(Spoilers) Characters from the Books - Who are they
The purpose of this thread is to provide information to players that have not read the books and do not have the time or will to do so. It will be contained into describing characters from the Books that will be in TW3.
WARNING! Do not read the spoiler tags, if you have not yet finished reading the books, or if you plan to read them in the future. The character descriptions are very thorough, and contain lot's of spoilers from events that happen in the books.
This will ruin your experience, if you plan on reading the books.
Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon
View attachment 4700
Yennefer of Vengerberg
View attachment 4698
Emhyr var Emreis
View attachment 4697
Sigismund "Dijkstra" Reuven
View attachment 4699
Crach an Craite
Hjalmar
Info on page 9. Sorry! Could not fit.
Information about characters from the books, that will be in the game will be added, as soon as such characters are revealed.
Hopefully this sheds some light into the characters for people that are unfamiliar with them. Either way I would like to ask fellow book readers to add anything they feel like I have forgotten or not paid attention to.
The purpose of this thread is to provide information to players that have not read the books and do not have the time or will to do so. It will be contained into describing characters from the Books that will be in TW3.
WARNING! Do not read the spoiler tags, if you have not yet finished reading the books, or if you plan to read them in the future. The character descriptions are very thorough, and contain lot's of spoilers from events that happen in the books.
This will ruin your experience, if you plan on reading the books.
Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon
View attachment 4700
Mostly called Ciri, she is the daughter of Pavetta of Cintra, and Duny, otherwise known as Urcheon of Erlenwald. Before her being born, the girl was "destined" for witcher Geralt of Rivia, as a reward for his services to Duny and Pavetta, according to the Law of Surprise. She was born in 1251 and is the Princess of Cintra, and Granddaughter of Queen Calanthe, Pavetta's mother.
Ciri grew up in Cintra, but spent a lot of her time In Skellige Isles, where her "Uncle" Earl Crach an Craite took care of her. Spending a lot of time with boys, like Crach's son Hjalmar, Ciri turned up to be a tomboyish girl, antagonizing the boys in every way she could.
Not too long after her birth, her father Duny and her mother Pavetta, died in a storm at sea. Ciri was also supposed to board the ship with her parents, but mysteriously, after the boat had set sail, Young Ciri was found in the docks of Skellige. When Queen Calanthe learned of her daughter's and Duny's deaths, she took Ciri in and protected her like the apple of her eyes. She also had Crach an Craite swear an oath, to protect the young Princess for as long as he lives.
When Ciri was 9 years old, Queen Calanthe sent her to Verden. The Princess was to get to know young Prince Kistrin of Verden, son of King Ervyll. Calanthe's plan was for Ciri to marry Kistrin, and thus forge a strong alliance between Cintra and Verden. However Calanthe did not take into consideration, her granddaughter's rebellious attitude. Ciri, was in love with a young boy from Skellige, and did not want to hear a thing about Kistrin. She managed to escape the guards that accompanied her, and fled into Brokilon forest, home of the Dryads. Geralt of Rivia, happened to be in that forest at the time, carrying a message for Queen Eithne of Brokilon, sent by king Venzlav of Brugge. Geralt saved Ciri who was attacked by a Giant Centipede, with the help of a Dryad named Braenn, and afterwards was lead to Duen Canell to meet Einthe. Ciri was to be turned into a dryad, since she was found in Brokilon, according to the Dryad customs.
After the girl and Queen Einthe revealed to Geralt who Ciri really is, that she is Geralt's Destiny, the dryads allowed the witcher and Ciri to leave Brokilon. Once Geralt left Brokilon, he chanced upon Mousesack, a hermit and Councilor to the Throne of Cintra. Mousesack took Ciri and returned her to Calanthe, since the Queen had already changed her mind about Verden. The witcher did not follow them, thus trying to evade his destiny once again. He had already tried to do so, when Ciri was 6 years old. As the agreement with Duny and Pavetta indicated, Geralt returned to Cintra 6 years after Cirilla's birth, to take the girl away. Geralt did not intend to take the girl away, not unless Duny and Pavetta insisted. When he arrived in Cintra, he was informed by Queen Calanthe, that Duny and Pavetta are dead. Calanthe did not quite protest when the witcher told her that he does not want to take the child away from her. He did not even ask who the child was. He assumed that it was a boy. So the witcher abandoned his Destiny and left Cintra without his Child Surprise. Calanthe warned him about Destiny and her ways of catching up with someone, and also told him that he can always return to Cintra to claim his price, even though she would prefer that he did not. Geralt never returned. (Thanks go to @sfinx121 for this detail.)
When Ciri was 13 to 14 years old, Cintra was invaded by the Empire of Nilfgaard. After some battles, Cintra fell, Calanthe commited suicide, and Ciri was captured by a Nilfgaardian Knight, Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Caellach. His winged helmet was the cause of Ciri's horrible nightmares. During the battle, Cintra was ablaze and Cahir captured her while she was being escorted out of the city, and almost burned to death. Ciri shortly after, managed to escape, since the Nilfgaardian was too tired and fell asleep. Ciri had no memories of the events, and she was scared of the Nilfgaardian Knight for the next three years described in the books, for she did not know what he had done to her. Geralt, Yennefer and Triss feared for the worst.
Ciri managed to flee to the Northern Kingdoms' refugee camp, and was later adopted by a merchant's wife, named Złotolitka . Ironically, Geralt saved Złotolitka's husband, Yurga from certain death, and at that point was carried by the merchant in his cart, wounded and mostly unconscious. Yurga had promised to give Geralt whatever he finds at home, that the merchant does not expect to find, as a reward for the witcher's help, according to the Law of Surprise. When they arrived at Yurga's home, Geralt had healed by that time, everyone was shocked to find Ciri waiting for them. It was at that point, that Geralt realized that he can not escape his destiny. He had mocked Destiny 2 times already, and yet his Destiny always found a way to meet him yet again.
The witcher decided to take Ciri to Kaer Mohren, to protect her from the war, and give her a new home. The Witchers of Kaer Mohren, decided to train Ciri to become a witcheress, since that was the only thing they could teach her. They trained her in sword combat, and fed her mushrooms, that accelerated muscle growth. However, Ciri's magical powers could not be ignored, and after a few "prophetic outbursts", they decided to call for help. Geralt contacted the Sorceress Triss Merigold, and called her to Kaer Mohren. The Sorceress was furious to learn that the witchers had put the girl through a brutal training regimen, and that they also fed her mushrooms, which endangered the development of her teenage body. The latter activity was immediately stopped. Triss tried to figure out what the girl was capable of magically and also taught her about being a woman. They developed a relationship, much like sisters. Ciri would not stop her swordsmanship training, she continued to do so, with the help of the witchers. Triss did not interfere much.
When it became evident that the girl had extraordinary magical powers, Geralt decided to take her to Ellander, and ask for help from Yennefer of Vengerberg, in order to help Ciri control her magical abilities. The Sorceress accepted, and thus started Ciri's training in magic. Ciri did not want to be separated from Geralt, but she did so, according to the witcher's will. Geralt had learned that there are certain "people" looking for Ciri, so he set out to find them and make them stop. The girl stayed in Ellander for quite sometime, where she studied along with the nuns of the temple, under Nenekke's (the Temple's head) guidance, but that was until Yennefer arrived in Ellander. After that, Yennefer taught her to control magic, and after a while, Ciri developed a mother-daughter relationship with the Sorceress.
After some time, Yennefer decided to take Ciri to Thanedd Isle, where her training as a Sorceress would begin. There, they met with Geralt, who had, all this time, been trying to find the spies that were sent to locate Ciri. Ciri realizing that Geralt is very close to Gors Velen, secretly left the City and went to look for him. She had a spooky encounter with the wraiths of the Wild Hunt, but she managed to find Geralt. Yennefer who was looking for Ciri, after she learned that the girl had sneaked out of the City, arrived at the scene as well. The Sorceress was furious and also very scared for Ciri. However one could say that Ciri was the main reason Yennefer and Geralt restarted their relationship shortly after the events, for both the Witcher and the Sorceress, had been avoiding each other like the plague.
