[guipit]

It's nice CDPR put these modern day like conflict of bioweapons and surveillance/invasion of privacy stuff.

My question is Is Emyhr likely to use the bacteria strains that killed the Vrans? or will he lock it away/destroy it because it's too dangerous.

Cynthia says the North can't handle it and "Emhyr's civilized manicured hands" can but what does that really mean? The North will probably destroy itself if it gets it's hands on it but what about Emyhr? Maybe his behavior from the books could shed some light on what he'd do? (have not read them other than the wiki)

What are the alternative choices? If we don't take the quest will Radovid get it since he sent some soldiers down there or will no one get it? It'd be weird if the best course of action is to not take the quest seeing as it's such and interesting one.

What were Cynthia's motivations for letting you try the prototype megascope? She says that she "likes you" which seems like fucking bullshit to me. She's expressionless in the sex scene which makes me believe that she's planning something.

[vivaxardas]

I think that Emhyr will use a virus if necessary. There are actually two themes of weapons of mass destruction in TW2. If you really think about what Sabrina did three years back, you'd realize that every capable sorcerer is a walking and talking nuclear warhead. It seems they were bound by some rules what magic was permissible on the battlefield, but in time of need (like a new invasion), with a proper training of the troops, and under strict regulations any such restrictions would be lifted, and in this case there wouldn't be enough body bags in the entire Nilfgaard. In my opinion it is exactly why Emhyr was bent on not allowing any sorcerers' organization to be established, and to use any means necessary to ensure a massacre. As I see it, it was the only military advantage the North had over Nilfgaard (mages in Nilfgaard would have never been allowed that much power, and experience with highly destructive spells), and from Emhyr's perspective the entire Loch Muinne mission was an attempt of a nuclear disarmament of the North, so to speak. That's why I think that if a council and conclave are established, nilfgaardians failed.

Vran virus was something that would give advantage to Nilfgaard, and Emhyr wouldn't give it just up. For a sake of what? I am kind of surprised that neither North nor Nilfgaard started to stockpile chemical weapons as well. In any case the politics in TW2 is surprisingly modern.

[KnightofPhoenix]

guipit said:

My question is Is Emyhr likely to use the bacteria strains that killed the Vrans? or will he lock it away/destroy it[/color] because it's too dangerous.

He'd use it. If not directly, then as a method of compellence and deterrence.

Quote

What were Cynthia's motivations for letting you try the prototype megascope? ›››

To make you believe that this is what she was after. It's like throwing the dog a bone and keeping the meat for yourself.

vivaxardas said:

That's why I think that if a council and conclave are established, nilfgaardians failed. ›››

Not necessarily. The Council and Conclave existed before and Nilfgaard made it implode with ease. The Lodge was the bigger threat because it was united and under a clear leadership. The Council and Conclave would be as divisive as it was in the past I expect, unless a leader emerges to bring them in line.

Radovid could be that leader (in fact he kinda tries based on the epilogue), but it will take a lot of effort to be able to outplay Emhyr in this.

So the Nilfgaardians far from failed in that ending. They still have the advantage and Loc Muinne still devolves into a massacre.

[vivaxardas]

Well, yes, situation is still to their advantage. Obviously, the North is still in big trouble, but now nilfgaardians have to move fast, before people come to their senses and start consolidation. But when Radovid started a massacre, in my opinion, he intentionally and willingly destroyed the only military advantage the North ever had over Nilfgaard. I doubt that the guy who does not understand how immensely valuable mages are from a military standpoint, is able to outplay anyone. It seems that some Nilfgaardian profilers really did their jobs well and perfectly predicted behavior of the Northern kings.

If I were a king there, I would instantly offer any mage an asylum and start to create magical battle units and train my troops a proper defense, how and when to get out of a strike zone in time, and then just carpet-bomb invading nilfgaardins to high heaven.

[KnightofPhoenix]

vivaxardas said:

I doubt that the guy who does not understand how immensely valuable mages are from a military standpoint, is able to outplay anyone. ›››

He outplayed Philippa.

In any case, I think the mages are grossly overestimated. It was a combination of good strategy, tactics, coordination and luck that made the Nordlings win the 2nd war. The mages were practically useless, as that same "weapon" can be turned on the North at any instant as had almost happened on Thanedd.

[guipit]

KnightofPhoenix said:

He'd use it. If not directly, then as a method of compellence and deterrence.

To make you believe that this is what she was after. It's like throwing the dog a bone and keeping the meat for yourself.

So the Nilfgaardians far from failed in that ending. They still have the advantage and Loc Muinne still devolves into a massacre. ›››

I hope he only uses it as a deterrent and recognizes that everyone loses if he uses it.

Geralt knew about how she wanted the bacteria strains after she left. We should have had a choice to kill her after gaining that knowledge or attempt to steal the notes that would've been ideal.

I say they failed,the North is divisive by nature anyway Letho's job was to cripple them of any hope of uniting. It won't only be Radovid but the threat of Nilfgaard that unites the North.

What was Letho's "grand finale" in Loc Muinne anyway if you saved Triss? He boasts about it but he didn't really do much in Chapter 3.

[KnightofPhoenix]

guipit said:

What was Letho's "grand finale" in Loc Muinne anyway if you saved Triss? He boasts about it but he didn't really do much in Chapter 3. ›››

His "final prank" was changing Sile's diamond. That's what he was boasting about.

Plus the chaos that starts in Loc Muinne is in large part because of him.

[vivaxardas]

To KnightofPhoenix

Just noticed your magnificent sig. Loved your Letho tribute video. Ready to sign under your every word about A Song of Ice and Fire.

" A Lannister always pays his debts. For everyone else there is a master-card".

[arkblazer]

guipit said:

It's nice CDPR put these modern day like conflict of bioweapons and surveillance/invasion of privacy stuff.

My question is Is Emyhr likely to use the bacteria strains that killed the Vrans? or will he lock it away/destroy it because it's too dangerous.
›››

personally, of what ive read, i think its unlikely that he would us the virus as a bio weapon.

first of all emhyr reason for invading was so he could unite the entire nations for the coming of the itlinne prophecy. so it wouldnt make sense for him to annihilate the nordlings. even if it was to weaken them it wouldn't make sense because he doesnt have to, the black plague has has already decimated the north.

a possible reason that im thinking that he took it is that he is worried that the elfs might have used or will use a virus, so he might be taking the original so he can study it and possibly make a cure.

remeber even if it isnt true there are rumors that the black plague had been caused by the elves. if he knows about the wild hunt he could be preparing for that eventuality.

[Eglard]

Quote

He outplayed Philippa.

Well making irrational decisions is not the same thing as outplaying someone. While the estabilishing of the council and conclave might not have be in Radovid's best interests, killing the wizards is quite contrary to his interests as well.

Apart from that I think that killing Cynthia is the best choice you can make. Don't just sell the tome to anyone, otherwise you've accomplished nothing. Acctually it would be quite nice if you could destroy the notes and the tome, but of course that might be impossible because they might have been magically protected.

[guipit]

arkblazer said:

personally, of what ive read, i think its unlikely that he would us the virus as a bio weapon.

first of all emhyr reason for invading was so he could unite the entire nations for the coming of the itlinne prophecy. so it wouldnt make sense for him to annihilate the nordlings. even if it was to weaken them it wouldn't make sense because he doesnt have to, the black plague has has already decimated the north.

a possible reason that im thinking that he took it is that he is worried that the elfs might have used or will use a virus, so he might be taking the original so he can study it and possibly make a cure.

remeber even if it isnt true there are rumors that the black plague had been caused by the elves. if he knows about the wild hunt he could be preparing for that eventuality. ›››

That makes me feel a bit better. I mean he isn't desperate about winning or anything like that so he probably won't use it.

It wouldn't suprise me if Emyhr knew about the Wild Hunt and the other world and is preparing for it.

The more I read about the elves the more I understand why humans hate them and blame them for everything. [spoilers] They came across a huge pile of bones. To her horror, Ciri realised that the skulls had human teeth making them a pile of human bones. Ihuarraquax explained that it had been a human world until the elves led by Fox and Sparrowhawk arrived and killed them all - this also would be the fate of other worlds, including Ciri's own, should Avallac'h and Eredin succeed in once again harnessing the power of time and space. -http://witcher.wikia.com/wiki/Ciri [/spoiler]

Eglard said:

Apart from that I think that killing Cynthia is the best choice you can make. Don't just sell the tome to anyone, otherwise you've accomplished nothing. Acctually it would be quite nice if you could destroy the notes and the tome, but of course that might be impossible because they might have been magically protected. ›››

I thought about that too but I think Geralt would be more curious about his memory and he'd only know about the book after the quest was over and Cynthia escapes and can't be killed.

[pomor]

KnightofPhoenix said:

In any case, I think the mages are grossly overestimated. It was a combination of good strategy, tactics, coordination and luck that made the Nordlings win the 2nd war. The mages were practically useless, as that same "weapon" can be turned on the North at any instant as had almost happened on Thanedd. ›››

Mages have been used, on both sides, during the first Nilfgardian war. And they have been decisive weapon. During the second war, neither Nilfgarad nor the North have used them. It felt almost like a silent agreement, if you don't use magic in battle, we refrain from it as well.

[Longshot11]

guipit said:

The more I read about the elves the more I understand why humans hate them and blame them for everything... ›››

If I'm not mistaken, the characters in your quote are ...

SPOILERS

... the other-worldy elves from parallel dimension that comprise the Wild Hunt - they are not the same as the elves of Geralt's world (at least no more than you would say the people of two far-away countries are the same just because they share the same race)

Besides, the genocide they performed on humans in their world is pretty much the same as what humans did to elves in Geralt's world. So what goes around, comes around, I guess?

END SPOILERS

[KnightofPhoenix]

vivaxardas said:

To KnightofPhoenix

Just noticed your magnificent sig. Loved your Letho tribute video. Ready to sign under your every word about A Song of Ice and Fire.

" A Lannister always pays his debts. For everyone else there is a master-card". /> ›››

Thanks And Lannisters FTW!

Eglard said:

Well making irrational decisions is not the same thing as outplaying someone. While the estabilishing of the council and conclave might not have be in Radovid's best interests, killing the wizards is quite contrary to his interests as well. ›››

His outplaying Philippa was before the pogrom and has little to do with it.

I'll be the firs to say that whether Radovid ordered such a massacre or lost control of his forces after the dragon attack, he still committed a mistake. But it's not a mistake without reason or completely irrational.

[Bloth]

Renuald and Shilard who started that massacre wasn't it, i'm sure Roche told me that back in Loc Muinne, things rapidly got out of hand.

[vivaxardas]

If you recall, Radovid has a conversation with a knight of a flaming rose, while looking at the burning Loch Muinne "Your handiwork, sire" "In the beginning there was chaos". The guys who impale a sorcerer, and two guys decapitating a sorceresses are from the order as well. So in Loch Muinne it was Radovid who started a massacre.

Shilard did nothing more but presented a witness to the conspiracy, gave a list of the members of the Lodge, and then got out of Loch Muinne as fast as he could. What to do with this info was entirely up to the Northern monarchs. That's a beauty of it - all the nilfgaardian diplomatic mission ever did was they simply helped different northern fractions to solve their problems.

But Emhyr definitely managed to predict what effects these apparently harmless, or even helpful actions, would have. So nilfgaardians arrived as a humanitarian mission, to help out the Nothern kingdoms most suffered from the war, and they did exactly what they intended. If they were to be tried in an international court, there is nothing they could have been convicted. All hail diplomacy, the art of winning a war without firing a single shot!

Roche is reporting on popular response in the North, when things got known. The massacre started by Radovid in Loch Muinne was carried all over the North by the population bent on avenging their kings, driven by hate, or greed, or a simple blood lust.

[Bloth]

Nah, don't think Roche'd lie to me at that point. Radovid obviously conspired with Nilfgaard to rid himself of the Lodge, but I don't think he wanted an open massacre of the Mages, a la Thanned, that much's obvious from his conspiration with Carduin. Unless he's allready done a Henselt with Shilard and is trying to devastate the magi of the other Northern Kingdoms, while his factions sorcerors flee forewarned, doubt he'd be that short sighted however. I regard it as a last parting gift by Shilard and Renuald, a delayed strike back at the victors of Sodden Hill.

[Random drowner]

Well, my Geralt told them that there was no way he could allow them to walk away with the stuff they discovered down there. Unfortunately he was forced to fight and kill them both. (I had hoped Cynthia would have surrendered when it became clear to her that the battle was not going her way with Adelbert falling first and herself running out of both blood and power.)

What I want to know is: Is Iorveth the same person as Goeveth. I reacted immediately given my experience with linguistics and how spelling and sound-shifts appear in languages over time. If so, well then it seems likely he was involved in one way or the other in the genocide of the Vrans. if so, a dark secret indeed.

[vivaxardas]

I do not know about Goeveth, I doubt it has a real language equivalent. But Iorweth is a welsh name. Llywelyn the Great (Welsh: Llywelyn Fawr, full name Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, (Llywelyn son of Iorweth) (c. 1172 – 11 April 1240) was a Prince of Gwynedd in north Wales and eventually de facto ruler over most of Wales. It's kind of funny that lots of the elder speech is real Welsh, as well as a lot of Nilfgaardian names. "Gwyn bleidd" is "white wolf" in welsh. I learned a bit of Welsh, I have welsh friends. One more reason for me to like Nilfgaard, btw.

[mariobros777]

The answer is simple. Cynthia is one woman. One woman sent from Nilfgaard with other agents to cause some preliminary mayhem and chaos to the North. In my best path so far, Iorveth's, i always let Aryan live, always go after Triss to butcher down the entire Nilfgaard mission, and always prevent the prototype megascope from ending in the hands of these agents. Which means i kill them. In normal the battle is a bit hard, but ultimately manageable. In dark, i 've never been able to survive it, up to date.

Regardless, i do not trust Duny -whoops,- the emperor of Nilfgaard. A man who plans on plowing his own daughter (Ciri) just to get that son who will conquer half the world and the grandson to conquer it all, is just a hedgehog mugged bastard. Plus, he already spared geralt once, so he is unlikely to spare us twice. I wish geralt would have listened to Calanthe and slew the monster instead of curing it; but he wouldn't be Geralt then, would he?

Sorry for the heavy spoilers. Anyway, Emhyr as is now called, is a ruthless man. I wouldn't let him get a simple toy, let alone a prototype magic device of such caliber. His entire people and representatives were sent in the North just to get the field ready for the invasion. Politics and diplomacy. I solved that by killing every last one of them. And my Geralt did not feel bad for killing humans, just this once...