looks dope...
does anyone know what it means that Geralt is a witcher though, is he a like an augmented human or something
http://witcher.wikia.com/wiki/Witcher
A
witcher (or
hexer) is someone who has undergone extensive training and mysterious rituals (which take place at "witcher schools" such as
Kaer Morhen) in preparation for becoming an itinerant
monster-slayer for hire.
Geralt, the central character in
Andrzej Sapkowski's
Witcher series and the subsequent
games inspired by them, is said in the stories to be one of the greatest witchers; he is certainly legendary, but whether famous or infamous is more open to interpretation (and/or subject to gameplay, as the case may be).
Taken in as children when their innate
abilities can only be hinted at, witchers-to-be are subjected to intense
alchemical processes, absorption of
mutagenic compounds, and other trials to make them highly versatile against their opponents (many of which possess superhuman speed, strength and/or other dread powers). These procedures ultimately mean that each fully-trained witcher is a
mutant. The key permanent results of mutations shared by all witchers are
- incredibly long lifespan (Vesemir is said to be at least a few centuries old);
- sterility (which partially explains selection from the outsiders, as they cannot breed to pass on their traits);
- tremendous resistance to disease (which functions in most cases as complete immunity).
Though it covers proficiency in basically any weapon that comes to hand, witcher training focuses on two primary tools -
the
Steel sword and
the
Silver sword -
which are typically carried on the back, a blade for more mundane beings, and a blade for beasts of the supernatural. Most witchers are also frequent mixers and users of powerful
potions, having developed a tolerance to their inherent toxicity but still limited to a few at a time (even one of their weaker brews will be fatal to an ordinary human). Finally, their formal magical training deals with
Signs. Without extensive improvement and practice, these are mere tricks compared to what a
sorceress can do, but they serve very well for someone with a sword in one hand to add a variety of edges to their efforts.
In general a Witcher is a formidable, and often overwhelming, opponent to more mundane races thanks to their strength, speed, minor magics and regenerative capabilities. However they are not infallible, as they can still make mistakes, take a mistep in battle against mundane men or supernatural demons, or be overwhelmed by sheer numbers and individuals who have the skill to match a Witcher. Though rare is the individual who managed to slay a Witcher out of skill rather than dumb luck or by ambush.
Though a witcher's eyes (see first glossary entry below) are one way to stick out, standard means of identification is the
witcher medallion; this device aids in the detection of monsters, and no witcher would part with one willingly. (And of course, witchers are known for being 'hard to kill' -
Leo Bonhart boasts a collection of three such medallions as proof of his martial skill.) The form of an individual medallion (head of a wolf, cat, griffin, etc.) indicates the school at which its owner was trained.
It is a common belief, even among witchers themselves, that they have no capacity for emotion. This may be debatable - and rather relative, considering the rigors of their training and the dangers they face as a matter of course. Perhaps they have simply never had the
time (or exposure to society) to develop or recognize the reactions to mundane experiences that most take for granted.
Occasional references to witchers as 'non-human' are somewhat at odds with the original stories (in which Geralt only identifies witcher as a profession, never a race). There is certainly no official classification as such, and the relevant references (in the first game at least) are usually from Geralt identifying with the mistrust and/or hostility faced by elves and dwarves in human society. Likely it is used as a slur against the mutants, likening them to elves and dwarves.