How is Triss less capable than Shani in dealing with Alvin as a child (I apologize - I never knew how it's like with Shani)? In worst case scenario, sorceress can do damage control and their knowledge of magic is more beneficial in the long run. Again, this is from reading the books, not sure how the game reflects that.

I always saw it as a choice between authoritarian and permissive parenting styles. Once again, the game has you choosing the lesser evil :)

Sigh, the rivalry between those 2 is so tiresome... I am tempted to choose the neutral path and continue my research on how little dryads are produced.

If only Shani and Triss would get along... Alvin could live with Shani, Triss could tutor him, and Geralt could sub for the bodyguard at the House of the Night.

Minus that last bit, that's actually how I would have preferred things to work out too. As a sorceress, Triss is undeniably better suited to teach Alvin how to handle his abilities (she gives him the dimeritium amulet, as an example). At the same time, however, Shani is better suited for Alvin as a mother. Triss is the Royal Adviser of Temeria; her duties and responsibilities (let alone having to keep up with the political maneuverings of the Lodge of Sorceresses) mean that she's not able to devote as much time and attention to raising Alvin as Shani can. (The nurses at the Hospital can at least cover for Shani a few days a week.)

In any case though, I never really warmed up to the little rascal myself, so while the twist at the end of TW1 was surprising, it didn't really tug at my heartstrings. :P

I agree, now that I have begun reading the books and learning all of these past connections it makes the games themselves a lot more interesting. Tailles for instance, I could tell that he was a d-bag during that one exchange with the king, but selecting the 'punch him in the face' option is so much sweeter knowing his history with Geralt.

Was Yennefer even mentioned by name in the first game? I don't recall if she was. However, I very much like what they did with the Wild Hunt. In TW1 it was this odd enemy who would appear hear and there and had knowledge of you and your past... But it was never a boss, never a major plot point, just entwined with a few. The Wild Hunt was expanded upon in TW2 to the point (at least IMO) I fully expect a Witcher game based on The Wild Hunt.

TW1 they set up that Geralt was deeply in love with a sorceress. We can assume it was probably Triss since she is in bed with him the second they have a moment alone and she is so overwhelmed to see him alive again.

TW2 they reveal it wasn't Triss, it was someone else. She is made out to be of extreme importance to Geralts past (like the Wild Hunt was in TW1) but great detail of this connection is not revealed (like in TW1). I am REALLY curious to know what Triss told Geralt when he asked her to explain all she knew about Yennefer. How she chose to answer that could be very revealing to how things may be between her and Yen in the future.

TW3 the path has been laid out for Geralt now. His memory is coming back. Yen can be expanded upon like The Wild Hunt was expanded upon in TW2. As things are, I'd pick Triss over Yen simply for lack of real info on Geralt and Yen's past.

I think TW3 will aim towards the conclusions of what was set up in TW2, and can at the same time really expand upon Geralts past, to full revelation, and then TW4 can see Geralt restored to his full self, on top of the developments of the games, and return to his hunt for The Wild Hunt.