no need to argue even more if Yennefer is his Love, or possible Love one, The only thing which remains to him is the following step, or sense of initiative that 's all.

If Geralt argues, or the Gamer, he is probably a selfish one, an egocentric person. End of story. This is my thought.

In a way CDPR failed in this idea.


(it's a bit selfish and it's also a sacrifice but sometimes you ( Geralt!) must be like that, it's for the best mostly if Yennefer is much important than everything and Ciri as well.)
 
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The Wolven Storm



The Wolven Storm - Priscilla's Song [clean polish version with english subtitles]

The Wolven Storm - Priscilla's Song - Multilanguage

Polish English Japanese German French Russian Portugese


I have spent over 100 hours playing this game and this moment is easily my favorite.

L'un des merveilleux moments de The Witcher 3

Die Szene kam aus dem Nichts und hat mich geflasht - grandios!

Never thaught German can sound so good.

Классно. Тембр голоса просто потрясный. Cool. Voice quality is just astonishing.

the feels are strong

My favorite moment in the game. In a world where there is little happiness this scene just comes out of nowhere and hits you in the feels.

If you've read the books, this song makes you choke up with the feels...

If you dislike this, you are a heartless cunt.

These scars long have yearned for your tender caress
To bind our fortunes, damn what the stars own
Rend my heart open, then your love profess
A winding, weaving fate to which we both atone

You flee my dream come the morning
Your scent - berries tart, lilac sweet
To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy
Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep

The wolf I will follow into the storm
To find your heart, its passion displaced
By ire ever growing, hardening into stone
Amidst the cold to you in a heated embrace

You flee my dream come the morning
Your scent - berries tart, lilac sweet
To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy
Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep

I know not if fate would have us live as one
Or if by love's blind chance we've been bound
The wish I whispered, when it all began
Did it forge a love you might never have found?

You flee my dream come the morning
Your scent - berries tart, lilac sweet
To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy
Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep

Blood of Elves
The bard finished the song. Tilting his head a little he repeated the ballad’s refrain on his lute, delicately, softly, a single tone higher than the apprentice accompanying him.
No one said a word. Nothing but the subsiding music and the whispering leaves and squeaking boughs of the enormous oak could be heard. Then, all of a sudden, a goat tethered to one of the carts which circled the ancient tree bleated lengthily. At that moment, as if given a signal, one of the men seated in the large semi-circular audience stood up. Throwing his cobalt blue cloak with gold braid trim back over his shoulder, he gave a stiff, dignified bow.
...
“It would not be an exaggeration to say,” continued the wizard, “that you have moved us deeply, Master Dandilion. You have prompted us to reflection and thought; you have stirred our hearts. Allow me to express our gratitude, and our respect.”
...
“Songs and ballads” – the musician bowed – “never end, dear lady, because poetry is eternal and immortal, it knows no beginning, it knows no end—”
“But what happened next?” The tradeswoman didn’t give up, generously rattling coins into the bucket Dandilion’s apprentice held out to her. “At least tell us about it, even if you have no wish to sing of it. Your songs mention no names, but we know the witcher you sing of is no other than the famous Geralt of Rivia, and the enchantress for whom he burns with love is the equally famous Yennefer. And the Child Surprise, destined for the witcher and sworn to him from birth, is Cirilla, the unfortunate Princess of Cintra, the town destroyed by the Invaders. Am I right?”
Dandilion smiled, remaining enigmatic and aloof. “I sing of universal matters, my dear, generous lady,” he stated. “Of emotions which anyone can experience. Not about specific people.”
“Oh, come on!” yelled a voice from the crowd. “Everyone knows those songs are about Geralt the Witcher!”
“Yes, yes!” squealed Baron Vilibert’s daughters in chorus, drying their sodden scarves. “Sing on, Master Dandilion! What happened next? Did the witcher and Yennefer the Enchantress find each other in the end? And did they love each other? Were they happy?We want to know!”

...

