Netflix's The Witcher became an overnight sensation, quickly becoming the "new Game of Thrones" to fantasy fans across the world. Geralt and all the monsters have become everyone's favorite living room companions. However, The Witcher had hardcore fans long before Netflix. Between the books and video games, The Witcher universe has been collecting fans for decades.
With so much reference material, of course, the series could help but include some amazing easter eggs just for the classic fans. Some of them were obvious and awesome, but others need a little more sleuthing. Luckily for Witcher fans, we've figured the best ones out. Here are 10 References To The Games Only Loyal Fans Would Notice.
The Bathtub
Geralt is infamous for enjoying his baths, and The Witcher 3 starts off with him soaking in a tub. So, Henry Cavill's version of course had to end up naked and washing at some point. And Netflix delivered.
Not only does Geralt take one bath on screen, but two. That's some real fanservice there. Honestly, if the show hadn't included a bath scene it would've been weirder. As one of the most iconic Geralt scenes, it would've been a crime to ignore. And, since they are following the books right now, it's nice to have such a well-known video game moment included on-screen.
The Dragon Egg
For fans of The Witcher 2, the adventure with Jackdaws must have been very exciting for them. But what's more exciting was that little egg that Geralt and Yennefer helped protect. After all, it's very likely that this egg turns into one of the coolest characters in The Witcher universe: Saskia The Dragonslayer.
Yeah, confusing name. But Saskia named her human form that because she wanted to trick people, but actually she's a golden dragon, daughter of Jackdaws himself. Her mother was that green dragon. Saskia uses her human form, though, to lead people and protect her kind. She's amazing and fans love her. Can't wait to see if she shows up in later seasons.
Aard Sign
This is a blink and you'll miss it ability, one that most new fans didn't really think about. But in The Witcher video games, the Witchers have certain abilities to manipulate people and the elements. Netflix included these (particularly the Aard Sign) but just didn't really introduce them. Geralt pushes people back and breaks things with this power in some of the battles he fights throughout the series.
Yeah, bet that Netflix fans didn't even know it had a specific name. Granted, it's not like the series bothered to give it one in the first place. Either way, it's cool to see these video game mechanics made into apart of the show that only makes Geralt cooler.
The Wild Hunt
In The Witcher 3, The Wild Hunt are a group of mythical, spectral warriors that are trying to hunt down Ciri. Correct, poor girl gets hunted all the time, even into adulthood. However, despite their categorization of the lands, the people interpreted their attacks as earthquakes or thunderstorms.
The Witcher series dares to mention the Wild Hunt, a very important part of Ciri's evolution. And many casual fans probably completely missed the reference entirely, as it was mentioned off-hand by Queen Calanthe during a party. That proud, stubborn queen does a lot of accidental prophetic foreshadowing, doesn't she?
The Sacking of Kaer Morhen
During Pavetta's engagement party, in passing the sacking of Kaer Morhen was mentioned. For those that paid attention (or have been around for years), that is the Witcher keep where Geralt was raised and schooled in the ways. The Witchers have always been known for their secrets, but they didn't become peak recluses until a mob assaulted Kaer Morhen and slain every Wolf School Witcher except Vesemir.
Now, only Vesemir and a few other roaming Witchers (like Geralt) call the keep home. So yeah, considering the show seems to be setting up Ciri's training there, fans will probably get more information on that reference soon enough.
The Hirikka
Knight Eyck was an embarrassment from the moment fans met him until he was unceremoniously cut down. His shining moment, and somehow his most embarrassing, was when he stabbed an emaciated Hirikka on the mountain. It didn't stand a chance, but the man kept chopping.
What's more embarrassing, though, is that in the video games it is well known that Hirikka are very rare, endangered creatures. So yeah, it wasn't a danger and Eyck also destroyed an animal that deserved protection, not slaying. Fans of The Witcher video games must've been cringing even harder than everyone else. Way to pick 'em, Yen.
Conjuncture of Spheres
Several times throughout the series, characters mention the Conjuncture of Spheres as a foreboding event. However, it's a lot more interesting than it sounds. When they talk about it, it just sounds like some weird legend or prophecy. In the video games, players find out more, that it's not just some legend; it's real.
The Conjuncture brought not only the monsters but also the humans to The Continent. That's why the elves have been so displaced and decimated by them; they all showed up out of nowhere and took over. It's a reference much more important to the existence of The Continent than casual fans might ever expect.
Dimeritium
While mages are greatly powerful, there is one substance that renders their powers moot: dimeritium. The metal is capable of blocking out the chaos in them and gives the user a great advantage against them. People even create weapons out of the stuff, just to have a better chance.
Yennefer and Tissaia mention the metal, and it definitely will get the video game players all excited. Memories of dimeritium blades to use against pesky mages are a lot of fun. Well, for the players having an adventure with Geralt. Yen and Tissaia would probably disagree about how fun that was.
Lilac and Gooseberries
When Geralt and Yennefer first met, Geralt noted that she smelled of lilac and gooseberries. While that can seem like a cute little note to prove how much he pays attention to her, it actually has so much meaning. And yes, more than just being a reminder of how bad he feels when he loses her. Though, let's not discredit how romantic and sweet that scene was.
Throughout all the video games, lilac and gooseberries is also how Geralt recognizes Yen has been anywhere. Sure, using the smell like a tracking dog isn't as cute as the other things, but it is a big part of the game and it's neat to see it included. Because what always comes with Yennefer of Vanneberg? Lilac and Gooseberries.
The White Flame
All throughout The Witcher series, the Nilfgaardians keep mentioning something they believe in called "The White Flame". For newbies, that sounds like a religious cult and "The White Flame" sounds like a godly authority.
But for video game fans, they know "The White Flame" is a very human someone, and someone everyone already knows. Fans met him under the name of Duny, but his birth name was Emhyr, heir and Emperor of Nilfgaard. The people of his kingdom and his devoted followers call him "The White Flame". And he's after Ciri because she is his powerful daughter and he wants her in his empire. Future seasons are going to be pretty interesting with this guy lurking around, seeking power and conquest.