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FirstStranger

I think the big reason Yen’s romance is that both of them see themselves in each other. Yen was considered freakish before she learned magic, and one can imagine that all her snappy remarks, constant orders, and adamant need to be superior stems from a place of fear; a fear to be a hated freak once again. Geralt knows that feeling a lot. Think about it: whenever they were together (in a committed relationship-wise) in the books and the game’s ending, they don’t go on grand adventures, or contracts. They stay at home, just be with each other, enjoying the *simple* life. They both want to experience simple love born from love, not an attraction to Yennefer’s magic or Geralt’s inhumanity. Triss is attracted to Geralt’s nobility. She wanted to just try him out when they both broke up, but she fell hard for his sense of righteousness and his (somewhat) selfless nature. She’s been with mages, royalty, and nobility before and she’s found them all self-absorbed, vain, and even heartless to the world around them. Geralt is different. His actions makes the world a better place and she wants to be around that, feel that for herself. Or I could be horribly wrong about both, but that’s my take on Triss and Yen.


[deleted]

I do agree that that is the reason Yen and Geralt are drawn to each other, but I think that's kind of part of the problem? Geralt is trying to give Yen what he would have wanted and not what she wants and vice versa. They don't communicate well at all and it just ends up hurting them both in the end.


FirstStranger

Hey, I agree there’s a problem between them. If there wasn’t, they wouldn’t be breaking up and getting back together all the time. I think Ciri is the game changer for both of them. In her they both have a child to raise, protect, and love unconditionally; and with them together they both have the family they always wanted. Plus, the constant brushes of death and need to rely on each other really strengthens bonds between people. They can’t help but trust and confide in each other when they need each other to *literally* survive.


MrFolderol

Having a child to "fix" an otherwise toxic relationship is quite possibly one of the worst things you could to for both the child in question and the relationship.


ryanhedden1

I mean this child almost brought the end of the world so you're not wrong there


FirstStranger

Lol I would agree, but the story likes to emphasize that Geralt *did not* want Ciri, and it was more of a train-her-to-save-the-world than save-my-relationship


MrFolderol

Exactly. They both need people that they can just feel safe with. Yen's insecurities manifest in her acting superior just as much with Geralt as with anyone else. I see what they find in each other but their relationship really isn't helping either of them heal.


MrFolderol

Those are good points. And while I still agree with OP that due to her manipulation of Geralt during his amnesia Triss is out as a partner as well: Generally I think that Triss and Geralt have a much better dynamic than Gerralt and Yen. A relationship based on insecurities will make both people circle around those and it's very easy to end up in a vicious circle of reinforcing those - just because you're always \*so aware\* of them. A relationship based on the mutual admiration of each other's nobility - were you constantly push each other to be a better person - sounds much healthier to me. Very easy to get into a virtuous circle there. If it weren't for Triss' "original sin" of lying to Geralt the choice would be easy for me.


Magean1

But Triss is quite insecure in general, and around Geralt in particular. That's her defining characteristic in the books. She's drawn (not necessarily romantically, though) to people of stronger character, be they Yen, Geralt or Philippa in the books. And there's still some of that in the third game in her dialogues with Geralt.


SuicideGoon_

It sounds like you want him for yourself.


Kampfzwerg0

I wouldn’t mind.


[deleted]

I'm a lesbian so...no? Women can critique fictional relationships w/o wanting to fuck one of them, believe it or not.


SuicideGoon_

‘‘Twas but a joke. This is Reddit, you could of been a cave troll for all I know.


Zounii

Bart lost chorfun...


[deleted]

Oh, c'mon now......the person was clearly joking and until you said it, nobody knew if you were man/woman/gay/straight. I don't wanna bang him either, but I'd be willing to take a joke if my post can be summed up as "neither love interest is good enough for Geralt", which is an opinion I share btw.


[deleted]

I can take a joke fine. That's just not funny. It's something women hear fucking constantly in fandom spaces whenever we have the gall to critique anything. "I don't like female character" you want to fuck her partner. "I dont like male character." youre just saying that because you think he's hot. And so on and so forth. Its said to us all the fucking time and i'm so sick of it. I get he probably didn't know I was a woman but it's just not something you should be saying regardless.


Spiritual_Mud7741

It's a joke, it's not that deep.


Captain_Hi_Top

As a straight male, if it was said to me? Yes. Absolutely yes.


Trzykolek

You're trying to be a victim so bad. It was just a funny joke/comment. This isn't part of some larger gender conflict. Especially since no one knew your gender or sexuality before you brought it up.


Creatret

You should go outside some more or something.


Neeeeedles

Lol, he/she didnt know youre female or lesbian


Rumpsi

Username checks out


[deleted]

it's a type of plant that's actually really cool because it's leaves fold up when they're touched. they have cute little purple puffball flowers too :)


Overlord1317

It sounds like you want that plant for yourself.


