The Triss content and the inconsistency of our romance's choice

[wright1978]

L
....
You say she dumped him and Willow says he dumped her. I think, based on how we left it in W2 and how it picks up in W3, neither of these is completely true. They seemed like they could have gone off and just been happy together at the end of the W2. He got his memory back though and suddenly remembered about Yennefer. I think Geralt wanted to go and Triss decided to not try to stop him. It was a mutual split. They left it open however though, because they knew what they had was real, there was something between them. If Geralt left and fell for Yennefer all over again, then so be it, Triss was ready to move on. If he found Yennefer and realized the "magic's gone" so to say, then she would be happy about that. I think she knew how strong the bond between them though so she thought the latter was a long shot. That's why at the lighthouse she said she wouldn't have imagined staying.


Upon meeting in Novigrad, she is immediately pleased to see him but is also confused/nervous about what to feel. Is he back with Yen? Is he there for her? This is where you can make your choice. Are you there for her or are you holding out for Yennefer? I actually really enjoy that she didn't immediately swoon in front of him. She tries to keep up a tough exterior, @ltdk92 says, as a defense mechanism. She's actually shown a lot of growth over the games. Kudos to that CDPR.

The only part that confuses me is when she asks "So, tell me how Yen's doing?"
You can either say
"She's fine."
"Not bad."
"I don't know."
Triss always responds with a very somber, depressed sounding "Never mind. I got my answer." I don't know what exactly she was expecting to hear. The only thing I can reasonably conclude is maybe she was hoping he had given up on finding Yennefer? Which isn't really in keeping with some of her earlier comments. Like I said, that line is where she kind of loses me.

So in summary, this is the way I play it in my head anyways, they had a mutual split when Geralt fully regained his memories. When they met up in Novigrad she tried to convince herself that she didn't feel anything, to keep her from getting hurt. Feelings don't disappear just like that though & it's clear she's still hurting about losing him.

Your interpretation of the between game thought processes matches mine.

It frustrated me a bit first time round that Triss responded somberly and depressed no matter what Geralt says. In hindsight i think it makes sense as she doesn't have any faith that he would choose her now Yen is back and is reading hidden meaning into any answer Geralt gives.

Think your summary says it all very well.

---------- Updated at 07:36 AM ----------

If summarize all these posts, fans would like to see in case of romance wih Triss:

1) People commenting Triss/Geralt romance
2) Catfighting between Triss ans Yen :halt:
3) Refer to Triss due to breaking jhin curse, and telling Triss about it
4)..or at least telling Triss that you love her more then Yen
5) Triss appearence in KaerMorhen not before the battle but earlier
6) Different Triss reaction on Yen's kiss in Kar Morhen :mean:
7) +1 sex scene with Triss in KaermMorhen on broken bed or before the final battle on the ship
8) Just a little more dialogues in the ship and not just "Well?"

5,6,1,8 would be my top 4 of those. Kaer Morhen Presence & forced Yen tongue kissing in Triss romance path need fixing.
People commenting on Triss/Geralt would be helped by presence and reactivity in Kaer Morhen & her own greeting of Geralt, rather than Yen tonsel hockey.
Some Ciri reaction would be nice too but maybe that's being greedy.

As for 2) Catfighting. I didn't really want to see a catfight. I wanted to see a tense stand off at Kaer Morhen. 3/4, referencing Triss in last wish isn't a deal breaker for me but would have been nice optional extra. As for an additional sex scene, well i certainly wouldn't turn one down if it appeared but it doesn't feel to me to be the paramount priority.

 

[FarrySquall]

If summarize all these posts, fans would like to see in case of romance wih Triss:

1) People commenting Triss/Geralt romance
2) Catfighting between Triss ans Yen :halt:
3) Refer to Triss due to breaking jhin curse, and telling Triss about it
4)..or at least telling Triss that you love her more then Yen
5) Triss appearence in KaerMorhen not before the battle but earlier
6) Different Triss reaction on Yen's kiss in Kar Morhen :mean:
7) +1 sex scene with Triss in KaermMorhen on broken bed or before the final battle on the ship
8) Just a little more dialogues in the ship and not just "Well?"

8 maybe a bug and i hope dev fix this soon (evident in the Witcher 3 game guide )

 

[Noobseals]

8 maybe a bug and i hope dev fix this soon (evident in the Witcher 3 game guide )

What evidence?

 

[FarrySquall]

What evidence?

I just read the Witcher 3 game guide, in the Main Quest: Battle Preparations (the one you set sail to Skellige to battle the Wild Hunt), the guide state there is a conversation:

You have more flirtacious conversations depending on who you chose to be romantically involved with:
-Triss Merigold, during Secondary Quest: Now or Never (only if you aren’t romatically involved with Yennefer).
-Yennefer of Vengerberg, during Secondary Quest: Last Wish (only if you aren’t romantically involved with Trissv).
-Or you’ve resisted romantic involvement with either women, or attempted to woo both of them, you have no romantic involvements from this point on.

Now i must miss something because after every quest from this point i talk to her and "Well!" . The only thing she said is "good luck" just before the final battle ...

Copy directly from the guide

 

[detwait]

As for 2) Catfighting. I didn't really want to see a catfight. I wanted to see a tense stand off at Kaer Morhen. 3/4, referencing Triss in last wish isn't a deal breaker for me but would have been nice optional extra. As for an additional sex scene, well i certainly wouldn't turn one down if it appeared but it doesn't feel to me to be the paramount priority.

The catfight had place in 7-th book. Despite Geralt's obsesstion with Yen. And in the game Triss is even stronger part of his life, but there is no catfight.
I think that with Triss romance catfight fits perfectly (no vice versa though)

 

[Noobseals]

Copy directly from the guide

I think it refers to the quest after killed the general of Wild Hunt, which is already in the game.
See this video, from 18:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN4ujJB0VOo

 

[FarrySquall]

I think it refers to the quest after killed the general of Wild Hunt, which is already in the game.
See this video, from 18:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN4ujJB0VOo

The guide is pretty clear:
-The one you mention is in Final Preparations quest and occur in Norvigad
-This one in Battle Preparations quest and occur in Skellige

Now hopefully it is a bug )

Quote myself the second time

 

[Noobseals]

Quote myself the second time

Thx! wow I hope too

 

[xE1NSTE1Nx2049]

The catfight had place in 7-th book. Despite Geralt's obsesstion with Yen. And in the game Triss is even stronger part of his life, but there is no catfight.
I think that with Triss romance catfight fits perfectly (no vice versa though)

I already said that some sort of exchange between the two of them would have been nice. Geralt is huge part of both of their lives, their feelings toward him and about each other is a large, indecisive issue. I didn't want a catfight either per se, but something. They don't say one damn word to each other about Geralt. Nothing. I didn't want them to start throwing fire and lighting around Kaer Morhen but I think they could have said something to each other. Not sure what exactly they could say, but if handled tastefully it could have made you feel the consequences of your choice that much more. Like if you go with Yen, because Triss is generally a warmer and gentler person, she starts to cry because of something offhand that Yen said and leaves. Even Yen-fans would feel bad after watching Triss walk past them in tears. You need to go to talk to her and explain your feelings, try to cheer her up. If you go with Triss, it would be more catfight-ish. Triss tries to ask her something and she says she isn't talking to her. They have a few more words and it ends with them saying they can't be friends anymore. This one isn't as likely because they still need to work together - it's important to maintain a healthy group dynamic when facing impossible odds. But if they had gotten angry and yelled at each other, you would kind of feel like complete shit for ruining a "dear friendship" as Yen so tactfully puts it. You could then try talking to either or both of them to keep the peace. Once again, explain your feelings to other one.

I don't know, I think with these potential dialogue choices I keep writing out, I want the game to validate your choice (Yen/Triss) while still making you feel the effect of your consequences. Even though I prefer Triss, I would still not want to have something like that happen to Yennefer. And she's entitled to be upset - all the history between Geralt and her is just gone? Personally I think she should be a bit worse off than she appears in the game. She puts her mask back on entirely too quickly. She's sad for about 6 seconds and then she says "Glad we got that straightened out. At least we know where we stand." Or something to that effect. I think she should be sad for at least a day or two before moving on to anger.

My potential post-breakup fallout dialogue between Geralt and Yen, in case you didn't see it the first time around, is post 1483. This is one that I really struggled to write. I actually felt sad, like truly sad for Yen. She isn't a bad character and now the love of her life is leaving her for someone else? Wow. Heavy stuff, seriously.

Also, don't get upset if my interactions sound nothing like Yen or Triss. :X I have not read the books and am just going by material I have gathered. Writing for Yennefer is considerably harder to capture, tone-wise, because I don't have as much experience with her.

 

[Willowhugger]

The developers were really allergic to having an adult conversation between Triss, Yennefer, and Geralt.

It's almost like they assumed their audience would tune them out over it.

 

[xE1NSTE1Nx2049]

The developers were really allergic to having an adult conversation between Triss, Yennefer, and Geralt.

It's almost like they assumed their audience would tune them out over it.

Yeah, it's not like they are all mature, rational adults or anything. :dry: Which is just bizarre because they said they game was always intended for a more mature, adult audience. Don't know why they couldn't have included a little bit of stuff like that. Another missed opportunity, sadly. :X

 

[Zyvik]

Yeah, it's not like they are all mature, rational adults or anything. :dry: Which is just bizarre because they said they game was always intended for a more mature, adult audience. Don't know why they couldn't have included a little bit of stuff like that. Another missed opportunity, sadly. :X

From 'Lady of the Lake" :
Triss Merigold sighed unnoticed. Rather, she believed it had been unnoticed.“Please,” Yennefer looked at her. “What strange sounds float from your beauteous breast, Triss. Ciri, go out and see what lies ahead.”Triss averted her face, determined not to give Yennefer any excuse. She did not expect it to work. For a long time she had been sensing Yennefer’s anger and aggression growing stronger as they approached Rivia.“You, Triss,” Yennefer mischievously insisted, “do not blush, do not sigh, do not drool or wiggle around in your saddle. Or is it that you think because I agreed to your request that I want to have you with us? That I was interested in seeing you spend a meeting with an old love? Ciri, I asked you to go on ahead. The two of us need to talk!”“It is not a discussion, it is a lecture.” Ciri dared to argue, but under the threatening glare from violet eyes, she immediately recoiled, clucked and galloped off on Kelpie on the road ahead.“You’re not going to meet a loved one, Triss,” Yennefer continued. “I am not so noble or stupid enough to give you the opportunity, or him the temptation. But just for today. I could not deny myself the sweet satisfaction. He will know what role you play as a member of the Lodge. He will thank you for that with his famous look. And I’ll be looking at your quivering lips and trembling hands, I will listen to your lame apologies and excuses. And you know what, Triss? I will faint with delight.”“I knew,” Triss grunted. “That you would not forget, that you would take your revenge. I agreed to this, because I was actually at fault. But one thing I must tell you, Yennefer. Do not count too much on fainting. He knows how to forgive.”“He knows what was done to him, of course,” Yennefer narrowed her eyes. “But he will never forgive you for what was done to Ciri. And me.”“It is possible,” Triss swallowed. “He may not forgive. Especially if you insist. But he won’t fly into a rage. He won’t lower himself like that.”Yennefer flicked her horse with her whip in anger. The animal whinnied and leapt and the sorceress swayed in her saddle.“Enough talk,” she snapped. “More humility, you smug viper! He is my man, mine and only mine! Do you understand? You have to stop talking about him, to stop thinking about him, you have to stop admiring his noble character… As of right now, right now! Oh I want to grab you by your matted red hair…”“Try it!” Screamed Triss. “Just try it, you vindictive bitch and I’ll scratch out your eyes! I…”

Yeah,mature and rational adults

 

[klungi]

This game is sadly filled with missed opportunities. The overall game is great. The whole Baron quest line was heartbreaking, they really did a good job with those characters, and the drunk witchers is one of the funniest moments in gaming. But one thing that really bugged me is when you save her in the third act in the second game Triss says she will never forget what you did for her, yet she forgets. But more importantly the game itself forgets most of the choices you made during the second game.

 

[xE1NSTE1Nx2049]

Yeah,mature and rational adults.

Wow... Pretty intense... Like I have said before, I haven't read the books, so this is news to me. Didn't know Yennefer would act like that. Triss either. Maybe a conversation is off the table between them. :X You sure Yennefer considers them "dear friends"?

---------- Updated at 09:27 AM ----------

But one thing that really bugged me is when you save her in the third act in the second game Triss says she will never forget what you did for her, yet she forgets. But more importantly the game itself forgets most of the choices you made during the second game.

Maybe she didn't forget? Maybe she thought it was post-amnesia Geralt coming to her rescue. New Geralt might not have done the same thing. I'm reasonably convinced that he would have but maybe she didn't even want to bring it up. Too painful to talk about what would've, could've, should've been. :X Just my feeling. It's not that she forgot - it's that she chose not to say anything about it. Like I said before, she's gotta keep her defenses up when she first runs into him again.

 

[wright1978]

I already said that some sort of exchange between the two of them would have been nice. Geralt is huge part of both of their lives, their feelings toward him and about each other is a large, indecisive issue. I didn't want a catfight either per se, but something. They don't say one damn word to each other about Geralt. Nothing. I didn't want them to start throwing fire and lighting around Kaer Morhen but I think they could have said something to each other. Not sure what exactly they could say, but if handled tastefully it could have made you feel the consequences of your choice that much more. Like if you go with Yen, because Triss is generally a warmer and gentler person, she starts to cry because of something offhand that Yen said and leaves. Even Yen-fans would feel bad after watching Triss walk past them in tears. You need to go to talk to her and explain your feelings, try to cheer her up. If you go with Triss, it would be more catfight-ish. Triss tries to ask her something and she says she isn't talking to her. They have a few more words and it ends with them saying they can't be friends anymore. This one isn't as likely because they still need to work together - it's important to maintain a healthy group dynamic when facing impossible odds. But if they had gotten angry and yelled at each other, you would kind of feel like complete shit for ruining a "dear friendship" as Yen so tactfully puts it. You could then try talking to either or both of them to keep the peace. Once again, explain your feelings to other one.

I don't know, I think with these potential dialogue choices I keep writing out, I want the game to validate your choice (Yen/Triss) while still making you feel the effect of your consequences. Even though I prefer Triss, I would still not want to have something like that happen to Yennefer. And she's entitled to be upset - all the history between Geralt and her is just gone? Personally I think she should be a bit worse off than she appears in the game. She puts her mask back on entirely too quickly. She's sad for about 6 seconds and then she says "Glad we got that straightened out. At least we know where we stand." Or something to that effect. I think she should be sad for at least a day or two before moving on to anger.

My potential post-breakup fallout dialogue between Geralt and Yen, in case you didn't see it the first time around, is post 1483. This is one that I really struggled to write. I actually felt sad, like truly sad for Yen. She isn't a bad character and now the love of her life is leaving her for someone else? Wow. Heavy stuff, seriously.

Also, don't get upset if my interactions sound nothing like Yen or Triss. :X I have not read the books and am just going by material I have gathered. Writing for Yennefer is considerably harder to capture, tone-wise, because I don't have as much experience with her.

Think I’ve said it before in this thread but threesome scene has I think Triss rationalising their seeming acceptance of polygamy with something along the lines of ‘with the well we might all die facing Eredin”(I’m paraphrasing). I think some exchange that broadcast that message(for real this time) of them both being frosty and not reconciled but Ciri and Wild Hunt being the priority.

I don’t really feel the need for lightning bolts given the situation & definitely not for the losing party being in flights of tears. Seeing a room crackling with tension as a defiant or resigned Triss(based on choice) meets an indignant Yen. . Just a small scene that acknowledges whichever choice is made and shows the fractured friendship but rising above it for the time being.

Something like
Yen(angrily) " You never stop trying to snare him."
Triss(defiant or resigned based on choice): "Would you?"
Yenangrily) "If it was n't for Ciri i'd ..... but i won't forget."
Triss(Defiant or resigned) "I wouldn't expect you to."

I couldn’t really see your post break up dialogue fitting Yen’s character or that scene personally. Maybe that’s because I don’t think things should or could be neatly resolved. Obviously that’s just my feeling from games and books and I appreciate the effort and rational in trying to put voice to addressing the elephant in the room that is the Triss-Geralt-Yen dynamic. I think acknowledgement of the Triss relationship as trigger for Yen angry teleport would have been very good, followed by her being closed and stand offish, until Ciri’s return softens her slightly.

 

[Raptorini]

In first mission with Triss she ask Geralt about Yen... We have 3 options and Triss always tell "I had my answer"
Any of this 3 dialogue options also don't have any meaning in future ?

 

[xE1NSTE1Nx2049]

I don’t really feel the need for lightning bolts given the situation & definitely not for the losing party being in flights of tears. Seeing a room crackling with tension as a defiant or resigned Triss(based on choice) meets an indignant Yen. . Just a small scene that acknowledges whichever choice is made and shows the fractured friendship but rising above it for the time being.

Thanks for the notes. Like I said, I am not a writer by any means and I haven't read the books so my source material is fairly limited. :X But I think you're right that they need a scene that validates your choice with some real, honest to god consequences. Poking holes in their "friendship" (I will be putting this in quotation marks from now on after reading that excerpt from the book above ) would be a consequence that you could feel and one that acknowledges your choice. I said before though, this is a huge issue for them so any exchange about Geralt might only end in lightning bolts. :X On the issue of choice though, one of the parties would have to come away a winner or else it wouldn't really say anything about your specific choice. That's just my line of thinking and based on the fact that Triss would be more likely to crumble first, I had to put something that showed Yen was the clear victor and made you feel something. Tears was the first thing that came to my mind so I went with that but you might be right, isn't really in keeping with her character.

I couldn’t really see your post break up dialogue fitting Yen’s character or that scene personally. Maybe that’s because I don’t think things should or could be neatly resolved.

Well, and I am trying to be modest, believe me, I think what I wrote is a hell of a lot more messy and satisfying than what you get in the game for actually breaking it off with Yennefer. 3 or 4 lines of dialogue does not do justice to their long and often tumultuous past.

I appreciate the effort and rational in trying to put voice to addressing the elephant in the room that is the Triss-Geralt-Yen dynamic.

Thanks Sorry I didn't exactly do the characters justice. I am guessing only Sapowski (and to a lesser extent CDPR) could really handle them properly in such a situation. I just thought I might as well try - it's a big deal for them, even Phillipa says so. We don't really ever see anything come to light from it though. :X

---------- Updated at 10:13 AM ----------

In first mission with Triss she ask Geralt about Yen... We have 3 options and Triss always tell "I had my answer"
Any of this 3 dialogue options also don't have any meaning in future ?

Doesn't appear to have any impact. I think that's just an awkward reunion that they decide to move past.

---------- Updated at 10:19 AM ----------

Something like
Yen(angrily) " You never stop trying to snare him."
Triss(defiant or resigned based on choice): "Would you?"
Yenangrily) "If it was n't for Ciri i'd ..... but i won't forget."
Triss(Defiant or resigned) "I wouldn't expect you to."

I like this quite a bit actually. For clarity's sake though, who is the one who is with Geralt in this situation? Sounds like this Geralt went with Yen and she's still angry about the past Geralt and Triss have had together. I could see this one going either way. :X Like I said, I think there needs to be a clear winner in order to add context to your choice. Also, when do you imagine something like this taking place? Before they cure Uma? After Ciri comes back but before the Hunt attacks? After the battle of Kaer Morhen? Or somewhere on Skellige, on Avalac'h's boat? I feel like the best place to put something like this would be before they try to cure Uma but Triss isn't actually there. :X Every other time, there's bigger potatoes to be worried about.

 

[Brian6666]

Is in the Witcher 1 and 2 Geralt ever said "i love you" to Triss ?

In TW1 near the end of the game, at Foltest's castle in Vizima you can say "I love you" to Triss if you romanced her throughout the game, and she also replies that she loves Geralt. She also starts imagining the two of them living together with Alvin and what that life could be, kind of similar to Geralt in the TW3 lighthouse scene if you say that you want to live in a small village.

 

[Zyvik]

Wow... Pretty intense... Like I have said before, I haven't read the books, so this is news to me. Didn't know Yennefer would act like that. Triss either. Maybe a conversation is off the table between them. :X You sure Yennefer considers them "dear friends"?

Well,Triss and Yen were good friends for decades.That kind of friendship can't just disappear.Here some of Triss's thoughts about Yen and Geralt from "Blood of Elves":

Then Geralt of Rivia appeared. A witcher leading a stormy life, and tied to her good friend Yennefer in a strange, turbulent and almost violent relationship.
Triss had watched them both and was jealous even though it seemed there was little to be jealous of. Their relationship quite obviously made them both unhappy, had led straight to destruction, pain and yet, against all logic… it had lasted. Triss couldn’t understand it. And it had fascinated her. It had fascinated her to such an extent that…
…she had seduced the witcher – with the help of a little magic. She had hit on a propitious moment, a moment when he and Yennefer had scratched at each other’s eyes yet again and had abruptly parted. Geralt had needed warmth, and had wanted to forget.
No, Triss had not desired to take him away from Yennefer. As a matter of fact, her friend was more important to her than he was. But her brief relationship with the witcher had not disappointed. She had found what she was looking for – emotions in the form of guilt, anxiety and pain. His pain. She had experienced his emotions, it had excited her and, when they parted, she had been unable to forget it. And she had only recently understood what pain is. The moment when she had overwhelmingly wanted to be with him again. For a short while – just for a moment – to be with him.

It's obvious,that Triss cared a lot about Yen.

 

[xE1NSTE1Nx2049]

It's obvious,that Triss cared a lot about Yen.

They seem to have fallen a long way from that though. If what you posted first came after this one, is it simply that they keep butting heads over Geralt? Seriously, that first one is vicious. Both of them but particularly Yen. Hard to imagine them still being friends with that much tension between them. Also, since you clearly know the books, do they fight like that often or is that a rare occurrence?

---------- Updated at 10:37 AM ----------

Well,Triss and Yen were good friends for decades.That kind of friendship can't just disappear.

I agree that friendship is strong but jealousy and pettiness are like poison. No friendship can last forever under those sort of circumstances.