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Tissaia de Vries was a sorceress, a member of the Chapter of the Gift and the Art, and the rectoress of Aretuza before the Thanedd coup.
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What is Tissaia de Vries' role in the Chapter of the Gift and the Art?
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Biography[]
Not much is known about Tissaia's early life, though she showed a high level of magical proficiency that she eventually became the rectoress of Aretuza, a magical academy for young girls to be trained in magic.
Training Yennefer[]
In 1206,[1] Tissaia sensed a young, teenage girl in Vengerberg, Aedirn via a strong, albeit uncontrolled, burst of magic. As uncontrolled magic could lead to dire circumstances for both the wielder and those around them, Tissaia headed out to retrieve the girl for training per protocol.
A short time later, Tissaia arrived in Aedirn's capital at a small, rundown farm and found the girl in question, Yennefer. She then offered to buy Yennefer, to which Yennefer's abusive stepfather readily agreed to, selling her for 4 marks, less than half the price of a pig. Despite Yennefer and her mother's protests at this, Yennefer is then forcefully taken from her home by Tissaia and locked into a room at Aretuza to await classes. That night though, a distraught Yennefer attempts suicide by slitting her wrists.
Tissaia managed to reach Yennefer in time though and saved her, healing the girl's wrists. When Yennefer argued she wished she had died as it was the one thing she had control over now, Tissaia retorted that Yennefer wasn't taking control of her life but was losing it.
Later on, classes started and Tissaia had all the girls in Yennefer's group summoned to the school's greenhouse. There, Tissaia explained the dangers of magic and that they were all "conduits of chaos" as magic itself was a way to control chaos. She then presented a magical task to the students where a lesson is quickly learned after one student's hand rapidly ages and shrivels up: there is a give and take with magic. After the student's hand returns to normal, Tissaia then reveals how to use the essence from something else (in this case a flower) to safely raise the small stone before them. After showing the correct way, she has the students try again, and all but Yennefer manage to raise their stones without issue to some degree. Seeing Yennefer's inability to lift her stone, Tissaia coldly remarks to the young girl that "sometimes the best thing a flower can do for us is die," further disheartening Yennefer and causing her to flee from the greenhouse.
Weeks pass until one class where Tissaia has the initiates in pairs to practice telepathy: in particular, to determine their partner's greatest fear. However, despite being at it for awhile, Yennefer is unable to read her partner's mind. When put on the spot by Tissaia, Yennefer states her partner's fear, but Tissaia knows Yennefer made this up and berates her in front of the class.
Sometime later during a stormy night, Tissaia takes the initiates to Tor Lara to test their ability to control the ultimate expression of chaos: capture lightning in a bottle. The first two students fail before it's Yennefer's turn. However, like the first two, Yennefer also fails, getting struck by lightning and sent flying off her feet. The next student, Sabrina, attempts it and becomes the first in the group to successfully capture lightning in her bottle. Tissaia congratulates Sabrina, remarking that she's "the strong amongst the weak" before giving a glance over at Yennefer. Enraged at this and her own failures, Yennefer screams out and shoots lightning at Tissaia, who redirects it into the sky. Later in private, Tissaia notes to Yennefer how she can relate to the young girl, remarking how there are two types of mages: those who control their emotions and those who let their emotions control them. While Tissaia sees that both of them are the latter, it's their job to control chaos, not become it.
Later on, Tissaia set up a test for Yennefer to see if Yennefer could finally control her emotions long enough. To test this, she simply tasked Yennefer to obtain a flower from Istredd. When Yennefer managed to do so and brought the flower back to the rectoress as proof, Tissaia dismissed her, though instead of calling her "piglet" this time, she referred to Yennefer by her actual name. Yennefer then asked if this meant she was ready to "ascend". Tissaia simply responded to listen for the knock.
