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Witchers never die in their beds. | ![]() | |
- Gwent: The Witcher Card Game Audio version: |
Ivo of Belhaven was a witcher from the School of the Bear, active in the 13th century.
Biography[]
Ivo was born in Belhaven and, through unknown circumstances, was taken to Haern Caduch to train as a witcher. He did not get along well with his fellow students—one could even say it was hate at first sight—but despite his smaller physique, he managed to hold his own during training. Over time, he became an impressively agile and lethal witcher, bearing more resemblance in style to the Cats or Vipers than to a Bear. After completing his training, he adopted the moniker "of Belhaven" and set off on the Path.
After leaving the school, Ivo distanced himself from other Bear School witchers, remaining indifferent even when he heard the news of Haern Caduch being sacked by peasants. At some point, he crossed paths with the witcher Junod of Belhaven, who, despite sharing the same moniker, was not actually from Belhaven. Just as he had been indifferent about the Bear School's disbandment, Ivo felt nothing upon learning of Junod's death.[2]
Meeting Meve[]
In 1267, during the Second Northern War, Ivo was hired by the Nilfgaardian Empire to kill Gernichora in Ysgith. However, he underestimated her power and was severely injured while fighting off the monsters she sent after him. Ivo eventually joined forces with Queen Meve of Lyria and Rivia and her army, and together they managed to defeat the monsters. After the battle, Ivo explained to Meve what Gernichora was and how to kill her. Impressed by his fighting, Meve offered him a place in her army, but he declined, stating that while he was devoid of emotion, he was not devoid of reason.[3]
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game[]
Season of the Bear: Ivo of Belhaven reward tree[]
This event allows to unlock the lore on Ivo and his avatar.
- Scroll 1: It is said that all the witchers from the Bear School are huge, broad-shouldered and bearded fellows. Ivo of Belhaven, however, did not quite fit this pattern. While he did have a beard, his posture and agility made him more fit to be a Cat or a Viper. Ironically, this made his character perfectly fit to his school...
- Scroll 2: Bears are loners, known for their aversion to the company of other witchers, and Ivo excelled in this field. This originated during his training in Haern Caduch. He did not like other students, to put it mildly. One could even say that it was hate at first sight. This cost Ivo... Many wounds, much pain, and a lot of lost blood. Stronger partners did not show him mercy during training. Yet the fight was always matched and Iwo would always pay them back in their own coin. Blood for blood.
- Scroll 3: The paths of new Bears parted once their training was finished. Later, they would avoid each other as much as possible. Ivo was no different. He remained indifferent to the news about the fate of the others, and did not show any interest, even when the angry mob banished witchers from Haern Caduch. This had nothing to do with anger or animosity, the mutations successfully neutralized such pointless feelings in him. He just did not care how others did.
What counted was that he would get by. - Scroll 4: Of course, from time to time, Ivo would run into another witcher.
One such encounter was quite memorable. He met a Bear he knew from the school. His name was Junod, and just like Ivo, he assumed the moniker 'of Belhaven'. However, unlike Ivo, he did not come from Belhaven. When asked, about the choice, he replied with refreshing candor, that he just liked the sound of the name – and, since he did not expect the smaller Bear to live very long, he did not have any qualms to steal his moniker.
Ironically, a couple of years later Ivo heard about Junod's death. And he felt...
Nothing, actually.
Season of the Bear reward tree[]
The following lore node from the event tree refers to Ivo:
- Chest 1: Queen Meve of Lyria and Rivia once encountered a witcher from the School of the Bear. His name was Ivo. His dark complexion suggested he originally hailed from the warm climate of the Continent's southern regions. Whereas, the bluntness with which he responded to the queen's questions suggested he rarely conversed with heads of state...