Wondering about The Witcher Yennefer? She is the standout character among the many mages, witches, and sorceresses in the series, and yet she appears in only one game in the series. Despite that, there is no doubt that Yennefer has left a lasting impression on fans of The Witcher.
There are many aspects of her history that weren’t captured in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This is partly due to the third game in the series focusing on Yennefer’s pupil and eventual daughter, Ciri. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Yennefer played a major role in Geralt’s life, even if they aren’t together any longer.
Yennefer and Geralt’s early life together
After being bound together by a Djinn, Yennefer and Geralt lived together in Vengerberg for nearly a year. This was a turbulent time for both of them, as Yennefer was a conceited and condescending sorceress, and Geralt was a ruggedly handsome Witcher with a reputation for sleeping with his clients.
Eventually, the drama came to a head, and both parties felt chagrined about their actions. Perhaps the most telling moment came when Geralt brought Yennefer apple juice as a simple yet charming gesture – which, in a telling moment of reflection, she recognized as such.
Yennefer desires to be a mother
As with many characters in The Witcher, Yennefer’s desire to be a mother is a recurring theme in the books. She learns that there are more ways to become a mother after meeting Ciri and training her in magic. She also shares this desire with Geralt, and the two often bond over this.
However, Yennefer’s infertility is something she shares with Geralt. Despite her age, she appears youthful due to her magical abilities, and she often ponders whether it’s possible for her to become pregnant. She once attempted to take her own life, but impressed the academy’s chancellor because she was so determined to live.
Yennefer and Geralt’s true relationship
The extent to which Yennefer and Geralt’s relationship is magically influenced is unclear, though there are some indications that their relationship is more than just a romantic connection. In The Witcher: House of Glass, Geralt travels to a town where everyone had been magically put to sleep, including Yennefer.
When Geralt finds Yennefer, she is standing in a field of flowers and appears to be asleep. He then takes her to the inn where all of the other people are sleeping. When Yennefer wakes, she has no recollection of what happened. However, Geralt knows that he has seen this before and knows that Yennefer was standing in the field of flowers when she was put to sleep.
The Witcher Yennefer voice actor
The English voice of Yennefer is provided by the Irish actress, Denise Gough. You might not recognize her face, but you’ve probably heard her voice before. She has voiced characters in games such as Destiny 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. She has also appeared in live-action roles in movies such as The First and I Am Not a Witch.
Yennefer creator and inspiration
Yennefer was created by writer Andrzej Sapkowski to defy genre stereotypes. She is a tough, independent character who doesn’t fall into the stereotypical damsel in distress role. In an interview with The Telegraph in 2015, Andrzej said that he wanted to create a character that was not “the usual skinny little girl in a short skirt”.
In the same interview, Andrzej said that he was inspired by the character of Joan of Arc. Joan is a historical figure who has been made famous by various works of art, including books, movies, and television shows.
This Joan of Arc inspiration is clear in some of Yennefer’s most defining traits. She is considered a quadroon, meaning she is one-quarter elven and three-quarters human. This heritage has given her a long lifespan and youthful appearance, but she has faced abuse and abandonment from her father and mother because of it. She was also born a hunchback, which she used magic to alter her appearance. However, the crooked shoulders serve as a reminder of her past.
Yennefer’s film and TV appearances
Yennefer’s first live-action appearance was in a Polish movie and television series adaptation of The Witcher books, which was called The Hexer. She was played by Grazyna Wolszczak.
Yennefer was also a playable character in the short-lived game The Witcher Battle Arena. You can see her in action in the gameplay trailer below:
Yennefer has also done a few other things, including appearing as a boss in Super Mario Maker 2.
You can also play as Yennefer in The Witcher: Kingdoms, a mobile game that is a spin-off of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