“Thank you,” he repeated, “for rescuing me. That cursed Rience wouldn’t have spared my life. He’d have squeezed everything from me and then butchered me like a sheep.”
“Yes, I think he would.” She poured herself and the bard some wine then raised her tumbler. “So let’s drink to your rescue and health, Dandilion.”
“And to yours, Yennefer,” he toasted her in return. “To health for which – as of today – I shall pray whenever the occasion arises. I’m indebted to you, beautiful lady, and I shall repay the debt in my songs. I shall explode the myth which claims wizards are insensitive to the pain of others, that they are rarely eager to help poor, unfortunate, unfamiliar mortals.”
“What to do.” She smiled, half-shutting her beautiful violet eyes. “The myth has some justification; it did not spring from nowhere. But you’re not a stranger, Dandilion. I know you and like you.”
“Really?” The poet smiled too. “You have been good at concealing it up until now. I’ve even heard the rumour that you can’t stand me, I quote, any more than the plague.”
“It was the case once.” The enchantress suddenly grew serious. “Later my opinion changed. Later, I was grateful to you.”
“What for, if I may ask?”
“Never mind,” she said, toying with the empty tumbler.

...

“You don’t know,” she repeated. “You, who usually know everything, and then sing about everything. Even such intimate matters as someone else’s feelings. I listened to your ballads beneath Bleobheris, Dandilion. You dedicated a good few verses to me.”
“Poetry,” he muttered, staring at the chicken, “has its rights. No one should be offended—”
“‘Hair like a raven’s wing, as a storm in the night…’” quoted Yennefer with exaggerated emphasis, “ ‘…and in the violet eyes sleep lightning bolts…’ Isn’t that how it went?”
“That’s how I remembered you.” The poet smiled faintly. “May the first who wishes to claim the description is untrue throw the first stone.”
“Only I don’t know,” the Enchantress pinched her lips together, “who gave you permission to describe my internal organs. How did it go? ‘Her heart, as though a jewel, adorned her neck. Hard as if of diamond made, and as a diamond so unfeeling, sharper than obsidian, cutting—’ Did you make that up yourself? Or perhaps…?”
Her lips quivered, twisted.
“…or perhaps you listened to someone’s confidences and grievances?”
“Hmm…” Dandilion cleared his throat and veered away from the dangerous subject.

...

“If you know where Geralt is, you ought to go and warn him. You owe him that, Yennefer. There was, after all, something between you.”
“Yes,” she acknowledged coldly. “There was something between us. That’s why I know him a bit. He does not like having help imposed on him. And if he was in need of it he would seek it from those he could trust. A year has gone by since those events and I… I’ve not had any news from him. And as for our debt, I owe him exactly as much as he owes me. No more and no less.”
“So I’ll go then.” He raised his head high. “Tell me—”
“I won’t,” she interrupted. “Your cover’s blown, Dandilion. They might come after you again; the less you know the better. Vanish from here. Go to Redania, to Dijkstra and Philippa Eilhart, stick to Vizimir’s court. And I warn you once more: forget the Lion Cub of Cintra. Forget about Ciri. Pretend you have never heard the name. Do as I ask. I wouldn’t like anything bad to happen to you. I like you too much, owe you too much—”
“You’ve said that already. What do you owe me, Yennefer?”
The sorceress turned her head away, did not say anything for a while.
“You travelled with him,” she said finally. “Thanks to you he was not alone. You were a friend to him. You were with him.”

...

He grimaced and rubbed his aching shoulder. “And that is precisely why I believe Geralt should be warned. You are the only one who knows where to look for him. You know the way. I guess you used to be… a guest there…?”
Yennefer turned away. Dandilion saw her lips pinch, the muscles in her cheek quiver.
“Yes, in the past,” she said and there was something elusive and strange in her voice. “I used to be a guest there, sometimes. But never uninvited.”

I decided to quote a bit more, to not only show the relationship between Yennefer and Geralt, but also with Dandelion. Something that was also lacking in the game. I kinda wished Dandelion was the one singing it, just like he always did, though Priscilla was fine too


Those songs/ballads by Dandelion about them are really popular and famous, so I was more than delighted to hear one of them in the game.

Though it isn't always so easy as in those ballads, but quite often they also have a grain of truth.

His scars long for her tender caress (not just his mind, but also his body long for her).
He bound their fates, even though everything was against it (especially his and her nature as witcher, a mutant, and a sorceress).
Hurt him, so her love can heal it again (He wants to feel those feelings, again and again, to be alive, to be human).

Geralt dreams of Yennefer, can't get out of his head. Her a dream of raven locks, violet eyes, her scent. Those traits are almost haunting him, since he knows her (especially if he sees other women, he always compare them to Yennefer).

Whenever they are apart, they will again seek out for each other, even through storms.
Find her heart, an ice shard, to warm it up again. Showing that she has indeed a heart and isn't ice cold as she might believe. He knows her better than she does, she isn't a monster.

Whenever they are apart, he dreams of her.

