Witcher (surname)

The term "Witcher" (and its various translations in different languages) refers to a member of a now dwindling order of monster hunters in the fictional world created by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski in his Witcher series of novels and short stories. Witchers are individuals trained from childhood in combat, alchemy, and monster lore, and subjected to mutagenic processes that grant them enhanced physical and mental abilities, including heightened senses, increased strength and speed, and extended lifespans.

Witchers are not simply mercenaries. Their training and mutations are specifically designed to make them effective hunters of dangerous creatures that prey on humans. While they are often hired to deal with specific monsters, their role is also to maintain a balance between the human and monstrous worlds.

The training process, known as the "Trial of the Grasses," is extremely dangerous, with a high mortality rate. Those who survive emerge transformed, often becoming sterile and displaying cat-like eyes that allow them to see in the dark. Witchers adhere to a code, although the interpretation and adherence to this code varies between individuals. Despite their efforts to protect humanity, Witchers are frequently distrusted and feared due to their mutations and perceived otherness. Their numbers have dwindled due to a variety of factors including pogroms, declining monster populations, and the overall societal shift away from the need for monster hunters.