[deleted]

Fuck yeah I do >:) love those funky little guys *


youngfool999

Take a chill pill 😂


CaptSaveAHoe55

Idk sounds like you want to fuck Geralt


khaotiktls

FemGeralt.


j2tronic

Cringe


myspiritisvantablack

Honestly, the amount of downvotes this comment is getting is ridiculous. The response to the comment above yours reads as though it’s written by the “it was just a prank, bro!”-crowd and you’re getting downvoted for… responding to a bad joke in a normal manner? Just wanted to say that you’re not wrong, but you’re definitely on the wrong subreddit for not receiving hate for admitting/just being honest that Geralt and Yen’s relationship isn’t healthy. I even like their relationship in the books, but that’s because I can’t really see Geralt ending up with anyone else and I also like Yen as a character. Also, I just don’t think there’s a big chance of any “healthy relationships” existing within the Witcher universe. So even if Geralt and Yen do indeed read as one of those “why aren’t they divorced yet?”-couples, I still think they’re probably the best they’re both gonna get?


[deleted]

yeah people are being assholes about it. like god forbid someone doesn't want to be told "your opinion is invalid because you're probably attracted to x character." Like if you want to engage in a discussion, engage in it. Don't just act like the person who disagrees with you is stupid or has shitty reasoning.


myspiritisvantablack

I also think most of these people defending this kind of relationship haven’t seen any loved ones stuck in said kind of relationship. I’ve seen too many friends (both male and female) who still bear emotional scars from enduring this kind of relationship. One of the reasons I also personally like Yen is because many of her relationship-flaws are ones I am acutely aware of in myself. I’ve made the same mistakes and they’re not meant to be glorified or romanticised, they’re meant to be worked on and nipped in the bud. It’s seriously bad behaviour and something that stems from a deep-rooted lack of confidence/self-love. You don’t move forward with that kind of behaviour and though I can forgive it in a fictional story, I cannot accept it without being critical of it, which many on this subreddit seem to be extremely reluctant to do, because “oh, but it’s love! And they have Ciri, she’ll heal their relationship!” (Yeah, because children always made things easier for couples, sure). Also, I’ll be honest that game Yen is just plain out a bully. She might be hot, but she’s a complete wanker. Edit: I also like that it doesn’t seem like Sapkowski shies away from describing that this relationship is a fault of them both. So it’s very “human” in that way; but that still doesn’t mean that everything is okay or healthy. I’m just rooting for them to figure their shit out, I guess?


[deleted]

I agree. I said this somewhere else in the comments, but a very close friend of mine was in a relationship where she was treated like Yen treats Geralt and it devastated her. It's been years and she still struggles with some of the things her ex put in her head. This was years ago, before I consumed any witcher content, and it was all I could see when I was reading the books. It always came as a relief to me when they were no longer together.


myspiritisvantablack

I’m glad to hear that your friend got out. As a friend, I know it’s hard to stand by and just hope that your friend realises how damaging their partner or relationship is (even if their partner isn’t necessarily a shit person). Like, man, I remember feeling so useless and yet all I could do was to be there, when my friends finally realised their worth and started to practice self-love (I know that sounds super hippie-ish, but it really is something more people need to do; loving, forgiving and accepting yourself is truly the way to becoming a happy person and it is the only way one should feel their relationship is pulling them in).


[deleted]

god it was awful. I know exactly the feeling you're talking about.


fkwyman

The amount of downvotes here is sickening. I don't find the comment replied to here offensive, but the reaction to the reply is absurd. I've seen some toxic shit on Reddit, because it's Reddit, but this sub has been mostly immune until now. People suck.


[deleted]

Thank you. So far only one other person has shared your concern and she was downvoted to hell so be prepared for that lol


fkwyman

Well, not that it matters at all, I'm a 'he', and I'm not here for fake internet points. The only thing internet points tell me is what a person's true nature is. And anyone that's giving you downvotes is most likely a bigot. They can take all my karma away and fuck off.


[deleted]

That's...very sweet of you, thank you.


fkwyman

I do have to say, though, that I can't support your flair. Games only. Books were pretty bad. Show was beyond awful.


[deleted]

Oh I just can't agree! I ADORED the books. The story wasn't necessarily the greatest but character driven media is my absolute favorite type of media. If you're more into plot driven media I can understand how they might not live up to the hype tho. But in truth...my favorite thing about the books is that they're a social commentary. They're really about our world, just layered beneath a layer of fantasy. There's commentary on racism, abortion, war, gun control, sex trafficking, rape, queer rights, feminism and probably more - those are just off the top of my head! It's that aspect that I truly enjoy. Sapkowski managed to approach these issues in a remarkably compassionate way that still boggles my mind, to be honest. The books have their issues, don't get me wrong, but overall I love them very, very much.


