In the captivating universe of The Witcher, a unique group of monster-slaying warriors, known as Witchers, pique our curiosity.
Witchers, with their exceptional abilities and knowledge of alchemical potions, are shrouded in mystery. Are they born, or are they made?
Below we delve into these frequently asked questions, exploring the fascinating process that transforms ordinary humans into these formidable fighters.
Although not born as Witchers, the method of their creation is an intriguing tale of tradition, magic, and survival. Let’s unravel the myth and the reality behind the making of these supernatural warriors.
How Are Witchers Made?
The process of creating a Witcher is called the Trial of the Grasses. It is a dangerous and experimental process that is not always successful. Only a small percentage of children who undergo the Trial of the Grasses survive.
The Trial of the Grasses involves the administration of a series of mutagenic herbs and virus cultures to the child. These substances cause the child’s body to undergo a number of changes, including:
- Increased strength and speed
- Enhanced senses
- Resistance to disease and poison
- The ability to see in the dark
The Trial of the Grasses is also known to cause a number of side effects, including:
- Hair loss
- Pale skin
- Increased aggression
- Impaired fertility
Despite the risks, the Trial of the Grasses is considered to be the only way to create a Witcher. Witchers are highly skilled monster hunters who are essential to the defense of the human world.
Here are some additional details about the Trial of the Grasses:
- The Trial of the Grasses is a very painful process. Many children who undergo the Trial of the Grasses die from the pain or the side effects.
- The Trial of the Grasses is not always successful. Even if a child survives the Trial of the Grasses, they may not develop all of the abilities that are associated with being a Witcher.
- The Trial of the Grasses is a very controversial process. Some people believe that it is cruel and inhumane to subject children to such a dangerous and experimental process. Others believe that the Trial of the Grasses is necessary to create Witchers, who are essential to the defense of the human world.
How Are Witchers Chosen?
Witchers can be chosen by monks as orphans and abandoned babies on the street that no one would miss. They can also be children, offered as per “law of destiny” or “law of surprise”, a compensation asked by someone who saves your life. To become a Witcher, however, one must be born with a hint of magic in them.
Witchers lead a dangerous life from the very first moment they go into isolation and undergo genetic mutations, to the monster hunting instances. As such, one of the main requirements for a Witcher to be chosen is to be utterly alone.
A Witcher should not be bound by family ties so they can travel and risk their lives without remorse.
How Are Witchers Eyes Made?
Witcher’s eyes are unique and one of the main features that distinguish a Witcher from a normal human being.
Witcher eyes have a cat-like appearance and are made during the Trial of the Grasses. This is where the body of a young Witcher is filled with mutagenic grasses such as herbs, plants, and mushrooms. As a result, Witchers either die during the process or develop superhuman strength, speed, and unique eyes that allow them to see in the dark just like a cat.
Witchers have glowing yellow eyes. This color is purposely chosen to represent the heightened sight, speed, agility, and smell that cats have. In addition, their pupils are vertical and change just as feline eyes would when exposed to direct sunlight or shadowed in the dark.
What is unique to Witchers however is the fact that they can manipulate their pupils to their advantage and use their eyes to see better in the dark or avoid strong glare.
Despite being magical and captivating, Witcher’s eyes remain one of the main traits that make them stand out. They also make people think of them as more monsters than humans.
This leads to great prejudice and discrimination towards Witchers. In many cases, people also become quite scared of the glowing yellow eyes, and the way the slit pupils adapt to light.
How are Witchers trained?
A person becomes a Witcher after being chosen or offered as a young child. They are then trained to fight.
Witchers go through extensive training in different schools around the world. Their specialty is based on an animal, whether a cat, griffin, bear, crane, manticore, viper, or wolf. Each trainee learns to use swords, mix herbs, recognize beasts, and cast magic.
The most important trial a Witcher goes through, however, is the Trial of the Grasses. Not many manage to overcome it. In fact, most die during the Trial of the Grasses without ever becoming a Witcher.
What Happens During the Trial of the Grasses?
During the Trial of the Grasses, young Witcher trainees are forced to drink different herbal potions, aka grasses, while strapped to a table.
These potions are dangerous toxic chemicals that break down the genetic code of the body and mutate the genes so that the body is recomposed with superhuman strength, speed, and ability to heal faster.
This is the very last trial that either makes or breaks a Witcher. Because of the severity of the herbs, many trainees do not survive this process.
The ones that do, however, are changed physically and display beastly features in addition to pale skin. In Geralt’s case, his white hair was also a result of the way his body endured the trial of the Grasses.
What Is a Witcher Made of?
A Witcher is a human being turned into a mythical monster hunter through herbal potions and magic.
Witchers are made of skin and bone just like any other human being. They do however possess extra strength, speed, stamina, better vision, stronger hearing, the ability to heal faster, and cast Sign spells.
In addition, Witchers have pale skin and glowing yellow eyes, just like a cat.
Can Witchers Have Children?
Witchers are genetically altered and mutated beings that cannot have children. All Witchers are infertile, like any other genetically altered being in Andrzej Sapkowski’s universe.
In addition, Witchers are also becoming extinct, especially because they are made and not born, and cannot procreate.
Even choosing new Witchers seems not to be a big concern anymore. With the world becoming a safer place, there is no more need for new Witchers to be created to hunt monsters.
Also, Witchers can live for hundreds of years. This means that with fewer monsters to hunt, the number of Witchers that are currently active can be enough to keep the world safe.
Most importantly, however, the process to become a Witcher is a painful and excruciating one. Knowing this prevents older Witchers from taking on new trainees.
Witchers can however claim someone as their child by the Law of Surprise and become bound to them. This does not mean however that the child will be a Witcher.