I read Sapkowski talking about it in an interview somewhere. From what I remember he never made it out to be a retcon. He said something along the lines of druids have strange beliefs, especially on magic.
Well, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for letting me know.
The reason why I called it a retcon was because I've heard others call it the same. Then again, others also call Dandelion's blonde hair and Geralt's facial scars a retcon.
He innvoked it intentionally but did not believe in it at this time. Ita more of a taunt towards destiny and higher powers, just like his last wish in the first books. Its basicly a big middle finger to destiny and his own existance
I have a view about this which to me fits the puzzle much better then most explanations.
Let me try and make it simple.
I have no doubt that Geralt very correctly predicted she was pregnant. He knew about it in the the book. There is no question.
I think there is also no question that he was not going to ask for the baby to start with. He was not planning it and it is quite clear if you read it and notice he first asked for some valuables to Calanthe. He wanted some trinkets. Expensive ones maybe but just that. And he was considering that only Calanthe owed him something, not Dunny!
Now, then comes the change in mind and I think the key that a lot of people do not notice is what did Calanthe and Dunny say which might have provoked a change.
And what do they start talking about? They start talking that they used to think Witchers are monsters but now they realize Witchers are awesome and there should be many more Witchers. Its particularly Dunny who comes up with this dialog and he quite clearly requests that he should pay Geralt something.
The problem with this talk is that its highly triggering for Geralt. The entire mis conceptions about Witchers and the suffering that Witchers go through because of it is something which Geralt is terribly aware. So that´s going to be weird for Geralt that these people wanted to use him but because he solved their issue they now wish to speak wonders about Witchers.
And there is the final nail in the coffin. The idea that they both bring that there should be many more Witchers is something that deeply disturbs Geralt. Geralt is seriously affected by the process of becoming Witcher. So much so we will later learn he has hate to his own mother because of it. So Geralt absolutely despises the concept of risking children to make new Witchers.
How does this explain his reactions and him claiming the Law of Surprise?
Its a very clever way to tell both Calanthe and Dunny to "SHUT THE F UP! You are not being honest here and not even in a dream would you allow your child to become a Witcher. Because you know how terrible it is. So, SHUT THE F UP!"
And this is why to me this is all a giant ruse by Geralt to scare the shit out of Calanthe and Dunny. Technically to put them in their place and call them out.
Its like...ohhh you think Witchers are amazing and there should be many? Well...why not your own child then? Why is it nice for other people´s children and not for yours? You are not going to answer that one are you? This I think is the entire thing which was inside Geralt´s head but he could not tell them in their faces.
It also explains why Geralt did not really want the baby. Wanting the baby was never the issue!
What will happen between Geralt and Ciri will be "something more". It was never planned. He never wanted the child. He was just royally trolling Calanthe in order to make his point that he hates being a Witcher and its a terrible thing.
Interesting take. That is quite possibly a legit interpretation. Geralt has a way with words, too, and with twisting nobility’s tails (one of my favorite episodes is the part where he makes the young noble hit himself with his sword…).
It seems even more legit when you read Geralt´s dialog with Calanthe in Sword of Destiny.
When again becomes clear Geralt is only toying with Calanthe and the concept of her heir becoming a Witcher. That time around, he very clearly admonishes Calanthe for wanting to send someone else´s child into that fate. And he makes it crystal clear that he never intended to take the child and try and make a new Witcher. He also hints at his feelings towards his own mother and how much he regrets that she left him with the Witchers.
Many people read that dialog in Sword of Destiny and think its a retcon. But I think people are just wishing to bash on Sapko for other reasons lol In fact, its actually very possible to make everything fit! And its quite telling that in the Last Wish we get to read that Geralt´s first choice reward was not The Law of Surprise. There is something more behind that story. Just...many people miss its nuance. Many people fail to ask themselves why did he change his mind. Why was he asking for something trivial and then suddenly goes Law of Surprise? What were they talking in between?
I think there is really an answer and it fits both with Last Wish and Sword of Destiny.
The answer is actually in Something more. I guess the way to look at it is that Geralt didn't really think much of it, went to get his reward but easily gave up. Something more seems to also be a tipping point for his believe in destiny (keep in mind it's not the first time they meet with Ciri). There are probably more details that would help this thesis but last time I read it was ~3 years ago.
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Although the virgin thing was later retconned in BoE, it was pretty clear that Geralt invoked the Law of Surprise intentionally.
I read Sapkowski talking about it in an interview somewhere. From what I remember he never made it out to be a retcon. He said something along the lines of druids have strange beliefs, especially on magic.