He doesn't know if fate had originally planned for them to live as one, but he wished so, but what if he forced fate to do so? What if he challenged fate?
What if the wish he whispered, was forcing her to love him?
DId it create a love in her, she would have never found for him?
What if he just hurt her by binding their fates together?


Geralt isn't questioning his love to her, but he has doubts, if she truly loves him, voluntarily. He isn't unsure about his feelings, he is unsure, if her feelings to him are pure and unforced. Something Yennefer wants to know too as well later in the game.

This ballad isn't about a failed love, but the insecurity about it.

Both never thought they could love someone, both never thought they could feel something like this at all, but here Geralt is aware of his feelings, but he has doubts, whether he forced her to love him with this wish, even though it isn't what he wished for.

In the end this is just a ballad, but there could be a grain of truth in there.

Dandilion smiled, remaining enigmatic and aloof. “I sing of universal matters, my dear, generous lady,” he stated. “Of emotions which anyone can experience. Not about specific people.”

...

“But it has to be true,” the attractive elf in the ermine toque suddenly said in a melodious voice. “Such a beautiful ballad of love could not but be true.”

...

“No! No!” squealed Baron Vilibert’s daughters from behind their green scarves. “Geralt the Witcher can’t have been killed! The witcher found Ciri, the child destined for him, and then the Enchantress Yennefer, and all three lived happily ever after! Isn’t that true, Master Dandilion?”
“’Twas a ballad, my noble young ladies,” said the beer-parched gnome, manufacturer of ironwares, with a yawn. “Why look for truth in a ballad? Truth is one thing, poetry another.

We know that the wish was never for love, but because of love. Geralt uttered his wish to save her life and not to be loved by her (he even says so later in the game), but still there could be this uncertainity that she might not love him because of her own will, but because he forced her to this.

The answer to it? We will know it later in the game
 

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Awesome thread, Kalle! Really enjoying the read and look forward to your future postings in the coming seconds. Completely agree with the majority of points raised thus far, which have already abstracted much what is in my mind, so I have little to add aside from...

:pride2:
 
Kalle, let people think with their own mind and don't ruin the beautiful castles in the air :p
However, there is a great post (as usual).

As for myself...Everything about her behaviour was too obvious and understandble, doesn't mean everything was fine but... this is Yennefer.
Honestly, it even scared me a bit on the first playthrough - I had no questions "why/what are you doing". Like a submissive henpecked Geralt. The witcher has one of the most rare and precious things ever - he can understand his love without any excess words and hints (yeahyeahyeah he wasted around 15 years to learn that - lucker lives too long).

Thus for me the best way to understand the behaviour of this complicated, conflicting but one of the most deep characters in the whole game industry is
Understand Geralt.
 
Me again :)

For me personally the whole presentation was really good, but I also read the books and I can understand how they react to each other, it feels natural between them and not forced, but I can't imagine that new players were already satisfied with just this, especially if you consider that it will take A LOT of time to see her again, the real reunion, if you ask me.

This was a brief introduction and yes, it already showed a lot of her character and the relationship between her and Geralt, yet the real deal starts at Skellige.

It's really unfair that in the whole time until that you learn almost nothing new about her except for the ballad by Priscilla and just as many fans of Triss criticize that there is too few content for Triss in the latter part game, I wished Yen had more content in the earlier parts of the game, especially because she is a new character. I thought the very first part of the game would be much much more longer about looking for Yennefer, a real introduction for her to the new players, hmm :( Looking for clues about her whereabouts, while learning who she is.

It couldn't be much worse that you can finish whole questlines and already lock yourself onto Triss, while you didn't even really become acquainted with Yennefer, not really fair in terms of information, especially if the real reunion starts at Skellige, after all of this, but that's just my humble opinion and aside of that (and the part in Kaer Morhen), the rest of this project will be exclusively about Geralt and Yennefer :) so what do you think?

Was the introduction good enough for you? As book reader? As a player? As a complete new player?
.

As someone who has read the books i thought Yen's introduction was handled well. I thought the distance/friction introduced between them was understandable but then I'm not someone bound up in the Yen/Geralt love dynamic.

Don't really agree with the argument that Yen lacked content in the early part of the game. Skellige is act 1 as much as Novigrad is, on top of the special introduction. In act 1 both characters are handled well. Issue is far more that player isn't prompted the player to move between areas, with suggested quest levels suggesting they should stay put. Personally i go Skellige before really diving into the Novigrad arc in my later playthroughs.
 
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