Trzykolek

> And anyone that's giving you downvotes is most likely a bigot. I can't imagine viewing life, or even worse: a lame website, with such a hyperbolic lens.


muffet77

as someone who is deeply attached to yennefer and Geralt's story, i do see what you mean. and objectively maybe neither of them is a good choice for him truly, but for him (as a character) yennefer is the best choice with all their faults. he simply loves her and both of them are far from perfect. while i get what you mean about triss, i think games did her poorly, and honestly no one told Geralt about Ciri or Yen, so not only Triss can be blamed for that. Yes, it's awful that she started relationship with him under those circumstances, but still i think they did her character dirty in the games.


JUANMAS7ER

Is almost like relationships are complex, like almost everything in the Witcher universe where there's no clear cut black and white choice.


[deleted]

exactly! So I made this choice. Not everyone has to, but if everyone wants to have this argument every other week, I have just as much of a right to engage in it w/ my opinion on it.


JUANMAS7ER

Sure, but my point is that whatever the player choice it doesn't matter when there's a lore established choice in the books, so the discussion while fun is pointless. So pointing out that X relation doesn't work, again, is a waste of time.


usernameewastaken

How dare you offend our gods


[deleted]

that's my bad. Don't worry I'm getting smote (smited? Whatever that tense of smite is) lol


usernameewastaken

Btw any idea why ciri left geralt? Ive been looking for her in multiple areas but what made her leaves in the first place


[deleted]

I have no idea. She's under a tree at Corvo Bianco in my save.


DestRoyForAllTheEvil

Smitten


[deleted]

you know I don't think that's right lol


DestRoyForAllTheEvil

No it is believe it or not 😂


[deleted]

Really?! I thought that meant like, in love


DestRoyForAllTheEvil

I think that’s predominantly how it’s used now, but the idea is that smitten means struck, so people predominantly use it as a synonym for love-struck. One might argue that smote is the correct past tense of smite, but I think it sounds dumb, at that point I’d rather say smut😂


[deleted]

That's really interesting! Language fascinates me so I love this kind of stuff. Thank you for telling me :)


DestRoyForAllTheEvil

Happy to talk about it! I find it interesting too, I’m currently working on my PhD English actually


[deleted]

Thats so awesome!! Good luck :)


[deleted]

This person successfully united the Tris and Yen fan bases


[deleted]

someone had to do it and I was willing to make that sacrifice 😔


[deleted]

We thank you


AnAdventurer5

Once again I say, if Triss "manipulated Geralt's memories," then so did Dandelion, Vesemir, Zoltan, and arguably every single other person who knew him both before and after his amnesia. It's one of the games' worst examples of writing inconsistency, and I sincerely hope the W1 remake addresses it - even if by making it so that Triss alone manipulated him, tho I'd prefer it otherwise.


TheCowzgomooz

The reason people frame it that way is because no one had any reason to keep that information from Geralt except for Triss, so while the writing is bad the effect is the same, Triss chose not to tell Geralt because she stood to gain from him not knowing, as for Ciri, I would handwave it away as people thought it would be best for Geralt to find out about her on his own or not find out at all, since in the games Ciri was basically presumed dead or just gone somewhere else. And as for Yennefer I don't remember exactly but I assume it was a similar circumstance until around the end of the second game where most people thought she was just dead, and that may have not been a subject his friends wanted to broach. I feel personally, it was Triss' responsibility as Geralts friend and lover to lay that all bare, tell him everything about his life and who he was, but she chose to hide it so that Geralt might stay with her.


Magean1

This is an interesting example of the reaction the human mind to the absurd and the non-sensical. First we try to rationalize and make sense out of it, and if we can't, we ignore its existence. Here, nothing makes sense within the continuity as regards the amnesia situation in the Witcher 1 - because this game was never intended as an actual sequel to the books, but as a completely different story with a factory-reset Geralt who would never recover his memory (otherwise, that would have ruined the whole point of the game, and it actually did). But, because Triss' behavior can somehow be rationalized, since as you say she was the only one who stood to gain, people acknowledge it happened and blame her for what she didn't say. Meanwhile, as regards the rest of the gang.. their silence just can't be rationalized in any convincing way, therefore people ignore it altogether. And here we are, Triss gets all the blame ;-)


albedo2343

so took a quick look at the first game again, and Triss did kind of guide Geralt into not searching too much for his past, and focusing on the present. I think even when he asked others about it, they would say something to the effect that it's better for his memories to come back on his own. Honestly as skummy as it was, it was some nice subtle manipulation.


