What Happens If You Sleep With Shani in The Witcher 3?
Sleeping with Shani in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a unique experience tied to the Hearts of Stone DLC, and it’s important to understand its context and consequences. Unlike the main game’s romances with Yennefer and Triss, a relationship with Shani is more of a standalone, emotionally charged encounter. Romancing Shani has no impact on the main narrative or your established relationships with other characters. It’s a heartfelt side story that offers a temporary but memorable connection for Geralt. Essentially, if you pursue a romantic relationship with Shani during the Dead Man’s Party quest, you will engage in a brief love scene. The details of this scene differ slightly based on your choices, particularly what gift you offer her, but the core outcome remains the same: a night of intimacy with Shani. The interaction, while emotionally resonant, has no long-term consequences on the rest of the game. It’s a contained story that ends when the DLC’s main plot picks back up. It’s a poignant interlude, a “well-deserved distraction” for the world-weary Witcher, as some might say, but it’s not a commitment that binds you to her in the wider game world.
The Path to Romance with Shani
The romantic engagement with Shani takes place during the Dead Man’s Party quest within the Hearts of Stone DLC. Near the end of this quest, Geralt will be given the option to stick around at the wedding after completing the main objective of the quest. You must choose to do this, otherwise you will miss the opportunity.
The Gift and its Consequences
Geralt is tasked with bringing Shani a gift. You’ll be given three options: mead, brandy, or a flower. All three gifts will lead to a romantic encounter, but choosing alcohol adds a humorous twist. If you opt for mead or brandy, Shani and Geralt will find a bottle of wine later on the dock. You’ll have a choice: to stop her from drinking or join her. Choosing to drink together will lead to Shani throwing up after the love scene, a small, memorable detail that adds character to the encounter. If you choose the flower, the interaction will proceed without that addition. Regardless of the gift, the intimacy scene on the boat will occur.
The Love Scene and Its Emotional Depth
The culmination of this path is the intimate scene. Geralt will share a moment of tenderness and passion with Shani on a boat in the lake. It is a well-executed scene with emotional depth, as mentioned in the article excerpt. This short, but significant encounter helps flesh out Shani’s character and provide a brief respite for Geralt from his usual battles and monstrous tasks. The developers put a lot of detail in these interactions to make it feel like a real and meaningful event, and not just a quick encounter.
After the Romance
After the intimate scene, the romantic arc with Shani comes to a natural close. She continues to play her role in the story of the Hearts of Stone DLC, but their relationship is effectively contained within the wedding event. It is a temporary moment of intimacy, and not a relationship that extends beyond the DLC. You will continue on your path, and it won’t hinder or influence your existing relationships within the main game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to romancing Shani in The Witcher 3, designed to provide comprehensive answers and guidance.
1. Does romancing Shani affect my relationship with Yennefer or Triss?
No. Romancing Shani has absolutely no impact on Geralt’s relationships with Yennefer or Triss. The Shani romance is entirely contained within the Hearts of Stone DLC and doesn’t carry over to the base game narrative or other romances. You will not be penalized or have any relationship consequences with Yennefer or Triss if you choose to romance Shani.
2. Do I have to romance Shani to complete the DLC?
No. Romancing Shani is completely optional. While the romance scene is a memorable and enjoyable part of the DLC, it is not required for completing the main Hearts of Stone storyline. You can fully enjoy the expansion’s narrative without pursuing a romantic relationship with Shani.
3. How do I initiate the romance with Shani?
To romance Shani, you must, during the Dead Man’s Party quest, choose to stick around after the main objective is completed. You will then be tasked to bring Shani a gift. After bringing a gift, you will then get the chance to kiss her near the large tree. When she asks if you want to continue walking or head back, choose to walk with her. The romance culminates with a love scene on a boat in the lake.
4. What happens if I choose a different gift?
The gift you choose affects only a minor detail in the love scene. If you choose mead or brandy, Shani will find a wine bottle and you will get the choice to drink with her. This choice, if taken, leads to her throwing up after the love scene. If you choose a flower, this minor detail will not occur. However, the core romantic encounter remains the same regardless of which gift you give her.
5. Will I see Shani again after the wedding?
Yes, after speaking with the mirror man in the tavern, you can find her later in an optional side quest. However, these further encounters do not involve additional romantic interactions. This short mission focuses on closure for her character within the DLC’s story.
6. Does the “cared for Shani deeply once” dialogue choice change anything significant?
Choosing the “Cared for Shani deeply once” dialogue option during your interaction with Vlodimir in the crypt will trigger some minor dialogue changes, reflecting a deeper past relationship, if you played the first game. Choosing “Only ever been friends” is designed to simulate the choice of romancing Triss instead of Shani, for those players who did not experience the first game. It does not influence any major plot points or the romance itself.
7. Do I have to participate in all the activities at the wedding?
While you are not required to complete all activities, to get the “Let the Good Times Roll!” achievement, you will need to participate in all 10 activities. Six of them are optional, so it can easily be missed. It does not affect any romantic or story outcomes in the game or with Shani.
8. Does playing Gwent at the wedding have any consequences?
Participating in Gwent is mandatory for the wedding events. If you lose, you will be forced to wear Ass’s Ears for the rest of the party, influencing some of the dialogues with other characters, but not having an impact on your romantic interactions with Shani. Winning will not earn you any cards.
9. Is the Shani romance only a one-night stand?
Yes, the romance is a contained event in the Hearts of Stone DLC. It is an emotionally resonant experience but does not extend beyond the wedding quest. After this intimate encounter, it is not a long-term romance, but a memorable, singular event.
10. Does Shani appear in other Witcher games?
Yes, Shani appears as a central character in the first Witcher game. She is absent in the second but makes a significant return in the Hearts of Stone DLC.
11. Did Geralt and Shani have a relationship in the books?
In the books, Geralt and Shani did not sleep together. Their relationship is more of a close friendship, with a hint of romantic tension. They had a meaningful bond, and even though it was a “gift,” every moment spent together, they knew that they could not be together in the long term.
12. What is the lore behind “Shani” as a deity?
The texts mentioned in the original article refer to Shani as a deity in medieval Indian astrology, which is completely unrelated to Shani, Geralt’s love interest. She is an important figure in the ancient texts and is known to be both a bringer of bad luck and good luck, depending on the receiver’s karma.
13. Is Shani’s appearance in the game tied to her zodiac significance?
No, the Shani of Witcher 3 is not directly related to the astrological figure. The character is a skilled medic and a recurring acquaintance in Geralt’s journey. Her appearance is based on the character from the books, not the deity.
14. Can you romance other characters in the Hearts of Stone DLC?
No, Shani is the only romance option available in the Hearts of Stone DLC. Unlike the main game, there are no multiple romance paths to pursue.
15. Does sleeping with Shani change the ending of the Hearts of Stone DLC?
No, your choice to sleep with Shani does not alter the ending or the main plot of the Hearts of Stone DLC. The romance is a standalone side story that doesn’t impact the core narrative.