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| “ | His smile fair as spring as towards him he draws you. His tongue sharp and silvery as he implores you. Your wishes he grants as he swears to adore you. Gold, silver, jewels - he lies riches before you. Dues need be repaid, and he will come for you. All to reclaim, no smile to console you. He'll snare you in bonds, eyes glowin' afire. To gore and torment you, till the stars expire. |
„ |
| ~ A folklore song about Gaunter O'Dimm. |
Gaunter O'Dimm, also known as Master Mirror or The Man of Glass, is a character from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In the main game, he originally appears as a minor character. However, he returns as the main antagonist in the DLC Hearts of Stone.
Upon his first meeting, O'Dimm presents himself as a former merchant of mirrors, now turned vagrant. In the DLC, however, it turns out that he is a mysterious, ancient being who has been making deals and collecting human souls for millenia. He is present in many cultures under many names, although the most common seems to be "Evil Incarnate".
He was voiced by Dariusz Odija in Polish, and Alex Norton in English
Personality[]
At first glance, Gaunter appears innocuous and plain, his unremarkable behaviour, looks and attire suggesting that he is a simple vagrant or traveller. In truth, Gaunter intentionally cultivates and projects this image, and his facade disguises that he is an extremely powerful, millenia-old entity of devious intellect and cruel intent.
Gaunter is first and foremost a gentleman; he has impeccable manners and an affable demeanor, can be very friendly, and is easily approached and quite charming. While he does manipulate others to his own ends, his affability is not entirely an act, and he is always polite, regardless of the circumstances.
Gaunter has no problems moving about in society and interacting with the population at large, and does so both to find his "marks" or "accomplices" and because he genuinely enjoys watching others' lives and the events of the world unfold. He divulges this in his words to Geralt: "What I find facinating are true tales of human lives". While he sees mortals as primative and beneath him, Gaunter has a fondness them, and enjoys interacting and working with them.
Gaunter also has standards and personal ethics, believing that when one makes a deal, one must keep it. He cannot abide blatant dishonesty and people who go back on their word. As he has said to others, "I never cheat." He also destests rudeness and will act viciously towards any who scorn him or rebuke his polite overtures. Notable examples include when he appeared as a beggar to a countess to ask for food, then cursed her to become a spotted wight when she refused him help. Additionally, when the time was up for a ghost possesing Geralt to leave his body, the ghost refused Gaunter's request to leave, and Gaunter then painfully exercised the spirit back to its grave. On another occasion, a vagrant interupted Gaunter's meeting with Geralt, so Gaunter shoved a spoon into the man's eye, killing him.
Despite his politeness and affability, Gaunter is a being of extreme sadism, cruelty, manipulation and spite. He will always honor a pact, but plays with the wording to his own advantage and to the detriment of the deal maker. A scholar that studied him stated that "he gives you what you ask for but not what you want", and that he's fond of riddles, wordgames, and misleading statements. Gaunter will often follow the letter of an agreement as he interperates it, but most certainly not the spirit in which it was meant. When Olgierd asked to live "like there was no tomorrow", Gaunter made him immortal, unkillable, and incapable of feeling pain. This deadened Olgierd's emotions such that he no longer felt any true excitement in living. When Olgierd said Gaunter could only take his soul when they stood on the moon, Gaunter tricked him to an ancient temple site with a mosaic of the moon on the floor. Since they "stood on the moon", the contract was fulfilled.
Gaunter also greatly enjoys the pain and misery of the fates he inflicts on those he dupes.
History[]
Past[]
The being known as Gaunter O'Dimm first appeared millennia ago, and has appeared in many cultures under different names. Promising people what they desired, he forced them into contracts which seemingly worked in their favor. However, O'Dimm twisted the words of the contracts to torment the people and furthermore collected the souls of his victims.
Before the event of the game, there had been only one occasion on which one of his victims managed to defeat O'Dimm at his own game by striking a wager with him, and then twisting the words of said wager.
Years before Geralt first met him, O'Dimm came into contact with Olgierd von Everec. Olgierd, who had lost his fortune, was ready to strike a deal with O'Dimm to restore his wealth and power so that he could once again be nobility and marry his noble-born love. Due to Olgierd claiming that he wanted to live "like there's no tomorrow", O'Dimm made Olgierd immortal but also turned his heart to stone, leaving Olgierd unable to feel any emotion. The pact also led to the death of Olgierd's brother Vlodimir. As O'Dimm demanded Olgierd's soul in return, Olgierd had their contract state that before O'Dimm could collect the soul, he had to fulfil three wishes for Olgierd and both of them had to stand on the moon afterwards. He believed this to be a challenge not to be overcome and thus expected that O'Dimm would never be able to collect his soul.