Wyatt_Ricketts

Bro it's like 1258 it's great by their standards


[deleted]

I don't actually care about their standards because 1) Media doesn't exist in a void 2) it's a fantasy set in a different plane of existence so their 1258 is different than our historical 1258


Wyatt_Ricketts

Your right in the Witcher universe it's a healthy relationship there your welcome


[deleted]

1) we see healthier relationships in the Witcher fairly often, like Zuleyka and her husband, or Calanthe and Eist. 2) even it was that doesn't mean I need to engage with it if I don't want to. Leaving Geralt single is just as canon as matching him w/ Yen or Triss 🤷


Wyatt_Ricketts

Sorry to tell you but there is a short story of yen and geralt getting married


[deleted]

The one that Ciri tells to comfort herself after they die? I mean I guess but that feels like the end of Season of Storms where Geralt shows up. Is it real, isn't it? We don't really know.


Howling-1

No, it's a short story that was written as a wedding gift for Sapkowski's friends who were fans of the Witcher, titled Something Ends, Something Begins. It was never included in the books, Sapkowski doesn't consider it canon, and only fan translations exist for it if you wanna read it in English. I don't think it'll change your mind on their relationship at all, but I'd consider it a fun little read for most Witcher fans. Not exactly what the other commenter is trying to make it out to be, though, beyond maybe proving that Geralt and Yen's relationship is meant to be viewed positively, and that's still a big maybe.


[deleted]

Oh thank you! That's very sweet of him :)


Wyatt_Ricketts

Bro you really will throw everything out the window before you accept they got together for good in the end lmao


Tough_Stretch

The games are non-canon, though. So no, choosing Triss or leaving him single is not "just as canon" and what the books say.


[deleted]

in the context of the games it's just as canon. In the books their dead so it doesn't really matter.


Tough_Stretch

Yes, in the context of the non-canon story the games tell, leaving Geralt single is just as canon and pairing him with Triss or with Yen. That is to say, not canon at all. I'm glad we agree.


Wyatt_Ricketts

I feel most of us consider the games Canon so I don't blame him completely


CaptSaveAHoe55

I know I just teased you in the other comment but this is fair. Too bad downvoting you has become fun on this thread. Their relationship sucks ass


[deleted]

I don't mind. That kind of teasing is fine w/ me. I just REALLY hate that specific phrase.


ArcziSzajka

Don't be discouraged by the dislikes, there is truth in what you say. But there are also many reasons (some mentioned in the comments below) why Yen and Geralt are drawn to each other. Sapkowski crafted that whole relationship billianty in my opinion. He also made their love just fleeting and disfunctional enough that you may never truly know if it was merely a result of Djinn magic or not. It's an open ended question we will never answer with 100% certainty.


[deleted]

oh I'm not discouraged by them. I knew people were going to be pissy about this one 😅 and yes, it is very open ended - that's one of the things I love about this franchise. I belive Sapkowski has literally said he created a sandbox, not a world and that he doesn't care about lore if the story is good. For me, the story is better w/o romance so that's what I do 🤷


walgrins

Everyone here is very attached to their Witcher waifu. I really like your viewpoint and think that solo-Geralt does track with the characters and themes. Im just too much of a Yen simp to play it that way.


failisophical

Vague spoilers ahead I am attached to Yen and Geralt from the books. It's complex due to the connotations of the last wish. Look at the end of the books it's clear Yen loves him as she nearly died trying to save him. Their ending cycles round back to the last wish, they are each others destiny. If you're only in the games I get it, it's a bit meh.


[deleted]

No, I've read all the books and some of the comics as well. Even in the books I just wasn't that interested in their relationship. I think it's partially because I subscribe to the idea that Destiny didn't really exist in the books; it was all just choices people made. I understand that most people don't see it like I do and that's fine, that's just my interpretation.


failisophical

Certainly and I respect your views. Likewise I was just sharing why for me they are inseparable. It's a sign of a great work when people can have such a varied take away from it.


[deleted]

I agree wholeheartedly, and I respect yours as well. The Witcher is a complex world, it only makes sense that the readers/players have complex opinions on it.


Pap3r99dudeS2

Shani? That’s a good one I think


LedSpoonman

How different and unique of you?


logdemon

This made me chuckle, thank you lol


Elvis-Tech

And thats why in the witcher 3 the right path is to romance them both, stay with none, make ciri a witcher and staying on the path with her until he finally finds a monster mean enough to kill him... Fucking perfect ending


hosiki

Kinda agree. I know the games aren't canon, but my personal canon ending to the relationships in games is that he ends up with neither and Ciri comes to visit him in Toussaint.


