Every fan of The Witcher franchise no doubt knows that the games originated in a book series by the Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Sapkowski published the first story with Geralt of Rivia back in 1986. Ever since then, Sapkowski wrote two story collections and six novels from the same world. His written work sold great and the books were published in multiple countries.
However, it wasn't until CD Projekt Red made The Witcher games that the books became truly popular in English-speaking countries. Nowadays, many people know and love Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, but there are some things in the game that only those familiar with the books will truly understand.
10 Geralt And Yennefer Meet A Djinn Again
In the quest "The Lash Wish," Geralt and Yennefer fight a djinn. Yennefer then asks the djinn to break the bond between her and Geralt, the magic that binds them together. The duo reminisce about the first time they met and fought a djinn. It happened when Dandelion almost lost his voice and Geralt asked Yennefer to help him.
Yennefer did cure Dandelion but she also mind-manipulated Geralt into doing her bidding. That's something the games don't mention.
9 Lambert Asks About Triss's Scars
While the witchers are drinking together at Kaer Morhen, Lambert asks whether Triss still has her scars. The answer is no. In the books, Triss had severe burn marks after the Battle of Sodden Hill. Many of her fellow sorceresses died there, and Triss herself was presumed dead for a while.
Triss then explained she would never be able to wear clothes revealing her chest ever again. Yet she has the option in the games and she has no scars.
8 Dandelion And Anna Henrietta
Dandelion and Anna Henrietta have a long and complicated history. Dandelion romanced Anna in The Witcher books. He succeeded but Anna sentenced him to death when she learned he cheated on her with one of her ladies. She changed her mind later and banished him from Toussaint instead.
That explains why Dandelion was so nervous about coming back to Toussaint in The Witcher 3. He knows that if Anna Henrietta or her men see him, he'll be in trouble. Luckily, things can work out well for the careless bard. If Anna's sister Syanna dies, Anna and Dandelion rekindle their friendship.
7 Yennefer Points Out Geralt Is Poor
While Yennefer, Geralt, and the other witchers spend time at Kaer Morhen, Yennefer points out that Geralt never has enough money. According to Yennefer, it's because Geralt can be overly altruistic and would rather save a troll than kill it for money.
But while it's true in the books that Geralt lacks financial resources, it isn't the case in the games. Geralt can amass quite a fortune if he's careful enough (and does a lot of looting and selling stuff). As a result, Yennefer's remark might be difficult to understand for those who didn't read the books since it applies to them and not the games.
6 If Given The Chance, Geralt Wouldn't Be A Witcher
During a conversation with his old friend Regis, the vampire asks Geralt if he would choose to be a Witcher again if he could start anew. Geralt has the chance to say yes or no and elaborate on his answers. However, the book readers might know that Geralt would be much more inclined to say no in the source material.
Unlike in the games, book Geralt often complains about his job and he downright hates it at times. It doesn't pay well, people despise him, and it also makes his relationship with Yennefer more complicated.
5 Ciri's Hate Toward Emhyr
Even though Emhyr var Emreis is Ciri's biological father, she wants very little to do with him in the games. The answer for this lies in the books. Somewhere along the way, Ciri must have found out the whole truth, which is that Emhyr deceived both her grandmother and mother.
Emhyr never loved Ciri's mother Pavetta and he even had a plan to marry Ciri and have a son with her. Considering her father was planning to have an incestual relationship with her, it's no wonder Ciri doesn't like Emhyr.
4 Yennefer Is Obsessed With Finding Ciri
Yennefer is obsessed with finding Ciri and protecting her in The Witcher 3. Some players might not understand why since the two women spend barely any time together in the game. Their relationship is much more complex in the books.
Ciri and Yennefer traveled side by side while the latter taught the former how to handle her magic power. Ciri didn't like Yennefer at first but they grew closer over time, eventually becoming like mother and daughter. The game shows very little of the bond between them.
3 Geralt's Pitchfork Experience
During the "Where the Cat and Wolf Play..." quest, Geralt meets another Witcher called Gaetan. The latter mentions that he killed all villagers in Blackbough because they attacked him and tried to kill him with a pitchfork. Geralt mentions he has experience with that and asks Gaetan how he survived the attack.
The pitchfork experience is a reference to Geralt's death in the books. Geralt dies during a violent attack when he tries to protect his friends and non-humans. An angry mob swarms him and one villager kills Geralt by piercing his body with a pitchfork. Even if Geralt survived the injury, according to the game, it still left a strong impression on him.
2 Regis's Death
Speaking of characters dying in the books, Geralt isn't the only one who references his death, as so does his old vampire friend Regis. Regis only mentions it in passing, though, and the circumstances might be unclear to those who didn't read the books.
Regis sacrificed his life in the books to help Geralt save Yennefer. He died when the evil sorcerer Vilgefortz burned him to pieces. Luckily, Dettlaff was able to bring Regis back to health, and the rest, as they say, is history.
1 Geralt's Relationship With Triss
Finally, there's the complicated case of Geralt's relationship with Triss. If Geralt romances Triss in The Witcher 3, Yennefer makes a remark at one point that suggests she expects Geralt will change his mind and return back to her. It's not egoistical from Yennefer since that's exactly what Geralt always did – in the books.
Geralt had a brief fling with Triss in the books but he then returned back to Yennefer. Even when they temporarily broke up, they always got back together in the end. That's not what can happen in the game, though. Once Geralt romances Triss, they get their happily-ever-after. Unless he tries to romance Yennefer as well, of course, in which case, Geralt will end up alone.