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Headline: Please read "The LP" before watching any video.  Current Update: Episode 6 here. My Twitter for updates on updates and other stuff.   Developed in 2007 by then obscure company CD Projekt RED(now a lot less obscure, even running the popular GOG service) and based off a series of books of the same name by polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher was a PC exclusive release that was met with surprising success. The game has been praised for its story telling and characters, but also criticized for its gameplay flaws. Many of these were fixed in an Enhanced Edition patch that added over 200 new animations, improved combat and voice acting, more detailed models, and improved translation and dialog. There was also a Director's Cut patch to remove the censorship seen in the original North American release. The popularity of the game has led to the development of an amazing sequel and a third game on its way. The story of the series as a whole follows Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher; a mutant and professional monster slayer for hire, though the definition of monster can cover a number of things in the world of The Witcher. The setting is bleak and dark without coming off as trying to be edgy. There are usually no clear right or wrongs, black and white, pure good or evil. Sapkowski explored the many realistic shades of grey in people in his writing, which the games follows. The kindly person you just did job for may indeed simply stick a blade into your kidney as soon as you turn a blind eye. Choices you make could have consequences far down the road for better or worse. It's quite refreshing if you're sick of the overly Black and White choices you sometimes get from Bioware games, for example.  This is going to be a video LP, with heavy editing and semi-sparse solo commentary. If I find a video where there's a lot of particularly dull segments where not even silly editing can save it, I'll Because the game has a big focus on story telling, this is going to be a mostly story focused series of video, squeezing all the dialog I can out of people while not getting every optional thing, as hunting for every optional thing would end up being a drag. When it comes down to choices, I'll probably end up choosing a lot of them myself, but I'll let the thread decide a few, with hypothetical writups in spots if one comes up in a place I don't wanna break the video for pacing reasons. That said, when it comes to certain gameplay optional stuff, that will either be done off camera or if it happens to be in my way. I'll also post in-game journal entries for further back story. Updates I'll TRY to aim for one a week, but we'll see how that turns out. Now here's the fun stuff... No spoilers of any kind involving this game and its sequels. I haven't read any of the books, but since they take place before the games, discussion of those is fine as long as they don't relate to any future events. Also these games feature foul language, misogyny, nudity, and is in general a game strictly intended for mature audiences and thus Not Safe For Work. There is a warning before each video and I don't intend to censor or pander to those sensitive to these issues. Please keep discussion civil.That said, Let's Play The Witcher.  (Past episode one, click on the episode to be brought to post with extra info.)         
Zeratanis fucked around with this message at Apr 13, 2013 around 18:27 |
| # ? Feb 12, 2013 23:08 |
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| # ? May 19, 2013 07:27 |
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 Most of the character bios are taken from the in-game journals, and will be updated according to the current video. Also might be spoilers for those not on the latest video. If so, don't scroll down, or quickly scroll to the next segment.  Geralt of Rivia The hero of our story, a Witcher known as the white wolf due to his hair. Vanished at some point in time and reappeared during a strange magic storm and found by his fellow Witchers. Has no memory before said point.  Triss Merigold Along with me and the other Witchers, Triss fought in the defense of Kaer Morhen. The sorceress stood against the mysterious mage, one of the leaders of the assault. She was injured and lost consciousness. Ironically, Triss is allergic to magic and she can only be administered natural healing potions. Triss Merigold is my friend. She saw me sie and my return to the world of the living surprised her. Triss is a sorceress - one of the most influential and talented of her kind. She has numerous powerful friends, and she knows the Kaer Morhen Witchers. She is one of the few people who know the way to the fortress. I have a feeling Triss likes me a lot.  Vesemir Vesemir is the oldest and most experienced Witcher; possibly older than Kaer Morhen itself. He spends each winter in the fortress and sets off on the road when spring comes, just like all the others. Despite his age Vesemir is robust and lively. Many youngsters could envy him for his health. An excellent fencer, he was the one who taught me swordsmanship.  Leo Leo is the youngest of Kaer Morhen's residents. He's not a full Witcher - though he has completed his training, he was not subjected to mutation. Leo comes across as a hot-headed whelp, but is also kind-hearted and good. It appears that Leo is somewhat fascinated with me. He has heard of the ballads about the White Wolf and now holds me in high regard.  Eskel The calm and reasonable Witcher from Kaer Morhen is my peer. Wonder how he got that disfiguring scar...  Lambert The young Witcher I met at Kaer Morhen sure has a biting tongue... He's rude, especially to Triss Merigold, who he addresses by her last name.  The Professor One of the leaders of the Salamandra attacks on Kaer Morhen was a man called the Professor, who seemed to be a cunning assassin. The other leader was a mage.  Mysterious Mage The mage attacked Kaer Morhen in order to steal the witchers' secrets hidden in the fortress.  Berengar Vesemer mentioned a Witcher who had left Kaer Morhen before my arrival. His name is Berengar. Berengar was seen in the Outskirts earlier. He agreed to kill the Beast then disappeared. Did he fear facing the monster?  Alvin A boy named Alvin managed to escape the barghest attack which cost his foster mother her life. As a result of the shock, he started to divine the future and uttered the Prophecy of Ithlinne. I suppose Alvin is a Source- he has magical powers he cannot control.  Shani Soon after I arrived in the Outskirts I met Shani, an acquaintance from a long time ago, in quite dramatic circumstances. Shani is completely devoted to medicine, her passion, and she had plenty to do in the Outskirts, so there was no time for small talk. I got the impression that this sensible, intelligent girl likes me a lot.  Vesna A barmaid from the tavern in the Outskirts, Vesna is quite a determined girl. She sells food an alcohol.  Mikul Mikul is widely respected because he has become a city guard, and that's quite a career for someone from the Outskirts. He seems lazy and lecherous. He cares little about the problems of the Outskirts and tends only to his own interests. By day Mikul stands guard at the gate to Vizima.  Abigail A witch named Abigail lives in a village in the Outskirts. Though the villagers buy potions and herbs from her, she also faces much hostility.  Zoltan Chivay I helped a dwarf being attacked by racist. He recognized me as an old friend of his. The dwarf's name is Zoltan Chivay. He claims to have witnessed my death years ago in Rivia. Zoltan seems reasonable and pragmatic. He takes the world with a grain of salt and sees irony in most things. Just like other nonhumans, he also seems vexed by the racist atmosphere in Temeria.  Odo The wealthiest person in the Outskirts is a grim drunkard who inherited a fortune from his brother. Odo is distrustful and stingy. He lives at the end of the village, in a house surrounded by a fence with a high gate  Haren Brogg Haren Brogg is a suspicious character who fears only the Reverend. He sneers at the law and surrounds himself with thugs who protect his shady dealings. Brogg lives in the Outskirts, in a little lakeside settlement that he rules outright. He never strays far from his home. Brogg runs a store trading in weapons and alchemical ingredients used to produce bombs.  The Reverend The leader of the community in the Outskirts is a domineering priest of the Eternal Fire called the Reverend. His authority reaches well beyond the realm of the spiritual — people from the town and village in the Outskirts do exactly what he says. The Reverend is a religious fanatic and a hypocrite. He easily finds guilt where it doesn't exist, ignoring real offenses. The Reverend lives in the town, just left of the temple. During the day he either prays or tends to the church.  King of the Wild Hunt I am persecuted by the Wild Hunt, a cavalcade of ghostly riders on skeletal steeds. Leading them is the King of the Wild Hunt, the harbinger of war and despair. I know he seeks me, but I don't know why. The King of the Hunt appeared again and appointed one of his wraiths to fight me. He exploited a weakness — the wraith was the specter of Leo.  A post on alchemy and recipe list. Alternate Paths 1 by Captain Walker Zeratanis fucked around with this message at Mar 13, 2013 around 22:31 |
| # ? Feb 12, 2013 23:09 |
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I believe you can break the curse, Zera. Witcher 2 or Bust!
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| # ? Feb 12, 2013 23:29 |
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I've been meaning to play this game for a while now, especially now that I have a computer that can run it, but like most video games I've been meaning to play, I haven't put in more than a couple minutes yet. I'm looking forward to seeing what I'm missing out on.
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| # ? Feb 12, 2013 23:43 |
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Will be watching this intently. Good luck!
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 00:16 |
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Tuxedo Ted posted:I believe you can break the curse, Zera. Witcher 2 or Bust! What's had more failed attempts, this or Vampire:TM:Bloodlines?
