Does Sleeping with Syanna Affect Anything in The Witcher 3?
The short answer is a resounding no. Romancing Syanna, or engaging in any other romantic dalliance outside of your primary choices (Triss or Yennefer), has absolutely no impact on the main storyline or your standing with your chosen sorceress. You can pursue Syanna without fear of repercussions. Now, let’s delve deeper into the romantic landscape of The Witcher 3 and dissect all the juicy details!
The Freedom of a Witcher’s Love Life (or Lack Thereof)
Geralt of Rivia, despite his gruff exterior, is quite the ladies’ man (or at least, has ample opportunity to be). The Witcher 3 offers players a remarkable degree of freedom when it comes to exploring romantic options. While the main questline revolves heavily around Geralt’s relationships with Triss Merigold and Yennefer of Vengerberg, the game allows for numerous flings, one-night stands, and mini-romances that exist entirely independently of the central love story.
This means you can freely indulge in romances with characters like Shani, Keira Metz, Jutta an Dimun, Madame Sasha, and, of course, Syanna, without jeopardizing your relationship with either Triss or Yennefer. The game treats these encounters as separate, self-contained events that don’t contribute to the overall narrative outcome of your main romantic pursuits. So, sleep easy, Witcher!
Understanding Romance Mechanics in The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 smartly compartmentalizes its romantic interactions. The game tracks your relationship with Triss and Yennefer primarily through key dialogue choices and actions taken during specific quests. These choices ultimately determine which romance option, if any, Geralt commits to. The other romantic encounters, while offering enjoyable side stories and sometimes even valuable rewards, are essentially non-canon and inconsequential to the core romantic narrative. This design choice allows players to explore Geralt’s adventurous side without the burden of potential negative consequences on the main storyline.
The Importance of Choices
While side romances are harmless, it’s vital to be mindful of your choices with Triss and Yennefer. Specific dialogue options and actions during their respective questlines will lock you into a romance or reject it. Trying to romance both will lead to a rather awkward and ultimately unsatisfying outcome. The Witcher 3 will even let you know if you mess up. You will be visited and berated. Ouch. So while your romance with Syanna doesn’t count, be sure you carefully consider your choices when it comes to the main characters.
Consequences of Your Actions: Syanna and the “Good” Ending
While romancing Syanna has no impact on Triss or Yennefer, your decisions regarding Syanna herself do have significant consequences on the ending you receive in the Blood and Wine expansion. The “good” ending, where Syanna and her sister Anna Henrietta reconcile, requires specific actions:
- Show Sympathy: When speaking with Syanna in the Land of Illusion, show empathy for her situation and listen to her side of the story.
- Obtain the Ribbon: Acquire the ribbon from the Little Flint Girl by winning the Gwent match. This ribbon protects Syanna from Dettlaff’s curse.
- Investigate the Fifth Victim: During the quest “Pomp and Strange Circumstance,” investigate the fifth victim to uncover the truth behind Syanna’s actions.
- Kill Dettlaff: This can alter the quest outcome.
Failing to obtain the ribbon, for example, will result in Syanna’s death at the hands of Dettlaff. While this doesn’t affect your primary romances, it does impact the narrative conclusion of Blood and Wine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Romance in The Witcher 3
1. Does sleeping with Sasha affect Yen?
No. Sleeping with Sasha has no effect on your relationship with Yennefer or Triss. Sasha is a self-contained romance option during the “High Stakes” quest.
2. Does Syanna affect Triss?
No, Syanna has absolutely no impact on Triss. Your choices in Blood and Wine remain confined to that expansion and don’t spill over into the main storyline.
3. What happens if you don’t give Syanna the ribbon?
If you don’t acquire the ribbon for Syanna, she will be killed by Dettlaff during the Tesham Mutna encounter. This alters the ending of the Blood and Wine expansion.
4. Can you romance Ciri?
No. Geralt is a father figure to Ciri. Romancing her is not an option.
5. Who is the best romance option in The Witcher 3?
This is subjective! However, Yennefer is widely considered the canon romance and has a more central role in Geralt’s story. Triss is also a popular choice for those seeking a sweeter and less tumultuous relationship. The choice is yours!
6. Does romancing Syanna affect Yen?
Again, no! Consider your romantic choices in Blood and Wine as an isolated experience from the rest of the game.
7. Will Yen get mad if you sleep with Shani?
Nope. Shani, like Syanna and the others, is a side romance that won’t upset Yennefer (or Triss).
8. Can I romance Sasha?
Yes! Just accept her advances at the end of the “High Stakes” quest.
9. What determines the ending I get with Syanna?
Your choices during the quest “Beyond Hill and Dale” (particularly whether you obtain the ribbon) and your actions during “Pomp and Strange Circumstance” determine whether Syanna lives or dies and whether she reconciles with her sister.
10. Is it better to romance Triss or Yennefer?
This depends entirely on your preferences. Yennefer provides a more central, canon-driven romance, while Triss offers a potentially less complicated and sweeter relationship. Beware of trying to romance them both at the same time!
11. What happens if you say I love you to Triss?
Saying “I love you” to Triss locks you into her romance and potentially locks you out of a romance with Yennefer. Choose wisely!
12. Is Ciri LGBT?
In the books, Ciri has a relationship with a female character, Mistle. This suggests that Ciri is, at the very least, bisexual. The game makes no statement about her orientation.
13. Does Triss stay if you don’t romance her?
No. Triss will only stay at Kaer Morhen if you ask her to stay and tell her that you love her.
14. Is Tissaia Geralt’s mother?
No. Geralt’s mother is Visenna, a sorceress and healer.
15. Why can’t Witchers be female?
The Witcher trials are notoriously difficult and dangerous. In lore, it is explained that women have not been able to survive them.
In conclusion, your relationship choices in the side quests of The Witcher 3 are inconsequential in the overarching story. If you’re interested in learning more about the educational aspects of games like The Witcher 3, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Happy witching!