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Istredd of Aedd Gynvael, born as Val, was a well-respected sorcerer who had a keen interest in archaeology, ecology, and history.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Named Val by his parents,[1] the boy who would become Istredd joined Ban Ard Academy at very young age.[2] As an apprentice, Istredd studied under Roedskilde – a strict teacher who considered lashing an appropriate method of encouraging his student to learn.[1] After finishing his education, Istredd moved into a small village where he started to publish papers concerning magical research; the papers slowly made their way to meetings and conclaves, but were considered so specific and filled with rarefield jargon that even his peers rarely read them. As decades passed, Istredd's research began to focus on history[2] and ecology.
At one point of his life Istredd met Yennefer,[1] possibly while she was still learning at Aretuza.[3] Over this period their relationship evolved into long-time love, and he was often visited by Yenna who would listen to his theories and stay with him for several months.[1]
Aedd Gynvael and archeological research[]
Conducting excavations
Istredd eventually moved in to Aedd Gynvael and became the city's resident mage. He lived in a tall white house near the marketplace, right between the storehouse and the armoury, and eventually gained respect both from the citizens and outsiders, with Mayor Herbolth considering him an invaluable figure.
At one point, Istredd discovered an artifact near the city's southern embankment and hired men to help him with a large-scale excavation. Not long after, Aedd Gynvael was visited by Yennefer, joined by Geralt of Rivia. When the two men learned of each other, they were unwilling to share Yennefer, with Istredd not caring if Yennefer had several non-serious lovers, but refusing to share her with someone she was seriously in love with. During this time, he asked her to marry him and live together at his residence. Yennefer did not immediately give him an answer and became torn between picking Istredd or Geralt.
After weeks, Istredd and Geralt challenged each other to a duel to the death for Yennefer's affections (although they both knew whoever won would have to hide from her for some time until her rage ended). Both believed that Yennefer could not decide between them. However, Istredd, before going to fight Geralt, received a letter from an enchanted kestrel sent by Yennefer telling him she had chosen to leave him.
In grief, Istredd turned up to the fight bearing a sword instead of magic, hoping that Geralt would kill him. The witcher met him in the agreed location, but once he found out that Yennefer had left Istredd, as she had left the witcher a similar note, he decided to leave without fighting.[1]
Istredd was considered to be one of the most skilled mages in Kovir and Poviss.
Later life[]
Istredd apparently continued to reside in Aedd Gynvael long enough to become known as Istredd of Aedd Gynvael.[4] At one point he published "Monumenta Elforum", a tome devoted to Aen Seidhe history that he dedicated to Yennefer.[5] He was counted by Sheala de Tancarville among those mages of Hengfors League and Kovir and Poviss who were more worthy than her of joining the Lodge.[4]
Notes[]
- He appears in The Hexer TV series, played by Bronisław Wrocławski. While much of the story proceeds as in the short story, at the end, when Yennefer leaves the city, Istredd ends up helping Geralt when he faces Dermot Marranga and Herbolth's men.
- He is a recurring character in Netflix's The Witcher, played in Royce Pierreson.
- Istredd's haircut in Gwent: The Witcher Card Game appears to be based on that of Pierreson's in Season 1 of the Netflix series rather than on the book description.
- He possesses a sword from Tergano.
- His authorship of "Monumenta Elforum" is also mentioned in the text "The Aen Seidhe and the Aen Elle".
Gallery[]
