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Emhyr var Emreis
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt-Emhyr var Emreis
Emhyr var Emreis in The Witcher 3
Details
Alias(es)
Spoiler!
 
  • Duny
  • Urcheon of Erlenwald
Titles
Deithwen Addan yn Carn aep Morvudd
Imperator/Emperor of Nilfgaard
King of Cintra
Lord of Metinna, Ebbing and Gemmera
Sovereign of Nazair and Vicovaro
Gender
Male
Race
Human
Culture
Nilfgaardian Empire
Nationality
Flag Nilfgaard
Location
Nilfgaard
Physical Description
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Family
Family
House of Emreis
Parents
Fergus var Emreis
Partner
Spoiler!
Aine Dermott (lover)
Clara aep Gwydolyn Gor (lover)
Dervla Tryffin Broinne (lover)
Cirilla (wife)
Children
Spoiler!
Relatives
Anna Henrietta (cousin of unknown degree)
Appearance(s)

Emhyr var Emreis, Deithwen Addan yn Carn aep Morvudd (in the Elder Speech - the White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of his Enemies), was the Imperator of the Nilfgaardian Empire during the events of the novels, TV series, movie, and both PnP and video games. He was publicly favourable to the Elder Race, in stark contrast to monarchs of the North.

His rule of Nilfgaard was highly aggressive, often pursuing expansionist policies similar to those of his predecessors. This led to the outbreak of two wars against the North, first described in the novels. Emhyr var Emreis was an intelligent and brilliant ruler. He chose his people well and crushed all plots against him. He was ruthless toward traitors and moved towards his goals with great determination.

Spoiler warning: Significant plot details follow.

If you are averse to spoilers and have not read all the books, do not read further. For the alias of Emhyr var Emreis, click here.

Significant plot details end here.

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[ | ]

Charles Dance voices the Emperor in the final chapter of the game trilogy.

Journal entry[ | ]

Few names in the Continent's history arouse as much terror and respect as that of Emhyr var Emreis, Deithwen Addan yn Carn aep Morvudd - the White Flame Dancing on the Graves of his Foes. Emperor of Nilfgaard, lord of Metinna, Ebbing and Gemmera, sovereign of Nazair and Vicovaro, he was ruler of half the civilized world and aspiring conqueror of the other half. He was a personage whose deeds and decisions shaped the fates of whole kingdoms and populations.
What then could he possible want of a simple witcher?
Spoiler warning: Significant plot details follow.
The emperor clearly and succinctly laid out what he wanted. His daughter and Geralt's ward, Cirilla, was in great danger, for the Wild Hunt was on her trail. Geralt, a superb tracker linked to Emhyr's daughter by the iron bonds of Destiny, stood a better chance of finding her than anyone else in the world.
If Geralt brings Ciri to Emhyr:
Thanks to Geralt's efforts, Emhyr finally had the chance to talk to his daughter face to face after long years of separation. Geralt doesn't know what topic was broached during their conversation, save that Ciri stormed out of it in a visible huff.
Significant plot details end here.

Associated quests[ | ]

In The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings[ | ]

When entering Flotsam, Vernon Roche gives his name as "Emhyr var Emreis", a spice merchant during the quest "A Rough Landing". This guard off-handedly dismisses this lie comically; saying: "A spice merchant? Not likely."

Later, the emperor is revealed as Letho's patron, having supported and funded the regicides as a precursor to his plans to destabilise then invade the Northern Kingdoms. As an incentive, he had promised Letho a land where Witchers could be free to live without the hatred and prejudice they typically experience.

Glossary entry[ | ]

Reading the book "The White Flame" provides a glossary entry:

Emhyr var Emreis – among all the rulers of that time, one cannot omit the Nilfgaardian emperor, known as Deithwen Addan yn Carn aep Morvudd, which means, in the Elder Speech, White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of His Enemies. Kings from the Buina to the Yaruga trembled at the sound of his name. His legions of steel-clad soldiers crushed countries under their heels and cast monarchs from their thrones. In his insatiable ambition, he had tried to conquer the north on several occasions, yet he had been forced to sign peace accords each time. Though he does not appear in our story personally, his long shadow often fell over the events I describe here.

Gallery[ | ]