Some say you can't learn anything from a video game world that is filled with fantasy, but the Witcher 3's writing had a lot more on life lessons then few thought. My favorite scene from the Witcher 3 was when the Emperor asked Geralt the status of the one task he gave him to complete. Geralt's answered sarcastically that no he hadn't gotten to it. The Emperor said Geralt's assignment was important, but he had real problems like ruling a nation, waging war, and controlling the economy/trade to manage.
The scene that followed was Geralt asking Yennifer, his kindred, why didn't she stand up for him since she had the Emperor's ear as his sorceress. Yennifer replied "I won't indulge your pride for the price of insulting a rich and powerful man". The Emperor is kind and merciful b/c he wants to be liked by his people, but he doesn't have to be either kind or merciful. Yennifer knows the Emperor is being kind to Geralt out of respect to her. Yennifer struggles to keep Geralt in the royal court because Geralt doesn't know the etiquette of the political world nor understands the ramifications of conflicting with powerful people. Geralt is a wild man with rare powers that citizens find useful, but he doesn't understand society or social structure. With one word from the Emperor, Geralt's life and career can be ended. Yennifer's conflicting interest in both men leave her in a difficult position.
Geralt sees that Yennifer views the Emperor's power and value higher than him, and treats the two men in her life very differently as a result. Yennifer's perspective on the importance for both men is not about wealth and class, it's solely about maturity. Geralt is hot-headed, runs his mouth when insulted, and overall immature and lacks respect for authority. The Emperor is educated on socializing, articulate his ideas without causing arguments in a debate, mature and respectful b/c Yennifer views Geralt's magical skills as valuable to her objectives. She is using both men, but both men use her as well for their objectives. It's a powerful story. Geralt sees that Yennifer knows the Emperor controls a lot of the world and is influential to the events that will transpire by his orders and leadership of the new world after the war. As a journeyman, Geralt understands that he can only control and influence himself. For the first time in Geralt's 200+ years on Earth, he learns his place.
Geralt is aware that Yennifer is trying navigate through society and put herself in a better position to have a better life. Yennifer spent the first centuries of her life in the woods as an outcast, now she wants to be in the royal court as an respected lady of the court. Yennifer cares about the way people view her, and she wants to use her connections to gain power and leverage. She cares about Geralt as a friend and values his friendship, but at the same time she doesn't want to let Geralt's lack of maturity and refinement be the reasons she is held back in society.
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