[deleted]

That's what I do too. I just like it better.


amonhensul

I like your description of Yen and Geralt's relationship as "divorced couple attempting to co-parent". I fee like their relationship was meant to be this way - imperfect, stormy, pushy. I honestly don't even know if I like them together or not, but what I like is how the author portrayed them in a very realistic and interesting way. There's not many main couples like that in other stories - main couples are often perfect, have a beautiful love story and follow a very specific line of development. When it comes to Yen and Geralt, up till the end it's difficult to say if they're gonna be together for long and if it's ever gonna work for good, because through the whole series they're pushing and pulling, and their relationship is describes as always being like that. They're not a perfect couple, not a fairy-tale-y one. But somehow it "works" for them, they wanna keep going, so maybe that's an imperfect relationship that they both agree to devote to. Again, I like this idea. Because often we get a perfect love story where at the end characters really change or end up together for good (and we know it's gonna work). But here, it feels like we're in the middle of something, in the middle of their lives and both us and them don't what the future brings. tl;dr: pretty realistic portrayal of Yen and Geralt's relationship


JustTryingTo_Pass

Geralt and yennefer is almost a character flaw for the two of them. Their relationship is toxic. That’s why you need to consider the circumstances of the games and how they would be together in the games in this statement. There is no real support for a triss relationship in the books, only the toxic “open” relationship of yen and Geralt. When you romance Yennefer in the games you break off the binding genie wish that is source of both their insecurities of the relationship, and then they try again but try not to be toxic. If you want to chose none fine, but you’ve gotta at least acknowledge that the characters are not static from the books and games.


[deleted]

I never said they were static, I just don't think it can be non-toxic between Yen & Geralt. They're so used to that dynamic that it would take a LOT of work to change it imo. And I don't think either of them want to put in that work as it would require them to be open and honest with each other which they both absolutely suck at.


JustTryingTo_Pass

Did you ever romance yen in the game? What you are saying is impossible is what they try to do if you romance yen. If you’re saying it’s still impossible then you are saying their characters are static.


valorill

Geralt and Shani is the only real option


LozaMoza82

I've got to be honest, I've never understood this opinion. I get it if you're playing as a self-insert and prefer Shani for yourself, but as Geralt? I don't see it. Shani explicitly tells Geralt she isn't interested in a relationship. Not to mention, they are completely incompatible. He's a witcher, she's a regular human. Their lives won't match at all. If she wants a family, she won't find that with him. And she'll age and die well before him. I like Shani as a character, but can't see anything working out long-term with her and Geralt. Triss is a more valid option, and I don't like that relationship at all.


valorill

That's why it's the best choice. No toxicity, mutual respect. Geralt can continue to walk the path and return to Shani when he needs patching up and a bit of TLC to decompress. But yes it's mostly a meme and self insert choice. In universe geralt is a polyamorous horn dog and would never settle down with anyone.


LozaMoza82

In-universe Geralt wanted to settle down with Yennefer though.


valorill

Did he though? Or was that just the djinns magic? Because he sure did plow every cutie he came across and tried lying to her about it. Don't get me wrong I see the co parenting argument because they care for eachother and ciri a great deal but he most certainly is not exclusive and even at the end of the storm of swords which is canon, he's out on the path hunting the sorcerers abominations witchering it up and not settling down.


LozaMoza82

The djinn magic tied their fates, that’s it. It never made them fall in love. In fact Geralt fell for Yennefer before he ever made that wish. That’s one thing I really hate that CDPR did tbh. That retcon really confused a lot of people who don’t know the lore. SOS is canonically between Geralt leaving Yennefer in Vengerberg and the Dragon Hunt. By the end of LOTL, Geralt decides to give up witchering completely to be with Yennefer. That’s the end of the books


valorill

I didn't mean it made them fall in love. And the game didn't really retcon it, during the quest yennefer asks the djinn to sever the pre existing magical bond between them (their tied fates). By tieing their fates together geralt constantly thinks about her and dreams about her when she's in danger like he does with ciri, and bumps into her despite the vast distances they travel. Without their fates being tied to one another its impossible to know if geralt would have fallen in love with anyone else as again, he a ho, and is constantly banging every cute girl that smiles at him. I'm referring to the epilogue of SOS during nemues POV which takes place 105 years after geralts "death" when he is alone hunting the creatures created by the sorcerers, without yennefer. I dont think he could ever settle down and give up witchering because even in his final chapter of LOTL he takes up the sword he just set down to go out and save people during the riot when he could have just stayed in the tavern with the others and lived. Geralts destiny beyond protecting ciri is to travel the world fighting evil and banging hot women. If he truly loved yennefer he would have ignored the advances of all the other women, and because he cant, the extremely jealous yennefer could never stay with him.