During the events at Thanedd, Yennefer tried to stop the Coup, taking advantage of Ciri's prophetic powers, to show the Wizards that a fight among their ranks would prove catastrophic, according to Tissaia de Vries' suggestion. The plan failed miserably though and the mages started to fight, so Ciri had to run away, being chased by the Sorcerer Vilgefortz. However running away from Castle Garstang in Thanedd, was nearly impossible. Ciri had to use the unstable Portal in Tor Lara, while in the process, poking Vilgefortz's right eye out. The unstable Portal was said to be connected with the tower of Tor Zirael, however Ciri teleported to Korath desert. When she woke up, she was badly injured from the fall, and left in the middle of the desert, without any provisions. After 6 long days in the "Frying Pan", where she wandered around in circles, almost died from the heat and lack of water, and survived encounters with desert monsters, she managed to reach the end of the desert, near the Suchak riverbed. During this time, she chanced upon Ihuarraquax, a young white Unicorn, even though the Unicorns were believed to be extinct from the world. She helped the Unicorn with an injury he had sustained, by drawing Magic from the Element of Fire. Shortly afterwards, she gave up that power forever, since it is a very dangerous one, that would eventually consume her.
Almost dead from exhaustion, Ciri was found in the edge of the desert, by the Trappers, a band of bounty hunters. Ironically these bounty hunters were looking for Ciri, following orders by the prefect of a town called Amarillo, in Nilfgaard. The Emperor had ordered a full scale search for the girl, after her disappearance in Tor Lara. The Trappers captured her, and brought her to the town of Glyswen, where they met another band of rogues called the Nissir. The Nissir had captured a young man named Kayleigh, who was a thief of the gang named "the Rats". The Rats attacked the Inn that Ciri and Kayleigh were held captives, and they killed both gangs. Ciri was forced to fight with Skomlik, the Trapper leader, according to the Rats wishes. Ciri danced around him and did not kill Skomlik, although she had many chances. The Rats noticed it, and put the man out of his misery. Ciri followed the Rats out of the village, and after some deliberations, she was allowed to join the group, since she had no idea where she was, and she did not know where to go. Her acrobatic skills had impressed the Rats. She decided to choose the name "Falka" and thus her "adventures" with the Rats begun. Giselher, Iskra, Mistle, Asse, Reef, Kayleigh and Falka were now the seven member band of thieves called the Rats, that terrorized the Province of Geso in Nilfgaard.
During her time with the Rats, Ciri was introduced to situations yet unknown to her. She stole, terrorized and even killed people. She did drugs. She also got involved in a romantic relationship with Mistle, the young female "Rat". She did not of course reveal her true identity to anyone, and she simply surrendered to her fate, since she thought everyone she knew had abandoned her. Geralt, Yennefer and everyone else, had not come to look for her yet. Only her enemies had. The Rats, with the help of Falka/Ciri had become the most feared thief band in Geso. This "earned" them lot's of enemies, but the Rats, following Giselher's wise leadership, managed to escape everytime. This continued to be so, until a formidable bounty hunter was sent after the gang. His name was Leo Bonhart.
Bonhart had received two contracts, regarding the young thieves. The first one was from Stefan Skellen who, disregarding the Emperor's orders, had told Bonhart to kill Falka, since he had figured out that Falka, might actually be Cirilla of Cintra. The second one was from Baron Casadei, to capture Falka alive, but kill the rest of the Rats. Each man had their own motives for giving out such contracts, these will not be explained here though. The Rats on the other hand, had been informed that Bonhart was after them, and in their arrogance, decided to head out to meet him, despite the informer telling them to avoid the Bounty Hunter. The informer, also a member of the Merchant's Guild, offered the Rat's a way to avoid Bonhart. The Rats were to follow him and after receiving the amnesty, due to the Emperor of Nilfgaard marrying Cirilla of Cintra (the fake one), they were to work for the Merchant's Guild. The Rats declined, and made plans overnight to go and find Bonhart in the village of Jealousy, and kill him.
Ciri however having listened to the news Hotsporn (the informer) brought to them, decided to leave the Rats once they went to sleep, and follow the merchant, in order to find her way to the Yaruga River, and afterwards look for Geralt and Yennefer. She found the merchant, on the road, and decided to follow him, since he told her how to reach the Yaruga River. Later on they were ambushed by bandits, the merchant was injured and shortly after he died. This is when Ciri got her beautiful Black Mare, who she named Kelpie. It was the merchants horse, and had some magical enhancements. Before the merchant died, he told Ciri to not go looking for the Rats in Jealousy, because it is a trap. Naturally, that had the complete opposite effect, so Ciri rode off on Kelpie towards Jealousy. Towards Bonhart and the Rats. When she arrived in the village, she witnessed a horrible sight. Bonhart had just finished killing the Rats. One man against 6 Rats, yet the bounty hunter killed them without much effort. Ciri attacked him. They danced around each other. Bonhart was impressed by the girl's ability, but she was no match for him. Her emotions got in the way. He captured her, and forced her to watch, as he cut the Rat's heads off. Mistle's head.
Bonhart was known for always relinquishing his contracts. Always. He chose not to do so this time. He dropped both of his contracts. He decided to drag Ciri around the province of Ebbing in Nilfgaard, where he bought her a beautiful sword, that she called "Swallow", and shortly after threw her in an Arena fight. He forced her to kill. She tried with all her might not to, but her reflexes could not be controlled. She killed and wounded Arena thugs, and also some of Stefan Skellen's men, who had showed up looking for her. She finally tried to kill herself. But she could not do it. Since she disobeyed Bonhart, the bounty hunter had her whipped in the marketplace. Afterwards, he decided to meet with Stefan Skellen, since his men were now looking for him and the girl, and to try and make an arrangement about the girl. He brought Ciri to Skellen. Skellen's men had captured a spy called Rience, the same spy Geralt had been hunting some time ago. Vilgefortz's spy. The Sorcerer talked through a magic cube Rience had on him to both Bonhart and Stefan Skellen. After some deliberations, it was agreed that Ciri is to be brought in front of the magician. In the meantime, a psychic named Kenna, who was under Skellen's orders, tried to enter into Ciri's mind, who was tied outside. That woke Ciri's magical powers for some seconds, enough for the girl to be able to escape. Neratin Ceka, another man under Skellen's orders, but secretly Vattier de Rideaux's spy, helped Ciri escape. He was killed, by Bonhart, and Ciri was brutally wounded on her right cheek, by an "Orion" thrown by Skellen. Being wounded, she "jumped" in time without realizing it. Without even knowing she could. She could do so, because she is Lara Dorren's descendant. Daughter of the Elder Blood. Her pursuers could not find her. She ended up in a Swamp in Ebbing, and passed out there. That's when a Hermit, Vysogota of Corvo found her.
Vysogota tended to her wound, an action that saved her life. He provided her with shelter. He listened to her as she told him her story. Her real identity, that she had not told anyone so far. Ciri in the beggining wanted to leave, after she recovered, but the Hermit persuaded her to stay. The winter was coming and she could not travel. After listening to her story, Vysogota gave her some valuable information. She told her about Tor Zirael, the tower that was presumably connected to Tor Lara. Ciri decided to go there, hoping to teleport back to Thanedd, and thus find Yennefer and Geralt. She decided to leave at once, regardless of the upcoming winter. Regardless of Skellen's thugs waiting for her in the villages outside the swamp. Regardless of Bonhart being there as well. She exited the Swamps, killed some of Skellen's men that were terrorizing a nearby village, and she set of towards the North. To Mil Trachta, in Mettina, and towards Tor Zirael, which should lead her to Tor Lara.
Rience, Bonhart and Steffan Skellen set after her, when they realized that she slaughtered their men in that village. They chased her all the way to Mil Trachta, where they finally met her. Bonhart separated from the group, and Ciri, using her ice skates on the frozen lake in front of Tor Zirael, and also the mist, managed to kill lot's of Skellen's men as well as Rience. Skellen survived. She then went into Tor Zirael, chased by Bonhart who had walked around the edge of the lake. She managed to escape him by walking into the Portal. Only to find herself in the shores of a lake, in Spring. She had traveled to another world. The world of the Aen Elle. Elves that had not been hunted by humans. Elves that once had the ability to travel between worlds. But now can only do so as spectral emanations. It is the world of the Wild Hunt.
Once she came out of that portal, she was greeted by the elf Avallac'h. The Aen Elle have been expecting Ciri for quite some time. But they wanted her for the very same reason others did. To get the Elder Gene from her. So that they regain their lost power of time and space travel. The Aen Elle meant to do this by making Ciri bear the child of their King, Auberon Muircetach. Initially Ciri was against such future, but seeing that she could not escape the world of the Aen Elle, she decided to submit, as it was the only way of getting back to her loved ones, since the elves would have no use for her after she would give birth to Auberon's child.
