witcher

Old Witcher was a witcher from the School of the Wolf. It was he who brought Geralt to the witchers.

Biography

Collecting Geralt

Seven years after fellow witcher Thornwald rescued a man from a pack of werewolves, Old Witcher was sent to collect the boy claimed by the Law of Surprise. When he approached the hut where the family lived, he saw the boy and asked if his father was home. Rather than answer, the boy ran inside, and the parents came out. They argued with Old Witcher about giving up their son, with the father even attacking Old Witcher with a sword. Old Witcher then held a knife to his throat and told the mother to bring out their son or blood would flow. Before it came to that, the boy himself came out of the hut and willingly went with Old Witcher.

While they traveled to Kaer Morhen, the boy attempted to run away several times, to which the Old Witcher devised a solution. He tied a cord around the boy's waist and tied the other end to his belt. When they rested at a river and ate and drank, the boy asked what fate was, after the Old Witcher had brought it up. The Old Witcher explained that his destiny was to go to Kaer Morhen, become a witcher, and kill monsters until he dies. After traveling another six days, they arrived at Kaer Morhen at night while the rest of the witchers and candidates were meditating. Old Witcher and the boy joined in, with the boy falling asleep. While Geralt slept in the caves, the Old Witcher explained to his friend and head of the Wolf School, the priest Vesemir, that Geralt was a brave, strong, and resourceful boy—just like Vesemir's son. At the mention of the latter, he apologized. He also explained that Geralt's mother had put a curse on him in order to prevent him from truly becoming a witcher. He then said he felt sorry for Geralt.

Trial of the Mountains

Some time later, Vesemir informed Old Witcher that he was to take Geralt into the woods for the Test of the Mountains and that while he couldn't break the witchers' rules and outright help the boy, he could give certain tips. He was also instructed to leave Geralt closer to the route towards Tes. Once he had brought Geralt to the woods, he gave some tips on how to survive and hunt before leaving.

When Old Witcher returned to pick up Geralt after his time in the forest was done, he discovered Geralt had not only survived, but he had tamed a wolf with cubs and was also caring for a young girl called Adela. Geralt initially did not want to return with Old Witcher to Kaer Morhen, but after Geralt said he had seen Gwidon kill Adela's parents, Old Witcher took them both back. While traveling back, Old Witcher asked Geralt how Fangtooth, the wolf he had tamed, was doing after Geralt said goodbye. Geralt responded that she had said to stay, as Geralt was also a wolf. Old Witcher then remarked that that was true—he was a white wolf.

Upon returning to the other witchers, Old Witcher presented the evidence he had gotten from Geralt to Vesemir, confirming that Gwidon had killed innocent humans. Old Witcher, along with the rest of the school, then confronted Gwidon and the witchers loyal to him and made them give up their swords before being banished from the School.

Final days at Kaer Morhen

When Geralt was nearly done with his training to be a witcher, Old Witcher was present when Vesemir and Geralt talked about the latter not being able to control his emotions and being attracted to women. He was also present when Geralt, Gascaden, and Clovis had completed their punishment and Geralt was informed he and Klef would be going to the mountains. He was present when Geralt returned from the mountains with Klef's body, claiming that Klef had attempted to kill him.

While Geralt awaited sentencing for Klef's death, Old Witcher was made his master. He and Geralt trained together in the woods. When it was time for Geralt to take his witcher vows, Old Witcher helped Geralt into the old witcher armor, although he told Geralt he didn't know why he was being made to wear it, as it hadn't been in use for a hundred years with one exception. He and Geralt then went to see Vesemir, who was dying. After Geralt had won his duel against Thornwald, Old Witcher was the only one to support him as he left.

Banishment

Shortly after Geralt had left, Old Witcher was banished from Kaer Morhen. He followed Geralt and aided him when he was fighting humans. He admonished Geralt for fighting the humans and being surprised by them. When Geralt offered to travel together, Old Witcher declined, saying each had their own destiny. When Geralt remarked he had only ever heard people call him "old man," and that he never even knew his real name, Old Witcher simply waved and left on his horse.

Episodes