#like there's so much meaning and symbolism to the wintering in beauclair it kills me to see people throw it out the window | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hanzajesthanza · 6 months

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it really does matter so much that fringilla vigo is nilfgaardian, beauclairoise, for many reasons, but let's start here:

her entire role is that of an illusionist; one which she would not be were it not for her family lineage, rooted in beauclair:

There was a corridor in Beauclair Palace, and at the end a chamber, the existence of which no one knew about. (...) The corridor and the chamber, disguised by a powerful illusion, were known only to the palace’s original elven builders. And later–when the elves had gone, and Toussaint became a duchy–to the small number of sorcerers linked to the ducal house. Including Artorius Vigo, a master of magical arcana and great specialist in illusions. And his young niece, Fringilla, who had a special talent for illusions.

and since her talent in illusions is well-defined in the series, as it is her who grants geralt the very silver-mounted chrysoprase amulet which saves his life in the final fight against vilgefortz:

Geralt clenched Fringilla’s medallion in his fist. The bar fell with a clang, striking the floor a foot from the Witcher’s head. Geralt rolled away and quickly got up on one knee. Vilgefortz leaped forward and struck. The bar missed the target again by a few inches. The sorcerer shook his head in disbelief and hesitated for a second. (...) ‘I didn’t know …’ Yennefer said at last, scrambling out of a pile of rubble. She looked terrible. The blood trickling from her nose had poured all over her chin and cleavage. ‘I didn’t know you could cast illusory spells,’ she repeated, seeing Geralt’s uncomprehending gaze, ‘capable even of deceiving Vilgefortz.’ ‘It’s my medallion.’ ‘Aha.’ She looked suspicious. ‘A curious thing...’

that talent is something which cannot, by far, be separated from her character. and returning back to her lineage, it is again her familial relations which place her in beauclair.

she was positioned there, ready to intercept geralt, as early as the autumnal equinox in september, by which time geralt had barely just left the town of riedbrune:

The world over, the autumn Equinox was a night of spectres, nightmares and apparitions, a night of sudden, suffocating awakenings, fraught with menace, among sweat-soaked and rumpled sheets. Neither did the most illustrious escape the apparitions and awakenings; (...) In the huge castle of Montecalvo the sorceress Philippa Eilhart leaped from damask sheets, without waking the Comte de Noailles’ wife. The dwarf Yarpen Zigrin in Mahakam, the old witcher Vesemir in the mountain stronghold of Kaer Morhen, the bank clerk Fabio Sachs in the city of Gors Velen and Yarl Crach an Craite on board the longboat Ringhorn all awoke more or less abruptly. The sorceress Fringilla Vigo came awake in Beauclair Castle*, as did the priestess Sigrdrifa of the temple of the goddess Freyja on the island of Hindarsfjall.

* Slight correction - As explained in Chapter 3 of Lady of the Lake, Beauclair is not a castle, but a palace.

and she's only invited to beauclair in such a capacity because she is a relative of the duchess:

‘I’m in Beauclair because the largest, best-stocked library in the known world is here. Apart from university libraries, naturally. But universities are jealous of giving access to their shelves, and here I’m a relation and good friend of Anarietta and can do as I wish.’

(whom, you may note, she stands by and jointly receives geralt with at their first meeting, and participates in the festival of the vat with)

and therefore, she was in a perfectly strategic position to delay geralt, keep him captive:

‘(...) Please at least tell us … has the Witcher calmed down now? Are you capable of keeping him in Toussaint at least until May?’ (…) ‘No,’ she answered at last. ‘Probably not until May. But I’ll do everything in my power to keep him here as long as possible.’

because fringilla is not just an illusionist literally, as in the magic she is naturally gifted at, but 'illusionist' is her entire identity as a character.

and as her family hails from beauclair, this specific identity is compounded with the fact that beauclair itself is the center of illusions, a dreamland, a fairytale:

‘There’s something bewitched about this place, this fucking Toussaint. Some kind of charm hangs over the whole valley. Especially over the palace (...) no two ways about it, there’s something bewitched about this bloody Toussaint.’

fringilla is an illusionist because she is beauclairoise. she not only hails from a long line of illusionists, but hails from, is related to the ruler of, the very city of illusions and dreams.

she is the illusionist not just in a literal sense, but in the entire narrative role of casting an illusion over our hero, because it is the illusion of love which keeps her and geralt in beauclair. (the tricky trick is that geralt, taking a page out of yennefer's playbook of seduction, cleverness, patience, was able to cast an illusion upon the mistress of illusions herself, free himself from the witch's spell, awake from a pleasant dream to face the harsh reality).

(sighs) and even if you want to forget fringilla's beauclairoise identity and erase her entire positioning as the illusionist which poses a threat to our heroes, entices them to complacency, her role as nilfgaardian in the sense of her academic identity and imperial service also defines her.

because it is also fringilla, the illusionist who casts the wool over people's eyes... who blinded yennefer at sodden hill.

‘We’ve already met,’ Yennefer spoke again. ‘I don’t recall,’ Fringilla said without looking away. ‘I’m not surprised. But I have a good memory for faces and figures. I saw you from Sodden Hill.’ ‘In which case there can be no mistake,’ Fringilla Vigo said and raised her head proudly, sweeping her eyes over all those present. ‘I was at the Battle of Sodden.’ (...) ‘Occasionally one happens to see another person for only a split second, right before going blind, and one takes a dislike to them instantly.’ ‘Oh, enmity is considerably more complicated,’ Fringilla said, squinting. ‘Imagine someone you don’t know at all standing at the top of a hill, and ripping a friend of yours to shreds in front of your eyes. You neither saw them nor know them at all, but you still don’t like them.’ ‘So it goes,’ Yennefer said, shrugging. (...)

fringilla's (proud!) participation at the battle of sodden is a crux of the lodge, because she alongside her good friend, the scholarly assire, they are nilfgaardians who, owing to their nationality, find challenges meshing with the northern sorcereresses. the lodge brought together representatives of magic across nationalities in the midst of a raging, bloody war between them all.

and it's so integral to fringilla's character that she has imperial biases, that she approaches even the international lodge with an imperialist view.

with no factual basis, she initially exotifies and sexualizes the northern sorceresses, despite her own prior denial of these base stereotypes:

Fringilla Vigo was putting on a brave face, but she was anxious and stressed. She herself had often reprimanded young Nilfgaardian mages for uncritically yielding to stereotypical opinions and notions. She herself had regularly ridiculed the crude image painted by gossip and propaganda of the typical sorceress from the North: artificially beautiful, arrogant, vain and spoiled to the limits of perversion, and often beyond them. (...) Her untrammelled imagination offered up images of impossibly gorgeous women with diamond necklaces resting on naked breasts with rouged nipples, women with moist lips and eyes glistening from the effects of alcohol and narcotics. In her mind’s eye Fringilla could already see the gathering becoming a wild and depraved orgy accompanied by frenzied music, aphrodisiacs, and slaves of both sexes using exotic accessories.

she even has a difficult time understanding why the northern sorceresses are upset about the nilfgaardian invasion, believing it to be a boon to their society. only through their discussion does she just barely begin to grasp the meaning of "invasion" and why she wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it:

Some were clearly anxious about the close proximity of Nilfgaard. Fringilla had mixed feelings. She had assumed that such educated people would understand that the Empire was bringing culture, prosperity, order and political stability to the North. On the other hand, though, she didn’t know how she would have reacted herself, were foreign armies approaching her home.

all of this indoctrination into imperial beliefs, at the same time that she is an educated woman, and herself, as an imperial sorceress, known for being rebellious and an upstart within her own culture:

‘Stop staring,’ Assire said, touching her bouffant and glistening curls. ‘I decided to make a few changes. Why, I just took your lead.’ ‘I was always taken as an oddball and a rebel,’ Fringilla Vigo chuckled. ‘But when they see you in the academy or at court…’

this is such a chaotic rambling post, but all i want to say is that fringilla's character, like most of the minor characters in the witcher series, was not invented through random generation, a roll of the dice, a spin of the wheel. her specific traits - such as her nationality, lineage, talents - all relate back thematically. everything is relevant, specifically chosen to create a specific character.

if once changes her backstory (e.g., to place her at aretuza... though i don't know who would do such a thing for no reason) they would change her entire character, the series' commentary on imperialism, and because of her role she takes later on, even the entire ending of the story.

#fringilla vigo #c: fringilla #the witcher books #book: lady of the lake #listen i don't enjoy her character as in i don't think about her 24/7 but i am begging my fellow fans to not just throw her #entire character out because they don't like her or what she does or they think it's just a matter of preference if she goes to aretuza #because these specificities define her entire character which define the entire stay in beauclair which define the assault on stygga castle #which define the entire ENDING of the saga which define the MEANING of the saga #these little guys (fictional characters) are like dominos or jenga blocks. if you move one little thing it changes everything #like there's so much meaning and symbolism to the wintering in beauclair it kills me to see people throw it out the window #bro they were caught in a dream a pleasant dream #and you also know what. the way we see beauclair. is FROM a dream. from condwiramurs' intentional oneiromancy #it's literally a dream about dreams #AUGH i lose my shit over the fakedeepness of lady of the lake #also her name is the latin for chaffinch. she's a little bird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringilla #which i am... guessing... relates to the wintering theme... perhaps...#analysis

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tarithenurse · 4 years

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If I succeed - 11

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x fem!Reader Content: Nothing bad, actually. A/N: I may have to slow my postings down the coming weeks as I’m picking up extra shifts at the ER to assist on the COVID-19 diagnosis and care. I’ll do my best to update on the WiP/master list as well as posting. Want a tag? Send an ask or reblog! I’d love comments and feedback – even if it’s corrections on language or whatever. I’m not picky as long as I know my work brings joy too.

11 – Between you and me

... Years ago, in Beauclair ...

As the right hand of the vassal, the young seigneur and his lady lacked nothing. Enjoying the easy life at the vassal’s court in Beauclair kept them away from the intrigues (including the harm thereof) while still granting influence and luxury. As such, it seemed their happiness was guaranteed when the lady became with child.

Though the laws required the monarch of Nilfheim to be of the male sex, there were no such restrictions for the heirs of the lesser lords, meaning that the birth of a healthy girl was as much cause for celebration as a boy would have been. Yes, the seigneur and his wife were truly blessed by the Prophet.

Or so it seemed.

As the little girl grew, so did the numbers of strange incidents in the household. Lamps flickered and flared, the hearths would roar as by a sudden gust of wind. For a while, the parents would amuse themselves by imagining the flames danced according to their precious daughter’s mood...but the laughter was lessened when a servant got severely burned after angering the child and later there were no smiles left as a wave of her hand caused the fire to leap towards a guest.

Money and favours owed bought the silence of the witnesses, but everyone knew it would only be a matter of time: the sorceresses of Aretuza would come for the child if she survived past the first ten years – a prospect that scared the parents. The mother was distraught, remembering the loss of a childhood friend who was taken to train with magic yet never seen again; the father became grim and silent, growing more secluded as time passed. Neither, however, stopped loving the girl or were willing to give up on her.

When the child was six years of age, a Witcher happened to visit the court of Beauclair and though his quest was another, he agreed to listen to the seigneur after promising not to tell a soul. Curious, he went to see the child. Vesemir, the Witcher, witnessed how the girl played with the flames effortlessly.

“Yes,” he confided to the parents, “Aretuza will come for the girl...but not to train her. To kill her.” He explained of the balance of nature and how the use of magic had a cost to maintain that order. “[Y/N] does not appear to pay the due. Magic without a price’s unthinkable and the very existence’s the greatest threat to the world of the sorceresses and mages.”

“But what can we do?”

Vesemir took pity on the little family, quietly thinking to himself that he had been going soft ever since he took in his charge. Working ardently, the Witcher found a way to cloak the girl, obscure the mark of magic with a sign from those who would seek it, before helping the family leave the city under disguise.

... Present day, Reader ...

“You saw him again?”

A short nod. “Yeah. He...visited the summer after they passed.” Pointing to the knife, you add: “Wanted t’make sure I knew ‘bout that.”

It is tangible, the path of Geralt’s gaze as it reevaluates everything he has learned about your body to remember seeing a mark. You lift and part your hair after turning the back to him because there, at the base of the skull, is a finely lined symbol. You do not recall ever seeing it with your own eyes though the memory of getting it done is clear.

“Hm.” The Witcher sounds surprised. “Here I thought he only cared ‘bout swords.”

Jaskier has also been leaning in to get a good look at the small tattoo, clearly less impressed despite undoubtedly having understood the implications. “I once new this fellow who OUCH!”

The scowl you send the silver-haired man is only enough to make him shrug. Clearly, remorse is still not one of his traits – at least not when it comes to slapping the bard in the back of the head. Witchers. He is the second one you have met and while he is the only you have gotten to know this well, it seems there may be a pattern in their personalities: few of words, practical, confident. Consuming. Passionate. The memories of both night and day mingle, interchanging what the bright sun had shown you with the shadows of the past night. Still a bit sore, your core reawakens, stirred by echoes from the lovemaking Geralt had worshipped you by.

“Fire...” you sigh, “I can’t create it out of nothing.”

“No one can do anything unless they’ve been taught,” he challenges with an arched brow.

Of course, you take the bait. Maybe to ensure some things remain unchanged? “S’pose you’re gonna teach me, huh?”

“Hmm.” His smile broadens to reveal teeth and his eyes gleam like gold in the sun. “I’ll teach you a lot more...but not that.”

Shy a response, you are saved by Jaskier finally losing his patience and demanding to know the relevance and how any attempts to kill the vampires are going to result in anything but certain death...especially if the wyverns have indeed been domesticated. Truth be told, the bard is being reasonable. We only need evidence, a desperate thought shouts in your mind, enough to convince the villagers to flee and the vassal to send the soldiers.

Beauclair is hundreds of miles from the last village at the foot of the mountains and the vassal and his court will be safe for a long time while the rest of Toussaint suffers – it has always been that way whether through harsh winters or violent attacks. Those with power do not lower themselves to bother with the problems of the common folk. Your parents had always known this and tried to help in what ways they could without catching the suspicions of their fellows in the court because Toussaint, well, all of Nilfheim, follows a simple rule: kill or be killed. If someone shows signs of weakness, they are certain to be ousted. If lucky. No, the only reason for any ruler, local or not, to lift a finger would be if they were the targets.

“Domesticated wyverns...” you ponder, unknowingly out loud, “domest-...dom-...vampires are intelligent?”

Under your fixed stare, Geralt nods. “Some.”

“Then maybe...no...” Intelligent or not, they’re still monsters.

“What? What is it?” There is desperation in Jaskier’s voice. “Any idea’s gotta be better than hack ‘n slash.”

Suddenly, your throat is dry and the hem of the tunic is fascinating, captivating your attention and preventing a good argument from rolling off your tongue. “Well...if they’re smart enough to get t’gether and tame the wyvers...they’ve got some sorta plan. Right? Would they be willing to listen to logic?” A dark eyebrow rises, underlining the contrast against the silvered hair of the owner. “I mean...can they be...argued with or-or swayed to...y’know...”

Stammering and hesitant, you explain a fool’s hope of convincing the enemy to head directly for the king and his many advisors and admirals rather than preying on the innocents.

“Your idea was to walk up there, waltz into their midst and beg them not to kill the common folk?”

“Well...yeah?”

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