However, Auberon could not engage in sexual act with Ciri. The girl blamed herself and her nasty scar on her left cheek. Auberon was cold and distant towards Ciri. During her stay Tir na Lia, the capital of the Aen Elle, she met with Eredin, Leader of the Wild Hunt, a unit of Cavalry that protected the world of the Aen Elle. She also had some engagements with Unicorns. The Unicorns did not quite agree with what the elves were doing to Ciri. With Ihuarraquax's and the other Unicorns help, Ciri managed to find a way to escape, using her power of traveling through time and space. Auberon commited suicide (or was poisoned) shortly before Ciri escaped, and Eredin chased after the girl for as far as he could. Once Ciri "jumped" he could not follow.
Ciri having no control over her power, even with Ihuarraquax's help (the Unicorn agreed to go with her), travelled to many different worlds and times, involving our own real world, as well as her own world, only at different times, or wrong places. Actually she almost arrived at the "right time" some times, almost bumped into Geralt, but she did not realize it. After a lot of adventures on unknown worlds, she finally managed to find the right place and the right time. She showed up right outside of Castle Stygga, where she knew that the Sorcerer Vilgefortz held Yennefer captive. She just knew Yennefer would be there, and that Geralt would eventually find them.
Once Vilgefortz's and Stefan Skellen's men found her, she immediatelly surrendered. She had decided to give herself up in exchange for Yennefer. Vilgefortz mocked her, and started preparing for his "experiment". He was interrupted by the timely arrival of Geralt and his friends. Ciri managed to escape in the mayhem, Yennefer was saved by Geralt and Geralt's friends chanced upon Ciri. The witcher and the Sorceress, believing that Vilgefortz had Ciri, ran after the Magician. Even if they were no match for him, they tried to hold him off. Meanwhile, Bonhart who was chasing Ciri down, killed Geralt's remaining friends, Angouleme, a young female rogue, and Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Caellach, who gave up his life to give time to Ciri, thus relinquishing himself on the girls eyes. He was the one who chased her in Cintra and Thanedd, the Black Knight of her nightmares. He was the one that saved her from the fire in Cintra, but the girl could not remember a thing. Another friend of Geralt's, the vampire Regis, attacked Vilgefortz and almost killed him, but he was killed by the Sorcerer instead. But that gave Geralt his chance at Vilgefortz. After a fight, Geralt prevailed. At the same time, Ciri fought Bonhart and for the first and last time she managed to beat him. The bounty hunter was dead.
The three remaining heroes met and started killing the rest of Stefan Skellen's men, as they were blocking their way to the exit. As they were tired and wounded, and their enemies had managed to get crossbows, it looked as if that was it for Yennefer, Geralt and Ciri. But at the last minute, the Emperor of Nilfgaard and his men arrived. They captured everyone. The Emperor asked for Geralt to talk with him. During the talk, it is revealed that Emhyr var Emreis is Duny, Ciri's father. The Emperor wanted Ciri to become his wife and mother of his son, and Empress of Nilfgaard (replacing the fake-Ciri), guided by Ithlinne's Prophecy. Since Geralt and Yennefer knew his secret, they were to be killed. The Emperor allowed them to commit suicide. Nobody had the strength to resist. Ciri was taken away, while Yennefer and Geralt were taking a bath, that was to be their last, since after that they were supposed to cut their veins and bleed to death.
Ciri, as she was taken away, tried her best not to cry. But she could not. That did it for the Emperor. He ordered his men to depart and leave Ciri and her "parents" alone. After that, the Trio travelled back North. Ciri and Yennefer took off to meet the Lodge, and Geralt went to Rivia. The Lodge demanded of Ciri to become a Sorceress, and the girl after a while agreed. She was to meet with Geralt one last time before her training started. Thus, Ciri, Triss and Yennefer went to Rivia to bring the news to the witcher. Only to find Rivia during a Pogrom, and the witcher stabbed to death. After Yennefer failed to save the witcher, Ciri, with Ihuarraquax's help once again, healed Geralt, and took him to the Isle of Avallac'h, along with Yennefer. That is, we do not know where she actually took them, but according to the games, it was the "Isle of Avallac'h".
That's where the events in the books end.
Ciri grew up in Cintra, but spent a lot of her time In Skellige Isles, where her "Uncle" Earl Crach an Craite took care of her. Spending a lot of time with boys, like Crach's son Hjalmar, Ciri turned up to be a tomboyish girl, antagonizing the boys in every way she could.
Not too long after her birth, her father Duny and her mother Pavetta, died in a storm at sea. Ciri was also supposed to board the ship with her parents, but mysteriously, after the boat had set sail, Young Ciri was found in the docks of Skellige. When Queen Calanthe learned of her daughter's and Duny's deaths, she took Ciri in and protected her like the apple of her eyes. She also had Crach an Craite swear an oath, to protect the young Princess for as long as he lives.
When Ciri was 9 years old, Queen Calanthe sent her to Verden. The Princess was to get to know young Prince Kistrin of Verden, son of King Ervyll. Calanthe's plan was for Ciri to marry Kistrin, and thus forge a strong alliance between Cintra and Verden. However Calanthe did not take into consideration, her granddaughter's rebellious attitude. Ciri, was in love with a young boy from Skellige, and did not want to hear a thing about Kistrin. She managed to escape the guards that accompanied her, and fled into Brokilon forest, home of the Dryads. Geralt of Rivia, happened to be in that forest at the time, carrying a message for Queen Eithne of Brokilon, sent by king Venzlav of Brugge. Geralt saved Ciri who was attacked by a Giant Centipede, with the help of a Dryad named Braenn, and afterwards was lead to Duen Canell to meet Einthe. Ciri was to be turned into a dryad, since she was found in Brokilon, according to the Dryad customs.
After the girl and Queen Einthe revealed to Geralt who Ciri really is, that she is Geralt's Destiny, the dryads allowed the witcher and Ciri to leave Brokilon. Once Geralt left Brokilon, he chanced upon Mousesack, a hermit and Councilor to the Throne of Cintra. Mousesack took Ciri and returned her to Calanthe, since the Queen had already changed her mind about Verden. The witcher did not follow them, thus trying to evade his destiny once again. He had already tried to do so, when Ciri was 6 years old. As the agreement with Duny and Pavetta indicated, Geralt returned to Cintra 6 years after Cirilla's birth, to take the girl away. Geralt did not intend to take the girl away, not unless Duny and Pavetta insisted. When he arrived in Cintra, he was informed by Queen Calanthe, that Duny and Pavetta are dead. Calanthe did not quite protest when the witcher told her that he does not want to take the child away from her. He did not even ask who the child was. He assumed that it was a boy. So the witcher abandoned his Destiny and left Cintra without his Child Surprise. Calanthe warned him about Destiny and her ways of catching up with someone, and also told him that he can always return to Cintra to claim his price, even though she would prefer that he did not. Geralt never returned. (Thanks go to @sfinx121 for this detail.)
When Ciri was 13 to 14 years old, Cintra was invaded by the Empire of Nilfgaard. After some battles, Cintra fell, Calanthe commited suicide, and Ciri was captured by a Nilfgaardian Knight, Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Caellach. His winged helmet was the cause of Ciri's horrible nightmares. During the battle, Cintra was ablaze and Cahir captured her while she was being escorted out of the city, and almost burned to death. Ciri shortly after, managed to escape, since the Nilfgaardian was too tired and fell asleep. Ciri had no memories of the events, and she was scared of the Nilfgaardian Knight for the next three years described in the books, for she did not know what he had done to her. Geralt, Yennefer and Triss feared for the worst.
Ciri managed to flee to the Northern Kingdoms' refugee camp, and was later adopted by a merchant's wife, named Złotolitka . Ironically, Geralt saved Złotolitka's husband, Yurga from certain death, and at that point was carried by the merchant in his cart, wounded and mostly unconscious. Yurga had promised to give Geralt whatever he finds at home, that the merchant does not expect to find, as a reward for the witcher's help, according to the Law of Surprise. When they arrived at Yurga's home, Geralt had healed by that time, everyone was shocked to find Ciri waiting for them. It was at that point, that Geralt realized that he can not escape his destiny. He had mocked Destiny 2 times already, and yet his Destiny always found a way to meet him yet again.
The witcher decided to take Ciri to Kaer Mohren, to protect her from the war, and give her a new home. The Witchers of Kaer Mohren, decided to train Ciri to become a witcheress, since that was the only thing they could teach her. They trained her in sword combat, and fed her mushrooms, that accelerated muscle growth. However, Ciri's magical powers could not be ignored, and after a few "prophetic outbursts", they decided to call for help. Geralt contacted the Sorceress Triss Merigold, and called her to Kaer Mohren. The Sorceress was furious to learn that the witchers had put the girl through a brutal training regimen, and that they also fed her mushrooms, which endangered the development of her teenage body. The latter activity was immediately stopped. Triss tried to figure out what the girl was capable of magically and also taught her about being a woman. They developed a relationship, much like sisters. Ciri would not stop her swordsmanship training, she continued to do so, with the help of the witchers. Triss did not interfere much.
When it became evident that the girl had extraordinary magical powers, Geralt decided to take her to Ellander, and ask for help from Yennefer of Vengerberg, in order to help Ciri control her magical abilities. The Sorceress accepted, and thus started Ciri's training in magic. Ciri did not want to be separated from Geralt, but she did so, according to the witcher's will. Geralt had learned that there are certain "people" looking for Ciri, so he set out to find them and make them stop. The girl stayed in Ellander for quite sometime, where she studied along with the nuns of the temple, under Nenekke's (the Temple's head) guidance, but that was until Yennefer arrived in Ellander. After that, Yennefer taught her to control magic, and after a while, Ciri developed a mother-daughter relationship with the Sorceress.
After some time, Yennefer decided to take Ciri to Thanedd Isle, where her training as a Sorceress would begin. There, they met with Geralt, who had, all this time, been trying to find the spies that were sent to locate Ciri. Ciri realizing that Geralt is very close to Gors Velen, secretly left the City and went to look for him. She had a spooky encounter with the wraiths of the Wild Hunt, but she managed to find Geralt. Yennefer who was looking for Ciri, after she learned that the girl had sneaked out of the City, arrived at the scene as well. The Sorceress was furious and also very scared for Ciri. However one could say that Ciri was the main reason Yennefer and Geralt restarted their relationship shortly after the events, for both the Witcher and the Sorceress, had been avoiding each other like the plague.
During the events at Thanedd, Yennefer tried to stop the Coup, taking advantage of Ciri's prophetic powers, to show the Wizards that a fight among their ranks would prove catastrophic, according to Tissaia de Vries' suggestion. The plan failed miserably though and the mages started to fight, so Ciri had to run away, being chased by the Sorcerer Vilgefortz. However running away from Castle Garstang in Thanedd, was nearly impossible. Ciri had to use the unstable Portal in Tor Lara, while in the process, poking Vilgefortz's right eye out. The unstable Portal was said to be connected with the tower of Tor Zirael, however Ciri teleported to Korath desert. When she woke up, she was badly injured from the fall, and left in the middle of the desert, without any provisions. After 6 long days in the "Frying Pan", where she wandered around in circles, almost died from the heat and lack of water, and survived encounters with desert monsters, she managed to reach the end of the desert, near the Suchak riverbed. During this time, she chanced upon Ihuarraquax, a young white Unicorn, even though the Unicorns were believed to be extinct from the world. She helped the Unicorn with an injury he had sustained, by drawing Magic from the Element of Fire. Shortly afterwards, she gave up that power forever, since it is a very dangerous one, that would eventually consume her.
Almost dead from exhaustion, Ciri was found in the edge of the desert, by the Trappers, a band of bounty hunters. Ironically these bounty hunters were looking for Ciri, following orders by the prefect of a town called Amarillo, in Nilfgaard. The Emperor had ordered a full scale search for the girl, after her disappearance in Tor Lara. The Trappers captured her, and brought her to the town of Glyswen, where they met another band of rogues called the Nissir. The Nissir had captured a young man named Kayleigh, who was a thief of the gang named "the Rats". The Rats attacked the Inn that Ciri and Kayleigh were held captives, and they killed both gangs. Ciri was forced to fight with Skomlik, the Trapper leader, according to the Rats wishes. Ciri danced around him and did not kill Skomlik, although she had many chances. The Rats noticed it, and put the man out of his misery. Ciri followed the Rats out of the village, and after some deliberations, she was allowed to join the group, since she had no idea where she was, and she did not know where to go. Her acrobatic skills had impressed the Rats. She decided to choose the name "Falka" and thus her "adventures" with the Rats begun. Giselher, Iskra, Mistle, Asse, Reef, Kayleigh and Falka were now the seven member band of thieves called the Rats, that terrorized the Province of Geso in Nilfgaard.
During her time with the Rats, Ciri was introduced to situations yet unknown to her. She stole, terrorized and even killed people. She did drugs. She also got involved in a romantic relationship with Mistle, the young female "Rat". She did not of course reveal her true identity to anyone, and she simply surrendered to her fate, since she thought everyone she knew had abandoned her. Geralt, Yennefer and everyone else, had not come to look for her yet. Only her enemies had. The Rats, with the help of Falka/Ciri had become the most feared thief band in Geso. This "earned" them lot's of enemies, but the Rats, following Giselher's wise leadership, managed to escape everytime. This continued to be so, until a formidable bounty hunter was sent after the gang. His name was Leo Bonhart.
Bonhart had received two contracts, regarding the young thieves. The first one was from Stefan Skellen who, disregarding the Emperor's orders, had told Bonhart to kill Falka, since he had figured out that Falka, might actually be Cirilla of Cintra. The second one was from Baron Casadei, to capture Falka alive, but kill the rest of the Rats. Each man had their own motives for giving out such contracts, these will not be explained here though. The Rats on the other hand, had been informed that Bonhart was after them, and in their arrogance, decided to head out to meet him, despite the informer telling them to avoid the Bounty Hunter. The informer, also a member of the Merchant's Guild, offered the Rat's a way to avoid Bonhart. The Rats were to follow him and after receiving the amnesty, due to the Emperor of Nilfgaard marrying Cirilla of Cintra (the fake one), they were to work for the Merchant's Guild. The Rats declined, and made plans overnight to go and find Bonhart in the village of Jealousy, and kill him.
Ciri however having listened to the news Hotsporn (the informer) brought to them, decided to leave the Rats once they went to sleep, and follow the merchant, in order to find her way to the Yaruga River, and afterwards look for Geralt and Yennefer. She found the merchant, on the road, and decided to follow him, since he told her how to reach the Yaruga River. Later on they were ambushed by bandits, the merchant was injured and shortly after he died. This is when Ciri got her beautiful Black Mare, who she named Kelpie. It was the merchants horse, and had some magical enhancements. Before the merchant died, he told Ciri to not go looking for the Rats in Jealousy, because it is a trap. Naturally, that had the complete opposite effect, so Ciri rode off on Kelpie towards Jealousy. Towards Bonhart and the Rats. When she arrived in the village, she witnessed a horrible sight. Bonhart had just finished killing the Rats. One man against 6 Rats, yet the bounty hunter killed them without much effort. Ciri attacked him. They danced around each other. Bonhart was impressed by the girl's ability, but she was no match for him. Her emotions got in the way. He captured her, and forced her to watch, as he cut the Rat's heads off. Mistle's head.
Bonhart was known for always relinquishing his contracts. Always. He chose not to do so this time. He dropped both of his contracts. He decided to drag Ciri around the province of Ebbing in Nilfgaard, where he bought her a beautiful sword, that she called "Swallow", and shortly after threw her in an Arena fight. He forced her to kill. She tried with all her might not to, but her reflexes could not be controlled. She killed and wounded Arena thugs, and also some of Stefan Skellen's men, who had showed up looking for her. She finally tried to kill herself. But she could not do it. Since she disobeyed Bonhart, the bounty hunter had her whipped in the marketplace. Afterwards, he decided to meet with Stefan Skellen, since his men were now looking for him and the girl, and to try and make an arrangement about the girl. He brought Ciri to Skellen. Skellen's men had captured a spy called Rience, the same spy Geralt had been hunting some time ago. Vilgefortz's spy. The Sorcerer talked through a magic cube Rience had on him to both Bonhart and Stefan Skellen. After some deliberations, it was agreed that Ciri is to be brought in front of the magician. In the meantime, a psychic named Kenna, who was under Skellen's orders, tried to enter into Ciri's mind, who was tied outside. That woke Ciri's magical powers for some seconds, enough for the girl to be able to escape. Neratin Ceka, another man under Skellen's orders, but secretly Vattier de Rideaux's spy, helped Ciri escape. He was killed, by Bonhart, and Ciri was brutally wounded on her right cheek, by an "Orion" thrown by Skellen. Being wounded, she "jumped" in time without realizing it. Without even knowing she could. She could do so, because she is Lara Dorren's descendant. Daughter of the Elder Blood. Her pursuers could not find her. She ended up in a Swamp in Ebbing, and passed out there. That's when a Hermit, Vysogota of Corvo found her.
