Loved the base game story, but the HoS story was...lacking *spoilers*

[Refurbished Hamster]

Am I the only one to feel this way?

So we build up to this guy that is clearly written after the typical "Satan stealing souls with fine print" idea, and for no reason whatsoever, he accepts Geralt's "challenge", and gives him a riddle which he must solve by running real fast to the manor in the distance and using his Witcher senses on things, then activating them. And that's it, Satan-guy dies. What? Where went the whole 3-wishes thing? Or the much built-up idea that you had to closely watch your wording or there would be dire consequences? In a game where they push that you can change the story with your decisions, they gave us zero rope to hang with O'Dimm. We weren't even offered a chance to try and resist O'Dimm (unless I missed that). I don't get it. Where's the rest of the story? What about Geralt's other two wishes? Why did Geralt get a mark and Olgierd did not? What was with the drama around the first guy who defeating Master Mirror not getting a mark, either? And if that was special to Geralt, why were Triss and Yen all "OMG WHAT DID YOU DO!?" when they saw it? Hell, what did it even mean?

[Refurbished Hamster]

I haven't played Blood and Wine yet.

[Stormsong]

The other ending is much more impactful. At least in terms of feeling like O'Dimm was powerful. It keeps his mystery a bit more.

As for chance to resist, fair enough.

On marks. Think of it as a leash. For one, O'Dimm doesn't need to keep any real tabs on Olgierd. He's heading a band of loud misfits that ransack things everywhere they go. On top of that, he has a reputation and a habit for living it up. If anyone, let alone O'Dimm. wants to find Olgierd at any time. It takes next to no effort. Geralt on the other hand, is nearly a ghost to the common man (despite Dandelion's best efforts). Even accepting that most people know what Witchers are, there are so many people who have no recognition of Geralt whatsoever that I have to think it's the educated, literate, cultured and the elderly who might know him by sight. And that's if he sticks around long enough and draws attention. Life for the poor is hard, lots of other things to worry about, from both sides of the Conjunction. Add to that, he has no real holdings. Is always on the move, is in the middle of some very important business, after which, he may be long gone to various locations. And, if Geralt felt that his thing with O'Dimm was just another contract. He'd get to it when he got to it. After all, before this show of power, he's just a merchant to the Wolf. Yeah, he's a shady MOFO right off. But so is half of Velen.

On wishes. Geralt did not seek O'Dimm, he was approached. This is the difference. He was told what would happen, after all, O'Dimm had him 2-0 on favors now. This could cycle back to the resist thing, but I present it on its own anyway.

As for the first guy, I don't know enough beyond what the tormented professor told us, no answer there.

Finally why the Sorceresses flipped ♥♥♥♥. It's a mark, on their boy toy's face, branded, and clearly magical even if they don't know in what way. That alone is enough for them to flip I think.

None of this disagrees with your feeling that something is lacking. Just thought I'd offer something to think on.

[Abdelhazred]

There are multiple hints at him being the morning star. And he was originally called there by Olgierd(?) using black magic.

I'm sure that mark looks, feels, and smells like nightmare-incarnate to sorcerii. You don't need to stick your hand in the fire to know that it is hot, but mages do it daily. Keira even mentioned she can get sick around really messed up magic. Geralt is walking around with the devil's mark on him.

[KoalafiedKiller]

He accepts the challenge because A) he loves challenges and B) he wins Geralt's soul if you lose so that entices him to take the challenge.

And he doesn't die, he is just banished. Apparently the demonic language he speaks at the end is actually Romanian and he says he'll return or some such thing.

Now I'll admit I miss dialogue choices that led to instant death like in TW2, would have fit in perfectly in this story, but sadly CDPR left them out.

[Abdelhazred]

Originally posted by KoalafiedKiller:

He accepts the challenge because A) he loves challenges and B) he wins Geralt's soul if you lose so that entices him to take the challenge.

And he doesn't die, he is just banished. Apparently the demonic language he speaks at the end is actually Romanian and he says he'll return or some such thing.

Now I'll admit I miss dialogue choices that led to instant death like in TW2, would have fit in perfectly in this story, but sadly CDPR left them out.

He's an arrogant jackass, fits the bill. He also mentions everyone who mentions everyone who learns his name is dead or worse; and stops time twice, when someone in the background says devil.

Looked up his rant a while back; includes, 'You only think you have won,' and 'I cannot die,' or something along those lines.

Geralt getting a spoon in the eye for calling him a demon or the devil would have been a funny way to go though Koala.

[Refurbished Hamster]

I realize the mark was put on him to just be a negative thing until Geralt did what he wanted him to do, but the writers went to some length to let us know that it was not Master MIrror's normal way of doing things, and yet the whole topic just fell flat, with no explanation.

Originally posted by Abdelhazred:

There are multiple hints at him being the morning star. And he was originally called there by Olgierd(?) using black magic.

There is no reason to think that Olgierd summoned Gaunther. The earliest occult act that Olgierd made, that we know of, was to try and break the pact between them. There is mention of his interest in the occult before that, but not that he summoned Master Mirror. I would assume that, had he summoned Master Mirror, something would've been said, or at least hinted, about that. I believe that Iris even mentions that she was present when they Olgierd and Gaunther met.

To me, Olgierd's interest and possible dealing with the occult, and the dog and cat demons he summoned, as well as the groundskeeper, really felt like things that should've had a much larger effect on the story. I mean, why a demon dog and cat instead of an actual dog and actual cat? Was that supposed to be inference that he was planning to leave her there forever by herself? That would invalidate the entire idea that he was trying to make her happy well past that being a possibility, which was kind of the whole point of their story.

[__-__-__]

The mark on Geralt was the mark of a servant, Geralt owed Gaunter but he hadn't entered into a 3 wishes contract like Olgierd had, once Geralt completed the task set to him he was free and clear, if you don't challenge Gaunter he offers to give you a great reward for completing your task.

[shen]

O'Dimm is the antagonist, but not the main focus of the story. The praise for the story comes from Olgierd. On the surface at the beginning you come across this guy as some sort of arrogant bandit leader, but as you go deeper you realise how sad and tragic his story really is.

It's basically the same reason why players love the story of the Bloody Baron in the base game.

[Refurbished Hamster]

I guess. I didn't see anything redeeming in either of them. One was a wifebeater and the other was a bandit. They can both DIAF regardless of how the game tried to make them seem tragic.

[KoalafiedKiller]

Originally posted by ATX Ferret:

I guess. I didn't see anything redeeming in either of them. One was a wifebeater and the other was a bandit. They can both DIAF regardless of how the game tried to make them seem tragic.

You must be fun at parties.

Did you even pay attention to Olgierd's side of things?

[Refurbished Hamster]

Originally posted by KoalafiedKiller:

Originally posted by ATX Ferret:

I guess. I didn't see anything redeeming in either of them. One was a wifebeater and the other was a bandit. They can both DIAF regardless of how the game tried to make them seem tragic.

You must be fun at parties.

Did you even pay attention to Olgierd's side of things?

Yes, I am. And yes, I did. He was a terrible human before he was married, an even worse husband, and was mind-bogglingly stupid in even giving Geralt quests that were doable. The only one that was even slightly out of a witcher's grasp was the last one. "Cut yourself in half with a butter knife at 15,000 feet while on fire and drowning," for the first one would've been a good start. I mean, come on, rob a vault? LOL

[KoalafiedKiller]

Originally posted by ATX Ferret:

Originally posted by KoalafiedKiller:

You must be fun at parties.

Did you even pay attention to Olgierd's side of things?

Yes, I am. And yes, I did. He was a terrible human before he was married, an even worse husband, and was mind-bogglingly stupid in even giving Geralt quests that were doable. The only one that was even slightly out of a witcher's grasp was the last one. "Cut yourself in half with a butter knife at 15,000 feet while on fire and drowning," for the first one would've been a good start. I mean, come on, rob a vault? LOL

Well he was using Geralt to get things he wanted but at the same time didn't really think were possible. He felt guilty over his brother's death and wanted to repay him somehow. He wanted his family estate back. And he wanted to try to right things with Iris.

He really wasn't bad, just desperate. He was at risk of losing his beloved and in a moment of poor judgememt, summoned O'Dimm. Once he got his "heart of stone" he was desperate to feel anything which is what drove him to becoming an outlaw. If you save him at the end he has nothing but remorse and decides to find a new path for his life.

[Abdelhazred]

The Baron argued he only hit his wife when she was in fits of SUICIDAL depression. Seemed to calm her. Considering the lack of neurologists and pharmacies around I'd say that's pretty forgivable.

This well-mustached ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ summoned satan. Or at least an irifit. Knowingly.

It's like comparing apples to oxen.

[Abdelhazred]

Originally posted by BuzzardBee:

Originally posted by Abdelhazred:

The Baron argued he only hit his wife when she was in fits of SUICIDAL depression. Seemed to calm her. Considering the lack of neurologists and pharmacies around I'd say that's pretty forgivable.

This well-mustached ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ summoned satan. Or at least an irifit. Knowingly.

It's like comparing apples to oxen.

It wasn't only that she was suicidal. She tried to kill him on numerous occasions but namely it began once she learned that he'd killed her lover. In defending himself, he struck her that first time. After that, she'd goad him into fights, striking him whenever she could until he would fight back.

Oh yeah that's right. He got called to war repeatedly, and he got cucked thoroughly. Then responded with gruesome execution. The Witcher games are comprised of horrible people.

She was still nuttier than any planters brand product. Because he executed the stablehand? she was ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ on the side. Again, that whole world seems to be jerks.

[MaximumEffort]

My experience was the exact opposite.

I dont find the MQ to be particulary interesting, but HoS was really good, more Witcher, dark fantasy style.