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 00:24 |
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Tuxedo Ted posted:I believe you can break the curse, Zera. Witcher 2 or Bust! Of course, that's the plan eventually, also on the hardest mode or bust.  Of course that involves me needing to pace myself properly.Gaz-L posted:What's had more failed attempts, this or Vampire:TM:Bloodlines? I know of Poorweather's old thread, but how many other times has this been attempted along with Vampire? Zeratanis fucked around with this message at Feb 13, 2013 around 01:16 |
| # ? Feb 13, 2013 01:14 |
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Zeratanis posted:Of course, that's the plan eventually, also on the hardest mode or bust. You realise how insane that is for an LP, right, considering Assassins of Kings hardest mode has perma-death?
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 01:16 |
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Oops, I should rephrase, that, hardest SANE mode, gently caress the perma-death one.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 01:17 |
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Zeratanis posted:I know of Poorweather's old thread, but how many other times has this been attempted along with Vampire? Well, PoorWeather actually tried twice, and I think there was a screenshot attempt before those, plus a handful of others since then that never even got past two updates. Doesn't surprise me that you don't even remember those ones. At this point, just getting out of the tutorial castle will put you further than most attempts. Tuxedo Ted fucked around with this message at Feb 13, 2013 around 01:26 |
| # ? Feb 13, 2013 01:24 |
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Zeratanis posted:I know of Poorweather's old thread, but how many other times has this been attempted along with Vampire? Before Poorweather's two attempts, there was another one that I recall that happened not long after I first regged. I can't remember who tried to LP it, but I think they didn't get as far as Poorweather's first attempt (the swamp  ).But I would love to see the Witcher buck the LP curse, so I salute you Zeratanis, wish you luck and will be following along.  Edit: Dangit, beaten.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 01:28 |
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Zeratanis posted:I know of Poorweather's old thread, but how many other times has this been attempted along with Vampire? According to the LP Master List, the Witcher LP has been failed 5 times. Vampire:TM:B has apparently been abandoned five times, but completed once. At any rate, I've seen the beginning to this game so many times in LPs now- please don't fail us!
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 01:29 |
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Wow, that's certainly a number. That said though, the worst that might happen is I have a (VERY minor if possible) repeat of the Castlevania thread where it just takes me ages to release something, but I actually want to keep a decent pace going this time around of one a week or two if something bad pops up rather than the one every 2-3 months that ended up happening towards the end of the last thread. That said I actually got a bit past the prologue already recorded so there's that to look forward too! 
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 01:32 |
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Looking forward to this LP, as I really grown to like the original Witcher after passing the major road block that is Chapter 1.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 02:41 |
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I literally picked this up from a walmart for $20 on a whim a year before Witcher 2 came out and i loved it here's hoping you can finish it.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 02:43 |
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How fortunate, I've just started playing myself. picked em' both up from GOG on a whim. Was not expecting boobs and nudie playing cards.  E: *W2 bonus content* "triss playboy session" What in the blue blazes 
Dilettante. fucked around with this message at Feb 13, 2013 around 07:06 |
| # ? Feb 13, 2013 02:59 |
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It seems like you need to crank the music and SFX volumes up, Zeratanis. I can hardly hear them.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 03:41 |
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oh yes oh god yes form the head FORM THE HEAD unghhhh...
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If you're referring to the cutscenes, the audio in those are kinda...like that. The intro cinematic was especially dumb where the music was pretty low but then the narrators voice booms through. I'll take a bit of a look at the normal audio though when I edit the next section together.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 03:48 |
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Zeratanis posted:If you're referring to the cutscenes, the audio in those are kinda...like that. The intro cinematic was especially dumb where the music was pretty low but then the narrators voice booms through. I'll take a bit of a look at the normal audio though when I edit the next section together. Huh. Didn't know the cutscene music was supposed to be whisper-quiet.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 03:58 |
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Zera I'm really hoping you complete this! And have better luck than sometimes with the Castlevanias.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 03:58 |
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Updated the second post with character info from the journal, with the exception of Geralt and Triss, as Geralt doesn't have one like the others(typed my own) and Triss' hasn't appeared yet. Tell me how it looks~ As events happen, those bios will be updated. After the next video I'll be making dedicated post for notable journal entries which will be linked in the second post. I'll also be posting some art in those.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 08:32 |
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Dilettante. posted:How fortunate, I've just started playing myself. picked em' both up from GOG on a whim. The Witcher franchise is loving HUGE in eastern Europe. To the point where Triss got the cover of Playboy in CD Projekt RED's native Poland. Oh, and in related news, the third game has just been announced: The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 15:27 |
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I really need to pick up on the game again. I had gotten a little bit into the main story, and got distracted. What little I did play, the atmosphere, game play, and general lore really impressed me. I'll be interested to see this LP completed.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 18:42 |
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Is it just me, or is your computer choking badly and dropping frames all over the place? May want to fix that.