Vysogota tended to her wound, an action that saved her life. He provided her with shelter. He listened to her as she told him her story. Her real identity, that she had not told anyone so far. Ciri in the beggining wanted to leave, after she recovered, but the Hermit persuaded her to stay. The winter was coming and she could not travel. After listening to her story, Vysogota gave her some valuable information. She told her about Tor Zirael, the tower that was presumably connected to Tor Lara. Ciri decided to go there, hoping to teleport back to Thanedd, and thus find Yennefer and Geralt. She decided to leave at once, regardless of the upcoming winter. Regardless of Skellen's thugs waiting for her in the villages outside the swamp. Regardless of Bonhart being there as well. She exited the Swamps, killed some of Skellen's men that were terrorizing a nearby village, and she set of towards the North. To Mil Trachta, in Mettina, and towards Tor Zirael, which should lead her to Tor Lara.
Rience, Bonhart and Steffan Skellen set after her, when they realized that she slaughtered their men in that village. They chased her all the way to Mil Trachta, where they finally met her. Bonhart separated from the group, and Ciri, using her ice skates on the frozen lake in front of Tor Zirael, and also the mist, managed to kill lot's of Skellen's men as well as Rience. Skellen survived. She then went into Tor Zirael, chased by Bonhart who had walked around the edge of the lake. She managed to escape him by walking into the Portal. Only to find herself in the shores of a lake, in Spring. She had traveled to another world. The world of the Aen Elle. Elves that had not been hunted by humans. Elves that once had the ability to travel between worlds. But now can only do so as spectral emanations. It is the world of the Wild Hunt.
Once she came out of that portal, she was greeted by the elf Avallac'h. The Aen Elle have been expecting Ciri for quite some time. But they wanted her for the very same reason others did. To get the Elder Gene from her. So that they regain their lost power of time and space travel. The Aen Elle meant to do this by making Ciri bear the child of their King, Auberon Muircetach. Initially Ciri was against such future, but seeing that she could not escape the world of the Aen Elle, she decided to submit, as it was the only way of getting back to her loved ones, since the elves would have no use for her after she would give birth to Auberon's child.
However, Auberon could not engage in sexual act with Ciri. The girl blamed herself and her nasty scar on her left cheek. Auberon was cold and distant towards Ciri. During her stay Tir na Lia, the capital of the Aen Elle, she met with Eredin, Leader of the Wild Hunt, a unit of Cavalry that protected the world of the Aen Elle. She also had some engagements with Unicorns. The Unicorns did not quite agree with what the elves were doing to Ciri. With Ihuarraquax's and the other Unicorns help, Ciri managed to find a way to escape, using her power of traveling through time and space. Auberon commited suicide (or was poisoned) shortly before Ciri escaped, and Eredin chased after the girl for as far as he could. Once Ciri "jumped" he could not follow.
Ciri having no control over her power, even with Ihuarraquax's help (the Unicorn agreed to go with her), travelled to many different worlds and times, involving our own real world, as well as her own world, only at different times, or wrong places. Actually she almost arrived at the "right time" some times, almost bumped into Geralt, but she did not realize it. After a lot of adventures on unknown worlds, she finally managed to find the right place and the right time. She showed up right outside of Castle Stygga, where she knew that the Sorcerer Vilgefortz held Yennefer captive. She just knew Yennefer would be there, and that Geralt would eventually find them.
Once Vilgefortz's and Stefan Skellen's men found her, she immediatelly surrendered. She had decided to give herself up in exchange for Yennefer. Vilgefortz mocked her, and started preparing for his "experiment". He was interrupted by the timely arrival of Geralt and his friends. Ciri managed to escape in the mayhem, Yennefer was saved by Geralt and Geralt's friends chanced upon Ciri. The witcher and the Sorceress, believing that Vilgefortz had Ciri, ran after the Magician. Even if they were no match for him, they tried to hold him off. Meanwhile, Bonhart who was chasing Ciri down, killed Geralt's remaining friends, Angouleme, a young female rogue, and Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Caellach, who gave up his life to give time to Ciri, thus relinquishing himself on the girls eyes. He was the one who chased her in Cintra and Thanedd, the Black Knight of her nightmares. He was the one that saved her from the fire in Cintra, but the girl could not remember a thing. Another friend of Geralt's, the vampire Regis, attacked Vilgefortz and almost killed him, but he was killed by the Sorcerer instead. But that gave Geralt his chance at Vilgefortz. After a fight, Geralt prevailed. At the same time, Ciri fought Bonhart and for the first and last time she managed to beat him. The bounty hunter was dead.
The three remaining heroes met and started killing the rest of Stefan Skellen's men, as they were blocking their way to the exit. As they were tired and wounded, and their enemies had managed to get crossbows, it looked as if that was it for Yennefer, Geralt and Ciri. But at the last minute, the Emperor of Nilfgaard and his men arrived. They captured everyone. The Emperor asked for Geralt to talk with him. During the talk, it is revealed that Emhyr var Emreis is Duny, Ciri's father. The Emperor wanted Ciri to become his wife and mother of his son, and Empress of Nilfgaard (replacing the fake-Ciri), guided by Ithlinne's Prophecy. Since Geralt and Yennefer knew his secret, they were to be killed. The Emperor allowed them to commit suicide. Nobody had the strength to resist. Ciri was taken away, while Yennefer and Geralt were taking a bath, that was to be their last, since after that they were supposed to cut their veins and bleed to death.
Ciri, as she was taken away, tried her best not to cry. But she could not. That did it for the Emperor. He ordered his men to depart and leave Ciri and her "parents" alone. After that, the Trio travelled back North. Ciri and Yennefer took off to meet the Lodge, and Geralt went to Rivia. The Lodge demanded of Ciri to become a Sorceress, and the girl after a while agreed. She was to meet with Geralt one last time before her training started. Thus, Ciri, Triss and Yennefer went to Rivia to bring the news to the witcher. Only to find Rivia during a Pogrom, and the witcher stabbed to death. After Yennefer failed to save the witcher, Ciri, with Ihuarraquax's help once again, healed Geralt, and took him to the Isle of Avallac'h, along with Yennefer. That is, we do not know where she actually took them, but according to the games, it was the "Isle of Avallac'h".
That's where the events in the books end.
Yennefer of Vengerberg
View attachment 4698
Yennefer of Vengerberg is a Sorceress and the main love interest of Geralt in the books. She was born in year 1173 which makes her about 100 years old by the start of TW3. Her family was a farmer family, that gave her up to be trained as Sorceress, since she was a "hunchback". Her father blamed her half-elf mother for Yennefer's disability. Yennefer is a quadroon, meaning 1/4 elf. During her magical education period, she was described as very talented in magic. A trait that still follows her. After finishing her education, she quickly rose in the ranks of the Mage Community, and was actually the youngest member of the Council of Sorcerers, before the Thanedd Coup, that dismantled the organization.
Yennefer met with Geralt of Rivia, in a rather unpleasant environment, one that involved a Djinn wreaking havoc in a town. Ironically, the witcher and the bard Dandelion, had fished a bottle out of a river, that held the Djinn captive. Dandelion accidentally freed the Djinn, and tried to ask for his 3 wishes. However neither himself or Geralt had realized at the time, that the Djinn was supposed to grant Geralt 3 wishes, since it was the Witcher that held the bottle's seal. Yennefer on the other hand was trying to capture said Djinn, once she learned of it's existence and almost succeeded in doing so. She knew that, in order to capture a Djinn, it needs to not be tied to anyone else. And since everyone though Dandelion was tied to the Djinn, she forced the bard to ask for all his 3 wishes, so that she can capture it. Geralt however realized that it was himself the Djinn was tied to, though a little late at that, which is precisely why the Djinn almost burned the town to cinders. Once he realised it, he rushed to save Yennefer's life, by asking from the Djinn for his Final third Wish, thus releasing it. To both his and Yennefer's surprise, he asked for his Destiny, to be put in the Sorceress' hands. It would appear that the witcher had fallen in love with Yennefer at first sight, however his Last Wish was surprising to both nonetheless. (Thanks go to @wichat for this.)