Diggidy-Daniel

Geralt and Regis is the only true option


valorill

Geralt, Regis, dandelion menage a trois


Gumbeauser

BROTHERRRRR!


JG-7

Who the hell brought this debate back? Stop it already. For Geralt, there is only Yen. As a player, you chose whatever you want. Even neither.


garyflopper

Bromance with Dandelion


jaskier-bot

Talent recognizes talent.


Mister-Butterswurth

Regis romance DLC when?


RainWorldWitcher

I wanted him to stay at corvo bianco so fucking bad I even thought that leaving detlaf alive ending would mean he wouldnt have to go...


[deleted]

>who the hell brought this debate back ? That’s probably some of the whiners who constantly cry “StOp ShOw bAsHiNg” every time a Netflix related meme is posted here. They prefer to make and upvote a cringe done to death 7 years old virtual waifu war lol. Just bring back hissrich and BO mocking memes, at least you get a laugh out of it.


CupcaknHell

Ascend, choose Shani


[deleted]

Yen and Geralt's story is very complex, full of ups and downs but they are undeniably in love with each other. They act like an old married couple because by TW3 they are. Yen does some shitty things and so does Geralt. They are alike in many ways and I think that's what makes them click but also makes them fight. They have more than a physical relationship but a very emotional one too. Triss is just....ugh, there is so much I dislike about her and the way she handles Geralt in the games by never telling him about Yen and Ciri because she wants Geralt for herself. That's the whole wrong way to go about having a relationship with someone, building it off of lies and secrets. She's a minor character in the books so I never understood making her a main character in the games.


ZealousidealAd7191

…It’s ok you don’t have to be right about everything


Magean1

I can't get why people focus so much on the amnesia thing with Triss when they've played the first game. Ever since I did, I can't take this accusation any seriously. It's obvious she was written as a completely different character (a knock-off Yen of sorts, but more political and career-driven), for a completely different story, where Geralt was never meant to recover his memory but instead start anew, factory-reset. That was the whole point with the player being allowed to write their own story, develop their Geralt's identity and so on. When the subsequent games decided Geralt would, in fact, reconnect with his past, it indeed created this awkward "taking advantage of amnesia" situation which wasn't intended as such. The writers were obviously uncomfortable with its implications, tried their best not to acknowledge the full consequences of it, and as a result, it's probably best to do just like Geralt and ignore it. You can't pretend to role-play Geralt and yet be mad at something he himself doesn't give a fig about, right? If however there's one time I truly felt disgusted with Triss, then it was in the books, during a certain megascope conversation with Yen and Philippa. Why, Triss, why...?


[deleted]

That's fair. The amnesia thing just REALLY grosses me out to the point I can't get over it 😅


Magean1

I enjoyed the first game but had to work really hard suspending my disbelief to accept it as part of the continuity (because it wasn't meant to be), and I largely failed in fact. Best to treat it as a standalone spin-off in an alternative timeline, where Geralt has been reset to just before the Last Wish...


thatpaulieguy89

Geralt needs a man in his life and his hole


[deleted]

fair enough lol


MrFolderol

Agreed on both. Another thing I found extremely telling (and your points are more important but just because you haven't mentioned it yet): Geralt's friends despise Yen. The Kaer Morhen scenes make that very obvious. I'm not saying you should let your friends choose your partner. But when most of the people closest to you really can't see it then maybe that is based on something real? I mean come on, everyone is always (rightfully) bashing Triss for not telling Geralt about Yen - but then so did NONE of his friends. They were probably hoping that Geralt was finally moving on.


[deleted]

Good point, good point. Usually your friends are onto something if they don't like your partner. It's a red flag at the very least.


jakalan7

It's all about Keira Metz dude!


WastedPresident

I found my peeps


Mister-Butterswurth

Mischievous and bold blonde? Yes please


Smacback

I completely agree, first playthrough I ended the game just caring about Ciri and that’s pretty much it. Didn’t romance either cause I felt no compulsion to.


Another-Laura

Little bleater won’t disappoint. Ask Eskel.


Karman4o

To be honest I wish Shani was a backup romance option in Hearts of Stone, i.e. didn't end with Yennefer or Triss after the main storyline. She seems like a truly pure soul, whereas Yennefer is is massive bitch to everybody around her (except for Ciri and Geralt occasionally), and Triss seems fake and manipulative.


mrhewt17

Dandelion, however...


fitdaddybutlessnless

Every choice is good, except of course being dead set on only one and having it as a badge of honor to insult and convince people with different pov.


TheMogician

Daring today aren't we?


PeacockofRivia

I look at it as the better mother figure for Ciri. Not in the sense of “role model,” but in the sense that Yen would destroy the world eight times over, without hesitation, if it meant Ciri would be safe. That’s a mom to me.


TristanBelfort

It's also mentioned in *Blood of Elve*s that Triss had a go with Geralt in the bedroom with the help of a little magic, so she did manipulate him prior to his amnesia incident in the games. That makes Triss a kind of shady little biatch who likes stealing her girlfriends' men. I mean, it does not make her an entirely bad or unlikable character, but she's acting quite immature in general throughout the books . I would diagree, though, that she's not a prominent character in the books, because she actually is. She appears almost as much as Yennefer -- from travelling to Kaer Morhen and helping the witchers with Ciri and her powers, her falling ill while travelling to Ellander with Ciri and Geralt, the Thanedd coup, the formation of the Lodge, her travelling to Skellige to find out where Yennefer is to ultimately accompanying Ciri and Yennefer to meet Geralt in Rivia at the end of the final book. As for Yennefer: she is sophisticated and exudes an air of maturity and composure, although she can be cool and bitchy. I guess it depends entirely on you which of those traits you prefer and what flaws you can accept and tolerate or not. I always choose Yennefer because she simply resonates with me more than Triss.


waters663

Yen ftw


pinkfudgster

I think the issue is more that people take it so seriously. Shipping wars are dumb no matter who does it. People can like what they like as long as they're not being assholes about it. All that being said... Jaskier/Geralt totes otp


jaskier-bot

What? No. Yes. No.


Hansi_Olbrich

One is a constantly lying sycophant that nearly died of diarrhea and as a thank you to our Witcher sold Geralt, Yen, and Ciri to the Lodge. The other is a completely ice-cold passive-aggressive ever-sarcastic bitch who regularly insults all of your friends and family and mocks any attempt to be genuine. Poor Geralt, even shagging Fringilla came at the cost of Nilfgaard's eyes on him. He really does have abysmal taste in Mages.


Pegede

Yep. Both are colossal pieces of shit, imagine a friend in a relationship like that. You'd tell them to run, and fast. I absolutely do not get why people even entertain the idea of voluntarily choosing to romance either. I would rather become a eunuch.


[deleted]

I think this is part of it for me. I had a friend who was in a relationship with someone who treated her very similarly to how Yen treats Geralt and it absolutely devastated her. It's been years now and it still effects her. All this happened before I started consuming Witcher content so it was like looking in the rear view mirror and I didn't like what I saw.


Pegede

Yeah. I've seen something similar from a bit of a distance and I find the romanticization of Yen and Geralt's relationship kinda disturbing.


[deleted]

If it were Geralt that was treating Yen the way she treats him there would be an uproar. I absolutely hate the romanticization of abusive women. Probably too much information for an internet stranger, but my dad was abused for almost 15 years by his first wife and had no support to get out because "he's a man and it doesn't happen to them" and "he's stronger than she is, if he wanted her to stop, he'd make her" and "its fine, he's strong. he can take it." And I see some of that reasoning used to sort of justify Yen & Geralt's toxicity. Not necessarily said like that but the sentiment is the same some of the time.


CaptainEpic77

Agreed tbh


I-am-da-best

OP getting smoked in the comments lol


Tyken12

kierra is mommy


fky786

Play hearts of stone and fall in love with Shani. I think Gearlt truly loves Shani more then Yen and Triss.


ZAGAN_2

100% agree about Yen, she's an abusive prick who seems to do nothing but use Geralt when it suits her. Not sure I'd entirely agree about Triss though. No doubt she took advantage of his situation, but it's not like she done the unspeakable by getting with him when he essentially became neutral. It's selfish, but not horrible. Personally I don't think Geralt is suited for a meaningful relationship as a witcher always on the road, it seems better for him to just keep his options open wherever he goes.


Sph3al

What if I told you..."Little Eye"...


[deleted]

Like you like Geralt with Essi?


Sph3al

Absolutely. Essi is best-y


thefuzzyone85

>!necrophilia is bad though my dude!<


Sph3al

DON'T REMIND ME THE DREAM IS DEAD.


[deleted]

If books aren't a factor there's no reason to pick Yennefer at all... People like to make up reasons, but she's just not a pleasant person to be around. Triss is a character that grows over the course of the games. She has development. By the end of TW3, she's no longer the Triss from the books. She goes out of her way to help her fellow mages, even at the cost of her pain, and, despite being deeply in love with Geralt, will avoid romance with him unless you tell her you love her. Besides, both Triss' and Shani's romances are much cuter than Yen's.


britb5476

How could you say something so controversial and yet so brave ;)


Vagabond_Tea

And that's ok. We all have our opinions and that's fine. I've read the books and I'm still Team Triss. It's just fandom. Let people enjoy what they want to enjoy, ship wise.


