How Old Is Geralt of Rivia (Witcher) - Destination Scanner...

The Witcher is a massively popular video game, not to mention Netflix recently released a TV show of the same name. The entire franchise is based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s popular novels that tell the story of Witchers. Most gamers know and have played through the Witcher series (1, 2, and 3). Geralt of Rivia is the main protagonist in the Witcher series and a fantastic character that many fans of the game and show have fallen in love with. Yet despite those many hours of living through important moments in his life and helping him make tough decisions, there are still many unanswered questions about this great character.

So, how old is Geralt of Rivia? No one can tell the exact number; plus his age is somewhat vague in the books, video games, and the TV show. That said, he’s generally estimated to be somewhere between 50 and 100 years in the books and almost 100 years during the events of the Witcher 3. I know he appears way younger than that but that’s because Witchers don’t age at the same rate as regular humans.

From the moment that he is introduced to the audience, you can tell that there’s something special about the Witcher Geralt. Like any other great protagonist, he is a complicated fellow with a personality that can’t be tied to one or two traits. The game is set up in a world steeped in magic where regular rules don’t apply. Thanks to the magic and mutations, Geralt is imbued with supernatural abilities that give him an everlasting youthful appearance, longevity, and most importantly, the ability to fight supernatural predators. Geralt of Rivia is among the most recognizable protagonists in recent times, but are you pretty confident you know all about him? Read on to find out!

In this article you will find out:

Geralt of Rivia (Witcher)

To help you understand who Geralt is, I will start from the very beginning and in so doing, may answer much of the questions you may have about him and the entire Witcher franchise.

The Witcher is a series of fantasy novels that were written by Andrzej Sapkowski. They revolve around Witchers, particularly Geralt of Rivia, who are beast hunters with supernatural abilities to combat wild beasts.

Sapkowski’s works have been adapted into a series of three video games, which are The Witcher 1, 2, and 3. The games are brilliant, taking into account excellent writing, stunning visuals, as well as immersive gameplay and locations. Much has been said about these games in reviews as many people have been able to play through the Witcher games from series 1-3. The Witcher 3 is, in fact, the pinnacle of RPGs and is now being used as a benchmark for new titles. Whether you are looking to explore a vast continent, complete quest lines, or hunt lost treasures, the Witcher games have it all.

Following the massive success and popularity of the Witcher games, Netflix has released a TV show of the same name called The Witcher. Fans loved it so much that it has been renewed for a second season.

What Exactly Is a Witcher

Witchers are described as humans who have developed supernatural powers that allow them to battle monsters and wild beasts. They undergo alchemical mutations at a very young age, as well as vigorous physical, mental, and combat training, which grant them advantageous traits like superior strength, speed, and reflexes. In addition to that, they are also immune to many poisons and portions, are highly impervious to disease, and possess accelerated healing. All these features make witchers hard to kill, thus granting them a prolonged lifespan. Additionally, witchers are also skilful at combat magic like creating force-like barriers to repel an opponent. The mutation process also affects witchers’ ageing, which begs the question of how long they live. Keep reading to find out.

Who is Geralt of Rivia

He is a fictional character and the main protagonist in the Witcher franchise. Geralt is one of the few remaining witchers and travels across the continent hunting and slaying deadly monsters in exchange for payment. But Geralt is no ordinary witcher as he exhibits a high tolerance to the Trial of the Grasses. He is exposed to some experimental mutagens during this process, which increase his speed and stamina, as well as his tolerance of potions among other physical traits. That additional experimentation also turns his hair white and makes him have golden, catlike eyes that allow him to see exceptionally well. It is said that the process it takes to gain all these great features is incredibly painful and Geralt is the only one to have made it through this experimental process alive.

How Old Is Geralt of Rivia

It’s quite difficult to pinpoint Geralt’s age as the books, video games, and TV shows are based in different timelines. That being said, we get the first clue about his age from Sapkowski, the writer of the novels, who says in an interview that Geralt is over 50 years during the book’s events.

The events in the video game take place several years after the books and there we find the second clue about Geralt’s age. When Geralt mocks his mentor Vesemir for his age, he tells him that he’s not so far off 100 years himself. This doesn’t tell us Geralt’s exact age but it’s safe to say he’s in his 80s or 90s during the events of the Witcher 3 video game.

When we are introduced to Geralt as this smouldering, enigmatic Witcher in the TV show, the series places him at around 100 years. Following the start and the end of season 1, Geralt is well over 100 years by the time he eventually meets Ciri.

Even though he’s quite advanced in age, Geralt’s appearance looks like that of a 30-year old. This is thanks to the mutagens he received, which makes him age slower than regular humans.

Geralt’s Childhood & Early Life

Geralt of Rivia was born to the sorceress Visenna and was left at the School of The Wolf at Kaer Morhen shortly after his birth. There, he trained to become a witcher and was able to survive the many blistering mutations required for witchers to gain their abilities. Geralt did not undergo any ordinary training; instead, he was subjected to the infamous Trial of The Grasses that only 3 out of 10 survive. He displayed an unusual tolerance and was selected to undergo further experimental mutations where he was the only one who survived. This intensive training granted Geralt superhuman senses, strength, resilience, endurance, speed, resistance to pain, and complete immunity to diseases as well as conventional poison.

Geralt was trained by Vesemir whom he came to regard as a mentor and a father-figure. And, during his training, he became friends with several other students, including Gweld and Eskel. After successfully graduating from the School of The Wolf, Geralt set off into the world and became a monster slayer for hire. Over the course of this career, he visited fortresses and towns where Witchers were urgently needed. And, throughout his adventures, he met with several interesting characters like the poet Dandelion, the Sorceress Yennefer, Calanthe the Queen of Cintra, Ciri, and more.

How Long Do Witchers Live

We’ve already seen that witchers age slowly thanks to the mutagens they receive but how long do they live? Do they die of old age? The high level of mutation that one undergoes to become a witcher turns them into super-skilled humans with exceptional abilities and skills to help them in their profession of slaying monsters. Additionally, their metabolism rates are significantly enhanced under this procedure to accommodate their newfound abilities. They also gain impeccable reflexes, agility, endurance, strength, vision, and are immune to diseases and injuries.