After these events, the two were involved in a romantic relationship, but a very unstable one. Yennefer at that point, was driven by a desire to find a cure to her infertility. Capturing the Djinn was one of these attempts. Geralt on the other hand, being a witcher, could not stay for long in one place. He had to go back to the Path. So the couple was mostly split. Yennefer was also involved in a romantic relationship with a Sorcerer named Istredd. Geralt and Istredd had a pretty major argument on who should actually be with Yennefer. Nobody quite "won" that argument.
Either way, after some time, Geralt and Yennefer were reunited, and the witcher actually spent a year in her house in Vengerberg. The Sorceress' demanding attitude and his need to be on the road prevailed in the end, and he left without a warning. An action Yennefer had a very hard time accepting. After two years of being apart, Geralt asked for help from Yennefer, since the witcher has problems with Ciri's magical abilities. Problems that the witchers, and Triss Merigold, could not overcome. Geralt had asked Triss for help first, because he would not dare ask Yennefer, due to his previous actions. On a side note, Triss was Yennefer's best friend, and also she had already tried to seduce Geralt with Magic. Which kind of deteriorated the relationship between the two Sorceresses.
Even though Geralt, had referred to Yennefer in his letter, as "Dear Friend", even though he had asked Triss for help before her, Yennefer managed to swallow her pride, and helped Geralt. She abandoned her life in Vengerberg along with all her goals and ambitions and went in Ellander, where she would train Ciri to control her abilities. Yennefer is described as stubborn, ambitious and proud, yet she accepted to help Geralt in his time of need. Ciri is Geralt's Destiny child, and at the witcher's wish, his Destiny is in Yennefer's hands.
In the months she was training Ciri, she managed to create a bond with the girl, something like a mother - daughter relationship. She was a very strict teacher, but also a caring and loving one, in her own way. All this time Geralt was hunting down the people that wanted to catch Ciri.
Yennefer and Geralt met again in Gors Velen, right before the events of the Thanedd Coup. Their meeting started with Geralt explaining himself to her, and Yennefer yelling at Geralt. Or as Dandellion described it, Geralt apologizing, and Yennefer forgiving him. Their relationship was "revitalized", only to die once again, a few days later due to the following events. Geralt was wounded by the Sorcerer Vilgefortz and had a near death experience, Yennefer disappeared, and everyone thought she was a traitor, that helped Vilgefortz, capture Ciri. Even Geralt thought this way. What truly happened, is that Yennefer, acting under Archmistress Tissaia de Vries' instructions, tried to stop the inevitable fight between magicians, with the help of Ciri. Needless to say she failed. She was secretly compressed by Francesca Findabair, and taken away to Dol Blathanna.
After the Thanedd events, the Lodge of Sorceresses was created, and Yennefer was decompressed, since Francesca wanted her to be a part of the Lodge. She was to help the Sorceresses to find Ciri, as she had a strong emotional connection to the girl. Yennefer, having other plans, tried and succeeded to escape. In the following months, she tried locating Vilgefortz, whom she wrongly assumed had captured Ciri. She managed to do so, only to get captured by the Sorcerer. She was imprisoned and tortured, in order to reveal Ciri's location, again by using magic and her emotional connection. She did not cave in. She was much later rescued by Geralt.
Geralt had figured out Yennefer's role in the Thanedd events, and as was to be expected he got back into a relationship with the Sorceress. At that point, Yennefer and Triss convinced Geralt to allow them to take Ciri to the Lodge, so that she can be trained properly. Geralt agreed. Thus the women left to bring Ciri to the Lodge, and Geralt ended up in Rivia. The Lodge, after a meeting, allowed Ciri to see Geralt one last time, before her training starts, so Ciri, Triss and Yennefer traveled to Rivia to see the witcher and inform him of the news. Only to find him stabbed in the stomach by a pitchfork. Yennefer "died" trying to save him. This event in the books is quite vaguely described and it involves time travel and unicorn magic. Either way Yennefer and Geralt ended up in the Isle of Avallac'h as the Witcher 2 storyline suggests. Ciri was nowhere to be found. It is safe to assume that neither Geralt or Yennefer died in Rivia. (Thanks go to @Synvael for this one.)
Yennefer met with Geralt of Rivia, in a rather unpleasant environment, one that involved a Djinn wreaking havoc in a town. Ironically, the witcher and the bard Dandelion, had fished a bottle out of a river, that held the Djinn captive. Dandelion accidentally freed the Djinn, and tried to ask for his 3 wishes. However neither himself or Geralt had realized at the time, that the Djinn was supposed to grant Geralt 3 wishes, since it was the Witcher that held the bottle's seal. Yennefer on the other hand was trying to capture said Djinn, once she learned of it's existence and almost succeeded in doing so. She knew that, in order to capture a Djinn, it needs to not be tied to anyone else. And since everyone though Dandelion was tied to the Djinn, she forced the bard to ask for all his 3 wishes, so that she can capture it. Geralt however realized that it was himself the Djinn was tied to, though a little late at that, which is precisely why the Djinn almost burned the town to cinders. Once he realised it, he rushed to save Yennefer's life, by asking from the Djinn for his Final third Wish, thus releasing it. To both his and Yennefer's surprise, he asked for his Destiny, to be put in the Sorceress' hands. It would appear that the witcher had fallen in love with Yennefer at first sight, however his Last Wish was surprising to both nonetheless. (Thanks go to @wichat for this.)
After these events, the two were involved in a romantic relationship, but a very unstable one. Yennefer at that point, was driven by a desire to find a cure to her infertility. Capturing the Djinn was one of these attempts. Geralt on the other hand, being a witcher, could not stay for long in one place. He had to go back to the Path. So the couple was mostly split. Yennefer was also involved in a romantic relationship with a Sorcerer named Istredd. Geralt and Istredd had a pretty major argument on who should actually be with Yennefer. Nobody quite "won" that argument.
Either way, after some time, Geralt and Yennefer were reunited, and the witcher actually spent a year in her house in Vengerberg. The Sorceress' demanding attitude and his need to be on the road prevailed in the end, and he left without a warning. An action Yennefer had a very hard time accepting. After two years of being apart, Geralt asked for help from Yennefer, since the witcher has problems with Ciri's magical abilities. Problems that the witchers, and Triss Merigold, could not overcome. Geralt had asked Triss for help first, because he would not dare ask Yennefer, due to his previous actions. On a side note, Triss was Yennefer's best friend, and also she had already tried to seduce Geralt with Magic. Which kind of deteriorated the relationship between the two Sorceresses.
Even though Geralt, had referred to Yennefer in his letter, as "Dear Friend", even though he had asked Triss for help before her, Yennefer managed to swallow her pride, and helped Geralt. She abandoned her life in Vengerberg along with all her goals and ambitions and went in Ellander, where she would train Ciri to control her abilities. Yennefer is described as stubborn, ambitious and proud, yet she accepted to help Geralt in his time of need. Ciri is Geralt's Destiny child, and at the witcher's wish, his Destiny is in Yennefer's hands.
In the months she was training Ciri, she managed to create a bond with the girl, something like a mother - daughter relationship. She was a very strict teacher, but also a caring and loving one, in her own way. All this time Geralt was hunting down the people that wanted to catch Ciri.
Yennefer and Geralt met again in Gors Velen, right before the events of the Thanedd Coup. Their meeting started with Geralt explaining himself to her, and Yennefer yelling at Geralt. Or as Dandellion described it, Geralt apologizing, and Yennefer forgiving him. Their relationship was "revitalized", only to die once again, a few days later due to the following events. Geralt was wounded by the Sorcerer Vilgefortz and had a near death experience, Yennefer disappeared, and everyone thought she was a traitor, that helped Vilgefortz, capture Ciri. Even Geralt thought this way. What truly happened, is that Yennefer, acting under Archmistress Tissaia de Vries' instructions, tried to stop the inevitable fight between magicians, with the help of Ciri. Needless to say she failed. She was secretly compressed by Francesca Findabair, and taken away to Dol Blathanna.
