Yennefer of Vengerberg (born on Belleteyn of the year 1173) — a sorceress who lived in the capital city of Aedirn — Vengerberg. She was the youngest member of the Council of Sorcerers and later the Lodge of Sorceresses attempted to recruit her. She was the love of witcher Geralt of Rivia and a mother figure to Ciri. The lady of Vengerberg was famous for her beauty, even though during the events of The Tower of the Swallow she was 94 years old. She always dressed in black and white clothing, and used lilac and gooseberry perfumes. She had remarkable violet eyes and raven black hair. She was a quadroon (meaning she had ¼ of elven blood).
During the Battle of Sodden Hill she was blinded by Fringilla Vigo, a Nilfgaardian sorceress. Her sight was later magically restored but she still bore the emotional scars.
As most sorceresses, she was sterile. She secretly sought a way of restoring her fertility. She gave her motherly love to Ciri — the child destined for Geralt by the Law of Surprise. She also taught Ciri about magic while in Ellander, at the Temple under the watchful eye of Nenneke.
She was royal advisor to king Demawend of Aedirn and a friend of Triss Merigold.
Yennefer first appeared in the short story "The Last Wish" (found in The Last Wish short story collection). She later appeared in several more "canon" short stories, including "Granica możliwości", "Okruch lodu" and "Coś więcej", one "non-canon" short story: "Coś się kończy, coś się zaczyna", and of course all the novels in the Witcher saga.
It is implied in the story "The Last Wish" that her attractive looks were a product of magic and had been acquired during her training, as with most other sorceresses. Geralt notes how her shoulders are slightly lopsided and by the end of the story realizes that Yennefer used to be a hunchback. Nevertheless, his love for her does not diminish.
Quick Answers
What is the relationship between Geralt and Yennefer?
Does Yennefer appear in The Witcher 2?
Why is Yennefer referred to as a hunchback?
The Hexer
In The Hexer movie and TV series, Yennefer was portrayed by Grażyna Wolszczak.
Episodes
- 04: "Smok" (The Dragon)
- 05: "Okruch lodu" (A Shard of Ice)
The Witcher
While she never appears, nor is directly mentioned, the creators of the game did "sneak in" numerous references to Yennefer.
- In the Inn in the Outskirts of Vizima, Geralt can talk to a bard, who tells him about Dandelion, and about the ballads of the White Wolf Dandelion's sung. Among them the tale of how "Geralt married a sorceress and they live somewhere on the happy isles".
- At the very beginning of Chapter III, Triss tells Geralt that "the last time (she) felt this way, (Geralt) and a sorceress were playing with a genie".
- In Chapter IV, the innkeeper of the Country Inn at Murky Waters can tell a tale about Ciri. Near the end of it, he says that the sorceress the witcher loved tried to revive him, but died in the process.
- If Geralt chose Triss as Alvin's guardian in Chapter III, and if he answers king Foltest when questioned about their relationship that he really loves Triss, the update on the Identity-quest says, among other things: "My amnesia prevents me from remembering our relations in the past, but I have the impression I once loved a sorceress, deeply..."
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Yennefer appears in flashbacks in The Witcher 2.
Template:Spoiler In the end of the game it is revealed, that Yennefer is probably alive, but has amnesia like Geralt, and she is located somewhere in Nilfgaard. Template:Endspoiler