That night, Tissaia went around to knock on a few doors, waking up three of the girls and instructing them to follow her. However, she bypasses Yennefer's room without knocking as she leads the three students to a small cavern with a pool of water, knowing Yennefer is secretly following. In the cavern, Tissaia turns the three girls into eels before instructing Yennefer to come out and push the eels into the water. However, shocked at seeing what happened to her fellow classmates, Yennefer originally objects. Tissaia then reveals the truth: those who can't learn to control chaos become a danger to themselves and others, so she takes away their control to cause harm, but they still have magical power in them to act as conduits for Aretuza. Accepting this, Yennefer then takes a broom and pushes them into the water as all of Aretuza lights up with magic.[2]
Sending Yennefer to Nilfgaard[]
Several years later, in 1210, Tissaia finds Yennefer with the school's enchanter in preparation for her initiation to become King Virfuril of Aedirn's mage. However, it becomes clear to the rectoress that Yennefer is still undecided what physical attributes she should have altered. Tissaia reflects that they remake themselves on their own terms and that Yennefer has the power to free the "victim in the mirror" forever. She then instructs Yennefer to close her eyes and imagine the most powerful woman in the world, and takes that image from her mind and transposes it onto the mirror for Yennefer to see, even if just for a brief moment.
However, shortly before the initations, the Chapter gathers to discuss the current political environment: Cintra with its refusal to use the Chapter's mages, having banned mages entirely from the country, and Nilfgaard being run by King Fergus, who's more bent on satisfying his own desires at the expense of his citizens. While the group acknowledges Fringilla, who is Artorius Vigo's niece, was meant to go to Nilgaard, Stregobor has little faith in her ability to get Fergus in line. Tissaia tries to reassure everyone that Fringilla can do it, but Artorius also voices his concerns, opening the way for Stregobor to recommend Yennefer be sent to Nilfgaard instead. At this, Tissaia reminds them they agreed Yennefer would go to Aedirn on account of King Virfuril preferring mages from his country. However, Stregobor reveals to the room that Yennefer is part elf, and as Aedirn is Cintra's largest trading partner, having even a quarter-elf mage in their court would isolate Cintra even further on account of Cintra's hatred towards elves. Despite Tissaia claiming Artorius was acting out of nepotism for his niece to spare her from duties in Nilfgaard, the damage is done by revealing Yennefer's elven heritage and the Chapter overrule's Tissaia, agreeing to re-assign Yennefer to Nilfgaard.
After Yennefer is informed of her assignment being changed to Nilfgaard, she confronts Tissaia, demanding an audience with the Chapter. However, Tissaia has to break it to her that it wouldn't alter the outcome, as it was revealed to the Chapter about her quarter-elf blood and that it'd further ostracize Cintra to have her in Aedirn's court. Tissaia then informed her it was Stregobor who revealed it to everyone.
A few days later, a ball is held with many of the kingdoms' rulers to introduce the initiates and pair them off to their assigned rulers. As Tissaia, Artorius, Stregobor, and the rest of the Chapter gather in the ballroom and oversee introductions, Yennefer is notably absent following her reassignment. However, before all introductions are made, she appears, having been completely transformed by the enchanter, and immediately makes a beeline for King Virfuril. Tissaia tries to run interference, but as soon as Yennefer introduces herself to the king as being from his capital city, he immediately takes her hand to dance, discarding Fringilla in favor of the Aedirn-born sorceress. Tissaia and the rest of the Chapter watch angrily from the sidelines, unable to do anything now to prevent this.[3]
A shot at redemption[]
30 years later, in 1240,[4] and having not spoken to Yennefer for just as long, Tissaia finally decides to pay the raven-haired sorceress a visit on account of her former student having drawn unwanted attention. After revealing King Virfuril is dead, having been succeeded by his son, Demavend, Tissaia then reveals she knows Yennefer has been looking for a way to allow her to bear a child. However, the rectoress warns her the other mages Yennefer's been seeking assistance with won't help her as she's "pure chaos" at the moment and that while the Brotherhood left Yennefer to her own devices after she abandoned her position with Aedirn, her recent behavior will make her a target. Tissaia then invites her former student to return to Aretuza, but Yennefer turns her down, responding that she suspects her former teacher only wants to see her thrive so long as Tissaia has a hand in it. Tissaia adamantly denies this before asking what more could Yennefer want, with Yennefer simply replying "everything."[5]
Conclave of Northern Mages[]
In 1263,[6] Tissaia found and confronted Yennefer in the cavern with the pool just as the sorceress was revealing to three young students what happens to those who fail to ascend. Sending the students back to their rooms, the rectoress coldly told Yennefer that she should stop with the one life she'd already ruined. Yennefer then revealed she never wanted to come back and how the school was a joke now, letting in girls who couldn't even do magic. As Tissaia revealed the school had to make compromises in order to survive, the two see groups of mages urgently heading off somewhere and Tissaia quickly follows after them as an emergency conclave was called as they just got word Nilfgaard attacked Cintra.
