Andrzej Sapkowski: The Witcher Games' Schools Were My Mistake

Andrzej Sapkowski: The Witcher Games' Schools Were My Mistake

Andrzej Sapkowski, the acclaimed author behind the beloved The Witcher saga, recently took part in a Reddit Q&A session to promote his upcoming book, "Crossroads of Ravens." During the exchange, Sapkowski reiterated his preference for his original novels over any adaptations and shed light on an interesting origin story for the numerous Witcher Schools featured in CD Projekt's immensely popular video games.

According to Sapkowski, the concept of multiple Witcher Schools, such as the Viper, Bear, and Manticore found in the games, originated from a singular, almost accidental phrase in his first book, "The Last Wish." He explained that while his books only briefly mention Witcher medallions shaped like a wolf, cat, and griffon, the idea of distinct "schools" was never part of his grand plan. In his words, "A single phrase about a certain 'School of the Wolf' mysteriously found its way into 'The Last Wish.' Later, I considered it unworthy of development and narratively incorrect, even detrimental to the story. Therefore, I never again included or mentioned any Witcher Griffindors or Slytherins. Never."

However, that solitary sentence was enough. Sapkowski noted that adaptation creators, particularly the video game developers, "clung to this idea with astonishing tenacity and miraculously proliferated these very 'Witcher Schools'." He cited Letho of Gulet, a Witcher from the School of the Viper, as an example of this expansion.

The author admitted he hasn't decided how to address this now widespread, yet unintended, lore. He isn't planning to actively fight the misinformation but did suggest possibilities like clarifying the matter in future books or delving deeper into the meaning of the medallions and their connection to specific characters. "There are many options – if there's a will," he concluded.

Other Insights from Sapkowski's Q&A

Beyond the Witcher Schools revelation, Sapkowski shared several other fascinating insights during the Reddit session:

• Books vs. Adaptations: Sapkowski firmly believes that the written word always triumphs over visual depictions. "No picture — neither animated nor any other — can compare with the power of the written word," he stated, asserting that something is inevitably lost in translation from words to images.
• The Saga's Origin: He expressed surprise at The Witcher saga's global popularity. The story of Geralt was initially conceived as a single short story for a competition, with no plans for further development until its unexpected success motivated him to continue writing.
• Yennefer's Inspirations: The powerful sorceress Yennefer was inspired by a blend of mythical and literary figures, including Circe from Homer's "Odyssey," Morrigan from Irish mythology, the Norse goddess Freyja, Queen Guinevere, and Nimue from Arthurian legends, as well as Katerine de Vaucelles from François Villon's "The Grand Testament."
• Dream Casting: For the role of Yennefer, Sapkowski envisioned Eva Green, while a young Natalie Portman would have been his ideal Ciri. He acknowledged these as "empty dreams," understanding they are unlikely to ever come true.
• Online Presence: The author deliberately avoids engaging with fans online, valuing his personal life too much to expose it to what he calls the "fair of vanity" of the internet and social media, which he views as a "carnival of stupidity."
• Hidden Messages: When asked if there are any lessons or messages in his saga, Sapkowski gave a dry response: "Of course there are, and there are many. Haven't you noticed? Pity."
• Favorite Dinosaur: His favorite dinosaur is the Pterodactyl.

Sapkowski largely declined to elaborate on minute details about his world or characters, citing that such information was either unimportant to the plot or intentionally withheld from readers. He also confirmed he holds no favorites among his created characters, as each serves a specific narrative purpose.

Fans interested in the latest adventures of a young Geralt can now find Sapkowski's newest book, "Crossroads of Ravens," available for purchase in Russia. This Q&A offers a rare glimpse into the author's mind, reaffirming his dedication to the literary origins of The Witcher while acknowledging the vast universe built by its adaptations.