Why Can Humans Use Magic? - Witcher Lore - Witcher Mythology - Witcher Magic

[@WitcherGeorge]

If you're interested in joining a community with fellow witcher fans check out the discord, also for updates follow my twitter (X), I hope you all enjoyed the video! Twitter (X): twitter.com/WitcherGeorgeB Discord: discord.com/invite/T8Hv9BbUJ6

[@williamwallace4080]

I'm Italian but was born in the Netherlands so it's really nice to see Dutch and Italian names so present in the books and games (Jan Bekker, Menno Coehoorn, Dijkstra, de Vries, van Bredevoort vs. Giambattista, Vivaldi, Giancardi)

[@WitcherGeorge]

It's really nice to see a great homage to European culture

[@venepskeuten9206]

True, every time i hear dijkstra mentioned i go I N G E P O L D E R D

[@alastor407]

Druids communed with nature and through a mutual relationship gained certain abilities. Mages harnessed magic through emperical means. Witcher signs, I think, are druidic because the mutagens used to make a witcher come from things more in tune with nature.

[@levilandes1719]

A mixture of both I always assumed. Could see where your point is though, and it's good.

[@brandonpowell3254]

Not that you don't usually, but you seemed particularly excited and enthusiastic on this topic.. love to see it, George🙏🏻

[@Krascara]

From reading the books and playing the games, magic seems to be an umbrella term for various things that go beyond the mundane. Like science, magic has many fields of study. Sorcerers and sources seem to interact with chaos, but not all magic is chaos, it's just one field of it. Just like in science you have physics, and chemistry, and biology and various subfields. They can be understood by learning, but some have a greater talent at manipulating or working with it. But chaos is just one field. Goetia is the study and working with outside forces like demons and seem not to have anything at all to do with chaos. Some creatures seem to have innate supernatural attributes that are inherent to them and not because they know chaos. Intent and emotions seem to have their own magic, and don't seem to have anything to do with chaos. I don't think all magic is the same thing at all. They're wildly different things that have their own paranormal or supernatural natures. Where studying and using chaos is just one of many unrelated things or powers called magic. Witcher signs probably came from a simplification of chaos study. Anyone can learn them, but you can have greater or lesser talents in using them. All sorcerers could probably use signs, like cantrips in DnD. But witchers became experts in using them strategically combined with swordplay.

[@efaristi9737]

You understand wrong then, magic is chaos, there is no other types of magic. You are right though, there is severals fields of study like science, like Goetia but that's still chaos magic. There is never ever implied that there is other forms of magic. Whether you draw it from water or fire, that's still chaos.

[@Moosler]

Congrats to 150k and great topic.

[@lyricholmes1827]

I’m not sure if this is correct, but I think Triss mentioned in the books that Geralt has a slight connection to magic or the ‘Source’ (probably because Geralt’s mother Visenna was a sorceress) but Eskel’s connection is actually really strong and she says he could have been sorcerer. Although it’s never mentioned in the books or games which mutagens Witcher’s are subjected to I remember Regis asking Geralt in B&W if he’s sure they don’t use vampire mutagens in the Trial of Grasses, and Geralt says he’s “pretty sure” or something to that effect. Makes you wonder.

[@VInceent]

There is indeed something like you described in the first part of your comment. However, in my traduction (as English is not my birth language it may be slightly different from what you read) she says that witchers emits "waves" and yes, Eskel's waves are stronger than Geralt's ones.

[@markkettlewell7441]

From my understanding of Witcher Lore I don’t think that mages are ‘sources’. Lara Dorren and Ciri are true ‘sources’, mages are wielders of magic and I believe there is a difference. To be a source it appears from the text that one must possess the Elder Blood or Hen Ichaer.😊

[@WalrusWinking]

Something that's always bothered me not just with the Witcher but with ALL Fantasy universes. Dwarves, Elves, even others like Hobbits seem to have the qualities that just put them above the races of men. Which always frustrates me to no end they are always written as better yet the humans are always the dominate ones. Then there's Sci-Fi basically every other alien species seems to live longer or be WAY stronger or smarter than humans. Humans never being better at anything always the worst. At least in the Witcher humans seem to be good at magic or a select few.