Tissaia, Stregobor, and Artorius lead the conclave, but it becomes clear Artorius and Stregobor have no desire to go to war with Nilfgaard, thus letting Cintra fall. Tissaia speaks against this, wishing to save Cintra as Nilfgaard will continue after the rest and is a threat to their way of life and magical practices. Sabrina, Vilgefortz, and Vanielle side with Tissaia but as all the mages argue, their meeting is interrupted by none other than Fringilla. While Tissaia and a few others trade remarks about Nilfgaard and Fringilla having undone so much work, Fringilla declares she's only there to issue a warning: if the mages there won't pick sides, then they should at least stay out of Nilfgaard's way as they only wish to take Cintra. The conclave then calls a vote, resulting in the majority of the mages in favor of letting Cintra fall.
Once the conclave concluded, Yennefer and Tissaia resumed their previous discussion, where Tissaia insisted that there are girls who need the help that only Aretuza can provide. She also added that Yennefer was right back in Rinde when Tissaia visited her, but they had to put their differences aside to stop Nilfgaard. Tissaia, Vilgefortz, and some of the other mages were planning to fight, and she was hoping Yennefer would join them.[7]
Battle of Sodden Hill[]
Approximately 60 mages, Tissaia, Yennefer, Triss, Vilgefortz, Vanielle, Coral, and Sabrina included, board a ship headed for Sodden Hill. They must get to the Elven keep that guarded it before Nilfgaard did. They had already sent word to the Northern kingdoms. Temeria and Kaedwen agreed to join them in defending the land. The plan was to protect the keep. Tissaia, Yennefer, Triss, Vilgefortz, Vanielle, Coral, and Sabrina arrived at the keep. The only thing separating Nilfgaard from the North. They were greeted by a man. Yennefer advised him to take the children and hide, but as he explained, there was no more hiding from Nilfgaard. Their only chance was to fight.
Tissaia and Yennefer discussed Nilfgaard's encroachment and the need to enjoy the night while they could. Yennefer noticed that Tissaia had taken a liking to Vilgefortz. Tissaia looked to her and asked if she was ready to die should they fail to stop Nilfgaard. Yennefer claimed that she was, having lived several life times, none of which satisfied her, Tissaia remarked. Yennefer had accepted that life had no more to give. However, Tissaia argued that Yennefer still had more to give.
The keep was attacked in the late hours of the night by Fringilla and Nilfgaard. The sun had risen and the Northern mages made it through the night. Unfortunately, Nilfgaard arrived much sooner than they anticipated and the Northern armies were still a ways out. There were only 22 of them left, Tissaia, Yennefer, Triss, Vilgefortz, Vanielle, Coral, Atlan Kerk, and Sabrina included. They watched as a thick fog consumed the mountains around them, signaling Nilfgaard's encroachment. Tissaia ordered Sabrina to take the villagers to the artillery room while she and Triss head down. Yennefer was instructed to keep watch on the tower and reserve her chaos.
Yennefer telepathically communicated with the others to alert them of Nilfgaard's arrival. Tissaia guided Triss to an open field, where she proceeded to make mushrooms grow out the ground that when inhaled, its gases caused the Nilfgaardians to die.
Tissaia confronted Fringilla in the woods. She offered her a way out if she would willingly return to Aretuza. Fringilla laughed. She then explained that Nilfgaard was able to take Cintra after a horrible storm, where fifty Skelligen ships sunk to the bottom of the sea. Wrecked in a horrible fog caused by her. She then incapacitated Tissaia by throwing dimeritium in her face.
