Who is Falka in “The Witcher?”
Nestled deep within the intricate, captivating world of The Witcher, there exists an elusive character whose significance seems to grow like tendrils throughout the storyline. Falka, a figure who emerges in a shroud of mystery, has revealed herself to Ciri in the middle of a desert, a place barren of life but ripe with opportunities for introspection. Falka, an historical character with Elder Blood like Ciri, and the source of prophecy regarding Ciri's bloodline, has an interesting role to play in Ciri's self-discovery and character development. An unexpected and creative way to examine Falka's influence on Ciri's life might be through the lens of botany, the scientific study of plants.
Now, how does botany relate to two characters in a high-fantasy world of witches and monsters, you ask? Well, the connection is not as farfetched as it might initially seem.
In the world of botany, the phenomenon of 'grafting' is quite common. It involves joining two plants together, often of different varieties, in a way that they grow together. One plant, known as the rootstock, provides the root system and lower trunk, while the other plant, known as the scion, grows into the upper part of the tree, providing the branches, leaves, flowers, and fruit. This grafting process not only allows the creation of hybrid plants with better qualities but also lets the scion benefit from the rootstock’s hardiness and disease resistance. This is quite an analogy for Ciri's relationship with Falka.
Ciri, the scion in our botanical analogy, is growing up, learning, developing her abilities, and starting to blossom into her full potential. She is young, still forming, and susceptible to various influences around her. Enter Falka, the rootstock of this equation. She’s been around, faced the trials and tribulations of having Elder Blood, and has historical hardiness that comes with her experience. Falka grafts her experiences, wisdom (and arguably, her rage) onto Ciri's relatively younger and impressionable psyche.
This influence is most apparent in the desert, during Ciri's visions. Falka encourages Ciri to embrace her magic, her Elder Blood heritage, and to not fear her own power, even if it may lead others to fear her. This advice reflects the grafting process where the rootstock passes onto the scion some of its inherent traits and resilience, equipping it to better face environmental adversities.
Yet, the grafting process is not always smooth. Sometimes, the scion rejects the rootstock, and there can be conflict between the two. Similarly, while Ciri is heavily influenced by Falka's experiences and advice, she ultimately grapples with the idea of fully accepting them. Ciri is tempted by the idea of vengeance against those who have wronged her, much like Falka once was, but the prospect of hurting those she loves - Geralt, Yennefer, and Jaskier - pulls her away from that path. This internal struggle showcases the scion’s innate tendency to stay true to its nature, resisting the changes influenced by the rootstock.
Another interesting aspect to explore through our botanical analogy is propagation. Just as plants reproduce, Falka's influence on Ciri could be seen as an attempt to propagate her ideas, her rage, and her rebellious spirit. While Falka may have physically perished, her essence remains alive and influences the generations that follow. Ciri grappling with these influences can be seen as her deciding which parts of this 'genetic material' she wishes to incorporate into her own being, shaping not only her present but the future lineage of the Elder Blood.
Through the lens of botany, it becomes clear how Falka, like a sturdy rootstock, has a profound impact on Ciri's development. She provides Ciri with historical context, new perspectives, and nudges her to question her role in the world. However, Ciri, the scion, while influenced, maintains a sense of individuality. In this botanical dance, Ciri learns to balance between accepting influences and nurturing her authentic self.
Who is Falka? She is the rootstock to Ciri's scion, the historical context to her present journey, the source of wisdom and influence for a young woman navigating her path. But in the end, the flowers that bloom will be uniquely Ciri's, bearing the fragrance of her choices and the colors of her experiences, in the endless garden of The Witcher universe.
