It went exactly like that (I was a mess when I first read that chapter)

For your consideration (if you didn't know the reference):

Do you ever think about how Geralt of Rivia’s journey started off with him desperately trying to be what society wanted him to be, a cold-blooded, emotionless paid killer who never takes any sides based on morals? And how his refusal to take sides ends up with him being forced to kill a bunch of people who really didn’t deserve to be killed, but who were driven to horrible villainy by his original refusal to help them? And how the framing device of the first short story collection is him going mad with guilt over the fact that he essentially sided with a murderous eugenicist through inaction?

And how the main theme of the entire saga is fighting against pre-determined destinies that try to force you into a role you’re not comfortable with? How Geralt constantly struggles with witcher traditions and, let’s call it by its name, toxic masculinity? How Yennefer’s arc is about trying to hold on to her humanity while functioning in a cutthroat world of backroom politics? How Ciri’s entire story is about how everyone wants to use her in some terrible way and force her into some role because of the accident of her birth and the only reason she manages to overcome them all is because of her adoptive parents who love her for who she is and are trying their damn best, despite being deeply flawed people, to keep her safe and happy and free?

How Leo Bonhart is what Geralt is expected to be and what he tried to be, and he’s unambigously the most repulsive monster in the whole series, matched only by Vilgefortz, who’s basically the same thing for Yennefer, and they both serve to contrast the kindness and the moral backbone both Geralt and Yennefer manage to develop in themselves because of the healing power of their unconditional love for their daughter that drives their actions throughout the novels? And how the saga ends with Geralt dying while trying to defend local non-humans from a pogrom, in direct contrast to how he fucked up the situation in Blaviken at the start, and Yennefer dies trying in vain to heal the man she loved, in a final act of defiance towards her role as an unfeeling realpolitick ghoul? Because the whole book series was about how in a cruel and cold world, in the Time of Contempt, love and kindness, and willingness to take the side of the victim, and the side of freedom are the only things that matter?

And do you ever think about how the reason Andrzej Sapkowski started writing the Witcher stories was because he was asked to write some fantasy by his gender non-conforming kid, Krzysztof Sapkowski a.k.a. Catherine Frene?  And what new meanings this brings to this story about a bisexual teenage girl who refuses to become what various creepy fuckers claim she’s destined to be because of the circumstances of her birth? (By the way, I can’t find the source now but I distinctly remember reading some years ago about them straight-up saying that Ciri was recognizably based on them.)

And how then CD-Projekt rolled in and all they took from all that is that Geralt is a cool, snarky killer guy who FUCKS and their game starts with undoing his final sacrifice, and there is no mention of Ciri or Yennefer whatsoever, and the narrative heavily pushes the idea that neutrality is the best choice in a conflict between fucking fantasy fascists and the Scoia’tael? And how when Sapkowski expressed that he dislikes the games, the whole fucking world mocked him?

Because I do. A lot.

Got my baby girl, Lillie of Temeria from @beidak-art ❤️ Thank you for doing her again! I missed her in your style!

Welcome to Doki Doki News, your source for updates in the world of anime, gaming, and otakudom, for the week of October 30th through November 5th! Check out the latest episode in our player below, or subscribe to us on SoundCloud, where you can also find breaking news episodes!

Are you interested in the Your Name adaptation? Looking forward to a slew of Witcher games? Thanks for listening!

Attributions:

Kadokawa [ANN]

Kaguya-sama [ANN]

The Witcher [IGN]

Your Name [Variety]

it howls for theeeee

Love in The Witcher Saga

@fagflint got me thinking about pears

belleteyn

In midst of the The Witcher 3 Next-gen update craze, let's wind down a bit with the famous Bard and White Wolf before setting off to the Path again

Me, everytime Regis is talking in Witcher books/media:

Interviews with Sapkowski are always great because he’s consistently and openly hostile to whoever’s interviewing him, and if it’s a Western journalist, they just get all weirded out and confused while he’s dunking on their questions, but if it’s a Polish one, they tend to immediately catch on to what he’s all about and get equally hostile right back at him. And that’s how all the author interviews should work.

Lady Lillie Thornhill

Ambassador

I made myself a gerlion home screen because they make me happy

btw she kept it

(the cutest lil'bleater was crafted by @ishxallxgood 💖💖💖)

Rock & Roll wizards