Identity
From Witcher Wiki
| Act(s) | 3-Epilogue |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | All locations |
| Given by | Triss Merigold |
| Reward | unknown, self-knowledge |
| Related | None, or all, depends |
| ID | q3044_identity |
Identity is technically a secondary quest, but it is central to the plot of the game. Through this quest, Geralt develops his sense of self-identity.
Contents |
[edit] Walkthrough
At the beginning of the game, the witchers of Kaer Morhen find our hero, Geralt of Rivia, unconscious and suffering from amnesia. They take him back to the fortress where he is nursed back to physical health, but he still needs to recover his memory. This quest follows that search to a certain extent. It spans the entire game and is not even technically complete by the end of the game.
As Geralt engages in discussions with various NPCs and makes decisions regarding other quests, many of his choices have an impact on his concept of personal identity; meaning that you, the player, shape his identity depending on the actions you decide to have him take. This quest is updated one way or another as the game unfolds.
Act III is where the witcher really begins to delve into his own motivations and choices, with the help of Triss Merigold, an old friend. It is the sorceress who suggests to Geralt that he should take his amnesia in hand and work to solidify his identity. She refuses to tell him what he used to be like, insisting rather that he create his own persona, or recreate it as the case may be. Since our hero is not one to whine, he sucks it up and begins his journey of self-discovery, checking in periodically with Triss.
[edit] Notes
- This quest remains "unfinished" at the end of the game, it might possibly be a tie in for an expansion pack in the future, or a sequel.
[edit] Phases
[edit] Psyche
Triss is suggesting there is something wrong with my psyche. Maybe I should talk to her about it. Maybe I should talk to Triss about the problems with my psyche.
[edit] Memory
Triss can't restore my memory, even using magic. The sorceress advised me not to seek the truth based on what people say about the past, because I may produce a false image of myself. Should I trust my impulses, emotions and thoughts, then? Is that the way to rebuild my identity? Perhaps speaking with people who once knew me will help me recover my memory.
[edit] Motivation
Thaler asked what motivates me. That got me thinking about myself.
- I realized I'm pursuing the Salamandra thugs not only for personal reasons - revenge and the desire to punish the bastards - but that i'm also motivated by ideology. I feel I'm one of the witchers. I should be true not so much to the tradition as to my friends at Kaer Morhen. Thaler made me realize that my motivations are complex. or,
- That got me thinking about myself. I realized I want to punish Leo's murderers and the thieves who made off with the witchers' secrets because I am a child of Kaer Morhen. I am a witcher and I was created to pursue monsters. Thaler made me realize that I'm driven by the fact that I'm a witcher.
[edit] The Scoia'tael / The Order
- Scoia'tael path: Why am I working with the nonhumans? Coincidences can't explain everything. I think I understand the ideals of the Scoia'tael, who are hounded and ostracized like witchers. But I disagree with Scoia'tael methods. I would even call some of Yaevinn's decisions juvenile and harmful to the cause of nonhumans. I realized I'm working with the Scoia'tael because I share their ideals, though I disagree with some of their methods. or
- Order path: Why am working with the Order? Coincidences can't explain everything. Though a witcher, I also feel I'm human and hold dear at least some of the Order's ideals. I realized I'm working with the Order because I feel I'm still human.
[edit] Monsters
- Spared the werewolf: They say that witchers kill all monsters without exception and that the Witchers' Code is a mere legend. That may be true, but I can distinguish both the human in a monster and the monster in a human. The werewolf Vincent should not have perished at the hand of a witcher. On the other hand, the bastards that I'm after should. I believe that not every monster deserves to die. or
- Killed the werewolf: I'm a witcher. The mutations and training I underwent were a stronger influence than I thought. A monster is nothing more than a monster to me, a threat. I was created to annihilate threats. I believe a monster is a threat that needs to be annihilated.
[edit] Identity
I spoke with Dandelion about killing humans.
- I admitted that I don't enjoy killing and I only use it as a last resort. I realize that I don't like killing and I resort to it only when necessary. or
- I had to admit I have absolutely no objections... I realize that I have no objections to killing humans.
[edit] Destiny
- I dont' believe in destiny. I shape my own fate. I talked to the Lady of the Lake and realized that the success of this mission depends entirely on me. I am fully responsible for my actions and failure will be entirely my fault. I will also take all the credit for my success. I realized that I don't believe in destiny and that I'm responsible for both my successes and failures. or
- I sometimes claim that I don't believe in destiny, but after talking to the Lady of the Lake I have to acknowledge it affects my life. Its forces may have brought me back to this world. My return coincided with the attack on Kaer Morhen, and that was no accident. I have been assigned a task and though I don't know if I'll succeed or fail, I will try to complete it. I realized I tread the paths destiny traces before me and I have a mission to complete.
[edit] Love
- Gave Shani the ring, stayed friends: Foltest and I talked about the women in my life. I think that Shani and I have grown really close. I'd hardly call it love, but the young medic has become very important to me. I realize Shani is very important to me, though I wouldn't call our relationship love. or
- Gave Shani the ring, got serious: <Shani option> or
- Gave Triss the ring, stayed friends: Foltest and I talked about women, and I thought about my relationship with Triss. The sorceress is a true friend and the sex doesn't seem to be spoiling that. I realize that Triss is first and foremost my friend. or
- Gave Triss the ring, got serious: Foltest and I talked about the women in my life and I realized I have feelings for Triss. My amnesia prevents me from remembering our relations in the past, but I have the impression I once loved a sorceress, deeply... Triss suggested how I might regain my memory, and I think that at heart she wants me to realize she was the love of my life. I realize now that Triss is the love of my life.
