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50px-WriterWolfMedallion.png This fan-fiction article, School of the Lynx, was written by Witcher190 and SMiki55. Please do not edit this fiction without the writers' permission.

The School of the Lynx was a witcher school found in 1273 by Joël, Gaetan, Dragonfly, Lambert and Keira Metz after they attempt to retake Dyn Marv Caravan from Nilfgaardian soldiers.

Origins

The origins of the School of the Lynx can be traced back to two events in the late 1260s and early 1270s. The first event was the fall of the Dyn Marv caravan in 1269, resulting in the dispersion of the surviving Cat Witchers and, to some extent, the partial extinction of the School of the Cat. This prompted a group of these survivors to come together with the intention of reclaiming the caravan from the soldiers who had captured it. The second event was the official extinction of the School of the Wolf in 1273 when its remaining members, including notable individuals such as Eskel, Geralt of Rivia, and Lambert, separated after Vesemir's death. Other less relevant but important figures in the future, such as Adalwulf of Aedirn, eventually joined the School of the Fox.

Eskel, continuing his role as the last active member of the School of the Wolf, marched east, and his fate afterward became unknown. Geralt eventually retired in Toussaint. Lambert, marching south and accompanied by his lover Keira Metz, embarked on a quest for a new life. It was through Lambert's eventual crossing of paths with this group of survivors that the School of the Lynx eventually came into existence.

History

The School of the Lynx as such emerged following a brief discussion among a group of Cat School survivors composed of Gaetan, Dragonfly, and Joël, along with Lambert, a witcher of the School of the Wolf and Aiden's friend, and the mage Keira Metz. After a chance encounter, they decided to unite their efforts to reclaim a caravan. Lambert, driven by a desire to honor his late friend Aiden and inspired by a change of heart regarding the witcher´s life following Vesemir's death, took on the role of leader.

Following their discussion, Lambert proposed a comprehensive reform, marking the third and most radical transformation of the Cat School, turning it into the School of the Lynx. Accepting the proposal, the other members of the Cat School appointed Lambert as their leader, with Dragonfly serving as his deputy, ensuring leadership continuity in case Lambert was unavailable, and vice versa.

Under Lambert's guidance and with Keira's assistance, the school underwent reconstruction and reorganization, recovering surviving Cat members on their journeys and Keira playing a crucial role in researching and recovering mutagens, contributing to the school's revitalization. This research by the sorceress, eventually resulted in a groundbreaking discovery in 1290—the cure for the Catriona Plague. The immunity possessed by witchers proved instrumental in this breakthrough, providing a solution to the terrible illness.

However, Lambert's reform weren't met with unanimous approval. A small group of Cat School survivors clung to the old ways, refusing to embrace the changes. These dissenters continued to call themselves Cats, with most of them finding refuge in the ruins of Stygga Castle during the harsh winters. Their resistance proved short-lived, though. By the 1380s, this holdout faction of the Cat School faded into obscurity, presumably succumbing to various threats or simply dying out. Their last member being Jolanta Dinmarb, who by 1381, joined Putnam Pitch and his School of the Crane, becoming the second grandmaster and co-foundress of the already mentioned school.

A Quest for Unity (1277)

Four years had passed since Lambert and his companions reclaimed the caravan, transforming the Cat School into the School of the Lynx. Despite their reform, the shadow of their predecessor's tainted reputation still lingered. Determined to break down these barriers, Dragonfly suggested a bold initiative – fostering cooperation between witcher schools. Lambert, recognizing the potential to improve the situation of the Lynxes, readily accepted.

Fortune smiled upon them when, during their travels, the Lynxes encountered Putnam Pitch, a Griffin Witcher on his way to Kaer Seren for the winter, near Maribor. With the Griffin School's renowned reputation and their still relative recent reconstruction after the avalanche that nearly extinguished them, Putnam seemed like the perfect bridge between the schools. Dragonfly, eager to set her plan in motion, extended an invitation for Putnam to travel alongside them. As a gesture of goodwill, the Lynxes decided to alter their route, making Kaer Seren their destination as well. They traveled together in the caravan to Kovir and the fortress.

The journey, however, was not without its challenges. Internal tensions arose, particularly sentimental, creating friction between Lambert and Putnam. Despite these obstacles, Putnam managed to forge a connection, especially with Dragonfly.

Upon reaching Kaer Seren, Putnam bid farewell to the caravan and returned to Old Keldar with a mixed report. While highlighting the potential for collaboration and the School of the Lynx's origins as a reformed version of the Cats, the subjective nature of his report, coupled with Keldar's own biases, ultimately led to a failed attempt at collaboration.

The School of the Lynx, despite their efforts, continued to face discrimination. However, Putnam Pitch's journey alongside the Lynxes and similar initiatives planted the seeds for change. These efforts eventually blossomed into Adalwulf of Aedirn's Witcher's Reformation Act in the early 14th century, a document that finally paved the way for greater cooperation between the witcher schools.