Tissaia woke up in the darkness to Yennefer's call, shivering and weak. She regrouped with Yennefer on the hillside. Tissaia had been severely weakened, but with the Northern armies close, Yennefer refused to give up. She looked Tissaia in the eyes and for the first time admitted that Tissaia saved her. It was Yennefer's turn to save the continent. Tissaia urged her to let her chaos explode. Yennefer got back to her feet, absorbed the fire that was consuming the keep and unleashed it all on the Nilfgaard army.[8]
Aftermath of Sodden Hill[]
In the aftermath of the Battle of Sodden Hill, Tissaia searched for Yennefer by looking through the memories of the fallen and observing their final moments. With thousands dead on all sides, Vilgefortz advised Tissaia to accept that Yennefer was gone, but she wouldn't give up on her, as she continued calling out to her protégé. However, instead of Yennefer, she crossed paths with Geralt and Ciri, who asked Tissaia if Yennefer was alive, but despite her efforts to find her, Tissaia was doubtful.
The mages returned to Aretuza, where they tended to their wounded, among them Triss, who suffered bad burns and was experiencing seizures, which they eventually managed to get under control.
Not only did they win the battle, they took a prisoner of war, that being Cahir, who Tissaia tortured for answers, using her Chaos to pick through his brain, a terribly painful experience, if Cahir's screams were any indication.[9]
Yennefer's return[]
Tissaia was practically speechless during a council meeting, with the surprise return of Yennefer, who many suspected of perishing during the battle. Tissaia waited a month before finally carving out the names on a plaque of those lost at the Battle of Sodden Hill. She was glad that it no longer included Yennefer's. Artorius could feel his hold on the council slipping and Stregobor was desperate, making him dangerous. Yennefer's actions turned the tide of the battle, and for that she was a hero to Tissaia and many others, but they needed to allow Vilgefortz to carry the mantle of victory because he and Tissaia were making a play for their council seats.
Tissaia intervened on Stregobor's unauthorized probing of Yennefer and presented his treason-like actions to the Brotherhood, where Stregobor reasoned that with Yennefer having survived fire magic, imprisonment by Nilfgaard and capture by elves, he didn't see it as unreasonable to suspect that she may have been turned.
In order to prove her loyalty, Tissaia revealed to Yennefer that the Brotherhood had decided she needed to kill Cahir. It would prove that Yennefer was not a spy, but she worried it would only prove she was a killer, which would be just another way for Stregobor to vilify her. If not kill him, Tissaia advised Yennefer to tell them the truth — that she was not a threat because she lost her magic. For a month, Yennefer searched the Continent, trying every herb, potion, and spell to get back what she deserves. Unfortunately, all Tissaia could say was that "What is lost, is lost."
During Cahir's execution, Tissaia watched as Yennefer cut him free of his chains and helped him escape.[10]
Hunting Ciri[]
Tissaia received an unexpected visit from Triss, who revealed that Ciri had the power to either save the world or destroy it, as prophesized.[11]
Tissaia stared out the window as Vilgefortz lied in bed, waiting for her to return. Something was clearly bothering her, but she didn't seek to burden Vilgefortz, who insisted they were partners in every way. And so, she reluctantly revealed they had an unexpected visitor, Dijkstra, from whom the Brotherhood learned that an elven baby had been born of a mage, which Artorius and Stregobor saw as a potential threat. However, Tissaia and Vilgefortz had no intentions to act on unfounded prejudice and rumor, to which Dijkstra replied that today's gossip is next month's news. For instance, he heard that Triss had returned, which the Brotherhood was not aware of, but Tissaia claimed she simply came back to recover after falling ill.
