Yennefer: A Witcher character guide

Featured in

    Our character guide for Yennefer from The Witcher franchise explains the story behind this complex and fascinating character who became an instant fan favorite.

    Yennefer: A Witcher character guide

    The Witcher franchise has been hugely successful. From books to video games to live-action series, this medieval fantasy has captured the imagination of millions of fans worldwide.

    As one of the main characters, along with Ciri and the Witcher himself, Yennefer of Vengerberg is a complex personality and a fan-favorite. This article is an in-depth guide to her character.

    Note: If you haven’t finished the book, games, or show, beware of spoilers.

    The biography of Yennefer

    Yennefer (played by Anya Chalotra in the live-action show) is a well-known powerful sorceress from Vengerberg. She is also a protector of Ciri of Cintra, who is the granddaughter of Queen Calanthe. Yennefer is one quarter elven since her mother was a half-blood elf.

    Yennefer has a congenital hunchback, a rare birth defect. Because of her condition, her childhood was difficult. She suffered abuse and was even ridiculed by her parents. But thanks to her potential, Yennefer escaped her home and made it to Aretuza Academy, a notable school of magic for girls.

    The school’s owner, Tissaia de Vries, becomes a very influential figure for Yennefer. A few years later, Yennefer graduates from the academy as a sorceress. During her studies, her hunchback vanished due to her mastery of sorcery.

    After she left Aretuza, Yennefer started offering her magic powers to people in need. She first met with Geralt of Rivia in Rinde, where he brought his friend Dandelion who got wounded. This meeting was the very beginning of Geralt and Yennefer’s long relationship.

    Yennefer’s adventures took her across the Continent. She participated in the Battle of Sodden Hill, where she was blinded when she fought the Brotherhood of Sorcerers members. After this notable battle, she became the youngest Council of Sorcerers member.

    Yennefer in the books vs. Netflix

    The show on Netflix mostly stayed true to the original series written by Andrzej Sapkowski. However, there are some differences.

    The show determines that the cause of Yennefer’s infertility is her physical transformation, a fact that wasn’t shared in the books.

    The Netflix series also devoted several episodes to Yennefer’s childhood and backstory, while in the books, there isn’t much information about this part of her life.

    Finally, Yennefer and Geralt have already been together and then separated the moment Yennefer first appears in the books. However, in the show, they only met at the end of the first season and had never known about each other before.

    Yennefer’s relationships with other characters

    Geralt of Rivia, or the Butcher of Blaviken

    One of the highlights of Yennefer’s relationships with others is her romance with Geralt of Rivia (played by Henry Cavill in the show). They often part and get back together again, but she is the love of his life. She helps Geralt save his ally Jaskier when he gets attacked by a djinn.

    Ciri of Cintra

    Yennefer can’t have children and considers Ciri of Cintra (played by Freya Allan in the show) as her daughter. Yen protects Ciri, who is said to have Elder blood, whenever she needs help.

    Ciri is in danger numerous times, as many characters wanted to capture her: Eredin or the King of the Wild Hunt, Cahir, and others. However, Mousesack and Yennefer always come to her rescue.

    As Yennefer is considered one of the powerful mages, the Lodge of Sorceresses tries to recruit her, but she declines after seeing how the Lodge plans on using Ciri of Cintra for political gain.

    Triss Merigold

    One of Yennefer’s closest friends, Triss Merigold, also initially fell in love with Geralt. Still, their love affair didn’t last for long. She and Yennefer became friends in Aretuza.

    Margarita Laux-Antille

    Yennefer is also close to Margarita Laux-Antille, a rector of Aretuza. Yennefer rescues Margarita from execution at one point.

    The Witcher has a complex character network, and Yennefer interacts with many more of them, like Fringilla, Istredd, Stregobor, Vesemir, Vilgefortz, Princess Adda of Temeria, Cirilla, Francesca, Dara, and others.

    Yennefer in the books vs. the games vs. the show

    There are some notable differences in how Yen’s character is depicted in the books, the show, and the games:

    • In the video game, Yen is more callous, and her voice pitch resembles the one in the show.
    • In the games, the physical flaws of Yennefer (her hunchback) magically disappear. The game portrays Yen as a flawless beauty.
    • Yen’s hair is wavy in the books but straight in the games.
    • She’s also much taller in the games than she is in the book.
    • The game gives Yen a tremendous amount of power, while in the books the sorceresses’ power comes with a ceiling.
    • The Yen from the books tends to manipulate people to get her way, but this doesn’t happen in the games.
    • In the show, Yennefer has a tragic backstory, while in video games, this isn’t explored.
    • The show depicts Yen’s relationship with Geralt better than in the game.
    • The Witcher season 1 follows “The Last Wish” and “Sword of Destiny” anthologies. However, the second season actively reworks the story lines.