After the Thanedd events, the Lodge of Sorceresses was created, and Yennefer was decompressed, since Francesca wanted her to be a part of the Lodge. She was to help the Sorceresses to find Ciri, as she had a strong emotional connection to the girl. Yennefer, having other plans, tried and succeeded to escape. In the following months, she tried locating Vilgefortz, whom she wrongly assumed had captured Ciri. She managed to do so, only to get captured by the Sorcerer. She was imprisoned and tortured, in order to reveal Ciri's location, again by using magic and her emotional connection. She did not cave in. She was much later rescued by Geralt.
Geralt had figured out Yennefer's role in the Thanedd events, and as was to be expected he got back into a relationship with the Sorceress. At that point, Yennefer and Triss convinced Geralt to allow them to take Ciri to the Lodge, so that she can be trained properly. Geralt agreed. Thus the women left to bring Ciri to the Lodge, and Geralt ended up in Rivia. The Lodge, after a meeting, allowed Ciri to see Geralt one last time, before her training starts, so Ciri, Triss and Yennefer traveled to Rivia to see the witcher and inform him of the news. Only to find him stabbed in the stomach by a pitchfork. Yennefer "died" trying to save him. This event in the books is quite vaguely described and it involves time travel and unicorn magic. Either way Yennefer and Geralt ended up in the Isle of Avallac'h as the Witcher 2 storyline suggests. Ciri was nowhere to be found. It is safe to assume that neither Geralt or Yennefer died in Rivia. (Thanks go to @Synvael for this one.)
Emhyr var Emreis
View attachment 4697
Emhyr var Emreis is currently the Emperor of Nilfgaard. He is described as a very intelligent Emperor and a very strict one at that. During his rule the Empire expanded significantly towards the North. His father was Fergus var Emreis, who was also an emperor.
When Emhyr was thirteen years old, a usurper to the throne of Nilfgaard, imprisoned and tortured his father, so that the emperor would cooperate. When that failed, he hired a magician to curse Emhyr, to gain leverage. The magician not lacking a sense of humor, since Emhyr means Hedgehog in Nilfgaardian, turned young Emhyr into a Hedgehog. Fergus var Emreis did not break, so he was killed and Emhyr was chased into exile. The magician though had not completely succeeded in his job, since Emhyr would turn back into a human from midnight until dawn.
During his years in exile, Emhyr, now known as Urcheon of Erlenwald, chanced upon King Roegner of Cintra. The King was in need of help, and Emhyr happened to be there to save his life. After the King told him to ask for a reward, Emhyr invoked the Law of Surprise as his payment. He asked from the King for what he finds in his home, that he does not expect to find. When the King returned to Cintra, to his surprise, found out that Queen Calanthe had given birth to Pavetta.
Fifteen years after that, Emhyr, now nicknamed as Duny, showed up in Cintra to claim his reward. King Roegner had already died and Calanthe had other plans for her daughter. Emhyr approached Pavetta in secret and the 15 year old girl quickly fell in love with him. After a very interesting and dangerous banquet, held by Calanthe to find a husband for her daughter, during which Pavetta had an attack of Hysteria and almost brought down the Castle of Cintra (she was a powerful Source with no control over her powers), Emhyr's curse was exposed and shortly after lifted by witcher Geralt of Rivia. Thus Pavetta and "Duny" were allowed to be married, and the witcher was given the chance to ask for a reward. At start the witcher refused, but after Duny repetitively insisted, Geralt invoked the law of Surprise, asking from Duny for what he least expects to find in his home. It turned out that Pavetta was pregnant with Ciri.
After Ciri's birth, Emhyr was secretly visited in Cintra by the Sorcerer Vilgefortz. The mage introduced himself as a confidant of those who remained faithful to Emhyr in Nilfgaard. He offered him help, asking in return for a high rank, when Emhyr returned to the throne. He also revealed to Emhyr the contents of a scroll, that contained Ithlinne's prophecy. At this point Emhyr learned of Ciri's origins. The girl is a descendant of Lara Dorren and carrier of the Elder Gene. He also learned that Ciri's grandson would rule the entire world, and save it from the White Frost.
Meanwhile in Nilfgaard, Emhyr's supporter had managed to gain influence, but in order for the revolution to happen, Emhyr was necessary in person. However he could not leave Cintra as Duny, taking Ciri with him. He suspected that Calanthe knew some part of the prophecy, and watched his every move. So he devised a plan with the help of Vilgefortz. Himself, Pavetta and Ciri were to board a ship, that would take them to the "Sedna Abyss", where the sorcerer would be able to teleport them away. Everyone else would assume that they died in the storm. However Emhyr did not calculate Pavetta's implication. She managed to smuggle Ciri out of the boat, and when Emhyr found out about it he was furious. Pavetta fell into an attack of hysteria, and accidentally fell overboeard. She died. Emhyr deeply regretted her death, even though he never loved her. After being cured of his wounds by Vilgefortz, Emhyr returned to Nilfgaard alone, and managed to become Emperor. He never forgot about Ciri and the prophecy though. However Calanthe was protecting the girl, and she wouldn't let her leave her sight. Kidnapping was impossible. So, since the Nobles were requesting an expanding war Emhyr thought of conquering Cintra, thus killing two birds with one stone. Capturing Ciri and pleasing the Nobles. He managed only to do the latter.
From that point forward, the Emperor never ceased looking for the girl, sending spies after her, as well as Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Caellach. Vilgefortz was also trying to find the girl, with his own network of spies. They never succeeded in capturing her.
Finally Emhyr met with Ciri in person, right after the Battle in Castle Stygga, where the witcher Geralt and his friends managed to defeat Vilgefortz, who had captured Yennefer of Vengerberg and Ciri. He wanted to take Ciri from the witcher and Yennefer, and marry her, in order to have a son with her. Geralt and Yennefer were to die. He changed his mind in the last minute, thus showing that he still has some signs of humanity in him.
Emhyr married a fake Ciri, a peasant girl from Cintra, that looked a lot like Ciri and made her the Empress. Thus ensuring his domain in Cintra.
The Emperor had many enemies, even in Nilfgaard, but none of them has managed to outwit him. All traitors are quartered. His spy network, led by Vattier de Rideaux is considered to be the best, rivaled only by those of Redania and Kovir. His goals now turn to expanding his Empire towards the North.
When Emhyr was thirteen years old, a usurper to the throne of Nilfgaard, imprisoned and tortured his father, so that the emperor would cooperate. When that failed, he hired a magician to curse Emhyr, to gain leverage. The magician not lacking a sense of humor, since Emhyr means Hedgehog in Nilfgaardian, turned young Emhyr into a Hedgehog. Fergus var Emreis did not break, so he was killed and Emhyr was chased into exile. The magician though had not completely succeeded in his job, since Emhyr would turn back into a human from midnight until dawn.
During his years in exile, Emhyr, now known as Urcheon of Erlenwald, chanced upon King Roegner of Cintra. The King was in need of help, and Emhyr happened to be there to save his life. After the King told him to ask for a reward, Emhyr invoked the Law of Surprise as his payment. He asked from the King for what he finds in his home, that he does not expect to find. When the King returned to Cintra, to his surprise, found out that Queen Calanthe had given birth to Pavetta.
Fifteen years after that, Emhyr, now nicknamed as Duny, showed up in Cintra to claim his reward. King Roegner had already died and Calanthe had other plans for her daughter. Emhyr approached Pavetta in secret and the 15 year old girl quickly fell in love with him. After a very interesting and dangerous banquet, held by Calanthe to find a husband for her daughter, during which Pavetta had an attack of Hysteria and almost brought down the Castle of Cintra (she was a powerful Source with no control over her powers), Emhyr's curse was exposed and shortly after lifted by witcher Geralt of Rivia. Thus Pavetta and "Duny" were allowed to be married, and the witcher was given the chance to ask for a reward. At start the witcher refused, but after Duny repetitively insisted, Geralt invoked the law of Surprise, asking from Duny for what he least expects to find in his home. It turned out that Pavetta was pregnant with Ciri.
