Question About Possible Inconsistencies

[jaggedblades]

Question About Possible Inconsistencies

I think it goes without saying that this thread may contain spoilers; you have been warned.

In Act 1, I've noticed a couple of inconsistencies within the dialogue that are really bugging me.

1. When Geralt and Triss go to question the wounded elf on the prison barge Geralt tells the guards that he wants to speak with the wounded prisoner. Where did Geralt hear that he was wounded? I've watched several videos of conversations leading up to that moment, and have yet to find anyone who actually states that the elf is wounded.

2. At what point does Geralt learn that Demavend has been assassinated? When Geralt is talking to Letho near the elven baths he says something like "Demavend, Foltest, who's next?" I can't seem to remember anyone actually informing Geralt of Demavend's death, and the closest I've come to hearing it mentioned is when Iorveth says that two kings have been killed already. He doesn't mention the guy by name, though.

I'm hoping that I've just forgotten when this stuff came up, because the game throws a lot of political information at you. It is worrying though, because I remember a few instances of this in the first game, and I don't want it to become a characteristic of CPR.

Many thanks to anyone who can point me to the dialogues where this information is revealed!

 

[dragonbird]

1. When Geralt and Triss go to question the wounded elf on the prison barge Geralt tells the guards that he wants to speak with the wounded prisoner. Where did Geralt hear that he was wounded? I've watched several videos of conversations leading up to that moment, and have yet to find anyone who actually states that the elf is wounded.

My memory may be off on this one, but it was Triss who heard about the elf, and therefore presumably that he was wounded. I guess the bit where she tells Geralt is off-camera.

2. At what point does Geralt learn that Demavend has been assassinated? When Geralt is talking to Letho near the elven baths he says something like "Demavend, Foltest, who's next?" I can't seem to remember anyone actually informing Geralt of Demavend's death, and the closest I've come to hearing it mentioned is when Iorveth says that two kings have been killed already. He doesn't mention the guy by name, though.

From Roche, in the opening discussions in the prologue. If there is an inconsistency there, it would be that you don't necessarily have to take every dialogue option. Also, there's a voyage up-river after the escape, entirely off-camera, during which a LOT got discussed, so it could easily have happened then.

 

[Lieste]

With the type of war between the Scoi'atel and the type of governor exemplified by Loredo... I'd not expect any prisoner who wasn't wounded. Can't imagine anyone laying down arms by choice with Loredo's justice, or at the very best Drakenborg. I assumed that any prisoner would be wounded, and there were no escaped survivors.

The assassination of Demavend occurs during the opening cinematic, several weeks before the beginning of the game at the siege of La Valette. You are being retained as the bodyguard of Foltest precisely because of this successful assassination, and the previous, thwarted attempt on Foltest.

 

[jaggedblades]

My memory may be off on this one, but it was Triss who heard about the elf, and therefore presumably that he was wounded. I guess the bit where she tells Geralt is off-camera.
From Roche, in the opening discussions in the prologue. If there is an inconsistency there, it would be that you don't necessarily have to take every dialogue option. Also, there's a voyage up-river after the escape, entirely off-camera, during which a LOT got discussed, so it could easily have happened then.

I understand what you're saying, but this explanation is a bit unsatisfying.

I re-watched the prologue, and Roche never mentioned Demanvend's death. While it is possible to assume that Geralt was informed on the way to Flotsam, I've seen no evidence that this is what the developers intended. It just strikes me as an oversight. This is reinforced by the lack of conversation regarding Demavend after you land in the forest. As far as I remember, the man's death doesn't come up at all until you meet Letho for the first time.

At the same time, I realize that these kinds of things happen. I just wanted to make sure that the dialogue actually wasn't in the game, because I do my best not to miss any important details.

Also, if the only negative consequences of taking every dialogue choice are breaking story logic, then why is the option there in the first place?

With the type of war between the Scoi'atel and the type of governor exemplified by Loredo... I'd not expect any prisoner who wasn't wounded. Can't imagine anyone laying down arms by choice with Loredo's justice, or at the very best Drakenborg. I assumed that any prisoner would be wounded, and there were no escaped survivors.
The assassination of Demavend occurs during the opening cinematic, several weeks before the beginning of the game at the siege of La Valette. You are being retained as the bodyguard of Foltest precisely because of this successful assassination, and the previous, thwarted attempt on Foltest.

While I agree that no Scoi'atel is safe in Loredo's hands, Geralt very clearly says that he wants to speak with the wounded prisoner. The guards immediately understand exactly who he is referring to. This suggests that both parties had knowledge that the elf was wounded beforehand, and that he was the only one. As above, I just wanted to confirm that this was in fact an oversight, and not some piece of dialogue that is missing from my game.

I have to disagree with you about Demavend's assassination; Geralt tells his companions in Flotsam that Foltest was keeping him around because of the first assassin, sort of like a lucky charm. Also, if I'm remembering correctly, the cinematic detailing Demavend's assassination was only included with the Enhanced Edition. That means that, until that edition, the player had no way of knowing it had happened during the prologue. So wouldn't it be prudent for CPR to point it out if it was indeed Foltest's motivation for keeping Geralt around?

If I am wrong in any of this, please direct me to a video containing the relevant conversation.

 

[Garrison72]

The assassinations are public knowledge by the time you get to Flotsam. It's not a stretch to assume Geralt simply knows about them like everyone else does. Seems to me a bit of internal story logic that doesn't have to be explained. As for the wounded prisoner, that may be more of a slip up, but a minor one.

 

[EliHarel]

The conversation in which Roche informs Geralt about Demavend's death is one of my favorite. I would link to the specific second when it's mentioned, but since I'm an unforgivable bastard, I'll place the entire scene. Geralt at his gibing best.

[video=youtube;3Sc9TRlFX-o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sc9TRlFX-o[/video]

 

[dragonbird]

Thanks, @eliharel. I knew it was there somewhere, but most of the youtube videos seem to be the Helpful Geralt version. .
@jaggedblades - the "lucky charm" conversation doesn't refer to the Demavend assassination, but to the attempt on Foltest at the end of TW1, which Geralt foiled - the same one as in the conversation with Triss before the battle starts.

 

[adnoam]

I'm not 100% certain, but I remember that in a conversation with Fioravanti (one of the merchants in the Flotsam main square), he and Geralt reference Demavend's death as something which is common knowledge.

Besides, why wouldn't everyone already know about Demavend's death? According to the cutscene between the prologue and Act 1, Letho visited Iorveth and showed him Demavend's head "four months earlier" than the prologue.

 

[sidspyker]

That means that, until that edition, the player had no way of knowing it had happened during the prologue. So wouldn't it be prudent for CPR to point it out if it was indeed Foltest's motivation for keeping Geralt around?

The opening cinematic only shows 'how' Demavend was assassinated that wasn't really critical to the plot, we have an in-game cutscene when Letho visits Iorveth. Demavand was assassinated long before Foltest, a few months earlier IIRC.

Spoiler

Sheathe your sword elf, I'm here to talk...
BOW LOW, YOU STAND BEFORE A HEAD CROWNED.
:cheers:

Also, unless my memory is failing me(or deluding me), Iorveth tells you everything before you meet Letho. That he appeared out of nowhere a few months ago and asked for their help etc etc and now turned 'traitor'.