THUNDERDOME
Why Yennefer of Vengerberg is the Most Badass Female Character
“Nobody smart plays fair”
Thunderdome is a Fanfare series where our writers good-naturedly debate some matter of pop culture and then leave it to the readers to decide. Read each post and vote at the bottom!I have many female idols — some “real” as in living breathing humans; some “fictional” but no less real in my mind.
When Eric Pierce proposed a debate of the Most Badass Female Character, I knew I wanted to jump into the Thunderdome ring … but I wasn’t quite sure which epic female I wanted to rep. There are too many fantastic female characters to rave about!
Then I focused on the wording — badass. Not “great”, not “best”, but badass.
What makes a character badass?
Strength and intelligence — equally wielded and craftily spun to make them a dangerous opponent and a valuable friend. Enough spunk and willpower to always keep you on edge because you never know when they’re going to start a shitstorm. A strong moral code that they unrelentingly live by, regardless of the shifting powers that be.
And thus, this is how I came to settle on none other than Yennefer of Vengerberg!
Who is Yennefer of Vengerberg?
Whether you’re a fan of The Witcher books, video games, or Netflix series, you’re bound to notice Yennefer of Vengerberg — lover to Geralt of Rivia, surrogate mother to Princess Cirilla of Cintra, and one of the most powerful sorceresses in The Witcher universe.
Though the series is named after Geralt of Rivia’s profession (euphemistically), her story of personal tragedy and character growth is filled with so many twists and turns that her plotline oftentimes overshadows his. She’s a complex and multi-faceted character, capable of great power and destruction and yet, she too has her vulnerable soft moments.
Here’s why Yennefer is hands down the most badass female character.
#1 — She’s the most powerful sorceress that Geralt of Rivia knows
“Forget faith. We’ve got power.”
From The Witcher — Season 2 Episode 2: ‘Kaer Morhen’ | TV series produced by Netflix
Being badass goes hand in hand with being powerful — sorry but no one is going to describe Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora as badass … unless you’ve got a serious case of cursed insomnia.
There’s no better demonstration of Yennefer’s power than at the Battle of Sodden. The mages are not faring well — many of them are dead, Fringilla has dismantled their defenses, and Nilfgaardian soldiers are swarming in every direction.
When all appears to be lost, Yennefer unleashes her chaos. She channels forbidden fire magic and sends flames coursing through the battlefield. She single-handedly defeats the Nilfgaardian army and snatches a victory for the Northern allies.
Turning the tides of war with an impressive display of scorching fire? That’s pretty badass.
#2 — She’s intelligent, driven, and independent
“Think for yourselves. It’ll save you a lifetime of heartbreak”
From The Witcher — Season 1 Episode 7: ‘‘Before A Fall’ | TV series produced by Netflix
Yennefer is undoubtedly powerful, but she’s also smart — too smart for the liking of the Brotherhood of Sorcerors. As Yennefer reveals, “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.”
Even as a student of Aretuza, Yennefer wasn’t afraid to maneuver and charm her way back to Aedirn’s court when the Brotherhood reassigned her to Nilgaard. After a few decades, she decides she’s had enough of being a “glorified arse wiper” and instead, embarks on her own path thru life.
She may have left court behind but she still has a plethora of political experience and knowledge. The books reveal Yennefer to be a skilled strategist, weaving plans within plans in pursuit of her goals. She knows when to make allies and when to use merely use people as pawns.
#3 — She doesn’t sugarcoat any hard truths in life
“It’s funny how quickly people forget about you when you’re no longer of use to them.”
From The Witcher— Season 2 Episode 4: ‘Redanian Intelligence’ | TV series produced by Netflix
Life isn’t a fairytale — nor are any of the stories featured in The Witcher universe. There are many hard truths in life and Yennefer learns many of these lessons firsthand.
Abandonment, when her parents sold her to Tissaia and her father declared her no daughter of his. Betrayal, when Istredd shared her quarter-elven heritage with the Brotherhood and it almost cost her her position at Aedirn. Deception, when she discovered her feelings for Geralt were from his last wish with the djinn.
It’s no wonder she feels more than a little bit jaded. Sometimes she comes across as bitter and angry, but it’s more likely that she’s just tired of euphemisms, false promises, and disappointment.
Instead, she chooses to embrace the hard truths in life and then move forward — practically, efficiently, and boldly. Like a badass.
#4 — She possesses an inordinate amount of willpower and determination
“Faith’s a simple medicine for desperate souls.”
From The Witcher — Season 2 Episode 2: ‘Kaer Morhen’ | TV series produced by Netflix
The books and video games introduce Yennefer to us as a powerful mage right from the beginning, but the Netflix TV series reveals Yennefer’s painful childhood. She wasn’t always beautiful and strong.
