The Witcher 3: The Haunting Choice – What Happens if Iris Keeps the Rose?
If Geralt, in the harrowing climax of the Hearts of Stone expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, chooses to let Iris von Everec keep the rose, the consequences are profound and arguably more tragic. Iris remains tethered to her painted world, forever trapped within the confines of her memories and pain. Her spectral guardians, the dog and the cat, are similarly bound, destined to endlessly watch over her, clinging to the faint hope that someone, someday, might break the cycle. Geralt leaves the painted world and returns to the real world. Then, as instructed by Gaunter O’Dimm, Geralt must procure a painting of Iris and the rose to present to Olgierd.
This decision, though seemingly compassionate on the surface, essentially condemns Iris to an eternal, melancholic stasis. While taking the rose allows her soul, and that of her guardians, to find peace, leaving it behind perpetuates her suffering. It’s a moral quandary that highlights the morally ambiguous nature of choices in The Witcher 3, where no option is without its drawbacks. The “right” choice isn’t about happiness, but about minimizing harm and choosing the lesser evil. This reinforces the game’s core themes of destiny, choice, and the enduring power of love and regret.
Exploring the Ripple Effects of Iris’ Rose Decision
The choice regarding the rose is central to the narrative and impacts the ultimate resolution of the Hearts of Stone storyline. It’s crucial to understand the full ramifications of your decision, not only for Iris but also for Olgierd and the wider context of the story. Whether you take the rose or leave it, Geralt must bring Olgierd a painting of Iris and the rose.
The Weight of Compassion: Leaving the Rose Behind
Choosing to leave the rose with Iris highlights Geralt’s capacity for compassion, even towards the spectral remnants of a broken soul. He recognizes the weight of her pain and hesitates to sever her connection to the last vestige of her past. However, this decision also reveals a potentially flawed understanding of true kindness. Is it truly compassionate to allow someone to remain in a state of perpetual suffering, even if they cling to it as their only reality?
The spectral guardians remain trapped in their duty, a constant reminder of Iris’s pain and a poignant symbol of unfulfilled promises. The dog and cat are bound to their mistress.
The Agony of Acceptance: Taking the Rose Away
Conversely, taking the rose is an act of mercy, albeit a painful one. It signifies the acceptance of Iris’s fate and the recognition that her suffering can only end through release. By severing the connection to her past, Geralt allows Iris to finally move on, finding peace in the afterlife.
This choice, however, can feel cruel. It forces Geralt to actively participate in the destruction of Iris’s last hope, even if that hope is ultimately a hollow one. This is the lesser of two evils and the only way to bring peace to Iris.
FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Iris von Everec
1. Does it matter what you put on Iris’ grave?
No, the items placed on Iris’ grave, whether the sketchbook or the portrait, and the words spoken, do not impact the game’s outcome. It’s purely a role-playing element, allowing players to express their feelings about Iris’s tragic fate. What does matter is that Geralt brings the painting of Iris and the rose to Olgierd, after venturing into the painted world.
2. How do you provoke all of Iris’ nightmares?
To fully experience Iris’s trauma, you must provoke all six of her nightmares within the painted world. Hitting each one with a sword or sign is the key. Be careful not to kill the weakest (the first one) until all six are awake. The large room provides ample space for maneuvering, but it can quickly become overwhelming, even with abilities like Whirl.
3. What happens to Iris in The Witcher 3 lore?
Iris’s story is one of tragic isolation. After Olgierd’s departure, fueled by his growing detachment and the influence of Gaunter O’Dimm, Iris was left alone with only a letter and a violet rose to remember him. She wasted away, fixated on the rose until it crumbled to dust, mirroring her own demise.
4. Is Iris’ sword worth using in The Witcher 3?
The sword Iris, obtained from Olgierd after completing Hearts of Stone, is a worthwhile steel sword. Its unique ability charges based on consecutive hits, unleashing a powerful strike. While not universally considered the best sword, it’s a formidable weapon with a distinct gameplay style.
5. How do you beat Iris’s Greatest Fear (Ethereal)?
The boss fight against Iris’s Greatest Fear requires strategic combat. Employ specter oil and the Blizzard potion. Dodge and parry attacks, then strike with quick flurries. Prioritize evasion over aggressive attacks, especially on higher difficulty levels like Death March.
6. Where do you bury Iris in The Witcher 3?
Iris can only be buried next to her easel, located at the northern tip of the estate under a large tree. This location provides a poignant final resting place, symbolizing her artistic spirit and her connection to the world she sought to capture on canvas.
7. How do you beat Iris’s Greatest Fear on Death March difficulty?
On Death March, the fight against Iris’s Greatest Fear demands patience and precision. Avoid engaging multiple enemies simultaneously. Attack Olgierd sparingly to prevent stuns. Use Quen after being hit and consistently evade strong attacks.
8. What to do with dead iris heads (in real life)?
After irises bloom, remove the dead blossoms to prevent the plants from wasting energy on seed production.
9. How do you beat Iris’s wraith?
Use specter oil, and Blizzard potion against the Wraith. Dodge or parry to minimize the threat.
10. How do you restore Iris’s memories?
Within the gazebo, you will find a scene of Olgierd and his wife Iris and after using his witcher senses to scan the scene he’ll find a palette and book to collect. Geralt will need to place them appropriately within the scene to restore Iris’ memory. Place the palette on the table.
11. When should you cut off iris?
This can be done as soon as they start to die off around late spring and early summer.
12. How do I get my iris to bloom twice?
Re-Blooming Iris Care: How To Get Fall Flowers To see the second bloom, the conditions must be right, with full sun and rich, well-draining soil conditions.
13. Should you cut off dead iris blooms?
As well as diverting energy from producing seeds to flowers, deadheading iris also helps to focus resources into strengthening the rhizomes. By removing spent flowers, it also promotes better air circulation around the plant and reduces the risk of diseases, such as botrytis.
14. Should I take the bones to Graham?
In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt if you trust, you take the bones to Graham, and she is able to appear there then and kills him, ending the quest and freeing her spirit. There’s much more to the quest if you don’t trust her, and actually you get more of a “happy” ending.
15. Who is master mirror?
Gaunter O’Dimm, also known as Master Mirror or The Man of Glass, is a character from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He’ll snare you in bonds, eyes glowin’ afire. To gore and torment you, till the stars expire. A folklore song about Gaunter O’Dimm.
The Enduring Legacy of Choice
The decision of whether to let Iris keep the rose is more than just a plot point; it’s a reflection of the player’s own moral compass. It forces a confrontation with the complex nature of grief, loss, and the sometimes-uncomfortable truth that the kindest act may not always be the easiest. The Witcher 3, through its masterful storytelling and nuanced characters, reminds us that every choice carries weight, and even the most compassionate intentions can have unforeseen consequences. To further explore these themes and the impact of games on learning and society, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society examines the deep connection between gameplay, learning, and transformative experiences.