In regards to Radovid

[GorillaHorse]

In regards to Radovid

So, Radovid the Stern of Redania. I'll keep this as short as possible.

He was one of my favourite characters in the first two games, glad they changed his voice actor in the second though.

In the official 'first 15 mins' gameplay Vesemir mentions that Radovid has taken control of Temeria and Aedirn. I handed Anais to him at the end of 2 so this is what I intended, though I doubt any of your choices will affect this too much. Vesemir says 'We're on the side of the Northern Kingdoms' - this gives off a vibe that perhaps this isn't the right choice despite being the obvious one.

Then in a recent gameplay video from someone who played in Poland last week, some NPC says "We all know that Radovid's gone mad" or something along those lines.



I just found this interesting. Is Radovid shaping up to be a Big Bad in W3?

 

[BiggusD1]

Bitten by Adda i suppose

 

[Klavi]

I just found this interesting. Is Radovid shaping up to be a Big Bad in W3?

You'd have to be blind (insert Phili joke here) to not see that Radovid is a sadistic, bloodthirsty cunt. Cunning, smart, perhaps a good king, but still a ruthless cunt.
However, the Big Bad? I don't see (insert another spoon joke here) how. All games had choices that support him and Redania in general. If anything, he's eyeing the position of the North's last hope. Even if nothing can stop the White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of His Enemies.

 

[Bansai]

I shaped Radovid in my mind to be the most competent defender of the north in the war with nilfgaard, certainly not some big bad baddie.

This bit: https://youtu.be/kNZP21te888?t=59s is still relevant if you ask me

Then in a recent gameplay video from someone who played in Poland last week, some NPC says "We all know that Radovid's gone mad" or something along those lines.

Find the source of that quote, it'd be very very cheap if CDPRs decided to gimp him and his potential after so much build up.

 

[caruga]

So, Radovid the Stern of Redania. I'll keep this as short as possible.

He was one of my favourite characters in the first two games, glad they changed his voice actor in the second though.

Yeah, it was a great move to change him from an aristo in Witcher 1 to a working class british bloke in the second, not to mention the voice behind several other characters.

 

[dragonbird]

Yeah, it was a great move to change him from an aristo in Witcher 1 to a working class british bloke in the second, not to mention the voice behind several other characters.

I hated the TW2 one at first, because it isn't an aristocratic voice, so it didn't quite fit in with the idea of generations of royalty, but it grew on me. I eventually decided it fitted his nature.

 

[mecha_fish]

From my view of the Witcher books/games there are no real Big Bads, just people with inconvenient motives that they've shaped with their understanding of the world. I'd say the only true Big Bad's are Vilgefortz from the books and the leading members of the Wild Hunt. Emhyr is close, but no cigar -- he's... somewhat more complicated.

It will be interesting to meet with Radovid and see that perhaps he isn't mad and that perhaps all this makes sense to him. Perhaps it'll all make sense to you and you'll be making decisions based on that. There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders -- I wouldn't put it past other politicians to attempt to manipulate him, to either set out rumours that he's mad, or to actually send him mad . Maybe there's a doppleganger. I doubt Radovid is actually out to take over everything and destroy anything that gets in his way. I'd say he's just dealing with a war he (seemingly) can't win.

(insert Phili joke here)

(insert another spoon joke here)

Klavi you're killin' me.

 

[StaGiors]

Well people have been trying to take his "rightful" power from him ever since he was a boy. His father was murdered, he had to let his Head of Intelligence and a Sorceress lead his country because he was too young and he also has to fight against a mighty Empire, as the last line of defence. I mean give the guy a break he should be expected to go mental.

But I don't think that the word "mad" should be used as it usually is in Radovid's situation. He is Radovid the Stern, that is a much better word. He has been and will fight to keep his crown. He is a ruthless King, because of his past experiences. He's bound to give Nilfgaard and anyone else a tough fight.

Who knows, if things go his way, he'd probably take over Temeria or any other land he can. Any King would do the same anyway. It's just two powers at conflict, and regarding Temeria, I guess they would prefer Radovid to the Imperials. Can't say I blame them much with all that propaganda from the previous wars.

So I don't think he will be a Big Bad in TW3. He will be a powerful man though.

 

[Klavi]

Well people have been trying to take his "rightful" power from him ever since he was a boy. His father was murdered, he had to let his Head of Intelligence and a Sorceress lead his country because he was too young and he also has to fight against a mighty Empire, as the last line of defence. I mean give the guy a break he should be expected to go mental.

