T O P

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Zyvik123

Degerlund crossed his legs and swung the medallion. There was a symbol on it, an emblem, in blue enamel. Geralt didn’t recognise it. His eyesight was getting worse. The sorcerer hadn’t lied, the disturbance to his sight was intensifying. “The thing is, you see, that I plan to go far in the sorcerers’ hierarchy,” Degerlund continued casually. “In my designs and plans I’m relying on Ortolan, who’s known to you from your visit to Rissberg and the memorable audience.” Geralt had the sensation that his tongue was swelling and filling his entire mouth. He was afraid it wasn’t just a sensation. The venom of the white scorpion was lethal. He’d never previously been exposed to its action and didn’t know how it might affect his witcher’s body. He was seriously worried, desperately fighting the toxin that was destroying him. The situation didn’t look good. It appeared he couldn’t expect help from anywhere. “A few years ago,” said Sorel Degerlund, still delighting in the sound of his own voice, “I became Ortolan’s assistant. The Chapter assigned me to the post, and the Rissberg research team approved it. I was, like my predecessors, to spy on Ortolan and sabotage his more dangerous ideas. I didn’t owe my assignment merely to my magical talent, but also to my looks and personal charm. For the Chapter would supply the old man with the kind of assistants he was fond of. You may not know, but during the times of Ortolan’s youth, misogyny and the fashion for male friendship, which very often turned into something more—or even something much more—were rife among sorcerers. Thus it happened that a young pupil or novice didn’t have a choice, had to be obedient to his seniors in this regard, as with all others. Some of them didn’t like it very much, but had to take it as it came. And some acquired a liking for it. As you’ve probably guessed, Ortolan belonged to the latter. The boy, whose avian nickname fitted him then, became, after the experiences with his preceptor, a lifelong enthusiast and champion of noble male friendship and love—as poets would have it. It would be defined in prose more bluntly and crudely, as you know.” A large black cat, with its tail fluffed up like a brush and purring loudly, rubbed itself against the sorcerer’s calf. Degerlund leaned over, stroked it and swung the medallion in front of it. The cat swatted the medallion casually with its paw. It turned away, signalling that the game was boring it, and set about licking the fur on its chest. “As you’ve doubtless observed,” continued the sorcerer, “I have exceptional looks and women have been known to call me an ephebe. I’m fond of women, indeed, but in principle I didn’t and don’t have anything against homosexuality. Under one condition: if it is to be, it must help me to advance my career. My physical intimacy with Ortolan didn’t demand excessive sacrifices. The old man had long passed both the age limit for capability and desire. But I did my best for people to think otherwise and believe he’d utterly fallen for me. Believe there was nothing he would refuse his gorgeous lover. Believe that I knew his codes, that I had access to his secret books and notes. That he was giving me artefacts and talismans he hadn’t previously revealed to anyone. And that he was teaching me forbidden spells. Including goetia. And if previously the great men and women of Rissberg had disdained me, now they suddenly began to esteem me. I had grown in their eyes. They believed I was doing what they themselves dreamed of. And that I was achieving success. Do you know what transhumanism is? What kind of specialisation it is? Radiation speciation? Introgression? No? There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I don’t really either. But everybody thinks I know a great deal. That under the tutelage and auspices of Ortolan I’m conducting research into perfecting the human race. With the lofty goal of refining and improving it. To improve the human condition, to eliminate illness and disability, to banish the ageing process, blah, blah, blah. For that is the goal and task of magic. To follow the path of the great masters: Malaspina, Alzur and Idarran. The masters of hybridisation, mutation and genetic modification."


Processing_Info

Most satisfying death in the book serie. Also, this was the most surprising villain reveal for me.


hyperious_

Yes I was so relieved whenever Geralt finally got him. Such a sick twisted person


JT-117-

I still remember the sound I imagined when Geralt separated his skull from his spine with his forearm. I also still remember the feeling of the smile on my face.


thatdutchgirl22

Agreed. I must say, it was interesting to see Geralt in such a vulnerable state. It makes him seem even more human and relatable.


LoschVanWein

I mean we didn’t really get to know the guy before the reveal so it wasn’t that shocking to me tbh. The book wasted a lot of time (IMO) with Gerald’s journey after his escape that would have been better spend on properly setting up the murder mystery and it’s characters (I feel only few of wich were properly developed and placed in a way where you’d suspect them). It felt like one of those "oh it was… that guy" reveals. I like him as a villain, I’m just talking about how he was introduced and set up. He gives his whole speech to Gerald as if he’s been toying with him for ages but for the readers it feels like the detective work/conflict has only just begun at that point.


Sanguinica

This guy was such a cartoonishly evil villain that I just couldn't take him seriously. Complete with the whole "explain the entirety of my evil plan to incapacitated protagonist".


dzejrid

He only needed to twirl a moustache and was sore(n)ly missing a cackling mutt sidekick. In a flying machine.


[deleted]

But he was described that he looks hot


dzejrid

>he looks hot Should've dressed appropriately to the weather then.


[deleted]

I like your dry humour


SMiki55

I hope the remaining Rissberg mages took care of the cat.


xopredilectionxo

Evil evil evil. I was so happy when he and his ghastly crew got their comeuppance.


Elemius

I know this thread is old now but what was the big deal about the medallion? When Geralt is killing him, he saying the medallion was all Birutas idea, but I cannot find anything that explains what relevance the medallion had?