One particular scene in Act 1 caught my eye and ear both times I played through it, both being because it was a very artistic scene and the fact that it had a very particular quote. When Iorveth is taking you to meet Letho, he says "Aed f'haeil moen Hirjeth taenverde" which Geralt clarifies as meaning "Conquer with courage rather than strength". It's a rather standard philosophical line. The way Iorveth delivers that line is so very strange that no wonder it caught my attention, but there's something a bit more...

At the beginning of the game, you participate in the siege of La Valette directly at the side of King Foltest. No matter how much it's shout "Protect the king!" and Foltest having hired you as his bodyguard, the guy has basically no fear as he charges head first into this massive battle taking place atop the castle walls. The only reason he hired Geralt was to protect him from an assassin that no soldier could stop. He would have gone without you had that event at the end of the first Witcher happened.

After your bouts in Flotsam you decide that you have to, one way or another, go and fight against the town which is far stronger than you. You can accomplish this through being stealthy, forceful, or conniving. The difference between Loredo and the forces of the Blue Stripes/Scoi'atel though is that one merely relies on the fact of their numbers. Geralt is the crux of either of these plans, showing his courage in accomplishing one objective or the other.

In Act 2, this phrase takes the very center of the entire plot. You discuss about the battle at hand frequently, and the majority of the people in Vergen feel confident that despite the overwhelming force of Henselt's army that they will succeed in the upcoming battle. On Henselt's end though, people are there plotting against the King as the battle even starts approaching. Regardless, strength overtakes the prideful non-humans and leaves Vergen under siege.

As is the part through a side bit of Act 2, Act 3 becomes centered around the sorceresses plans. They are obviously using their powers to manipulate the minds of powerful lords and ease their way into the higher class society, but hardly even needing courage to face it. The one that actually displays the most courage in this chapter is not only Geralt, but Letho. He stares face to face with the man he accused after foiling the sorceresses plans, fully confident that his actions will allow him to pursue his dreams. Whether this is representative of the Nilfgard invasion to come, only time will tell.

What I'm basically saying here is that Iorveth's standard saying actually relates back to the plot, and I'm rather thankful for that. It's enough to have some Bible quote to try and create "epic" relevance (*cough* Mass Effect 2 *cough*) but coming up with something of your own devices to give motivation to the player is an interesting way of drawing them into the story. Although you may seem like strength is your only asset, isn't it courage that carries you along? Thanks for reading.

It took both courage and strength, but you're welcome.

Very well put, adding it to my collection of "What happens to the world after end game playthrough".

/claps

Eh, I think you misunderstood the Legion quote. That's more a quote of explanation in order to explain a being comprised of many operating as one than some awesome one-liner. Sigh, I don't like defending Bioware games, but fair is fair.

Personally, I find it a bit of a stretch that one innocuous line was directly tied the fact that a bunch of random characters showed courage in the game. Courage in any game is kind of a necessity because a game full of cowards would be incredible boring, so I think you're overthinking the entire thing and thus respectfully disagree :)

Thanks for a great read. I never gave his words much thought, other than that they reflected the struggle for a free state in Upper Aedirn.

Since it's basically ripping it off anyway, they could have easily said "We are Borg" and the thing would have name itself Borg. There was no reason to draw on Biblical text there.

As to your remark about courage, I was more comparing courage to power and which party uses more of one or the other. Does courage really conquer over power, or will power eventually win in the end? I disagree about a game where the protagonist's a coward though. Look at catherine. Cowardice is a character trait, but it doesn't mean one doesn't show determination. Something to overcome, like strength.

From my opinion, this quote "conquer by courage rather by strength" is idealistic mirror of Roche's path. Thats all. Roche resolves things rather by brute force( or schemes built by scratch), contrary to Iorveth, who appears and hits in the right time, right place. Without any faults.

Yeah, but you don't have to pay royalty rates to demons.

Also, I had to google that, but I'm more familiar with religion and mythology than Star Trek so maybe that's just me.

We are Borg won't cover the impression that the geth have some saint and humanoid aim,and that in fact they are not evil, they are good. Which impression comes through not only by using a biblical quote, but by knowing better and better their kind through discussions.

Borgs were just machines.They were creepy. They didn't have any Saint purpose like searching the meaning of existence.

So in this conception, it fits for me to use a biblical quote.

Actually, the "Legion" quote was from a demon who was possessing a person, so... the biblical quote wasn't exactly doing too much to indicate that they're good, either.

Interesting fact: the demon/s was/were exorcised and sent into pigs, who then drowned themselves. Suicidal pigs in ME3 confirmed.

But let's not forget that Iorveth's original plan to conquering the prison barge is simply killing everyone in sight. It is Geralt who suggest a slightly more peaceful way.

And when Philippa screws you over in Act 3, it is because Iorveth couldn't keep his mouth shut for 0.2 seconds. He does do things with more style than Roche, but he's far from being flawless in his plans.

Not exaclty. Philippa was waiting the opportunity all way long to escape. As Master Geralt felt this and foretold in every second step. She was able to escape just because she used Iorveths need for rethorical express and fooled them as a sly fox should do. Neither she wasn't that white sheep as she wanted to be seen.

Of course she was, both of them knew that :) Her slyness becomes clear after Radovid tells all the things she did to manipulate him and those around him (and even taught him a thing or two about manipulation). Iorveth still should've known better than to fall for her cheap provocations, but oh well. Perhaps karma will fire back her way.

I'm not exactly a Star Trek nut, but Borgs do have a glimpse of humanity. One episode they're able to convince a Borg to take on a name, and then he revolts against a man masquerading as Picard. They are exactly like the Borg except in design.

Iorveth knows he cannot win in numbers, but he has the pride and audacity to try anyways. Roche, however, is confident in whatever he does he has a wealth of men to back him up. This, of course, slaps him in the face at Act 2's closer and his brimming confidence switches to undying rage.