After Ciri's birth, Emhyr was secretly visited in Cintra by the Sorcerer Vilgefortz. The mage introduced himself as a confidant of those who remained faithful to Emhyr in Nilfgaard. He offered him help, asking in return for a high rank, when Emhyr returned to the throne. He also revealed to Emhyr the contents of a scroll, that contained Ithlinne's prophecy. At this point Emhyr learned of Ciri's origins. The girl is a descendant of Lara Dorren and carrier of the Elder Gene. He also learned that Ciri's grandson would rule the entire world, and save it from the White Frost.
Meanwhile in Nilfgaard, Emhyr's supporter had managed to gain influence, but in order for the revolution to happen, Emhyr was necessary in person. However he could not leave Cintra as Duny, taking Ciri with him. He suspected that Calanthe knew some part of the prophecy, and watched his every move. So he devised a plan with the help of Vilgefortz. Himself, Pavetta and Ciri were to board a ship, that would take them to the "Sedna Abyss", where the sorcerer would be able to teleport them away. Everyone else would assume that they died in the storm. However Emhyr did not calculate Pavetta's implication. She managed to smuggle Ciri out of the boat, and when Emhyr found out about it he was furious. Pavetta fell into an attack of hysteria, and accidentally fell overboeard. She died. Emhyr deeply regretted her death, even though he never loved her. After being cured of his wounds by Vilgefortz, Emhyr returned to Nilfgaard alone, and managed to become Emperor. He never forgot about Ciri and the prophecy though. However Calanthe was protecting the girl, and she wouldn't let her leave her sight. Kidnapping was impossible. So, since the Nobles were requesting an expanding war Emhyr thought of conquering Cintra, thus killing two birds with one stone. Capturing Ciri and pleasing the Nobles. He managed only to do the latter.
From that point forward, the Emperor never ceased looking for the girl, sending spies after her, as well as Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Caellach. Vilgefortz was also trying to find the girl, with his own network of spies. They never succeeded in capturing her.
Finally Emhyr met with Ciri in person, right after the Battle in Castle Stygga, where the witcher Geralt and his friends managed to defeat Vilgefortz, who had captured Yennefer of Vengerberg and Ciri. He wanted to take Ciri from the witcher and Yennefer, and marry her, in order to have a son with her. Geralt and Yennefer were to die. He changed his mind in the last minute, thus showing that he still has some signs of humanity in him.
Emhyr married a fake Ciri, a peasant girl from Cintra, that looked a lot like Ciri and made her the Empress. Thus ensuring his domain in Cintra.
The Emperor had many enemies, even in Nilfgaard, but none of them has managed to outwit him. All traitors are quartered. His spy network, led by Vattier de Rideaux is considered to be the best, rivaled only by those of Redania and Kovir. His goals now turn to expanding his Empire towards the North.
Sigismund "Dijkstra" Reuven
View attachment 4699
Count Sigismund Reuven (most widely known as Dijkstra) was the head of the Redanian Intelligence Service. His appearance was somewhat peculiar for a man of his occupation, since he was very tall and well built, and also dressed quite colorfully. He had the reputation of being very cunning and intelligent, and also someone who strongly believes that the end justifies the means. During the wars with Nilfgaard, and the Scoia'tael uprising, he ordered many humans and elves to be sent to Drakenborg and be tortured so that he would get information. He had deep patriotic feelings, and was a man to whom race, had no meaning whatsoever. As long as people provide him what he needs, they continue to live. He seems to show signs of remorse when he is referring to the blood that he has on his hands, but he also believes that someone has to do it. Might as well be him. The only weakness in his character, would be his affection towards Sorceress Phillipa Eilhart, whom he has cooperated with many times.
After the assassination of King Vizimir, Dijkstra was placed at the Head of the Regency that ruled Redania, along with Phillipa Eilhart. That made him a lot more enemies, since the Redanian Nobles could not accept that they were ruled by a commoner. For Dijkstra was only a Count by title, not by birth. During his time as Regent, he actively sought to find King Vizimir's assassins and also tried and succeeded in getting help from neutral Kovir, for the upcoming war with Nilfgaard. His discussion with King Esterad Thyssen of Kovir, provided the Northern Kingdoms very valuable economic help, and a mercenary army called the Condotierii, thugs and thieves rotting in Kovir's dungeons.
After the Second War with Nilfgaard, Dijkstra was forced to quit his offices and flee to Zerrikania. He was very close to uncovering the assassins that killed King Vizimir, and confided to Phillipa. Shorty after that, an attempt was made on his life, thus indicating that he may have confided to the wrong person.
Dijkstra had a very wide network of spies, only to be rivaled by the Empire's network led by Vattier de Rideaux. Among his spies, was Dandelion the Bard, and through him Dijkstra and Geralt exchanged valuable information at some points. Geralt and Dijkstra actually met in Thanedd Island, where the Witcher broke the spy's leg, in order to be free to save Ciri.
It would seem that Dijkstra has returned from his exile in Zerrikania for TW3, and now leads an underworld gang of spies in Novigrad. His old contacts and wide range of knowledge he has on many important characters will certainly prove useful to Geralt. For a price of course.
After the assassination of King Vizimir, Dijkstra was placed at the Head of the Regency that ruled Redania, along with Phillipa Eilhart. That made him a lot more enemies, since the Redanian Nobles could not accept that they were ruled by a commoner. For Dijkstra was only a Count by title, not by birth. During his time as Regent, he actively sought to find King Vizimir's assassins and also tried and succeeded in getting help from neutral Kovir, for the upcoming war with Nilfgaard. His discussion with King Esterad Thyssen of Kovir, provided the Northern Kingdoms very valuable economic help, and a mercenary army called the Condotierii, thugs and thieves rotting in Kovir's dungeons.
After the Second War with Nilfgaard, Dijkstra was forced to quit his offices and flee to Zerrikania. He was very close to uncovering the assassins that killed King Vizimir, and confided to Phillipa. Shorty after that, an attempt was made on his life, thus indicating that he may have confided to the wrong person.
Dijkstra had a very wide network of spies, only to be rivaled by the Empire's network led by Vattier de Rideaux. Among his spies, was Dandelion the Bard, and through him Dijkstra and Geralt exchanged valuable information at some points. Geralt and Dijkstra actually met in Thanedd Island, where the Witcher broke the spy's leg, in order to be free to save Ciri.
It would seem that Dijkstra has returned from his exile in Zerrikania for TW3, and now leads an underworld gang of spies in Novigrad. His old contacts and wide range of knowledge he has on many important characters will certainly prove useful to Geralt. For a price of course.
Crach an Craite
Crach an Craite is the Earl of Skellige Isles and nephew of the deceased King Bran of Skellige. In his youth he was mentored by his other uncle King Eist Tuirseach of Cintra. He also has two wives, and his eldest son is Hjalmar. Both Hjalmar and Crach have been confirmed for TW3. He is described as a tall well built man in his youth, with a mop of red hair. Also he is quite a loud lad. After a mug or two of beer. He is also an expert in warfare, naval or land.
In his youth Crach was one of the serious contenders for Pavetta's, Ciri's mother, hand and favorite of Queen Calanthe. To no avail though. Pavetta married Duny. After Pavetta and Duny's dissapearence and alleged death, he swore an oath to Calanthe to protect Ciri no matter what.
Later in his life, Crach, being an Earl already, helped Yennefer of Vengerberg locate the Sorcerer Vilgefortz, by giving her shelter in Skellige and allowing her to conduct the necessary preparations. It is also revealed that Crach was at one point in time, romantically involved with the Sorceress.
In his youth Crach was one of the serious contenders for Pavetta's, Ciri's mother, hand and favorite of Queen Calanthe. To no avail though. Pavetta married Duny. After Pavetta and Duny's dissapearence and alleged death, he swore an oath to Calanthe to protect Ciri no matter what.
Later in his life, Crach, being an Earl already, helped Yennefer of Vengerberg locate the Sorcerer Vilgefortz, by giving her shelter in Skellige and allowing her to conduct the necessary preparations. It is also revealed that Crach was at one point in time, romantically involved with the Sorceress.
Hjalmar
Info on page 9. Sorry! Could not fit.
Information about characters from the books, that will be in the game will be added, as soon as such characters are revealed.
Hopefully this sheds some light into the characters for people that are unfamiliar with them. Either way I would like to ask fellow book readers to add anything they feel like I have forgotten or not paid attention to.
Attachments
-
2640923-ehmyr1.jpg -
image.jpg -
220px-Dijkstra.jpg -
ciri.JPG
Last edited:
