Netflix’s hit series, The Witcher, has captivated audiences with its enchanting characters and thrilling storyline. One character, in particular, has left fans curious and intrigued – Geralt of Rivia. While Geralt is known for his yellow eyes, there’s a unique phenomenon that occurs when he enters his ‘berserker mode’ – his eyes turn completely black. But what is the significance behind this transformation?
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The Window to the Soul
In the world of The Witcher, eyes are said to be the window to the soul. Characters with distinctive eye colors often possess extraordinary abilities or a magical nature. Yen, for example, has purple-blue eyes due to her magical prowess, while Ciri’s large emerald eyes reflect her Elven blood. Geralt, too, has captured attention with his striking features.
A Result of Mutagens
Geralt’s appearance, including his unusual eyes, can be attributed to the mutagens that were introduced into his body during the Trials of the Grasses. These mutagens not only enhanced his strength, speed, and agility but also caused significant changes to his physical appearance. The pigmentation in his cells was stripped, resulting in pale skin and ashen white hair. His senses became heightened, and his eyes acquired a cat-like quality.
The Color of Mystery
Throughout the series, Geralt’s eyes are primarily described as having a yellow tinge, often likened to cat eyes. Occasionally, his eyes feature vertical pupils, further emphasizing their feline resemblance. While there’s a debate regarding the exact color – yellow, yellow-green, or even dark – his eyes seem to fluctuate within the same color group.
A Witcher’s Mark
Geralt’s eyes are not unique to him alone. Other Witchers, such as Coen, Codringher, and Brehen, also possess similar cat-like eyes. However, Geralt’s eyes seem to be a more permanent manifestation of this trait, likely due to his high intake of mutagens during the Trials. Witchers’ eyes behave like those of cats, changing color and pupil dilation in response to light conditions.
The Power in Darkness
Geralt’s eyes turning black is closely linked to his heightened senses. When his senses are at their peak – smell, sight, touch, agility, speed, and strength – his eyes darken. This phenomenon mirrors the way a cat’s eyes darken when it becomes enraged or experiences adrenaline rushes. The complete blackening is a result of his pupils dilating fully, allowing him to see better in the dark.
Unveiling Hidden Scents
Geralt’s blackened eyes not only enhance his vision in the dark but also enable him to detect scents that would otherwise go unnoticed. Witchers rely on their superhuman sense of smell to track and hunt monsters. With his enhanced olfactory abilities, Geralt can pick up subtle scents, even those that have long since dissipated. This unique feature aids him on his monster-hunting missions.
Potions and Toxicity
To further enhance their abilities, Witchers consume potions that contain toxins. These potions are lethal to humans but provide special benefits to Witchers. When the toxicity level is high, the blackening spreads, creating dark circles around Geralt’s eyes and black veins on his face. This effect is intensified by the potions’ ability to make the skin paler and more translucent. However, the process is not without pain.
As Geralt’s eyes turn black, he experiences a range of strange yet intriguing physical changes, a testament to his unique genetic code and compatibility with the mutagens used during his transformation. These distinctive features have made him both feared and admired, setting him apart in a world full of wonders and dangers.
