Talk:Sigismund Dijkstra/@comment-24.14.163.155-20180114192651

I knew I was going to side with Dijkstra before I even knew what this would change about the ending. I only wish there had been a diplomatic solution that would have kept Roche, Ves and Thaler alive, but they're willing to submit to an empire that still uses slavery to keep their fantasy of a Temerian state alive. There would be no real independence for Temeria under Nilfgaard. Plus, even if Nilfgaard withdrew its forces at first, I don't doubt that eventually they would be eyeing Kovir and Poviss as the only small, independent kingdoms remaining on their borders - not to mention the consolidation of the north would allow them to subjugate Skellige as well. So, it's really about choosing them over countless others. And Dijkstra, despite his temper and kind of brusque manner, is a pretty reasonable person to deal with. You can talk him out of wanting to kill Philippa, he helps Geralt out at several points, and he is probably the closest person in this game to an "enlightenment"-era ruler - someone with more modern sensibilities of state and society. The epilogue talks about his leadership being "for the good of his subjects - though often contrary to their will". Well, yeah - most people are essentially feudal peasants, who are easily led into burning mages and nonhumans because they're scared and ignorant. Dijkstra knows better than that and his leadership, though harsh, is by far best for the long term.