The wizard It went from a Polish-language fantasy saga to a blockbuster video game series and one of Netflix's top streaming shows. Although Netflix The wizard has its share of problems, it absolutely helped make the overall series a global phenomenon. Geralt of Rivia, the titular witcher and protagonist throughout, is a beloved character for his stoicism, subtle sense of humor, and general air of mystery.
However, the fan-favorite monster hunter's name is actually a misnomer – he's not from Rivia and doesn't spend any time in books. His other epithets, such as White Wolf or Butcher of Blaviken, describe him and his deeds more logically. However, to understand why the white-haired mercenary claims to be from somewhere he isn't, you need to understand what a young intern has to go through before getting his iconic wizard swords in this setting.
Where Geralt is really from
Geralt's mysterious origins and the beginning of his witcher training
Geralt was born in the year 1211 according to the novels (and 1160 according to the Netflix series canon). His father was the warrior Korin and his mother the sorceress Visenna. Although Geralt's specific birthplace is never specified, it is known that his mother left him in the care of the witchers. from the School of the Wolf in Kaer Morhen, which is in the extreme northeast of the continent, on the border of the country of Kaedwen.
Geralt would live in Kaer Morhen for the rest of his adolescence, where he endured the grueling training required to become a witcher. This included the Judgment of the Grasses, which involved the ingestion of numerous alchemical concoctions that resulted in increased speed and endurance. This process also turned his hair completely white, which later led to his nickname White Wolf.
Geralt calls himself the name “De Rivia”
Geralt almost chose something significantly less memorable
Vesemir, the oldest and strongest of Kaer Morhen's wizards, understood all too well the precarious place wizards occupied in the continent's society. Most ordinary people saw them as a barely tolerable necessity, monsters made to hunt monsters, and avoided wizards except when absolutely necessary. Therefore, Vesemir encouraged his interns to select surnames this would help them appear more trustworthy for potential customers.
Geralt's original choice for his new name was Geralt Roger Eric du Haute-Bellegarde, which Vesemir immediately (and correctly) rejected as too pretentious. Instead, “Of Rivia” was chosen, which was significantly less visible; Rivia is a small kingdom south of Kaedwen, but not so far away as to be completely unknown. Young Geralt even started faking a Rivian accent to sell the lieand soon no one questioned the origins of the White Wolf.
How The Witcher Officially Becomes Geralt Of Rivia
Geralt was in the right place at the right time to save the right queen
In the year 1267, during the Second Northern War, which saw Nilfgaard and the allied kingdoms of the North once again attempt to exterminate each other, Geralt was trying to find his daughter Ciri, who had gone missing. Geralt, along with his companions Jaskier, Regis, Cahir and Milva, were on their way south and were preparing to cross the Yaruga River at night, when they were attacked by archers ahead of them. Jaskier identified them as Lyrians, who clearly thought the small group were Nilfgaardian scouts.
Retreating to the other side of the river, the companions were attacked by a Nilfgaardian force on the north bank. They attempted to use a ferry to flee downriver, but both armies pursued them until they all joined forces to clash at a bridge near Red Harbor. Geralt and company disembarked the ferry on the bridge, in the middle of the fight. Geralt and Cahir rallied the Lyrians and led them in a counterattack against the Nilfgaardian flank, demoralizing them long enough for the rest of the Lyrians to reorganize. With the entire Lyrian army bearing down on them, the Nilfgaardians fled.
As a reward for his services, Meve knighted Geralt in front of the assembled army.
To Geralt's surprise, the Lyrian forces he rescued were led by his Queen Mevewho had been at the forefront of the fight against Nilfgaard for some time. As queen of Lily, Meve was also ruler of Rivia, as her ex-husband had been king of that nation. As a reward for his service, Meve knighted Geralt before the assembled army, making official what had been an impulsive and childish decision.
The Battle for the Yaruga Bridge is one of the crucial events of the third Wizard romance, Baptism of Fire. It's also likely that these events will be adapted in the upcoming fourth season of the Netflix series. The wizardwhich means Geralt's accidental heroism will soon be on display for all to see.