O_Bruce
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An update.
First: I read the newest novel several days ago and I was too lazy to make any post in here. Long story short: it is a decent story and already established fans can find interesting things in it. That being said, I wouldn't recommend it as a first novel for new people though (although it is a prequel to the first novel ("The Last Wish"), so chronologically its first). There are many references and callbacks, or in some cases, backstories behind some things. Some of the references could be appreciated by all fans, some could be by the book readers though. I also find 18 years old Geralt believable in terms of his actions, knowledge and competences (or lack of them). I'll personally rate the novel at 7/10.
Now, regarding the Witcher mutations:
- Witcher mutations and Trial of Grass affecting human hormones were mentioned in both books and the games. In the games, you can hear that from Eskel, before the end of the prologue. In the book "Blood of Elves", the source of this information is Triss, both voiced internally (in her thoughts) as well as out loud towards other Witchers (Geralt, Eskel, Lambert, Vesemir and Coen), neither of which contradicted Triss in her assertion. We can conclude that is is most likely true in both canons that the mutations do affect hormones, and because a hormonal balance looks different in both men and women, the same method of mutations might produce different results.
Furthermore, in the same conversation with the Witcher, it is confirmed that the unusual diet that Ciri was undergoing was not doing any permanent changes, and certainly no hormonal changes. Some people online voiced this as a part of making Ciri a witcher, but what that diet and exercises resulted us was merely natural, but accelerated growth in muscle mass and reduction of fat. It has nothing to do with the mutations and Trial of Grass. Triss recommended changes to diet to ensure Ciri would still grow up healthy nad strong, but also grow up with normal "womanly features" as normal woman would.
In the book canon, in the newest novel "Rozdroże Kruków" we have learned more about mutations and the Trial of Grasses. Keeping only the relevant information:
All in all, I don't think Ciri's chances at becoming the Witcher look good. Due to hormonal stuff mentioned in both games and books, I think CD Projekt might even contradict their own canon.
The funny thing is, there might be a way in the Witcher universe to become a Witcher without going through Trials. In a way to not break the canon, no less!
Aside from all that, I remember at some point this topic delved into biology a bit. So about that, yes, cellular memory is indeed mentioned (in the "Shard of Ice" story by both Istredd and Geralt) and through that, we can say that indeed, characters in the Witcher universe have cells. Details about composition of cells are not included. Make of it what you will.
I also mentioned an artificial insemination before. I wanted to confirm it, but unfortunately I could not find the last 3 novels while I was in my hometown. One or two of those novels could have relevant information inside. In terms of novels, all I have available at the moment are first 4 in relatively new edition; the missing novels were considerably older than that, over 15 years at the very least. I currently don't know where they are.
First: I read the newest novel several days ago and I was too lazy to make any post in here. Long story short: it is a decent story and already established fans can find interesting things in it. That being said, I wouldn't recommend it as a first novel for new people though (although it is a prequel to the first novel ("The Last Wish"), so chronologically its first). There are many references and callbacks, or in some cases, backstories behind some things. Some of the references could be appreciated by all fans, some could be by the book readers though. I also find 18 years old Geralt believable in terms of his actions, knowledge and competences (or lack of them). I'll personally rate the novel at 7/10.
Now, regarding the Witcher mutations:
- Witcher mutations and Trial of Grass affecting human hormones were mentioned in both books and the games. In the games, you can hear that from Eskel, before the end of the prologue. In the book "Blood of Elves", the source of this information is Triss, both voiced internally (in her thoughts) as well as out loud towards other Witchers (Geralt, Eskel, Lambert, Vesemir and Coen), neither of which contradicted Triss in her assertion. We can conclude that is is most likely true in both canons that the mutations do affect hormones, and because a hormonal balance looks different in both men and women, the same method of mutations might produce different results.
Furthermore, in the same conversation with the Witcher, it is confirmed that the unusual diet that Ciri was undergoing was not doing any permanent changes, and certainly no hormonal changes. Some people online voiced this as a part of making Ciri a witcher, but what that diet and exercises resulted us was merely natural, but accelerated growth in muscle mass and reduction of fat. It has nothing to do with the mutations and Trial of Grass. Triss recommended changes to diet to ensure Ciri would still grow up healthy nad strong, but also grow up with normal "womanly features" as normal woman would.
In the book canon, in the newest novel "Rozdroże Kruków" we have learned more about mutations and the Trial of Grasses. Keeping only the relevant information:
It is stated that mutagens and pathogens that were used for Trials of Grass were deteriorating in quality as time passed (they could not be reproduced anymore, so the same samples were used over and over again), resulting not only in less effective mutations but also in steadily increasing mortality rate.
Geralt recalls that before Trials of Grass, there was about 20 boys, including him. By the time Geralt left Kaer Morhen at age of 18, 6 of said boys were left. We never found out how many of those 6 made it out. (I think at least one did, Eskel).
What I think is important here to Ciri being Witcher discussion is, if that is true then the decision to become the Witcher via Trials of Grass would not be very risky anymore, but practically a suicide, given deteriorating survival rates. Keep in mind, that the more time passes, the worse quality of mutagens and pathogens is.
Last thing that might be relevant to women being Witcher bit. As cliche as it sounds, it is revealed that the backstory behind the creation of Witchers was that initially, kings, warlords etc. wanted to have elite superhuman troops by their side, so they tasked wizards with finding a way to create super soldiers. So, the experiments began. At some point though, a renegade wizard stole the mutagens and pathogens that were created and ran away with them, apparently motivated by a more noble notion of helping normal people deal with a threat from monsters. The renegade was soon killed, and from what I can understand, the mutagens and pathogens ended up in what would become a first Witcher school. What I think is important here, it is that the project started with creating soldiers in mind, and in that reality, a vast majority of the soldiers were men.
This can mean one, or maybe more of the following:
- Only men were being used as subjects
- The mutation process itself was created with men in mind. Since the mutations were confirmed to affects hormones, and the hormonal balance between women and men is different, it might be fair to say the effects of mutations for women might be different.
- After mutagens and pathogens were stolen, there were attempts to use women subjects as well. But for some reason, there were no female Witchers, which may indicate either failed mutations, subjects dying or anything in those lines.
Geralt recalls that before Trials of Grass, there was about 20 boys, including him. By the time Geralt left Kaer Morhen at age of 18, 6 of said boys were left. We never found out how many of those 6 made it out. (I think at least one did, Eskel).
What I think is important here to Ciri being Witcher discussion is, if that is true then the decision to become the Witcher via Trials of Grass would not be very risky anymore, but practically a suicide, given deteriorating survival rates. Keep in mind, that the more time passes, the worse quality of mutagens and pathogens is.
Last thing that might be relevant to women being Witcher bit. As cliche as it sounds, it is revealed that the backstory behind the creation of Witchers was that initially, kings, warlords etc. wanted to have elite superhuman troops by their side, so they tasked wizards with finding a way to create super soldiers. So, the experiments began. At some point though, a renegade wizard stole the mutagens and pathogens that were created and ran away with them, apparently motivated by a more noble notion of helping normal people deal with a threat from monsters. The renegade was soon killed, and from what I can understand, the mutagens and pathogens ended up in what would become a first Witcher school. What I think is important here, it is that the project started with creating soldiers in mind, and in that reality, a vast majority of the soldiers were men.
This can mean one, or maybe more of the following:
- Only men were being used as subjects
- The mutation process itself was created with men in mind. Since the mutations were confirmed to affects hormones, and the hormonal balance between women and men is different, it might be fair to say the effects of mutations for women might be different.
- After mutagens and pathogens were stolen, there were attempts to use women subjects as well. But for some reason, there were no female Witchers, which may indicate either failed mutations, subjects dying or anything in those lines.
All in all, I don't think Ciri's chances at becoming the Witcher look good. Due to hormonal stuff mentioned in both games and books, I think CD Projekt might even contradict their own canon.
The funny thing is, there might be a way in the Witcher universe to become a Witcher without going through Trials. In a way to not break the canon, no less!
When wondering about the titular Last Wish, it was implied that Geralt could have wished a Djinni to become normal again: as in, not being a Witcher anymore, but a normal human instead. Yennefer sensed that Geralt would want that. However, Geralt chooses instead to weld his fate with Yennefer's, saving her in progress. Since it was implied that wishing to a Djinni for becoming human again was a possibility, then maybe reverse could also be possible. As in, becoming the Witcher.
Aside from all that, I remember at some point this topic delved into biology a bit. So about that, yes, cellular memory is indeed mentioned (in the "Shard of Ice" story by both Istredd and Geralt) and through that, we can say that indeed, characters in the Witcher universe have cells. Details about composition of cells are not included. Make of it what you will.
I also mentioned an artificial insemination before. I wanted to confirm it, but unfortunately I could not find the last 3 novels while I was in my hometown. One or two of those novels could have relevant information inside. In terms of novels, all I have available at the moment are first 4 in relatively new edition; the missing novels were considerably older than that, over 15 years at the very least. I currently don't know where they are.