And, according to Phili, she raised him to be this way. Unyielding, stern, ruthless, headstrong, etc. Of course he now hates her, but it's the one thing she did right, I'd say. Thanks to her, he distrusts all sorceresses as well.
He'll stop at nothing as long as it means thwarting Emhyr's plans, which, to some people, might make him seem mad. But only people like that can compete with the might of the Empire. I just hope he won't remember some ancient prophecy that involves Elder Blood and babies... that will make things much more complicated, if not even make him Geralt's personal Big Bad.

Klavi you're killin' me.

Spoiler

Eye couldn't scoop up a fitting enough pun. S-sorry.

 

[GorillaHorse]

Yeah, it was a great move to change him from an aristo in Witcher 1 to a working class british bloke in the second, not to mention the voice behind several other characters.

Well, my qualm was more with the quality of the acting rather than the nature of it. Besides, Henselt didn't have a posh accent, I think it helps to have that distinction between the areas with accents. Nilfs being kinda Italian, Kaedwenis Scottish and Aedirnians Welsh.

From my view of the Witcher books/games there are no real Big Bads, just people with inconvenient motives that they've shaped with their understanding of the world. I'd say the only true Big Bad's are Vilgefortz from the books and the leading members of the Wild Hunt. Emhyr is close, but no cigar -- he's... somewhat more complicated.

It will be interesting to meet with Radovid and see that perhaps he isn't mad and that perhaps all this makes sense to him. Perhaps it'll all make sense to you and you'll be making decisions based on that. There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders -- I wouldn't put it past other politicians to att

I realize that, but I was rather wondering if Radovid is shaping up to be a king just as 'bad' as Henselt. I always liked him in 1 and 2 because he was unashamedly deceptive and clever, who outmanoeuvres his opponents but also seems like a top lad at the same time. I just find it interesting that the game tells you in the first 5 minutes 'side with Radovid', I had planned to do that anyway but I may change my mind.

Just finished reading the books, I don't understand why people think Emhyr is at all understandable/forgiveable. He's a prick, though Charles Dance may win me over

 

[dragonbird]

Well, my qualm was more with the quality of the acting rather than the nature of it. Besides, Henselt didn't have a posh accent, I think it helps to have that distinction between the areas with accents. Nilfs being kinda Italian, Kaedwenis Scottish Irish and Aedirnians Welsh.

ftfy. Dwarves are Scottish. Everyone knows that. Dwarves are ALWAYS Scottish.

 

[caruga]

ftfy. Dwarves are Scottish. Everyone knows that. Dwarves are ALWAYS Scottish.

The ones in the Dragon Age franchise hide their scottish accent very well.

 

[dragonbird]

The ones in the Dragon Age franchise hide their scottish accent very well.

Obviously not True Scotsmen
(And clearly not true dwarves. They're distinctly lacking in beards.)

 

[PsyCoil]

I don't know how much of a protector he is seeing that Emhyr Throne Room is incredibly similar to The Royal Palace in Vizima. Furthermore, Nilfgaard banner is over it in the world map.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLD8kwLMZ00#t=35m28s

Radovid is probably boiling with anger.

 

[shawn_kh]

Emhyr >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Radovid

Emhyr is superior to Radovid in every aspect.
I'd choose Emhyr over Radovid without even a moment second guessing myself.

Let Emhyr bring some culture and order to these Northern dimwits.

All hail the true Emperor.

 

[Assalander]

Then in a recent gameplay video from someone who played in Poland last week, some NPC says "We all know that Radovid's gone mad"

That was a Nilfgaardian soldier saying that, and that the Empire couldn't lose. Nothing to take seriously.

 

[StaGiors]

Hey man, I am not going to claim that the Northern Kings are good. They are pieces of shit. Well every one except Esterad Thyssen. That guy is a hero.

But Emhyr is worse. Total control freak, and that is because of the little incident he had as a kid, when his father was overthrown. What Emhyr will bring to the North is organization. Now I will agree organization is something that the North needs to deal with Catriona and all the Sorceresses going berserk and the harsh winters and all that.

But it comes at a price. And that is freedom. The North is relatively free, for the setting. The University in Oxenfurt is a place where people can think and speak their minds. People are mostly allowed to kill nasty nonhumans without any repercussion from the Law. Debauchery is not a punishable crime. Drunks can have the time of their lives without being quartered in the town square.

So NO. We fight for the NORTH. We fight for RADOVID. WE FIGHT FOR FRREEEDOM!

 

[EliHarel]

All this talk makes me miss Foltest, no matter how much of a whoreson he was.

Damn nonsense.

 

[Klavi]

All this talk makes me miss Foltest, no matter how much of a whoreson he was.

Whoreson, maybe. But at least he wasn't a duck.
Can't say the same about the other rulers, especially Emhyr.

 

[Ljesnjanin]

whoreson

And sisterfucker...
But he had a certain charisma, I admit...