Tissaia revealed to Triss that she saw Ciri at Sodden. She was there with Geralt, but Tissaia didn't know who she was at the time, and they had come looking for Yennefer. Tissaia then asked who else knew about what Triss saw when she performed the Dol Durza on Ciri. No one outside of them and the other witchers, Triss revealed. Vilgefortz interrupted them after having learned the truth from Tissaia and demanded to know everything about Ciri. Triss viewed this as a betrayal, as she asked Tissaia not to tell anyone, and exited without saying another word. Tissaia blamed Vilgefortz for not heeding her warning and waiting until the time was right, but Vilgefortz saw this as a potential to end all war, because if she fell into the wrong hands, she could destroy the world. Vilgefortz always considered Tissaia his equal partner. He wished he could prove to her that he's equal of the same.[12]
Tissaia attended a meeting with the Northern Kings and Queens of the Continent, during which she revealed that Ciri was alive and well, accompanied by a witcher. Tissaia recalled Dijkstra coming to Aretuza and suspected that he knew of Ciri's existence all along, with the goal of King Vizimir marrying her in order to claim Cintra. When Meve remarked that Ciri created far less trouble for them when she was believed to be dead, Tissaia and the Northern Kingdoms authorized a bounty on Ciri and anyone protecting her.[13]
Problems between Kaedwen and Temeria[]
To direct the Aretuza academy, Tissaia combined the position of Rectoress with that of president of the Council. Triss also remained on Aretuza to help train a new generation of sorceresses. Walking through the halls, Tissaia and Triss overheard Stregobor, Artorius, Vilgefortz, and Sabrina discussing the problems between Kaedwen and Temeria regarding the food supply. When the topic of Princess Cirilla came up during the conversation, Tissaia interrupted the discussion, stating that all topics will be put to a vote and that arguing will only disrupt classes. When Tissaia and Triss are alone, she admits that by returning to King Foltest's court, Triss could resolve the differences that have arisen between the states. However, Triss prefers to stay with her and continue teaching the girls. Tissaia suspects that one of the reasons for her reluctance to leave the academy may be that she failed Ciri.
Meeting with Yennefer and Ciri[]
Tissaia received a letter from Yennefer, asking her to allow her to return to Aretuza. Tissaia was inclined to grant her request, although given Yennefer's latest misdeed, her return may be perceived negatively by the rulers of the Northern Kingdoms. Vilgefortz, with whom Tissaia was talking about this, unexpectedly supports her and says that he is not against Yennefer's return. Just as Vilgefortz gave Tissaia a gift, a bracelet.
Tissaia and Yennefer arranged a meeting in the vault of the Giancardi Bank in Gors Velen. Yennefer began the conversation with accusations, suggesting that Tissaia knew that Ciri was alive and had told the kings, hoping they would gain their trust. Tissaia denied nothing, but is offended that her goals seemed so primitive to Yennefer. She also believes that the person who freed the Nilfgaardian prisoner has no right to lecture her. Realizing that a conversation along those lines will not bring results, Yennefer apologized for her misconduct and tells that an mage using fire magic Rience, he is being supported by someone much powerful and is searching for Ciri. She asked Tissaia to hide Ciri in Aretuza and help her improve her magical training well. Noticing Yennefer's concern for the girl, Tissaia suggested that after a long time, Yennefer finally found what she was looking for and became a mother.
Then Tissaia and Yennefer found Ciri on a city street, just as Margarita and Sabrina were trying to take her to Aretuza, after mistaking her for a fugitive. The Rectoress approached the girl and tried to "read" her, but met such resistance that her eyes bled. As an apology for her ward's misdeed, Yennefer invited the sorceresses to relax at The Silver Heron. While the others passed the time, Tissaia kept her eyes on Ciri. She looked at her without saying anything, while Ciri became angry at Margarita's demands. Later, at Yennefer's request, she came up with the idea of organizing a general conclave, which should unite the mages and allow the Brotherhood to resolve differences with the kings, and Tissaia decided to support her initiative.
Preparing for the Conclave[]
They returned to Aretuza, where Yennefer makes her proposal to the Council. Thanks to the support of Tissaia and Vilgefortz, she was allowed to organize a Conclave and the Mages, began preparing for the event, and sending out invitations. One of the most important potential allies is Philippa Eilhart, the court sorceress of Redania, who was previously a close friend of Tissaia. She and Tissaia had long-standing differences, so Yennefer decided to deliver the invitation personally. Their conversation was interrupted by Triss, who is worried and informs Tissaia about the disappearance of a novice. Although traces of blood were found in the girl's room, Tissaia did not share Triss' concerns and assumed that the novices was in Loxia, where they were transferred for the conclave.
In the party, Tissaia reminded Yennefer that she needed to improve her relations not only with Stregobor, but also with Artorius. She also hopes that her partner Geralt, will behave decently and not interfere with the implementation of her plan. When Geralt and Yennefer exposed Stregobor during the party for kidnapping novices and stealing the Book of Monoliths, Tissaia was shocked. Seeing irrefutable evidence of his crimes, she proposed that Stregobor be locked up until the end of the conclave and then put on trial. Tissaia thanked Yennefer and Geralt for saving the night, and made a toast for peace.
