The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is renowned not just for its expansive world and intricate storytelling but also for its rich and complex characters. These characters, each with their own motivations, backgrounds, and development arcs, are integral to the game’s narrative and emotional depth. In this review, we will explore some of the most significant characters in The Witcher 3, examining their roles, relationships, and the impact they have on the player’s journey through the Continent.
Table of Contents
1. Geralt of Rivia
Role in the Story: Geralt of Rivia, the protagonist of The Witcher 3, is a monster hunter by trade, known as a witcher. He is a skilled swordsman with enhanced abilities, a result of the mutagenic trials he underwent as a child. Geralt is often seen as a stoic, reserved character, but beneath this exterior lies a deeply conflicted individual. He is caught between his duty as a witcher, which demands neutrality, and his personal ties to those he cares about.
Character Development: Throughout The Witcher 3, players see Geralt as more than just a monster slayer. He is a father figure to Ciri, a former lover to Yennefer and Triss, and a loyal friend to many. His interactions with other characters reveal a man who struggles with his own emotions, particularly when it comes to love and loss. Despite the trials and tribulations he faces, Geralt often displays a dry sense of humor and a pragmatic approach to the world around him.
Impact on the Player: As the character that players control, Geralt’s decisions and actions shape the course of the game. Whether he chooses to be merciful or ruthless, loyal or indifferent, each choice reflects a different aspect of his personality. Players often find themselves grappling with moral dilemmas, much like Geralt does, making his journey one of personal discovery and reflection.
2. Ciri (Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon)
Role in the Story: Ciri is one of the central figures in The Witcher 3. As the adopted daughter of Geralt and Yennefer, she is the heir to the throne of Cintra and possesses the Elder Blood, which grants her the ability to manipulate time and space. Ciri’s story is one of survival and self-discovery, as she is pursued by the Wild Hunt for her unique powers.
Character Development: Ciri’s character arc is one of the most compelling in the game. From her early days as a child training under Geralt to her eventual rise as a powerful and independent woman, Ciri’s journey is fraught with danger and difficult choices. She is often torn between her desire for freedom and the responsibilities that come with her lineage. Throughout the game, players catch glimpses of Ciri’s fierce determination, her quick wit, and her struggle with the immense pressure placed on her.
Impact on the Player: Players occasionally take control of Ciri during key moments in the game, providing insight into her perspective. These segments highlight her agility and unique abilities, contrasting with Geralt’s more methodical combat style. Ciri’s fate is also one of the major outcomes of the game, influenced by the player’s decisions throughout the story. This adds a layer of emotional investment as players guide her toward one of several possible endings.
3. Yennefer of Vengerberg
Role in the Story: Yennefer is a powerful sorceress and one of Geralt’s main love interests. She is also a mother figure to Ciri, having played a significant role in her upbringing. Yennefer is characterized by her sharp intellect, strong will, and a deep sense of loyalty to those she loves. Her relationship with Geralt is complex, marked by passion, conflict, and a deep, enduring bond.
Character Development: Yennefer’s character is one of the most multifaceted in the series. On the surface, she appears cold and calculating, often prioritizing her goals over the feelings of others. However, as players delve deeper into her story, they discover a woman who has endured immense hardship, driven by a desire to protect those she cares about. Her love for Geralt and Ciri is unwavering, though it often manifests in ways that are not immediately apparent.
Impact on the Player: Yennefer’s interactions with Geralt significantly influence the narrative. Players must navigate the complexities of their relationship, which can lead to different outcomes depending on how they choose to respond to her. Yennefer’s presence in the game adds depth to Geralt’s character, revealing a more vulnerable and human side to the otherwise stoic witcher.
4. Triss Merigold
Role in the Story: Triss Merigold is another sorceress and a key figure in Geralt’s life. Unlike Yennefer, Triss has a more compassionate and warm demeanor, often acting as a mediator and a healer. She played a significant role in the events leading up to The Witcher 3, particularly in the politics of the Northern Kingdoms and the protection of mages.
Character Development: Triss’s character evolves throughout the game, particularly in her relationship with Geralt. Having been a close friend and lover to him in the past, Triss must navigate the complexities of their relationship, especially with Yennefer back in the picture. Her journey also involves her commitment to the cause of the oppressed mages, showing her courage and dedication to fighting for what she believes is right.
Impact on the Player: Players have the option to rekindle Geralt’s romance with Triss, which can lead to different narrative paths and outcomes. Triss’s involvement in the story also impacts key political events, particularly in Novigrad, where players can assist her in various quests that affect the fate of mages and other persecuted groups. Triss’s warm nature and moral compass offer a contrast to Yennefer’s more pragmatic approach, giving players a different perspective on the world of The Witcher.
5. The Wild Hunt (Eredin, Caranthir, and Imlerith)
Role in the Story: The Wild Hunt, led by Eredin Bréacc Glas, serves as the primary antagonist force in The Witcher 3. They are spectral riders from another dimension, feared throughout the Continent for their destructive raids. The Hunt is primarily interested in capturing Ciri due to her Elder Blood, which they believe can help them conquer other worlds.
Character Development: While the individual members of the Wild Hunt, such as Eredin, Caranthir, and Imlerith, do not receive the same depth of development as some of the protagonists, they are nevertheless formidable and memorable adversaries. Eredin, in particular, is characterized by his ruthless ambition and desire for power. Imlerith is depicted as a brutal warrior with a deep loyalty to Eredin, while Caranthir is the Hunt’s enigmatic navigator and sorcerer.
Impact on the Player: The Wild Hunt’s relentless pursuit of Ciri drives much of the game’s narrative tension. Encounters with these powerful enemies are among the most challenging in the game, requiring players to be at their best in terms of combat skills and preparation. The ultimate confrontation with Eredin and his generals is a climactic moment in the game, bringing the main storyline to its resolution.
6. Dandelion (Jaskier)
Role in the Story: Dandelion, known as Jaskier in the original Polish version, is Geralt’s long-time friend and a bard of considerable fame (and infamy). He is known for his wit, charm, and penchant for getting into trouble, often dragging Geralt into his misadventures. In The Witcher 3, Dandelion plays a significant role in the Novigrad storyline, where players must help rescue him from a predicament involving the local underworld.
Character Development: Dandelion is a character who brings levity and humor to the often dark and serious world of The Witcher. Despite his carefree and often reckless behavior, Dandelion is a loyal friend to Geralt, and his talents as a storyteller and bard are unmatched. His romantic escapades and his knack for finding trouble provide some of the more lighthearted moments in the game.
Impact on the Player: Dandelion’s quests often involve solving puzzles, engaging in dialogue-heavy scenarios, and navigating the political and criminal intrigue of Novigrad. His presence in the game offers a reprieve from the more intense aspects of the storyline, while also highlighting the deep bond of friendship between him and Geralt. His character also serves as a reminder of the human connections that ground Geralt in a world filled with monsters and magic.
7. Emhyr var Emreis
Role in the Story: Emhyr var Emreis, also known as the White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of his Enemies, is the Emperor of Nilfgaard and one of the most powerful figures in the game’s world. He is also Ciri’s biological father, which adds a personal dimension to his interactions with Geralt. Emhyr is a cunning and ruthless ruler, whose ambition is to conquer the Northern Kingdoms and expand Nilfgaard’s empire.
Character Development: Emhyr’s character is one of cold calculation and ambition. He is willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, including manipulating those closest to him. However, his relationship with Ciri reveals a more complex side to his character. Despite his stern exterior and political machinations, Emhyr does care for his daughter in his own way, though his methods of expressing this care are often questionable.
Impact on the Player: Emhyr’s role in The Witcher 3 is pivotal, especially in the game’s political narrative and in the climax of Ciri’s story. His interactions with Geralt are often tense and fraught with underlying power dynamics. The Emperor’s decisions have far-reaching consequences for the Northern Kingdoms and for Ciri’s fate, making his character central to the game’s ending. Players must navigate their responses to Emhyr carefully, as their choices regarding him can influence the ultimate resolution of Ciri’s storyline and the political landscape of the Continent.
8. Philippa Eilhart
Role in the Story:
Philippa Eilhart is a powerful sorceress and a key figure in the political intrigues of the Northern Kingdoms. Formerly a member of the Lodge of Sorceresses, Philippa is known for her cunning and ambition. Her quest for power often places her at odds with both Geralt and other characters, making her a complex antagonist in the game’s political storyline.
Character Development:
Philippa is characterized by her intelligence and ruthlessness. She plays a significant role in the conspiracy against the ruling powers and is a master of manipulation. Her actions and motivations are driven by a desire to restore the influence of sorceresses and reshape the political landscape. Philippa’s backstory and her involvement in past events add depth to her character, revealing her motivations and her strategic mindset.
Impact on the Player:
Philippa’s actions and the consequences of her schemes impact various political factions and quests throughout the game. Her influence is felt in several key events, particularly those involving the fate of the sorceresses and the control of magical artifacts. Players’ interactions with Philippa can lead to different outcomes in the political narrative, affecting the stability of the Northern Kingdoms and the balance of power in the game world.
