Dandelion

Dandelion (Polish: Jaskier, purported full name: Julian Alfred Pankratz viscount de Lettenhove) — a poet, minstrel, bard and the closest friend of witcher Geralt of Rivia. He studied seven liberal arts for four years at the Academy of Oxenfurt (during his studies, he achieved the reputation of a sloth, drunkard and idiot), later becoming a professor (after passing the exams with exceptional results) he taught students for a year, and then left the academy to travel the world. He still visits Oxenfurt from time to time to give guest lectures.

He was a cousin of Ferrant de Lettenhove, royal instigator of Kerack.

In very few years he gained worldwide fame and became known as one of the best minstrels in the Northern Kingdoms, and his best known song is the Ballad of the Lion Cub of Cintra. He also gained the reputation of the biggest womanizer in the world — he even managed to conquer the heart of Anna Henrietta, the ruler of Toussaint in which Dandelion used to be a nobleman, a viscount. He is very handsome and sometimes is mistaken for an elf or half-elf.

During his travels with Geralt, Dandelion started to write his memoirs, entitled "Half a Century of Poetry"; twice, in fact. His first attempt was lost in the bottom of the duchess of Toussaint's closet after the poet was banished from her duchy. But rather than bemoaning that loss, the poet decided to rewrite his memoirs from scratch. His poems were later bound in two collections: The Adversities of Loving and Time of the Moon.

Known ballads

 * Elaine Ettariel
 * Elusive
 * The Stars above the Path
 * Winter (or The Eternal Fire)

In The Hexer movie and TV series, Dandelion was played by Zbigniew Zamachowski.

Episodes

 * 04: Smok
 * 05: Okruch lodu
 * 07: Dolina Kwiatów
 * 10: Mniejsze zło
 * 11: Jaskier
 * 12: Falwick
 * 13: Ciri

The bard returns in The Witcher 3 and continues to be voiced by John Schwab. He owns a tavern in Novigrad trading by the name of Rosemary and Thyme.

Journal entry

 * I would wager anyone that you, dear reader, are a person of culture and taste - and therefore already familiar with me, Dandelion, and the role I am to play in the following tale. Nevertheless, allow me to sketch a few lines by way of self-portrait, for the sake of thoroughness, and in the event you have spent much of the last half-century in some dark corner where the light of my star has yet to reach.


 * "Born in 1229, a talented poet and troubadour, a graduate of Oxenfurt Academy, a frequent performer at royal courts, an unequaled lover appreciated, and in some cases adored, by ladies worldwide, a skilled negotiator and a stirring orator" - such is the image of the bard Dandelion as painted by his friends and promoters.


 * This image is, of course, somewhat overbright in its coloring - I personally prefer to think of myself as a dedicated artist in thrall to his Muse, one whose work has benefited immeasurably from the fact that I was, am and forever will remain a close friend and steadfast companion to the witcher Geralt. It is his fate I chronicle in this present work and his story which I shall sing till the end of my days.


 * Having learned of my disappearance, Geralt dropped everything to find out what had become of me. Though at first he suspected the cause of my trouble lay in my many and turbulent affairs of the heart, he later determined that I had strayed into a life of crime, seeking to steal treasure belonging to one of the leaders of Novigrad's underworld.


 * Only a madman calls it courage to fight when faced with overwhelming odds. Though known for my capricious and unpredictable charm, I am not yet considered mad, and so, while defending my companion's escape to the very last, I ultimately allowed the temple guard to take me to their prison, where I awaited my imminent execution.


 * The saying does not lie - "true friends show when fortune hiders her face." My dear comrades gave ample evidence of this by breaking me free from my prison transport, saving me from certain and painful death.

Associated quests

 * Ciri's Story: Visiting Junior
 * Count Reuven's Treasure
 * A Poet Under Pressure
 * Cabaret
 * Carnal Sins
 * Burlap is the New Stripe

Dandelion's appearance in The Witcher 2 has changed slightly from the original game (eg. he now has a lute on him — giving off a more bardlike appearance and the character is now voiced by John Schwab). He first appears in the town of Flotsam as he's about to be hanged at the main square for debauchery and burning down one of Flotsam's buildings. Geralt, Triss and Vernon Roche (for whom Dandelion has secretly been working as a spy), come across his predicament and come to his aid.

Journal entry

 * It is always awkward to write about oneself, yet I cannot shirk this duty. In an effort to preempt any accusations of partiality, I shall set down the humblest of notes, relating only the best-known facts. Dandelion – in reality the viscount de Lettenhove, though titles are unimportant – is a certified troubadour, a lecturer at Oxenfurt University, a persona known among society as a charmer, poet, dandy and unparalleled lover. Almost everyone north of the Yaruga has heard of him, and those who have not are either boors or simpletons or both, as a result of which their opinions do not matter in the slightest. Dandelion played a significant part in the most important events of the era. He loved, fought, negotiated, and acquired immense knowledge, even that of the forbidden variety. His works are a testimony of the times, but it is his moving poetic tropes that have brought him true fame. The important thing in this story is that Dandelion was a friend to Geralt of Rivia – possibly his only true friend. He was Geralt's confidant, advisor and companion in misery (for it was impossible to experience good fortune in the witcher's company). What Geralt did, Dandelion faithfully recounted, and one should not give credence to those who accuse this humble chronicler of confabulating.


 * Discretion – a virtue I have always professed – obliges me to remain silent about the circumstances in which, through the person of Vernon Roche, I began working with the Temerian intelligence service. Suffice it to say that there comes a moment in everyone's life when, facing great events, they cannot remain indifferent. And so I could not stand aside as history took shape before my very eyes. My dedication to the cause brought me to Flotsam at the time. There, through an unfortunate incident involving twins at the local brothel, a town guard, a dog, a cat and an oil lamp, I wound up on the scaffold in the town square, from which I barely escaped with my life.


 * If Geralt chooses Roche's path during the end of chapter I:
 * Obviously, when Geralt decided to continue his search in King Henselt's military camp, located in a borderland soon to be engulfed by the flames of war, I chose to accompany him. For the witcher could at times be naive as a child and knew as much about politics as a ghoul knows about cooking. Thus the chances were slim to none that, bereft of my help, he would manage to find new leads without getting embroiled in some trouble along the way. As his friend I clearly could not allow that.


 * In hindsight, the pamphlet against Henselt's rule could have been better written, yet I am pleased with it anyway. I'm not accustomed to ignoring human misfortune, and Henselt made a mistake when he insulted art – I was merely the instrument of its retribution.


 * When Geralt and Roche headed for Loc Muinne to meet their destiny, I had little desire to sit in Henselt's camp. Despite their victory, the Kaedwenis' mood was as sour as milk in the udders of a dead cow. Therefore I packed up, resolving to reach Loc Muinne in time to witness the important events transpiring there. This was not to be, however, as Geralt's arrival accelerated events as usual. Thus I know the rest of the story only from the accounts of others, yet I present it here as faithfully as possible – anything omitted was surely was not worth a mention in the first place.


 * If Geralt chooses Iorveth's path during the end of chapter I:
 * Obviously, when Geralt decided to continue his search in Vergen, located in a borderland soon to be engulfed by the flames of war, I chose to accompany him. For the witcher could at times be naive as a child and knew as much about politics as a ghoul knows about cooking. Thus the chances were slim to none that, bereft of my help, he would manage to find new leads without getting embroiled in some trouble along the way. As his friend I clearly could not allow that.


 * Having taken part in many adventures by Geralt's side, when he asked for my help I agreed without hesitation. I had already been imperiled when helping him in less rewarding tasks than using poetry to lure an unparalleled demonic lover. Thus I had the chance to risk my life in the name of three most beautiful values: friendship, poetry and love – there was no other decision to make.


 * Geralt and Iorveth headed for Loc Muinne to meet their destiny, yet I decided to stay in Vergen a bit longer. I had more than enough material for new ballads, therefore I fought the urge to reach Loc Muinne in time to witness the important events transpiring there. Thus I know the rest of the story only from the accounts of others, yet I present it here as faithfully as possible – anything omitted was surely was not worth a mention in the first place.

Associated quests

 * By the Gods - Stringing Up Sods
 * Iorveth's path:
 * With Flickering Heart
 * Roche's path:
 * Conspiracy Theory

In the game, Dandelion is voiced by Tim Beckmann seems no less of a womaniser than his depiction in the books. He has a ready smile for any and all the lovely ladies he meets, and is more than willing to give of not just his time and singing talents. His profession as a bard has lead him to acquire quite a vast amount of folklore, which comes in handy on occasion for his best friend, Geralt of Rivia.

Geralt only hears about Dandelion in the first Chapter of the game, but in Chapter II he finally gets to meet him face to face at Shani's house when she has a little get together to celebrate his arrival in town. This is when they get a chance to catch up and we get to hear a little about Geralt's past.

He is also an avid dice poker player, a sharper even. From Chapter III onward, Geralt can play him for the sheer pleasure of the game and orens, but officially, it is only in Chapter IV that he can play the bard as part of the Sharper quest.

Journal entry

 * I've heard rumors that the famous bard and poet Dandelion visited the Outskirts.


 * I met Dandelion, who has supposedly always been my best friend. From what I've heard, Dandelion is an indefatigable windbag, a buffoon and a wastrel. He is also a womanizer with an incredible talent for getting into trouble. At the same time, Dandelion is a truly talented artist, despite his tendency to wander the countryside and eke out a living through occasional performances.


 * Dandelion got into trouble and I had to help him out. Everything I've heard about him has proven to be true.


 * A friend in need is a friend indeed. Dandelion somehow convinced Triss that I needed him and she teleported him here. He has joined me in my exile in Murky Waters.


 * I ran into Dandelion again and I think it was no coincidence. Either Dandelion wants to aid me in my search or he wants to witness the end of this journey so he can compose a ballad afterwards. It could also be both.

Associated quests

 * Alvin
 * Dandelion's Lute
 * Dice Poker: The Sharper
 * Free Elves
 * Identity
 * Old Friend of Mine
 * The Heat of the Day
 * The Source

In the premium module "The Price of Neutrality", Dandelion serves only as the narrator and is seen in the opening and closing cut scenes, but does not appear as a character in the story.

In the premium module "Side Effects", Dandelion serves as the narrator and is seen in the opening and closing cut scenes, he is also the central character around which the story revolves.

Journal entry

 * A troubadour and bon-vivant, Dandelion is an old friend and companion. Known for his promiscuous lifestyle and romances, he also has an incredible talent for getting into trouble.

Gallery
Rittersporn Νταντέλιον Jaskier Dandelion Jaskier