Netflix's The Witcher TV series has become one of the streamer's biggest hits, and the second season has finally been released. The critical reception has been generally positive, with reviews praising its notable improvements across the board from the initial season. However, while Andrzej Sapkowski's source material has been given more due attention in recent years, the games are what put the IP on the international map.
The success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, in particular, likely made the biggest push for the Netflix show's inception. And as the series continues, it's embracing more and more of its video game influences with subtle nods and easter eggs. Eagle-eyed fans on Reddit have made good work of uncovering them as they snuck in on-screen.
The Games' Wolf Medallion
When season 1 was preparing to be released, the showrunner made a clear note to fashion the series' wolf medallion closer to the books' description. The medallion alone is an iconic object to the world of The Witcher, as well as providing a practical use by warning its wearer when monsters are nearby. However, one of the biggest references made in the season was to the games' version of the Wolf medallion hanging on the three where the Witchers of Kear Morhen honor their dead.
It's a "blink and you'll miss it" moment, but even with the burning questions The Witcher season 2 poses fans, it didn't stop its most dedicated fans from keeping one eye open. Fans who have become as such thanks to the games introducing them to Sapkowski's world have come to see that iteration of the medallion as synonymous with The Witcher.
Geralt's Swords In Kaer Morhen
The second episode of season 2 -- "Kaer Morhen" -- contained some more nods and easter eggs to the games, as can be seen in the basement that Ciri is exploring. The two swords that are stored and held up on a display are directly modeled after the ones in the games. The top sword is a silver one known as the Viper Sword, noted by the snake-themed pommel and uniquely-designed cross guard at the top of the hilt.
Meanwhile, the sword on the bottom is Geralt's steel sword. Canonically, silver is used for supernatural creatures and steel for humans. In CD PROJEKT RED's games, Geralt of Rivia holds two at a time to adapt to any given situation, but the books only have him carry one on hand at a time. The second would typically be stored with Roach.
Voleth Meir & The Witcher 3's Crone's Of Crookback Bog
It's more of a subtle nod, but one of season 2's original creations is a reference to one of The Witcher 3's darkest quests. While demons are monsters canon to both Sapkowski and CD PROJEKT RED's respective Witcher universes, season 2's demonic Voleth Meir -- or Deathless Mother -- is a new character. Demons are dangerous, shape-shifting supernatural beings that arrived on the Continent during the Conjunction of the Spheres.
And the way the Netflix show's Voleth Meir presented herself to Yennefer, Fringilla, and Francesca was a reference to the Crones of Crookback Bog. In The Witcher 3, the Crones are evil beings that take human child sacrifices from the swamp's neighboring village. However, they've twisted their "public" perception as being three beautiful women, like how Voleth Meir presented herself differently to each of the three characters. The Crones also prey on the villagers' darkest desperations similar to the Deathless Mother.
The Stuffed Unicorn From The Witcher 3
It took some time for the main trio of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer to finally come together. However, they finally did at the Temple of Melitele, even if Yennefer of Vengerberg was doing so while wrestling with the Deathless Mother's temptations. While things are still calm and friendly, Yennefer tells Ciri of a stuffed unicorn she used to have that broke under "mysterious circumstances."
Of course, fans of The Witcher 3 will recognize that the fan-favorite gaming couple has one of the most bizarre romance scenes on the back of an incredibly detailed stuffed unicorn. But this also technically counts as a reference to Sapkowski's second book in the series, Sword of Destiny. In it, Geralt first discovers this stuffed unicorn she has specifically to have sex on, with the Witcher thinking to himself that that would possibly be the most uncomfortable place to do so.
Using The Game's Version Of Yrden
While Sign magic, including Yrden, is also canon to the books' continuity, the way it's used is more of an homage to the games. Geralt uses Yrden in the season finale in their battle against the Deathless Mother. It's used as a magical trap to slow down enemies that enter its range. Several of the signs are sparsely mentioned by name or used, with Aard being Geralt's most commonly used Sign.
With Sapkowski's last book in the series being the prequel/midquel Season of Storms, Yrden is officially the rarest mentioned/used ability. And while it's used in one short story, Yrden is depicted in it as more of a protective sealing spell. Netflix's The Witcher certainly opted for the more offensive iteration used in CD PROJEKT RED's games.
The Witcher 3's Rock Trolls
In the first episode of The Witcher's 2nd season, Geralt and Ciri are resting by a campfire for the night with the two addressing her nightmares. After she tells Geralt of what's been plaguing her mind lately, he mentions an unpleasant dream he's had about some overly-friendly Rock Trolls. Though seemingly random and insignificant, this is a reference to one of The Witcher 3's more lighthearted and humorous characters.
Rock Trolls are some of The Witcher 3's scariest creatures in-game, but their low bar of intelligence can make them somewhat harmless. This, unfortunately, means they can be easily manipulated and abused for nefarious purposes despite their immense physical strength. The side quests in the game typically deal with Rock Trolls accidentally killing people they were trying to help, or those that were invading their homes.