Second Witcher Tournament (1290 )

In the early 1290s, the Second Witcher Tournament took place, organized by the School of the Lynx. The purpose was twofold: to determine the number of remaining witchers and to demonstrate the transformation of the Cat School to survivors from various schools. This included active ones (producing very few members) like the Griffin, as well as semi-active or rebuilt ones like the Bear and Fox. The tournament occurred at Kaer Morhen, the former stronghold of the extinct School of the Wolf, used occasionally by the Lynxes during harsh winters before their complete relocation to the Western Continent. The event also served as compensation to the other schools for the failed plot by King Radowit II to destroy witchers in the first tournament, offering a complete tournament instead.

Approximately 105 participants attended the tournament, including around 20 Griffins, 35 Lynxes, 20 Foxes, 20 Bears, and 10 individuals from completely destroyed schools, mainly Vipers. Non-witcher guests were invited to serve as impartial observers or authorities' representatives, to reinforce the notion that all witchers were an honorable guild.

The tournament prize was Tomas Moreau's work, something a certain famous retired witcher no longer found useful but could benefit any witcher at Kaer Morhen. The competition comprised physical tests and later duels within an improvised arena. Groups of 20 from one school or different schools combined if their numbers were not enough would undertake a series of physical tests, and the group with the highest number of participants completing them would progress to the next round. This process continued until eight participants remained, competing against each other in the arena until a winner emerged.

The tournament lasted approximately two weeks, with Cervin of the School of the Bear emerging as the unexpected winner. Cervin then generously offered Moreau's work documents to Putnam. He did this as a gesture of goodwill, without asking for any compensation, recalling their past conflict in Toussaint, and out of "friendship," recognizing Putnam's genuine interest. Putnam later gave a copy of Moreau's work to the mage Jabolet, solidifying the path of new mutations for the already mentioned future School of the Crane that he, along with Jolanta Dinmarb, would establish.

Although they did not win the tournament, Lambert's intention to demonstrate the change he had achieved by leading the reformed Cat School was a reality. This led to him regaining the respect of the other schools, with the exception of the Griffin School, which still did not trust them.

In addition, prior to that year, due to sentimental issues with Lambert, Keira Metz was no longer serving as the School mage and had been replaced by various mages, including Adolar Wagner, Perignon, and Franz Kniprode. Furthermore, it was during the tournament that Putnam Pitch persuaded Lambert to posthumously bestow the title of a School of the Lynx Witcheress upon the late Tubiel of Brenna, as her actions were in alignment with the philosophy of the Lynxes.

Second Conjuction of the Spheres ( 1358 )

After the Second Conjunction of the Spheres and the influx of new waves of monsters into the world, due to the rising demand for witchers, the School of the Lynx became the second witcher school, following the School of the Manticore, to adopt Nasira's advancements regarding the mutation formula for women. This led to the creation of the first generation of true Lynx witcheresses (not counting some female members of the School of the Cat who had joined the school previously such as the already mentioned Dragonfly o Isabelle of Toussaint).

The Western Continent ( 1380 - Present Day )

During this time, the colonization of the Western Continent began. Recognizing the abundance of monsters in the new continent, as well as the need for the protection of the newly stabilized settlements, the School of the Lynx readily offered their services and traveled across the sea, and thus becoming the first witcher school to set foot in the New World. Their mobile caravan proved invaluable, allowing them to cover vast swathes of the newly discovered continent. Their range eventually stretched from the Zangvebarian colonies, known as the Pwani ya Dhahabu (The Golden Coast), to the Nilfgaardian Overseas Provinces and the territories colonized by Nordlings and dwarves – the Confederation of Colonies known as Fabiola.

This endeavor garnered them more respect and nearly restored the prestige that the wolves had enjoyed in the past.

Characteristics

Armor 

Unlike their Cat School predecessors, who favored light armors, the Lynxes opted for a more practical approach to armor. While retaining a degree of flexibility for their signature agility, they prioritized sturdier materials like studded leather and reinforced gambisons. This offered better protection against stronger monsters without sacrificing the swiftness needed for their acrobatic fighting style.

Combat Style 

The Lynxes inherited the Cat School's emphasis on agility and speed; however, Lambert incorporated elements from the Wolf School's style, which he called Temerian devil. This resulted in a hybrid fighting style that emphasized swift strong attacks, and strong counters, all delivered with deadly precision. Lynxes were known for their ability to exploit an enemy's weaknesses through rapid strikes and well-timed maneuvers.

Extra 

Long after its founding in the 18th century, similar to the School of the Crane, the School of the Lynx would incorporate early versions of guns into its monster-fighting equipment.

Known members 

Witchers

Witcheresses

Mages

Gallery

Image Credits

  • School of the Lynx Concepts Arts by Delfis.
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