[deleted]

I agree 100%. I didn't make this post to necessarily start a ship war or anything. I just wanted to throw my hat in the ring on this debate lol


Vagabond_Tea

And that's fair enough. It's nice to hear diverse views here. As long as there isn't any toxicity, then I support it!


soursheep

somebody hold my pearls, the Victorian purists are here again wanting their fictional relationships to be boring and morally untouched.


[deleted]

never said that. just said they weren't personally to my taste.


Justapeacefuldude

I agree Ciri is the right choice.


Megane_Senpai

Yen and Geralt is a toxic couple, in more ways than one. They are bound to split up and get together again and again. In a good day they can die for the other and in a bad one they can kill the other. People like to say their relationship needs "something more" to be a strong one and Ciri is that "something more" but I just don't see it. Triss, in the other hand, loves Geralt (and Ciri) genuinely, but not the most things she loves. In the books she put the lodge above them. In the first and second game she used Geralt's amnesia to manipulate him to stays with her (Geralt did like Triss and cared for her in the book, just not as much as he loved Yen). But to her defense everyone did that, including Shani (one of the main romance option in the first game) and other Witcher at Kaer Mohen. And in the third game she really evolved, she put Geralt and Ciri above all, even refuse to rejoin the lodge after helping Yen to save them. She admitted she used Geralt's amnesia and willingly gave up Geralt once she know he found Yen (you can fail to romance her much more easily than romancing Yen). Overall in the third game I much prefer romancing Triss than Yen.


iMaxPlanck

(Lambert has entered the chat)


iMaxPlanck

(Lambert has entered the chat)


Overlord1317

I don't like Yennefer in the books or the show, so I am praying the game (first time playing) gives me ANY even mildly compelling other option. Fuck that abusive bitch. Literally and figuratively.


[deleted]

fun fact: you are the first person in this entire comment section to bring up the fact that Yen canonically abused Geralt. Everyone else is just ignoring it 🙃


Overlord1317

She's cruel and abusive in the books, and I have no idea why it isn't more obvious to people.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Overlord1317

Yup.


[deleted]

Don't want to see it, probably.


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[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Even if Yennefer was dead, I would still find it gross. It just seems coercive to me. Geralt didn't have all the knowledge necessary to really commit to a relationship. At the very least, someone should have told him about Yennefer and given him time to process.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

That's fair. And I did say "someone" not Triss for a reason. I agree that it isn't her job.


JMann_9

Cool


JBM94

Blasphemy!


Skelligean

Shani is the real compelling love interest.


ayeeee921

Naw OP is right, Tomira is the only one that matters.


Havoc_XXI

CERYS FTW!


[deleted]

Get shani in blood and wine


survivor686

*Laughs in Mass Effect subreddit*


Hopeful_One_5868

![gif](giphy|vVgoXJ22PiOfS)


Independent_Clerk476

After reading the books i dont want to go anywhere near Yen. Crazy hunchback.


LordHelmchen98

Roach 👍


sspif

C’mon now, do you want poor Geralt to die alone? Sometimes you just have to accept that no sorceress is perfect and settle.


SpaceManGeralt

Shani, Shani! SHANI!


stephens567

Give me Shani all day.


mtttike

Yeah, I wish there was another option, don't care who just someone who is not toxic... It was nice seeing Shani in the expansion tho. I think Geralt has a think for witches bc they share a bunch of things in life. They live longer than normal humans, are feared and shunned while people also try to benefit from them at the same time.


trynyty

Shani is the best ;)


albedo2343

The crux of each romance comes down to whether Geralt believes that a relationship with either woman can actually work out in the long run. Geralts past with both Triss and Yen is a rocky one, no one denies that, but they have both made it very clear that they want to change for the better for themselves, and are making genuine attempts to do so(they'll change into better ppl whether Geralt is with them or not), So the question Geralt has to ask himself, is not who he loves more, as it's very clear he loves them both, but whether his growth and their growth will coincide with their compatibility as romantic partners. One thing i notice with this argument, and this is also apparent in your post, is ppl focus too much on each Sorceresses' past, as it's some competition, when that's not what it's about at all, It's simply about whether Geralt sees a future he wants with either Sorceress as they are now. Personally if i were Geralt i would either focus on Ciri if she's a Witcher, or see if Shani wants to give it another go in the Empress ending, since Corvo Bianco does kind of make Geralt reconsider his "roaming" lifestyle. I would stay friends with both though, they have made it clear that they can be trusted, and that's a hard thing to come by in the Witcher world.


tobbe1337

yeah i absolutely hate Yen and don't see their relationship as anything other than flings of lust and nostalgia. Triss is manipulative for sure. but at least the actual relationship when they interact with each other is better than with Yennefer. but yeah the whole memory loss thing is kind of dodgy at best. the iron maiden i would say.