Now before I ask in further detail, I'm aware that it is a big internet out there full of information and I could just wikipedia this situation, but I prefer the more "human" feel of a collective forum reply over that of possibly boring encyclopedia-type explanations.

So yes, what is a Witcher, really?

I had been asked that the other day and I couldn't quite form a proper response. It was something like "uhh.. part monster hunter, part.. wizard, and.. uhh..". It was a disaster. I've only played an hour or less of previous titles and it wasn't until buying the new game that I was generally interested in what a Witcher is. They don't (or haven't yet) just come right out and explain it to you, for the simpler folk like myself. So for you more experienced folks I would like to hear what you have to say.

Cheers!

Witchers are taken in as children and forced to undergo alchemical rituals. Those that survive are mutated, gaining an unnaturally long lifespan, fast healing, improved strength and reflexes, etc. They train with swords, alchemy, and simple spells. They are intended to protect man from monsters and try to stay neutral when it comes to politics.

Good description.

I don't know how many of them are orphans, but I think there is some kind of word of law that Witchers sometimes use when they save someone's life, that allows them to come back and take that person's son when they are old enough to begin training as a Witcher.

Oh, and the mutations cause Witchers to become sterile.

Right right, the Law of Surprise, true not all are orphans.

All the knowlege about what a witcher is you can find int the novel - everyone who has the slightest interest in knowing the backgraound of this world schould read it. As for your question - in the simplest words - A witcher is a mutated human, a "mutant" as other refer to them, trained for one, and only one purpose - to defend people fom monsters. They have unnatural powers and senses, but pay a price for it - they can't feel emotions and are infertile, above that - very few survive the mutation proces. Geralt is an exeption - he clearly has emotoins, and makes emotional decisions - so either something went wrong along the proces of his mutation, or he is just very special. Not much is known about his fertility thou.

Thank you guys for the responses, it was a big help :) I'd like to get into the books at some point.. Any advice on where to start or what order they should be read?

While I've only played the first game and a bit of the third, this part seems to be more myth than reality based on the actions and attitudes of the witcher NPCs that have shown up.

They *do* have hardened personalities to the extent that you'd expect of someone thrust into the life they lead, but that's nowhere near the same thing as being emotionless, even if people who don't like them try to paint it that way.

Because people in the world of the Witcher, not all of them, hate whatever is different. Out of fear or out of ignorance. That is why in the games you will hear many myths regarding the Witcher's emotional state. Truth is, they are just neutral. They do not like to get involved. Someone gets killed or robbed? They do not get involved. For some people that might be considered an act of cruelty and being emotionless.