Summary
- Intelligent monsters like higher vampires and godlings are regularly spared by Geralt, but the enigmatic Gaunter O'Dimm posed a unique challenge for him in Hearts of Stone.
- Gaunter's true nature as a powerful being with manipulative abilities made him a compelling antagonist in the DLC, and he could shine just as brightly in The Witcher 4.
- A potential gameplay mechanic involving Gaunter regularly showing up to judge the protagonist's choices throughout the narrative could be entertaining and build to a final encounter with him at the end of the story.
Throughout the course of The Witcher games, Geralt faces many creatures that most people on the Continent don't know exist. The most dangerous of them use a combination of magic and high intelligence to take over villages, forests, or individuals. Geralt refuses to hurt intelligent monsters who don't maliciously hurt others, such as higher vampires, godlings, and dopplers. Usually, these creatures can be convinced to leave the innocent alone. But one entity who has yet to be fully explained, and whose very nature aligns with interfering with mortals, is Gaunter O'Dimm. Because Gaunter is immortal, he should appear in The Witcher 4, not necessarily to solve the mysteries surrounding him, but to get a different perspective on the new protagonist.
Gaunter O'Dimm is an original character who doesn't appear in The Witcher books. He's introduced at the very beginning of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, where he points Geralt in the right direction on his quest to find Yennefer, before disappearing for the rest of the game until the events of the Hearts of Stone expansion pack, where he serves the role of a secret antagonist. As Geralt uncovers the extent that Olgierd's simple wish allowed Gaunter to ruin his life, he also discovers clues about Gaunter's true, sinister nature.
Gaunter in The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone
Gaunter's Nature
While Gaunter appears to be an ordinary human, Geralt discovers that his magic is different to that of Triss, Yennefer, and even Ciri. As Geralt learns more about Gaunter, including a visit to Professor Shakeslock, an expert in the study of black magic, it becomes clear that Gaunter is definitely not human. When Geralt questions Gaunter about his nature, asking him if he's a djinn or something like it, Gaunter chooses to "spare" Geralt and not answer his question. With abilities that include manipulating time, torturing the dead, and bringing up storms, Gaunter's powers go far beyond what any other creature seen in The Witcher is capable of.
Master Mirror
Gaunter's true nature, the extent of his abilities, the mystery that surrounds him, and his immortal nature make him a great candidate for an antagonist in The Witcher 4. One of Gaunter's in-game alternative names is "Master Mirror", a name which allegedly refers to his job as a merchant, but also refers to his tendency to reflect people's true nature back at them. Gaunter tells Geralt that he only grants people what they wish for, no more and no less. If they subconsciously wish ill on others, or more than they say with their words, the wish will enact that in practice and reveal their true natures.
Possibilities for The Witcher 4
Reflection as a Mechanic
This could become an interesting gameplay mechanic for a new protagonist pitted against Gaunter. Rather than having Gaunter be a faraway enemy that the player needs to defeat at the end of the story, Gaunter could be a constant presence in the protagonist's journey. The protagonist may end up encountering Gaunter regularly as the game progresses, a necessary evil whose defeat is the final goal in the story, but also one who takes note of the protagonist's actions throughout the narrative.
The Reappearance of Gaunter
Hearts of Stone ends in one of two ways: Geralt either allows Gaunter to leave without confrontation, or Geralt challenges him to a game and banishes Gaunter upon winning. If Gaunter is banished, he states that he will return. It's unknown when this will be, but CD Projekt RED has the freedom to bring him back whenever it likes. This means that no matter when The Witcher 4 is set, there's a possibility that Gaunter could appear.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you can explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.
PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRE
Trained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.
Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.
EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLD
Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Expansions
- The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
- Franchise
- The Witcher
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 52 Hours
- Metascore
- 94