Summon Alzur's Thunder[]
However, in the morning, Tissaia discovered that many mages, including Vilgefortz, have been arrested and chained with dimerite by a group of conspirators led by Dijkstra and Philippa. When Philippa revealed that she has covered Aretuza with a powerful protection spell, Tissaia pointed out that it is a spell from the Book of the Waning Sun, which she wrote herself. The Redanians claimed they had proof that Vilgefortz was the traitor: evidence of portals between Aretuza and Nilfgaard. Vilgefortz himself stated that what is happening here is nothing more than Redania's attempt to subjugate all mages.
When they saw that there are ships approaching the coast of Thanedd, and everyone mistakes them for the Redanian fleet, Vilgefortz tricks Tissaia into lowering the magical barrier, so she goes into action and destroyed the dimerite shackles, after which the freed mages attacked the Redanians. Convinced that the Redanians have been neutralized, Vilgefortz hastily left the room. Tissaia followed him, and when she caught up with him in the temple courtyard, Vilgefortz gloated before her, revealing that he had been used her, and that his feelings were just a manipulative tactic to further his plans. He also declared that the Scoia'tael will raze this place and devastate it in the name of the White Flame, leaving Tissaia devastated. She then watched as Vilgefortz removed the protective barrier, letting in the Nilfgaardians and Scoia'tael.
Just then, the other Brotherhood mages arrive to defend their home, and full on fighting breaks out. The protective barrier placed by Tissaia was easily pierced by elven arrows with dimerite, killing several mages. During the battle, Tissaia was left crying when one of her colleagues was hit by an arrow. Enraged, Tissaia attempted to kill Francesca with a magic ball aimed at her, but at the last moment Filavandrel saved her by sacrificing himself, destroying himself into dust. Enraged by the death of her husband, the elven sorceress blocked all exits and made the enormous ring of fire fall.
Shocked by everything that was happening and realizing that now everything she had built for many decades would crumble before her eyes, Tissaia made one last attempt to stop the chaos. She went up to the balcony and invoked Alzur's Thunder. Lightning bolts came from her hands and stroke the Nilfgaardians and the elves, one after another. However, using thunder drained much of the chaos from herself, causing her hair to turn white. With Tissaia's last strength all gone she was helped out by Yennefer. After leaving Aretuza they and the survivors watched helplessly as Tor Lara collapsed.
Pay with her life[]
Some time after the coup, in search of Ciri and Vilgefortz who disappeared without a trace, the sorceresses, including Tissaia, went to Vuilpanne Castle, where they discovered the bodies of the missing novices. They decided to take their bodies to Aretuza and give them an honorable burial. During this, they were joined by Philippa, who accused Tissaia of not having seen who Vilgefortz, a traitor, really was and kidnapping the girls from under her nose, while Tissaia believed that Philippa's move to disarm the Brotherhood was to impress Vizimir and get out of Dijkstra's shadow. Back in Aretuza, Tissaia tried to escape the heavy thoughts and dove headfirst into frontline reporting. Yennefer saw Tissaia's fragile state and urged her to stay strong, to keep fighting, needing her as a leader and mother.
However, feeling desperate and guilty over the devastation of Aretuza which cost the lives of many of her friends and colleagues, Tissaia decided to pay with her life, cutting her wrists, as Yennefer tried so many years ago.
Before dying, she left a letter for Yennefer, under her nickname "Piglet," containing several poignant sentiments as well as pertinent warnings about the nature of chaos.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Netflix Timeline: Yennefer Attends Aretuza
- ↑ Season 1, Episode 02: Four Marks
- ↑ Season 1, Episode 03: Betrayer Moon
- ↑ Netflix Timeline: Escaping the Ronin Mage
- ↑ Season 1, Episode 05: Bottled Appetites
- ↑ Netflix Timeline: A Magical Gathering
- ↑ Season 1, Episode 07: Before a Fall
- ↑ Season 1, Episode 08: Much More
- ↑ Season 2, Episode 01: A Grain of Truth
- ↑ Season 2, Episode 03: What Is Lost
- ↑ Season 2, Episode 06: Dear Friend...
- ↑ Season 2, Episode 07: Voleth Meir
- ↑ Season 2, Episode 08: Family