Emhyr var Emreis

"Emperor Emhyr var Emreis... or, to those on more intimate terms with him: "the White Flame Dancing on the Graves of his Foes"."

- Yennefer of Vengerberg "Your motives don't interest me, only results"

- Emhyr var Emreis

Emhyr var Emreis is the emperor of Nilfgaard, the most powerful nation in Witcher Saga. He's the main antagonist of the books and a major antagonist of the games. In the first and second game he was a Bigger Bad.

He is publicly favourable to the Elder Race, unlike to the Northern Monarchs.

In books Emhyr's father was murdered and Emhyr himself was cursed into a monster by an usurper to take over Nilfgaardian throne. Emhyr married Pavetta, princess of Cintra what resulted in birth of Ciri. The curse was lifted thanks to Geralt of Rivia. An insidious wizard Vilgefortz fooled him by a prophecy accord to to which Emhyr's daughter is supposed to rule half of the world the her son a whole world. Emhyr planned to marry own daughter, but Pavetta hid her. Outraged Emhyr threw his wife to sea after learning this. Emhyr returned to Nilfgaard and reclaimed his status of emperor by a revolution. The emperor conquered Cintra in search for Ciri. He started Second Northern War against Temeria, Redania, Keadven and Aedirn. General Menno Cohron lead his invasion forces. Despite the generals successes he died in battle of Brenna. The emperor lost the war.

In Witcher 2 Emhyr sent Letho, Serrit and Egan to assassinate kings of North, so he could easily conquer the whole North.

In Witcher 3 he took over both Aedirn and Temeria during the Third Northern War. He's also in search for his daughter Ciri, who's said to be returned and enlists Geralt of Rivia's help to find her and bring her to him. Depending on whether King Radovid lives or dies, Nilfgaard may either lose or win the war. If Nilfgaard loses the war against the North, Emhyr will be assassinated by his subjects who'd been plotting against him. If Nilfgaard wins the war however, he'll turn his attention towards the dissent at home and wipe out the traitors with extreme prejudice.