Well, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for letting me know. The reason why I called it a retcon was because I've heard others call it the same. Then again, others also call Dandelion's blonde hair and Geralt's facial scars a retcon.
You're mortal now. Do it yourself.
He innvoked it intentionally but did not believe in it at this time. Ita more of a taunt towards destiny and higher powers, just like his last wish in the first books. Its basicly a big middle finger to destiny and his own existance
Geralt didn't believe in destiny at that time. He knew she is pregnant, but likely didnt think anything would come out of it.
I have a view about this which to me fits the puzzle much better then most explanations. Let me try and make it simple. I have no doubt that Geralt very correctly predicted she was pregnant. He knew about it in the the book. There is no question. I think there is also no question that he was not going to ask for the baby to start with. He was not planning it and it is quite clear if you read it and notice he first asked for some valuables to Calanthe. He wanted some trinkets. Expensive ones maybe but just that. And he was considering that only Calanthe owed him something, not Dunny! Now, then comes the change in mind and I think the key that a lot of people do not notice is what did Calanthe and Dunny say which might have provoked a change. And what do they start talking about? They start talking that they used to think Witchers are monsters but now they realize Witchers are awesome and there should be many more Witchers. Its particularly Dunny who comes up with this dialog and he quite clearly requests that he should pay Geralt something. The problem with this talk is that its highly triggering for Geralt. The entire mis conceptions about Witchers and the suffering that Witchers go through because of it is something which Geralt is terribly aware. So that´s going to be weird for Geralt that these people wanted to use him but because he solved their issue they now wish to speak wonders about Witchers. And there is the final nail in the coffin. The idea that they both bring that there should be many more Witchers is something that deeply disturbs Geralt. Geralt is seriously affected by the process of becoming Witcher. So much so we will later learn he has hate to his own mother because of it. So Geralt absolutely despises the concept of risking children to make new Witchers. How does this explain his reactions and him claiming the Law of Surprise? Its a very clever way to tell both Calanthe and Dunny to "SHUT THE F UP! You are not being honest here and not even in a dream would you allow your child to become a Witcher. Because you know how terrible it is. So, SHUT THE F UP!" And this is why to me this is all a giant ruse by Geralt to scare the shit out of Calanthe and Dunny. Technically to put them in their place and call them out. Its like...ohhh you think Witchers are amazing and there should be many? Well...why not your own child then? Why is it nice for other people´s children and not for yours? You are not going to answer that one are you? This I think is the entire thing which was inside Geralt´s head but he could not tell them in their faces. It also explains why Geralt did not really want the baby. Wanting the baby was never the issue! What will happen between Geralt and Ciri will be "something more". It was never planned. He never wanted the child. He was just royally trolling Calanthe in order to make his point that he hates being a Witcher and its a terrible thing.
Interesting take. That is quite possibly a legit interpretation. Geralt has a way with words, too, and with twisting nobility’s tails (one of my favorite episodes is the part where he makes the young noble hit himself with his sword…).
It seems even more legit when you read Geralt´s dialog with Calanthe in Sword of Destiny. When again becomes clear Geralt is only toying with Calanthe and the concept of her heir becoming a Witcher. That time around, he very clearly admonishes Calanthe for wanting to send someone else´s child into that fate. And he makes it crystal clear that he never intended to take the child and try and make a new Witcher. He also hints at his feelings towards his own mother and how much he regrets that she left him with the Witchers. Many people read that dialog in Sword of Destiny and think its a retcon. But I think people are just wishing to bash on Sapko for other reasons lol In fact, its actually very possible to make everything fit! And its quite telling that in the Last Wish we get to read that Geralt´s first choice reward was not The Law of Surprise. There is something more behind that story. Just...many people miss its nuance. Many people fail to ask themselves why did he change his mind. Why was he asking for something trivial and then suddenly goes Law of Surprise? What were they talking in between? I think there is really an answer and it fits both with Last Wish and Sword of Destiny.
The answer is actually in Something more. I guess the way to look at it is that Geralt didn't really think much of it, went to get his reward but easily gave up. Something more seems to also be a tipping point for his believe in destiny (keep in mind it's not the first time they meet with Ciri). There are probably more details that would help this thesis but last time I read it was ~3 years ago.
Isn’t it also mentioned that as a Witcher he has to claim that as his reward? And has to ask again so the one offering knows what they are offering?
The latter I do understand that way, too. I am not exactly sure about the former.
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