Witcher

Witchers or hexers are sterile mutants with supernatural abilities, who receive special training and preparation in order to become professional monster slayers for hire. It is believed (even by themselves) that they are unable to have emotions, although this may not be entirely true. Geralt, the central character in the Witcher series, is said in the stories to be one of the best witchers.

"Witcher" is a derogatory term constructed from the word witch (wiedźma) and used by the magicians to describe males with a limited magical ability.

Known witchers
Known witchers in Andrzej Sapkowski's books are:
 * Geralt
 * Lambert
 * Coën
 * Vesemir
 * Eskel

In the adaptations
In the computer game only
 * Berengar
 * Leo - not actually a full witcher, he had not undergone the mutations

In the movie and TV series only
 * Old Witcher
 * Gwidon
 * Clovis
 * Gascaden
 * Osbert
 * Sorel
 * Klef
 * Thornwald
 * Chireadan
 * Dermot Marranga
 * Adela

In the graphic novels only
 * Aubry
 * Frank
 * Gardis
 * Guxart
 * Gweld
 * Gwen
 * Hemminks
 * Rennes
 * Tjold
 * Treyse

In the PnP RPG only
 * Cormac

Name
The original Polish name for "witcher" is "wiedźmin". The English translation preferred by Andrzej Sapkowski was initially "hexer" and is the name used in the international version of the film adaptation. However, CD Projekt chose to translate it to "witcher" in the The Witcher computer game, and this version was subsequently used by Danusia Stok in her translation of the book The Last Wish, as well as by Sapkowski himself in the book Historia i fantastyka.

Alternatively, the word warlock has been used informally in English translations, while "witcher", being a neologism in English (as wiedźmin is in Polish) arguably describes better the spirit of Geralt's profession.

In other languages:
 * Zaklínač (Czech)
 * Hexer (German)
 * Raganius (Lithuanian)
 * Ведьмак/Vedmak (Russian)
 * Sorceleur (French)
 * El Brujo (Spanish)
 * 巫师 (Chinese)
 * Čarovnikar (Slovenian)
 * Noituri (Finnish)

In languages from the novel:
 * Vedymin
 * Vatt'ghern (Old Speech)

In languages from the game:
 * Witchmolol-bool (Vodyanoi)

Trivia

 * The Witcher is a character class in The Witcher: Versus
 * There is a Witcher Larp Group in Germany Wiedzmin.de

Sorceleur