The star of The Witcher series, Geralt of Rivia is an unconventional hero. While he is a professional monster hunter, he has been entangled in so much more than just killing inhuman creatures for pay. He has become entangled in massive political conflicts and personal rivalries, while his romantic relationship with the sorceress Yennefer--herself a contentious character--has been complicated at the best of times.
Both Geralt and Yennefer want to help others, though neither is exactly selfless. They have their human failings, though given their power and influence exceed that of the average person, the consequences can be inhumanly grave. Without further ado, here are five times Geralt made things worse, and five that Yennefer did:
Geralt: The End's Beginning
The first episode of Netflix's The Witcher is entitled "The End's Beginning". The title has two meanings, just as it (and the rest of the series) has two timelines. One timeline involves the fall of Cintra and Ciri's flight as she is pursued by Nilfgaardians--the end of the events of the series--while the other timeline shows Geralt's adventures over the years leading up to this.
In this episode, Geralt visits the small town of Blaviken where he becomes caught up in a conflict between the mage Stregobor and a woman named Renfri as the two try to kill one another--and to recruit Geralt's aid. His attempts to stop fail so spectacularly that after this Geralt is known as the Butcher of Blaviken.
Yennefer: Changing Posts
Yennefer begins the series as a deformed hunchback who is constantly referred to as "piglet." When she undergoes the magical transformation of a sorceress that gives her her immense beauty, she uses this to her advantage, convincing the King of Aedirn to take her on as her personal mage, despite the wishes of her superiors.
Had Yennefer gone to Nilfgaard, as she was told to do, then it is unlikely that the Nilfgaardians would not have become the dominant invading force which dominated the lands with their armies. Instead, Fringilla went to Nilfgaard and made them into a nation to be feared.
Geralt: Letting Jaskier Come Along With Him
When Jaskier first meets Geralt in a tavern, neither is well-known. Jaskier plays a song where he tries to rhyme "potion" with "abortion," resulting in the taverns patrons throwing food at him. This food turns out to be his meal. However, when Jaskier sees Geralt brooding in the corner, he approaches, introduces himself, then later accompanies Geralt to help kill a devil terrorizing local farmers.
Their time together results in a song, "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher", which makes Geralt famous. But fame has a cost. When confronted on his disrespectful lack of honesty in the song, Jaskier responds "respect doesn't make history."
Yennefer: Calling It Quits
While traveling with the Queen Kalis, Yennefer and the Queen are attacked. The guards accompanying their caravan are all killed off by the assassin. Yennefer helps Kalis flee with her baby, but as they are pursued, Yennefer quickly figures out that the assassin is using magic to track them--and that he must have been hired by the king to kill Kalis for failing to produce a male heir.
Yennefer fails to save either Kalis or her daughter. She also quits working with the king after surviving his assassin. While this is a perfectly reasonable reaction, it means that she is removed from politics, losing her influence to shape the world.
Geralt: Attending The Banquet
Geralt agrees to accompany Jaskier to a banquet honoring the marriage of the Princess of Cintra. All he has to do is bodyguard Jaskier, keeping the bard safe from all of the various noblemen whose wives, mistresses, and mothers the minstrel has slept with.
While present at the banquet, the witcher gains the notice of the Queen of Cintra, then becomes entangled in the politics of the realm after a mysterious knight appears declaring that he has the right to marry the princess due to the Law of Surprise. After helping the knight, Geralt is offered a reward. He names the Law of Surprise, thus forever altering his destiny.
Yennefer: Marital Counseling
After abandoning her work for the King of Aedirn, Yennefer sets up shop working for herself, using her magical training to help people. She helps a married couple who love each other deeply but are having some physical troubles with intimacy.
Unfortunately, she opens her business in a magically intolerant kingdom. As the couple leave--with a very excited husband--they are set upon by the local magistrate, whereupon they are all arrested.
Geralt: Abandoning Destiny
Practically the second that Geralt says he will accept the Law of Surprise as payment, the Princess of Cintra reveals she is pregnant. Geralt's "reward" is the child, who years later grows up to by Ciri.
Geralt has no interest in a child, so turns his back on this responsibility, which through the Law of Surprise is ordained by destiny. Chaos and tragedy follow this decision. When he tries to change his mind, the Queen of Cintra thwarts him. Shortly thereafter, Cintra falls to Nilfgaard.
Yennefer: Taking Over Town
After she is captured for practicing magic, Yennefer takes control of the town where she's arrested, brainwashing the corrupt official in charge and using his palatial estate to host an enchanted orgy.
Unfortunately, this results in the town operating at less than peak efficiency. Also, the revelers seem to have been magically enticed to lose their inhibitions and engage in a carnal group activity against their will. Hedonism definitely needs consent.
Geralt: The Last Wish
The first book in The Witcher series is entitled The Last Wish. The story from which this book takes its name involves Geralt dealing with a Djinn and is recreated in the "Bottled Appetites" episode.
In keeping with the traditions of Djinni stories, Geralt is granted three wishes. For his final wish, he binds his fate to Yennefer, ensuring they continue to encounter each other time and again. Had he just stayed with Yennefer or she with him, they would be able to love one another without the suffering caused by forcing a relationship through altering fate.
Yennefer: Walking Out On Geralt
After learning that Geralt made a wish to alter their destinies, Yennefer leaves him, breaking both of their hearts. This emotional distress lasts for years as both carry the loss with them on their journeys.
The pain of their separation is something that was completely preventable. Yennefer's decision to leave ends up costing her and Geralt both a shot at happiness. She could even have had a child with him by adopting Ciri, giving her everything she wanted.