In the show, we meet her as a beaten-down hunchback, sold by her parents for less than the price of a pig. She’s taken to Aretuza as Tissaia’s “little piglet” and even attempts suicide. She doesn’t instantly shine as a pupil of magic but instead, struggles and is unable to do many of the simple magical tasks.
Perhaps her difficult childhood forms the building blocks for her formidable willpower that we see later emerge. She tirelessly pursues her cause — whether it’s a cure for infidelity, aggravating Geralt, or training and protecting Ciri. She doesn’t let anyone stand in her way, not enough a force as powerful as the Lodge of Sorceresses.
#5 — She gets back up even when she’s knocked down
“You’re born helpless so you find strength. Then that’s all they want you for, to use you. And you find love, but it isn’t real. It’s… it’s a wish someone made once, before they even knew who you were. And you… you find power, and it turns to ash in your hands!
From The Witcher — Season 2 Episode 4: ‘Redanian Intelligence’ | TV series produced by Netflix
There are multiple points in the series where Yennefer is knocked down a few pegs but perhaps none more so than in Season 2 of the TV series.
After the Battle of Sodden, Yennefer is unable to use her powers and is captured in enemy territory — first with the Nilfgaardian, then the elves. I’m sure it’s not fun to be a powerless prisoner of war, but she survives and makes her way back to Aretuza.
You might think she’s home free back in Aretuza, but her misfortunes don’t end there. She falls victim to Stregobor’s torture, unable to defend herself without her magic. Instead of returning as a hero of the war, she is instead branded a traitor and a spy.
A normal person at this point would probably just up give on life but not Yennefer. Instead, she flees once again, becoming a wanted fugitive with nothing but her wits and an uncomfortable alliance with Nilfgaard’s Cahir.
She continues trying to channel her magic — to save innocent elves— but remains powerless. However, let’s not forget that a powerless Yennefer is not a helpless Yennefer. Even without her powers, she’s able to save Jaskier from torture, take out fire-loving Rince, and find a new purpose. That’s pretty badass to me!
“We find a new purpose. A better one. Hopefully.”
From The Witcher — Season 2 Episode 4: ‘Redanian Intelligence’| TV series produced by Netflix
#6— She loves deeply and fiercely as a lover
“I dreamed of becoming important to someone. Someday.”
From The Witcher — Season 1 Episode 6: ‘Rare Species’ | TV series produced by Netflix
Badasses can find love too — both in the romance sense and in the motherly sense.
As Geralt’s lover, they have a rocky but powerful relationship. Their feelings start on uncertain terms, thanks to Geralt’s last wish with a djinn. She is his equal in every way, saving his life as many times as he’s saved hers.
Though they part ways many times, their paths continually cross. There is an undeniable physical attraction — and a few steamy sex scenes involving a stuffed unicorn — and Yennefer’s scent of lilac and gooseberries forever stays with Geralt.
Perhaps the ultimate proof of their love though lies in the video game. In The Wild Hunt, Yennefer finds another djinn to break the spell from Geralt’s wish. She’s determined to unravel if their love is real and true or merely magic.
After, when the spell between them is broken, Yennefer confesses she still has feelings for him and there’s no denying the powerful bond they share.
#7 — She loves deeply and fiercely as a mother
“You can either be too strong to fail or too weak to try.”
From The Witcher — Season 2 Episode 7: Voleth Meir | TV series produced by Netflix
When you’re a fan or a not-fan of TV-Yennefer’s desires for a baby (note: this storyline isn’t in the books or video games), Yennefer ultimately becomes a surrogate mother to Ciri.
They bond and grow close as Yennefer teaches and trains her in the art of magic. There are sweet, tender mother-daughter moments like when Yennefer teaches Ciri how to use magic for beauty; they even have “the talk” about sex. Together, Yennefer, Ciri, and Geralt form an unconventional but no less loving family.
Do not think for a moment that a mother’s love makes Yennefer any less badass.
In The Tower of the Swallow, Yennefer’s love for Ciri is so strong that she willingly endures months of torture at the hands of Vilgifortz to protect her whereabouts. In The Lady of the Lake, Yennefer willingly resigns herself to suicide, saying “Please, as far as possible, don’t harm my daughter. I wouldn’t want to die with the thought that she’s crying.”
There you have it, ladies and gents. Seven strong, powerful arguments — as strong and powerful as Yennefer herself — to explain why Yennefer of Vengerburg is hands down the most badass female character.
- She’s the most powerful sorceress that Geralt of Rivia knows
- She’s intelligent, driven, and independent
- She doesn’t sugarcoat hard truths in life
- She possesses an inordinate amount of willpower and determination
- She gets back up even when she’s knocked down
- She loves deeply and fiercely as a lover
- She loves deeply and fiercely as a mother
What say you?
Based only on the arguments presented (you have read all of them, haven’t you?) and not on personal preference: who wins this bout? Voting closes on February 10 at 6:59 AM.The other entries:
