Thoughts about Iris' violet rose

[Elaini]

Some people seem to think that taking the rose from Iris means that she'll cease (yeah, thanks for the correction) to exist - that she's annihilated, but I don't think it necessarily means that it will happen - in no point it's stated that it's what will happen for certain.

The decision on the rose seems to be more of a matter of faith than anything else. Neither Olgierd or Iris seemed to have much faith in afterlife which was the source their fears, and the reason why Olgierd was seeking immortality for them both, from O'Dimm, and you may know the rest of the sad story.

Not even Geralt knows what will happen to her if he takes the rose, and he says so to Iris openly. But at least she will face her fear of death and finally let go.

Not taking the rose: Playing safe but leaving Iris in a grim limbo of snow storms and dripping mascara.
Taking the rose: Leap of faith - all or nothing, the better afterlife or annihilation for Iris.

[Zachno]

"she'll seize to exist" puts a funny image in my head. Like she exists in a state of constant seizure. Quick! Put a leather strap in her mouth so she doesn't bite her own tongue off. So anyway, I think what your trying to say is "cease to exist" didn't read any more past that, sorry.

[v0]

This was probably only decision I pondered for while in HoS :)

[Sentient_Toaster]

"I'll remember you, Iris von Everec."

"That no longer rmatters."

[Glorious Comrade]

Spoiler alert. actually for me I have 2 theory on this. one being Iris is stuck in that dream because Olgierd wished the two of them to marry and live forever. So regardless if you take her rose or not, once Olgierd's curse is lifted, I would assume Iris would disappear because the curse was what kept her stuck in that undying state. The other theory is, if Iris is still stuck in the painting after master mirror is defeated. Then Olgierd have been working on all kind of magic trying to get ride of O'Dimme before hand. So I would like to think he should be able to find someway to get into the painting and fix Iris' nightmare by returning to her himself. Then do whatever the two of them see fit.

[Jac]

I think it is Iris herself who decides that she doesn't want to give up the rose because she is afraid she will simply cease to exist. She seemingly would choose her current existence over oblivion. Leaving her the rose also means that someone else might come along in the future who has a better option.

[Imperix]

I agree completely that this quest boils down to faith in a higher being, and this is why I love the witcher series, the choices are hard and often give you pause. I was so perplexed by this, I actually ran both options through a save to find the best outcome for Iris, and dumped a considerable amount of thought into this conundrum. When you leave her with the rose, she makes a statement that she doesn't know if that was a wise decision, and comments that she'll soon return to her slumber.

My question was, her life was almost full of nothing but pain and disappointment, would the nightmares that Geralt slayed, return once again as Iris falls back into her slumber? Geralt had to slay the nightmares just to bring her back to reality, nowhere did it seem to indicate that she was completely free of those nightmares. So I opted to take the rose from her, in the hopes that she could finally get the peace she deserved.

However, it stands to reason from a theological standpoint, that if there's clearly an entity with immense power & longevity, that has been pursuing human souls for eternity, and is known as the devil himself, and alludes to that fact many times in conversation. Than surely there must be a power in direct opposition to him, perhaps Melitele? I'd like to think that upon taking the rose, Melitele drew Iris into her large bosom, and gave her the warmth and love that Olgierd failled to provide in life.

[Elaini]

Originally posted by Zachno:

"she'll seize to exist" puts a funny image in my head. Like she exists in a state of constant seizure. Quick! Put a leather strap in her mouth so she doesn't bite her own tongue off. So anyway, I think what your trying to say is "cease to exist" didn't read any more past that, sorry.

Hm, so you let one little error stop you from trying to understand my point? Wow, that's fussy, but thanks anyway.

[v0]

Originally posted by Elaini:

Originally posted by Zachno:

"she'll seize to exist" puts a funny image in my head. Like she exists in a state of constant seizure. Quick! Put a leather strap in her mouth so she doesn't bite her own tongue off. So anyway, I think what your trying to say is "cease to exist" didn't read any more past that, sorry.

Hm, so you let one little error stop you from trying to understand my point? Wow, that's fussy, but thanks anyway.

I doubt understanding was lost it was only pun I think :)

[Bennings Dekker]

I still feel so bad for the black dog and cat :(
Seeing how they slowly bowed their heads in disappointment...

[Valden21]

Judging from what I've read, taking the rose is better for Iris. Melitele's a protector of women, so even though Iris's soul ceases to exist in both the physical world and the painted world, I don't think it ceases to exist altogether. Just by being a woman, Iris falls under Melitee's protection, so her soul would get shielded from anything bad.