Blood and Wine”’

Lena van Beek, University of Hamburg. @thiliel

https://twitter.com/MidAgesModGames/status/1277938820131028993

1/12 #MAMG20 Hello! This is my first foray into medieval #GameStudies. I’m grateful for any feedback on this emerging paper. Here are some observations I made in @witchergame #TheWitcher3 B&W about tournament game mechanics and courtly culture. I’ll be focusing on the quest WSK. 2/12 #MAMG20 This sex scene in a library in „The Lady of the Lake“ (the title itself an allusion to Arthurian Romance), is symbolic for the treatment of intertextuality as well as humour in TW saga at large. This humorous eclecticism is also present in the B&W DLC.

3/12 #MAMG20 Geralt participates in a tournament in „Toussaint. That ridiculous fairy-tale duchy“ (ToS), which is inspired by France. But the (neo-)medievalisms are not limited to French chivalric culture (Cervantes, Grimm, etc.). LTF warrants its own paper.

4/12 #MAMG20 Geralt fights the tournament in knight Guillaume’s stead who is trying to woo its patron, Lady Vivienne. This quest subverts medieval clichés, as he has the option to free her from toxic masculinity as well as a curse (being a prize/damsel in distress).

5/12 #MAMG20 Identity is key in chivalric culture: „Here in Toussaint, we treat heraldry very seriously.“ Each knight has own coat of arms&tent. G. can choose between two emblems on his shield&armour–even though no shields are used in the fights! Vid. 4m: http://grin.to/Iy8Xg

6/12 #MAMG20 Here game mechanics&med. tournament combat forms clash. The grandstand bears a horse rampant with a jousting knight, but jousting is conspicuously absent. The crossbow=only ranged weapon G. wields: tourney rules are being adapted to the existing game mechanics.

7/12 #MAMG20 The day before the tournament, Geralt is encouraged the try out three different combat forms, not unlike a „vesperîe“ in middle high german literature: pre-fights take place the day before the tourney proper. Signs are banned!

8/12 #MAMG20 A ceremony precedes the race, knights&their outfits&valor are being presented by a herald. This is reminiscent of med. descriptions of tournaments („Der turnei von Nantheyz“). Rhyming commentary also imposes „A Knight’s Tale“ associations. 6m: https://t.co/afQdRApTRB?amp=1

9/12 #MAMG20 Various neomedievalisms pervade B&W such as the throwing a gauntlet&ensuing „duel“ with Anseis, the fight against the Shaelmaar, evoking roman arenas&gladiator battles against beasts, as well as Geralt being crowned victor of the tourney with a laurel wreath.

10/12 #MAMG20 Note that it is not necessesary to win the tournament for the quest to be completed. This DLC presents such a plethora of medieval references even in environmental story-telling: a danse macabre in Beauclair, a casket & two letters found in the tourney tents...

11/12 #MAMG20 Fusion exemplified: Telling fairy tales to children is being merged with the traditional „aventiure sagen“ at the Arthurian court. References are playful&numerous, not merely eclectic but „highly self-conscious and controlled.“ (Deszcz-Tryhubczak / Zarzycka p. 187)

12/12 #MAMG20 To sum up, here are a mindmap, sources and abbreviations. Thank you for following this thread to the end. I’m looking forward to your comments and questions!