[@NoForksGiven]

In most fantasies, humans are some of the fastest reproducing species in the world, second only to orcs and/or goblins. In our world the most dominant species aren't humans, it's insects. They could destroy us all if they wanted. Strength in numbers will always the most advantagous. Now considering it takes 9 months to produce 1 human, and a further 18 years until they're morally allowed to bear children, us being the fastest reproducing race is hilarious. How are you slower than a species that takes 18 years to replenish a member? It takes 5 for most animals, sometimes shorter

[@DatsWhatSheSaid]

People love Underdog stories. You can't make Humans the protagonist of the story without making them look like the underdog, overcoming all odds.

[@efaristi9737]

Dwarves and Elves are above men on certains things because of natural affinities and longer lifespans but humans are usually the dominant ones because they have something the other species lack : adaptability and versatility. In fact, in all fantasy novels i have seen so far, human might not be the best with magic but they are usually good at it. And where have Hobbits be ever described as better than men in anything ?

[@dominiczibuda5232]

Wow, a video within a week of the last, thats insane.

[@MegaShadow91]

I have a suggestion. Make a video about the curses or circumstances that turn ordinary humans into monsters. Like lycanthropy or how women turn into those banshees (forget their names now) and so many others. Would be interesting in my opinion. Thanks for the great content.

[@WitcherGeorge]

Good idea! :))

[@efaristi9737]

4:54 I think druids just study magic differently but it's still the same thing. Dryads use magic too but they don't have schools of magic like humans. 7:21 No, no, Sources are a special kind of mages, way more powerful and capable to prophetised. Most mages aren't sources, in fact, none of the mages we know, including Yennefer and Triss, described themselves as being sources and they never suffered from prophetics dreams like Ciri. Nimue enforce this, she didn't make random prophecies or show any particular skills of magic, she went to Aretuza on her own to study magic and become a sorceress because of Geralt and Yennefer ballads and was even rejected the first time she tried to pass the entrance exams. 8:04 Lamber explain in the books that to use signs, someone must have a minima of skills or potential in magic. In fact, it's mentioned in the books that many peoples have a affinity to magic but not enough to be mages so there is various levels of magical potentials in humanity and most don't have enough to be come sorcerers. 8:34 I don't think mutations have anything to do with that. When she was trained by the Witchers, she tried to cast the Signs before being mutated which mean the witchers expected her to be able to do so. She failed but that's because a Source don't control her powers unless trained, not because she wasn't mutated. Your videos are very interesting, i can't wait to see more.

[@VInceent]

It was an interesting video as always ! To come back on the differences between druidic magic and magic from sorceresses and mages in The Witcher, I think that the main difference is the fact that druids are not scholars, not academician. A good example of a druid formation could be the Peddler of Crow's Perch because he didn't get any teaching in an academy but he is still able to use a more primal magic. Now, I have something to add about how witchers are linked to magic : in the third book, in the chapter inside which Triss comes to Kaer Morhen and lectures the witchers about Ciri's education, it is said (at least in my french version of the book) that in addition of the daily training, a lot of rare mushrooms and plants are added to the diet of future witchers. In the case of Ciri, the four witchers chose to remove the magical ones that are usually added with the rest. Therefore it is possible that witchers are, even before the Trial of Grasses, "imbued" with magic from those mushrooms and plants.

[@efaristi9737]

Yet in that chapter, they also said they had Ciri tried to cast Signs. Why would they want her to do that if they took aways the magical mushrooms supposed to "imbue" her with magic ?

[@kingdomkey63]

Congrats on 150

[@martismarty1566]

I find your videos to be very laxt and soothing like an ASMR audio. Might be ur music, voice or both but it feel nice❤

[@WitcherGeorge]

Thank you :)

[@r1k14]

I wonder if gnomes or dwarves can use magic. Not in the same way as elfes or humans ofc. But in their metalworking and smithing, like if that's the reason their craft is the best. If they use some sort of different, preconjuction kind of magic. I'm sure that, even before conjuction, the elements held some kind of power, even if it can't be called magic by the standard elven definition or something like that.

[@efaristi9737]

It seems there is some mages among the Gnomes though they are even rarer than humans. Dwarves seems to primarily use magic through runes.

[@DanzoTheManzo13]

Welcome back!

