What Is A Witcher?
Witcher’s are, in the broadest sense of the term, monster hunters who have undergone intense physical, magical, and alchemical augmentation to become what they are: white hair that rivals the purest of snow, eyes that glow and pierce in the deepest pitches of darkness, and feats that greatly surpass those of regular humans. Witcher’s have made their mark on the continent as hunters of the uncanny and as outcasts of humanity. But what exactly goes into the process of making a Witcher? Taken from a young age, Witcher’s are raised from the ground up as children who are subjected to a number of fierce training regimens, from weapon proficiency to the use of signs, which are hand gestures that allow for quick implementation of magic when in combat.
Still, there is one key component that separates a Witcher from regular human beings: the trial of the grasses. Witcher’s need to be even greater than the best. They need to surpass typical human limitations. As such, they undergo a process by which they ingest various alchemical productions and mutagenic compounds that change their overall physiology.
They obtain strength, speed, endurance, stamina, reflexes, and senses that leap far beyond typical human ability. Their body changes to accommodate these new augmentations, and the process leaves them with piercing orange eyes and stark white hair, cementing them as augmented and separating them from those they protect in their services. The process itself has the subject undergo immense agony. It’s been recorded that only three out of every 310 children survive, and for those who do make it through the trial, they must further undergo rigorous training to be eligible for the title of Witcher. A Witcher’s training encompasses numerous fields, as we’ve already discussed: they implement low-level magic through the use of signs, and they undergo intense weapons training which makes them proficient in a number of different fighting styles. However, they also learn a good deal about alchemical mixtures and potions, the likes of which would typically be inaccessible to humans. Thanks to the trials, Witcher’s obtain a high degree of tolerance for most toxins and potions, allowing them to use them as resources in situations that would otherwise prove fatal.
This grants them an extra edge in battle against magical creatures, as they are able to use a number of precautions against them rather than simply relying on their enhanced abilities. Witcher’s are, above all else, efficient hunters, doing everything they can to ensure that they complete an assignment. In addition to thorough knowledge of potions, Witcher’s also outfit themselves with appropriate weaponry made to fit any situation, which extends to their carrying of two swords holstered on their back. This is not simply for show or for lack of space. In fact, it only adds to a Witcher’s preparations, as these two swords serve specific purposes. One sword is made for more mundane creatures and human enemies, those that do not affiliate with magical and supernatural forces. However, a specific metal causes a deep revulsion in the continent’s creatures, proving to be some sort of repellent for them: silver. As such, Witcher’s outfit themselves with a sword for both instances, one made of steel and the other of silver, allowing them to prepare for multiple scenarios and confrontations.
Of course, due to this nuanced preparation and enhanced physiology, there is perhaps one enemy that a Witcher will always have to contend with: prejudice. Witcher’s are reviled by most human beings on the continent. Their mutated existence serves only as proof to many individuals that they are less than human and are dangerous to humanity’s existence within the continent. Due to this perceived abhorrent nature, it’s probably no surprise that all manner of stories and tales of Witcher’s are pervaded by those who despise them. People find the very notion of paying for protection by these sell-swords to be a gruesome way of life, and too often mistrust breeds in those who believe Witcher’s cheat clients in their misfortune, profiting off of their misery. This goes hand in hand with a prevalent myth that Witcher’s are emotionally distant beings, that their chemical augmentation has left them incapable of sharing emotional connections with the world around them. While Witcher’s have been known to be distant, this is overall just that: a myth.
Geralt of Rivia is as much an indication of that as The Witcher series prides itself on exploring his vast emotional wellspring and deeper connection with those close to him. Geralt might not wear his emotions on his sleeve, but it’s quite clear just by his example that Witcher’s are much more human than others would have the continent believe. They simply keep these emotions much closer to the vest.