9. Avallac’h
Role in the Story:
Avallac’h is an elven mage and a key figure in the lore surrounding the Elder Blood and the Wild Hunt. As a member of the Aen Elle, the elven race from another world, Avallac’h is deeply involved in the events surrounding Ciri and the Wild Hunt. He is both a mentor and an antagonist, with motivations that are not always immediately clear to the player.
Character Development:
Avallac’h is a complex character with motives that intertwine with the central narrative of The Witcher 3. He possesses a deep understanding of the Elder Blood and the Wild Hunt, and his actions are driven by a combination of personal goals and larger, cosmic ambitions. Avallac’h’s role evolves throughout the game, revealing different facets of his character and his ultimate goals.
Impact on the Player:
Avallac’h’s interactions with Geralt and Ciri are crucial for understanding the lore of the Elder Blood and the nature of the Wild Hunt. His involvement in the storyline provides essential insights into the forces driving the conflict and the nature of the otherworldly threat posed by the Wild Hunt. Players must navigate their dealings with Avallac’h carefully, as his actions and motivations can significantly influence the game’s resolution.
10. Dandelion’s Companion (Priscilla)
Role in the Story:
Priscilla, also known as the “Dandelion’s Companion,” is a talented singer and a close friend of the bard. She plays a significant role in the Novigrad storyline, particularly in quests related to her performance and her involvement in local events. Priscilla’s character adds depth to the narrative by highlighting the personal and artistic side of the game’s world.
Character Development:
Priscilla is portrayed as a kind-hearted and talented individual, with a passion for music and performance. Her character provides a contrast to the more intense and political elements of the game. Priscilla’s story involves her struggles and triumphs as an artist, as well as her relationships with other characters, including Geralt and Dandelion.
Impact on the Player:
Priscilla’s involvement in the game offers a more personal and artistic perspective on the world of The Witcher 3. Her quests are often centered around her performances and her interactions with the local community, providing a different type of engagement for players. Priscilla’s story also contributes to the overall richness of Novigrad and the broader narrative.
11. Radovid V
Role in the Story:
Radovid V, the King of Redania, is a key political figure in The Witcher 3. His reign is marked by his aggressive and expansionist policies, as well as his staunch opposition to magic and sorcery. Radovid’s character is driven by his vision for the future of the Northern Kingdoms and his belief in the supremacy of humanity over magic.
Character Development:
Radovid is depicted as a ruthless and driven ruler, with a clear agenda to eliminate magical influence from his kingdom. His policies and actions reflect his deep-seated beliefs and his desire to consolidate power. Radovid’s character is complex, with motivations that are driven by a combination of personal convictions and political strategy.
Impact on the Player:
Radovid’s actions and decisions have significant implications for the political landscape of the game. His reign and his stance on magic influence various quests and factions, impacting the overall narrative and the fate of the Northern Kingdoms. Players’ interactions with Radovid can lead to different outcomes in the political storyline, affecting the stability and power dynamics of the game world.
12. Siegfried of Denesle
Role in the Story:
Siegfried of Denesle is a knight-errant from the Order of the Flaming Rose, known for his chivalrous ideals and dedication to the order’s cause. He is introduced in the side quests involving the Order, providing players with insights into the organization’s goals and its impact on the world.
Character Development:
Siegfried is portrayed as a noble and honorable knight, committed to the principles of his order. His character embodies the ideals of chivalry and justice, contrasting with the more morally ambiguous figures in the game. Siegfried’s story provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the Order and its influence on the game’s world.
Impact on the Player:
Siegfried’s quests and interactions offer players a deeper understanding of the Order of the Flaming Rose and its role in the game’s political landscape. His character provides a different perspective on the concepts of honor and duty, enriching the game’s narrative and offering players a more nuanced view of the world.
Conclusion
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands out not only for its expansive world and engaging gameplay but also for its richly developed characters. Each character in the game, from the protagonist Geralt of Rivia to the complex antagonists of the Wild Hunt, contributes to the depth and richness of the story. The interactions, relationships, and choices involving these characters shape the narrative and impact the overall experience of the game.
The game’s characters are not just static figures but are intricately woven into the fabric of the story, with their motivations, actions, and development influencing the player’s journey. Whether it’s the personal struggles of Ciri, the political machinations of Emhyr, or the humorous escapades of Dandelion, each character adds a unique dimension to the game’s world.
In exploring the characters of The Witcher 3, players are invited to engage with a diverse and multifaceted cast that enriches the storytelling and gameplay experience. The depth and complexity of these characters are a testament to the game’s exceptional writing and narrative design, making The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt a truly memorable and impactful experience.