Geralt of Rivia might not look like it, but he's lived a long time. By the time the player meets Geralt in The Witcher 3, the titular Witcher is pushing 100. As a result, Geralt has met many great people during his life. Even though he's usually busy fighting monsters or other bad guys, he's found the time to build romantic relationships.
Besides Yennefer of Vengerberg, one of Geralt's most iconic romances is with the red-headed sorceress Triss Merigold. Triss and Geralt have a long and complicated history, starting with the books and continuing in the games. Even though many fans cheer for the couple, not everything makes sense about their relationship.
Updated on February 23rd, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: Geralt and Triss are two of the most popular characters in gaming history. Both characters have played major roles in all three Witcher games, although Triss' role was reduced somewhat with the arrival of Yennefer. However, Geralt can still end up with the flame-haired sorceress if he wishes, although there are reasons why this romance is not exactly the best option. In fact, some people consider it to be downright nonsensical.
15 Triss And Yennefer Are Supposedly Friends
It's not necessary for two sorceresses to be friends simply because of their profession. In fact, these magicians have been at each other's throats more often than not in the various stories of The Witcher.
However, the books have stated that Triss and Yennefer are both steadfast friends in the books. For Triss to backstab Yennefer so easily and take Geralt for herself is pretty questionable indeed.
14 Triss Has Used A Love Potion On Geralt In The Past
Triss and Geralt have had their fair share of fun in the books. However, Triss became obsessed with the witcher and used a concoction to keep him enslaved in her tender embrace.
She used a love potion to brainwash Geralt into being with her, which is simply unforgivable. However, in the books, it's made clear that Geralt's heart only belongs to Yennefer, and no one else.
13 She Tried To Sell Ciri Out To The Lodge Of Sorceresses Once
The Lodge of Sorceresses is a powerful group that tried to use Ciri as a tool to enact their power. The leader of this lodge, Philippa Eilhart, used her connections to rise to the top and hatch her nefarious schemes.
Philippa's presence was so domineering that Triss always complied with her demands. This also included participating in a vote that put Ciri in harm's way — something that should've dissuaded Geralt from interacting with this sorceress ever again.
12 It's Clear From The Get-go That Yennefer Has Always Been Geralt's One True Love
Any fan of the books would be perplexed at the sheer idea of Geralt loving Triss. After all, one of Geralt's core motivations is the bond he shares with Yennefer — a deep connection that Triss can't even come close to.
It's clear for everyone to see that Yennefer is meant to be Geralt's true love. There's simply no space for Triss to even be a part of this equation.
11 She Never Had A Major Role In The Books
Perhaps the most perplexing part about Triss and Geralt's romance is the fact that the former was never an important character in the books, to begin with. She was one of the many fleshed-out side characters, with whom Geralt interacted with during his travels.
The fact that she played a major role in the events of all three games is quite odd. Surely Yennefer was going to take over the spotlight as Geralt's canon love interest soon enough anyway?
10 Geralt Forgives Triss Easily
When Geralt lost his memory, Triss kept the truth about his past from him. She didn't tell him about his relationship with Yennefer and let Geralt think they were madly in love. As a result, Geralt didn't look for Yennefer.
In the third game, Triss, herself, mentions taking advantage of Geralt when he had amnesia. Instead of being angry at her deception, Geralt just lets it go in a just few sentences. Neither of them mentions it again after this point.
9 Triss Tolerates Geralt's Transgressions
Maybe because Triss previously took advantage of Geralt, she's much more tolerant of his transgressions. To a point, that would be a big no-no for most women. For example, when Ciri and Geralt come back to Kaer Morhen, Yennefer kisses Geralt.
She does it in front of Triss even if Geralt and Triss are together and Geralt had previously broken up with Yennefer. Instead of calling either of them out, Triss just rolls her eyes and goes with it. She wouldn't have to make an outright scene, but one could expect her to at least mention it.
8 Geralt Cheats On Triss... Repeatedly
Of course, the player can decide to make Geralt remain faithful to Triss, but it's not such a stretch to imagine most players will use the opportunity to let Geralt romance multiple women. Even after Geralt confesses his love to Triss, he can still hook up with a large number of women.
For example, he can sleep with Yennefer at the coronation feast in Skellige, and he can rekindle his fling with Shani when he meets her in Oxenfurt. Geralt simply doesn't see anything wrong in cheating on his partner.
7 Triss Is Constantly Jealous Of Yennefer
Triss is jealous of Yennefer, though, to be fair, Yennefer is jealous of her. However, that doesn't change the fact Triss makes some rather unsavory remarks over the course of the game. She's always quick to point out that she's nothing like Yennefer.
Even more importantly, she asks about Yennefer at one point. No matter how Geralt chooses to answer, Triss always seems to take it as an offense.
6 Triss Will Refuse Geralt If He Doesn't Immediately Help Her
For all the big talk Triss makes about her affection for Geralt, it's easy to insult her and lose her forever. When Triss asks Geralt to help her lead the mages out of Novigrad, Geralt can refuse and then change his mind later.
If he does this, he will no longer have the chance to ask Triss to stay with him. Apparently, all it takes for Triss to bury her long-lasting love for Geralt is a single moment of hesitation. That might suggest she never was that much into him in the first place.
5 Triss Pretends She's Drunk So That Geralt Kisses Her
At one point, Geralt and Triss attend a masquerade ball together. It happens during the quest "A Matter of Life and Death." Triss once again shows she can be manipulative, even when she acts sweet, pretending to get very drunk, very fast. When she and Geralt are looking at a local maze, she stumbles and falls. Geralt catches her into his arms and can choose to kiss Triss while fireworks fly in the sky.
The whole moment is very romantic. The only problem is that Triss somehow miraculously manages to become completely sober in barely a minute. That makes it obvious she only pretended to be drunk and stumbled so that she would end up in Geralt's arms.
4 Triss Gets Over Geralt's Betrayal Quickly
There's another thing that shows Triss might not be so much into Geralt. Even though she acts as she loves him very much, Triss doesn't have such a strong bond with Geralt. If Geralt tries to romance both Yennefer and Triss, they will find out.
Yennefer will be heartbroken and she will lash out at Geralt several times. Triss, on the other hand, seems to take it much more in stride, and she doesn't mention it unless Geralt himself asks her about it.
3 Geralt Lets Triss Get Tortured
When Geralt and Triss infiltrate Menge's headquarters, the witch hunters torture Triss. Geralt talks to Menge and listens to Triss's cries.
Even though it was Triss' idea, it's still strange Geralt can get through the whole scene and not lash out. If it was Yennefer or Ciri in Triss' position, he most likely would have tried to help her long before he helps Triss.
2 Triss Is Too Dependent On Geralt
Despite Geralt's many shortcomings, Triss looks at him like he's perfect. One could say she's almost obsessed with Geralt. She's certainly willing to give up a lot to be with the Witcher. One case in point is when the mages escape Novigrad.
Triss previously mentions that they won't make it without her. Yet, if Geralt asks her to stay with him, she leaves the ship and lets the mages sail alone toward an uncertain destiny.
1 Triss Doesn't Take Rejection Well
One major red flag in Triss's behavior is her inability to accept rejection. If Geralt has the audacity to mention they're no longer together in The Witcher 3, Triss will call him out on that mere moments after.
Yet Geralt didn't do anything wrong, he merely stated the truth. And if Geralt doesn't mention their break-up, Triss doesn't understand why he kept silent about it. Either way, it's impossible to win the debate with her sometimes.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was released on May 18th, 2015 and is available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia.