Editor’s Note: The following are spoilers for The Witcher: Blood Origin.
Though there’s a lot to love about Netflix WitcherIt’s no secret that one of the main features of the series is the fantastic monsters Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) must kill in every episode. So it’s not surprising that The Witcher: Origin of Blood also finds a way to portray an exciting battle with a creature from another dimension. And while Origin of blood Set 1,200 years before the main series and centuries before the founding of the Witcher Order, the spin-off prequel does feature a prototype monster slayer that works like the first Witcher on the continent.
Monster of the Golden Empire
The Witcher: Origin of Blood follows the creation of the Golden Empire, a tyrannical regime born from the ashes of the three major elven kingdoms on the continent: Xin’treya, Prishia, and Darwen. Desiring to lead the elves into a new golden era and desiring to conquer other dimensions, Princess Mervyn of Xin’treya (Mirren Mack) combines with the mage Balor (Lenny Henry) and General Eredin (Jacob Collins-Levy) kill all monarchs and clan warriors loyal to their rule. The final blow is dealt during a meeting where the three kingdoms were to sign a peace treaty and end the Thousand Years’ War. And the tool that the traitors use to kill everyone who opposes the emergence of the Golden Empire is a monster from another dimension.
The rise of the Golden Empire can only happen through the research of Syndril (Zach Wyatt), a magician who discovered the Monoliths of the Continent and developed spells that allow the columns to be used as gates to different worlds. The power-hungry Balor betrays Sindril and turns the Monoliths into a weapon of war, bonding with an ethereal entity living in a barren world and trading his allegiance for control of the dragon-like being. The monster can fly, shoots energy beams that turn people into dust, and has skin as strong as steel.
After being used to coup against the kingdoms, the monster becomes the guardian of Xin’treya’s palace, preventing anyone from killing Empress Mervyn. When the Seven decide to invade Xin’treya and destroy the Golden Empire, they must devise a plan to kill the monster. Their solution is to make themselves into a monster that will eventually become the first prototype of The Witcher.
Fjall, the first witcher
Once the Seven unite to plan their attack, Syndrill offers to fuse his body with the heart of a giant creature they found in another dimension. This process is painful and can lead to death, which is why Syndrill wants to sacrifice himself. Unfortunately, the Seven needs a warrior to kill the monster, not a mage. So, FjallLawrence O’Fuarine) and Eile (Sofia Brown) volunteer to become a vessel for the experiment.
Eile is determined to become the first witcher, but Fjall tricks her and swallows Sindril’s elixirs while she sleeps. A warrior wants to save the woman he loves from the pain of the Trial of Herbs, where he must drink several potions and herbs that will break his body and mind, preparing to merge with the monster’s heart. Zakare (Lizzy Ennis), Syndril’s celestial sister, takes over the final step of the process, impaling Fjall’s body and injecting the monster’s essence.
After the process, Fjall dies for a minute. When he is resurrected, he smells the blood inside other people, and so much rage burns in his chest that he wants to destroy the world. Fjall is also stronger and more durable than any elf, making him equal to the Empress’ beast.
Unfortunately, Fjall also loses his mind in the process and, after killing the creature, turns against his former allies. Aile is forced to suppress Fjall, making the Seven the only witnesses to his transformation. This is why, although Fjall is the first Witcher, it will take centuries before the Trial of Herbs is rediscovered and transformed into official Witchers.
The Witcher: Origin of Blood already available on Netflix.
Source: Collider