    Best Yennefer quotes

    Ciri: “What was between you and Geralt?”

    Yennefer: “Longing, regret, hope, and fear. I don’t think I’ve omitted anything.”

    Ciri: “So, you love him too.”

    Yennefer: “The most important thing they teach you at Aretuza isn’t magic! It’s to make people in power believe anything you want them to. Do anything you want them to!”

    Yennefer (talking to a dead baby): “Let’s face it, you’re a girl. Your mother was right about one thing. We’re just vessels. And even when we’re told we’re special, as I was, as you would’ve been, we’re still just vessels… for them to take… and take… until we’re empty… and alone. So, count yourself lucky. You’ve cheated on the game and won without even knowing it. Sleep well.”

    Listen to articles about Yennefer with Speechify

    Want to learn more about Yennefer, but don’t feel like reading? With Speechify, you can read any text aloud, including articles about Yennefer.

    You can pick a narrator’s voice that sounds similar to Yennefer in the show and enjoy a more convenient and engaging way to devour your favorite content.

    Speechify is a text to speech software. It relies on deep learning technology and AI to convert written text into audio files. You just have to copy the text you wish to read aloud to the software’s API, and you’ll receive the recording in MP3 or WAV format.

    What you do with this file is totally up to you. You can listen to it on your computer or send it to your phone and listen while you’re out and about.

    Best of all, you can try Speechify completely for free. Just visit the official website and hit the “Try for free” button.

    FAQ

    What personality type is Yenefer?

    According to the Myers-Briggs personality types, Yennefer is ENTJ—or someone who is a commander and extroverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging.

    What disability does Yennefer have?

    Yennefer was born with crooked shoulders and a distorted frame. This deformity was the source of much strife in her early years, especially during the period before her father left her.

    Is Yennefer good in The Witcher?

    Yes, Yennefer is a pretty good character in The Witcher. She may be cold and wicked at times, but inside, she’s a good person.

    What is Yenefer’s family like?

    Yennefer was ridiculed in her childhood by her family because of her deformity. Both her mother and father were cruel to her.

    What is Yennefer’s national origin?

    Yennefer is from Vengerberg, the capital of Aedirn.

    What is the first thing Yenefer does in the game?

    Yennefer made her first appearance in The Witcher 3. She escapes a battle between Temerian and Nilfgaardian forces. Nilfgaard is the kingdom from which Ciri’s father originates.

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

    Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

    Recent Blogs

    • Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Arrow
    • Voice changer for Discord
      Voice changer for Discord
      Arrow
    • How to download YouTube audio
      How to download YouTube audio
      Arrow
    • Speechify 3.0 Released.
      Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.
      Arrow
    • Voice API
      Voice API: Everything You Need to Know
      Arrow
    • Text to audio
      Best text to speech generator apps
      Arrow
    • The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      Arrow
    • Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Arrow
    • Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Arrow
    • Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Arrow
    • How to listen to scientific papers
      How to listen to scientific papers
      Arrow
    • How to add music to CapCut
      How to add music to CapCut
      Arrow
    • What is CapCut?
      What is CapCut?
      Arrow
    • VEED vs. InVideo
      VEED vs. InVideo
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Arrow
    • Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Hour One
      HeyGen vs. Hour One
      Arrow
    • Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • What is Speech AI: Explained
      What is Speech AI: Explained
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The Best Celebrity Voice Generators in 2024
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      YouTube Text to Speech: Elevating Your Video Content with Speechify
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 7 best alternatives to Synthesia.io
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Everything you need to know about text to speech on TikTok
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to convert a PDF to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top girl voice changers
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use Siri text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Obama text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Robot Voice Generators: The Futuristic Frontier of Audio Creation
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Read Aloud: Free & Paid Options
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Alternatives to FakeYou text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      All About Deepfake Voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      TikTok voice generator
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech GoAnimate
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The best celebrity text to speech voice generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Audio Reader
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to get text to speech Indian voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Elevating Your Anime Experience with Anime Voice Generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best text to speech online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 50 movies based on books you should read
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Download audio
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use text-to-speech for Quandale Dingle meme sounds
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 5 apps that read out text
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top female text to speech voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Female voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Sonic text to speech voice generator online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best AI voice generators – The Ultimate List
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech in Powerpoint
      Arrow
    footer-waves