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| # ? Feb 13, 2013 20:55 |
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What a weird coincidence, I started to play this again a couple of days ago after playing it in 2008 but getting tired of it around the time you go to the swamp-place (whatever that is) and having to deal with the abominable load times that existed prior to the release of the Enhanced Edition. Enjoying it more this time around I must admit.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 00:17 |
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I've watched two witcher LPs that crashed and burned on this here subforum, so I hope yours can go all the way to the end. I'll probably start watching when you get to the point the other LPs quit at.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 00:20 |
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Xander77 posted:Is it just me, or is your computer choking badly and dropping frames all over the place? May want to fix that. While the gameplay itself is fine for the most part, upon the 20th viewing, several spots in the cutscenes are a bit concerning. I'll take a look at the footage while I edit the next one and see if I need to rerecord anything, might be fraps not liking the game that much either. e; Also, think I'll work on trying to get the rest of the prologue out a bit faster so we can get to the section of game that matters.
Zeratanis fucked around with this message at Feb 14, 2013 around 00:31 |
| # ? Feb 14, 2013 00:23 |
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I have faith that you can finish a Witcher LP! I always liked this game even though it seems to live in the Bermuda Triangle of LPs. I actually bought this game after watching a review of it that trashed it.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 01:16 |
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Zeratanis posted:Updated the second post with character info from the journal, with the exception of Geralt and Triss, as Geralt doesn't have one like the others(typed my own) and Triss' hasn't appeared yet. Tell me how it looks~ As events happen, those bios will be updated. After the next video I'll be making dedicated post for notable journal entries which will be linked in the second post. I'll also be posting some art in those. Looks good to me. After watching the video, you should probably note that Triss' chest appears to be made of Flubber.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 03:32 |
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I can understand the LP's mysteriously stopping. I'm struggling to play through it myself, this game is work! I'm getting a real heavy MMO vibe off it, like the devs threw up their hands halfway through development and went "Fine, let's make it into a single player RPG instead!"
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 07:44 |
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Dilettante. posted:I can understand the LP's mysteriously stopping. I'm struggling to play through it myself, this game is work! It's built off the Aurora Engine. Features like the floating names over heads are a standard thing in that engine.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 14:19 |
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Rigged Death Trap posted:It's built off the Aurora Engine. If I remember rightly, it's a toggle in Witcher 1? Like you have to hold down... shift? To bring the names up. And I'd bet he means more the contracts, which are kinda MMO, bring-me-5-wolf-pelts-y.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 15:19 |
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I never could get past the terrible combat in this. I only got about an hour past the tutorial before I just couldn't take it any more.
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| # ? Feb 14, 2013 15:24 |
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I liked The Witcher for what it was. Good game with good plot that was repetitive at times. I had fun with with it. Now I need to get around playing The Witcher 2. Good luck with this, hope you get past the point where all the LP's seem to die.
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 03:53 |
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It's kinda funny that I just now saw this thread because yesterday I finally beat The Witcher and just started Witcher 2 - can't wait to see what choices are made that were different than my own!
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 04:57 |
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Gaz-L posted:The Witcher franchise is loving HUGE in eastern Europe. To the point where Triss got the cover of Playboy in CD Projekt RED's native Poland. Obama also received a special collector's edition of the Witcher 2 when he visited Poland 4 years ago or so. I suspect it was regifted.