[@angeloursini5046]

10:42 Saying that in The Witcher worldbuilding magic system is basically science it's a bit incorrect. It's pretty clear that studying the chaos is not the only way of using it. Some examples may be: 1. Jacques the Aldersberg, Ciri and sources in general, which can control magic, even in a powerful way, regardless of a training. 2. Olgierd von Everec, which is basically a normal human and despite that can use necromancy/goetia to summon demons and teleport 3. monsters like higher vampires, leshens or the crones have strong connection with chaos and can do magic by nature 4. Even normal folks can cast curses by strong emotions like pain and fear or simply by accident, circumstances like this are even kinda normal in the witcher 3 From my perspective, there is certainly a "science based" magic, which is sorcery, that manipulate magic by comprehending it, but there are even other ways of controlling it, like an "art based" magic Sorry for the possible bad english

[@whyonthefall5373]

Is the whole 'chaos' angle a show invention? In the books I'm fairly certain magic is drawn from natural reservoirs in the world

[@angeloursini5046]

​@@whyonthefall5373i don't know, i watched only season one of the show years ago. I used the word "chaos" in order to stick with the video

[@rounaksethia5497]

Could you make a video about all the race/species in witchers

[@majora320]

Now you've got me imagining how powerful a witcher could be if they had training in more advanced magic. Imagine how broken they would be if they could cast bigger spells or buff themselves with something more powerful than the signs.

[@efaristi9737]

That depends on the witcher, they don't all have strong connections to magic. And it wouldn't necessarily be a advantage in the midst of a fight. Monsters are fast and agile and many spells require time to be performed.

[@reecekelly1939]

Love your videos! One thing that still confuses me is about how stamina works for mages? One moment they can be dashing out spells but the next can be taken down ? I see it as dependant on the power level of the sorcerer and how much they have raw power effects there stamina?

[@unusualswoop7660]

you hit 150k subs??

[@miraafloyd]

Of all the races to be able to control magic, humans are probably the worst to give it to lol. Except maybe Druids and Priest of Lebioda & Melitelie.

[@venepskeuten9206]

Lesbomancy best magic

[@dejanjordan]

Cool still active I see

[@whyonthefall5373]

The witcher's magic is relatively soft (in world building terms). The upper limit is quite variable, and i think it works well for the story

[@emmanuel1337]

It is pretty well established that they aren't supposed to even come close to what mages are capable of, being mostly something that's complementary to the witcher's martial prowess. We just gotta accept that the games (specifically the third) break that big time in order to make builds that are centered around signs viable and create gameplay variety. What Geralt can pull off in TW3 with a well-made sign build is just too much...

[@whyonthefall5373]

@emmanuel1337 yeah, in the books he's more akin to an uber-skilled, specialist mercenary that can do some weak (even regarded to be laughable) magic. Sign build geralt would have less problems, let's just say

[@JETWTF]

I would posit that Witchers always could use magic just not to a degree that anyone would have noticed including themselves. Not everyone can use magic and there is the law of surprise but that doesn't harm my ideas. Not every child survives the trial of grasses and that could be what weeds out the magic capable from the incapable, it's the inherent ability that allows them to survive. Those who couldn't use magic never became a witcher. That explains how they can use magic and how they survived in one theory that works perfect together. As for types of magic or elemental types I don't think there are any different types at all. All forms of magic are one and the same. Mages, druids, and Witchers are all using the same magical forces, it's the difference in how they use it that's different and sources that are elemental are just better at doing that type of elemental magic. All magic users all have one thing in common, they have to concentrate on the spell they wish to cast, druids use rituals, witchers use signs, mages mumble some words and wave their arms or whatever. All a different way of using the same thing. The sign itself isnt the magic, it's the way to use magic to have that effect, practice Igni to light candles or practice the Aard sign to do it being equally possible.

[@edi9892]

I thought that mages had been modified similar to Witchers in order to unlock their full potential. I think that this is one of the major differences to druids. Weren't many mages also sterile?

[@efaristi9737]

No, mages aren't modified, unless you're speaking about their glamour appearance. But that's not made in the intent to make them better at magic but to fit the expectations of what the generale population expect a sorcerer or a sorceress to look like. Yes, many mages are steriles but that is due to the practice of magic that mutate their gonads and make them unable to have kids. It's a side effect, not something intended. And some magicians don't have it.

[@Sniper9773]

FIRST!

[@chriscox5352]

*Promo SM*

[@AbhijeetChouhanXD]

Humans*