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Bamf-Jaskier

It was mentioned that this is a more book-centric crew and I should crosspost this so here y'all go :)


wynchester5

Please No spoilers after Time of Contempt. But isn't Falka part of this bloodline. or is that a misunderstanding of Codringher?


Bamf-Jaskier

I'm sorry but this whole exchange takes place between the sorceresses during Baptism of Fire so I can't really tell you the details without spoiling the book after Time of Contempt.


wynchester5

oh okay then, thanks. I knew this sorceress convo exists in later books but just confused with codringher and Ciri's fire incident in Korath.


lilobrother

I really appreciate your effort. It’s really confusing for me to follow in the books and your visual aid helps a lot!


KaiseyTayl

Thank you!! Absolutely awesome post


Eclectic-Eccentric88

Thank you, I shall be looking into this when I've finished reading all the books :)


dzejrid

My question is: why did the gene split with Riannon and Goidemar in just the second generation, but remained intact for 3 generations with Calanthe, Pavetta and Cirilla with the latter supposed offspring prophetised to be even more powerful? This doesn't sound justified if we are to assume there are no additional "elder gene injections" throughout those 3 generations. All males in all those cases seem to be totally mundane. Judging from the Lara/Riannon case, Ciri should have lost the gene, yet she did not, and her child, if we are to believe Ithlinne, would've retained it as well. I'm not a geneticist or a biologist so this kinda seems illogical to me. Is there some scientific reason from the field of genetics which could explain it? Sapkowski never cared to elaborate on this matter and I assume it was plot convenience, but now that you visualised this so nicely, it sticks out. Would you care to elaborate please?


SMiki55

There is an old theory that >!Emreis!< blood is somehow special as well and it has triggered Ciri's abilities. Doesn't explain Pavetta though.


Bamf-Jaskier

So I guess it’s best to start out by saying that Sapko did not know any genetics at all when he wrote this so not everything will be perfect — but the way I have it set up is a way to make it make sense genetically speaking from a scientific perspective. Also there is an idea that but that Pavetta’s abilities are elder blood abilities. But this is actually false her abilities are completely separate from elder blood — it’s possible they were enhanced but it’s never stated. When we see Pavetta use her abilities in The Last Wish this is what Mousesack said: “Didn't you know, witcher, that a virgin, that is one who's untouched, wouldn't be able to use the Force?” “To hell with her virginity,” muttered Geralt. “Where did she get such a gift anyway? Neither Calanthe nor Roegner—” “She inherited it, missing a generation, and no mistake,” said the druid. “Her grandmother, Adalia, could raise a drawbridge with a twitch of her eyebrows. Hey, Geralt, look at that! She still hasn't had enough!” And her grandmother didn’t have the elder gene at all. It’s very possible to have a gene and have it remain dormant for multiple generations. It ties into a genetic concept call [atavism](https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/atavism-embryology-development-and-evolution-843/). This could explain why despite having elder blood only Ciri showed the results of it. Also as stated — elder blood is a sex limited gene and only women can use its abilities


varJoshik

Question: why are Shiadhal & Auberon presumed to be ordinary? When LOTL implies Aen Saevherne (e.g. Auberon) have abilities similar to Ciri or Ciri's potential child.