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 11:51 |
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  Witchers Due to their otherness, unusual abilities and magic skills, witchers are treated as outcast and sometimes even meet with hatred. This hated was made manifest during the infamous attack on Kaer Morhen, which led to the destruction of the fortress and the death of most of the witchers wintering there. Those who survived are doomed to extinction since they no longer tain successors. People need witchers but are simultaneously afraid of them. The itinerant warriors inspire fear because they are mutants and have superhuman powers. A witcher is rarely a welcome guest and contacts with members of this profession are almost always limited to business. Witchers are invariably attacked during pogroms and social upheavals directed against those who deal in magic. Indeed, there is nothing more repulsive than these monsters that defy nature and are known by the name of witcher, as they are the offspring of foul sorcery and witchcraft. They are unscrupulous scoundrels without conscience and virtue, veritable creatures from hell capable of only taking lives. They have no place amongst decent and honest folk. And this Kaer Morhen where these villains nest and practice foul rituals must be wiped off the face of the earth, and all evil traces of it need to be treated with salt and saltpeter to complete the deed. Mages Only rare indivisuals have the potential to become mages and many of those with this potential are doomed to madness. Unless the individual in question - also known as a Source - learns to control their power quickly, he or she may end up a half-insane, slobbering oracle. That is why schools of sorcery were created, where talented children study for many years, acquiring knowledge and mastering magical skills. Because of their powers, mages age more slowly than ordinary people. They can extract magical energy form the four elements, transport themselves long distances and heal, as well as kill, in the blink of an eye. They have extensive scientific and political knowledge; in the latter respect, many mages are equals of rulers. Medicine For centuries, diseases have plagued mankind, yet when Jan Bekker subjected the Power to his will, people gained a powerful weapon in their fight against disease. Mages study bacteria and viruses, the ways germs spread as well as genetics. Their research is used by medics, who set up hospitals and produce increasingly effective medicines. There are also magical potions capable of healing wounds and internal injuries. Many magic users, such as Marti Sodergren or Visenna, have become healers, traveling the world and using their magic for the good of others.   Kaer Morhen Kaer Morhen is an inaccessible mountain stronghold which has been the headquarters of the Witchers' Guild for centuries. The name comes from the language of the elves - the original Caer a'Muirehen translates into Old sear Fortress. The castle's time of greatness has passed, the battlements and moat have deteriorated, and a cold wind blows through the spacious halls. Currently only a handful of Witchers live here, but once many young boys underwent gruesome training along the infamous "Gauntlet" near Kaer Morhen.  Laboratory The famous Witcher laboratory holds the most closely guarded secrets of the caste - mutagenic plans, hallucinogenic mushrooms, natural stimulants, and potion ingredients. It is here that young apprentices were subjected to the incredibly painful Trial of the Grasses, which only a few survived, gaining superhuman abilities in return.  Frightener  Occurrence: Fighteners are very rare; they come into being as a result of magical experiments: to create a frightener, a mage has to possess great power and a basic knowledge of mutation. Immunity: Frighteners are immune to almost all effects. Susceptibility: Sensitive to steel and silver: very sensitive to loud sounds at high frequencies. Tactics: In combat, frighteners rely on their size and strength: they try to knock their opponents down and then deal a lethal blow. Alchemy: Frightener's eye and claw. The first mage to create a frightener was the infamous renegade Dagobert Sulla, a diligent student of the Zerrikanian masters of alchemy and the supervisor of the Trial of the Grasses carried out at Kaer Morhen. Upon beholding the abomination he had created, Sulla is said to have cried: "What have I done?" He destroyed the monster; his notes, however, survived. Okay, with all this posted, I planned to do a section dedicated to alchemy, but I'll do that later(as well as updating character bios) as I'm tired enough. Spent all night finishing the editing and getting this together. Enjoy!
Zeratanis fucked around with this message at Feb 17, 2013 around 17:37 |
| # ? Feb 17, 2013 17:31 |
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Oh hey it's The Witcher. This is at the top of my "games to play once I finally build that gaming PC" list but maybe I won't have to, depending on how you fare.OAquinas posted:Obama also received a special collector's edition of the Witcher 2 when he visited Poland 4 years ago or so. The novelty of having a copy of The Witcher 2 from Obama is amazing to me. I wonder if he autographed it?
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 18:39 |
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I find the usage of timestamps and the reasoning behind it quite interesting, and this looks like it's going to be a quality LP.
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 23:26 |
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| # ? May 19, 2013 07:27 |
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C-Euro posted:Oh hey it's The Witcher. This is at the top of my "games to play once I finally build that gaming PC" list but maybe I won't have to, depending on how you fare. Pretty sure it was this game he got given, but I like to think it got put into the rainy day trunk in the Lincoln Bedroom, in case any future Presidents feel like killing mutants and banging wenches.
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| # ? Feb 17, 2013 23:55 |
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