Olgierd also employed Professor Premethine Shakeslock to learn as much as possible about O'Dimm in order to defeat him. Shakeslock became obsessed with O'Dimm and eventually found out that O'Dimm, although immortal, could be banished from this realm by defeating him in one of his wagers. Shakeslock's obsession gained him the attention of O'Dimm who visited him in his house. He sarcastically claimed to be touched by Shakeslock's obsession and promised the professor a way to be safe from O'Dimm's wrath. The professor accepted and O'Dimm drew a chalk spell diagram around the man. After O'Dimm left, Shakeslock realised that while inside the diagram, O'Dimm could not harm him but also realised that this meant that he would have to spend the rest of his life inside the diagram. Furthermore, O'Dimm invaded Shakeslock's dream, manipulating his dreams and making it seem like Shakeslock had a daughter he adored. After months Shakeslock spent with this daughter, O'Dimm had her die of a sickness - futher proving his cruelty.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[]
Geralt, while searching for his beloved Yennefer, reaches the White Orchard in Temeria where he stops in a tavern asking people in the tavern if they saw Yennefer, but most people either did not see her or were not very helpful. When Geralt approaches Gaunter, he not only greets him, but he knows Geralt's name and knows who he is looking for, which surprised Geralt because he had not given her name. Gaunter explained to Geralt that he knew about him and Yennefer thanks to Dandelion's ballads to hide his omniscient powers.
When Gaunter introduces himself to Geralt, he claims to be a vagabond who once introduced himself as a mirror dealer until he called himself Master Mirror. Geralt again asks Gaunter if he has seen Yennefer, to which Gaunter asks if Geralt is looking for Yennefer because of love. After receiving an answer from Geralt, he confesses that he did not expect Geralt to come to the White Orchard because of Yennefer. Gaunter then reveals to Geralt that a Nilfgaardian scout saw Yennefer at the garrison and left after arguing with the Nilfgaardian governor of White Orchard. Geralt thanks Gaunter for his help and Gaunter says they should get together as people from the streets might get in trouble after one day. Gaunter disappears from Geralt's sight.
Hearts of Stone[]
After Geralt, who had accepted a job from Olgierd von Everec to kill a giant toad monster in the city sewers, discovers too late that the monster was actually a person who was cursed and also a missing prince. He is then captured by a delegation from Ophir for killing their prince, when O'Dimm suddenly appears on the ship of the Ophiri. He offers the witcher a deal; he will set him free, in exchange for a favour. After Geralt agrees, O'Dimm burns a mark on his face as a sign of contract, then disappears after telling Geralt to meet him again near a village at midnight. He then conjures up a storm, which destroys the ship and gives Geralt a chance to escape.
O'Dimm awaits Geralt.
When Geralt heads to the he sees that Gaunter awaits him. O'Dimm remembers Geralt that he owes him for saving his life and helping him with finding Yennefer. He tells Geralt that he has difficulties with Olgierd whom he describes as a vile monster who refuses to pay his debts. He claims that Olgierd also wronged Geralt by sending him on the job that led to Geralt being captured and knew of the cursed prince but had deliberately not told him anything. He asks Geralt for help in making Olgierd pay up. He offers Geralt a reward and also reveals that if Geralt helps him, he would consider Geralt's debt to him paid. If Geralt inquires as to what Gaunter did for Olgierd, O'Dimm reveals that Olgierd came to him a poor man and owed his new riches to him. Gaunter claims that Olgierd refused to pay up afterwards and that Gaunter was forced to invoke the terms of their contract. O'Dimm then takes Geralt with him to meet Olgierd.
When Geralt returns to Olgierd, O'Dimm interrupts their conversation. He once more presses the fact that Olgierd sent Geralt to kill the Ophiri prince, fully aware of the consequences. O'Dimm also reveals that Olgierd was the one to curse the prince, who was supposed to marry the woman Olgierd loved. In truth, Olgierd merely cursed the prince unaware that O'Dimm could hear him, and O'Dimm fulfilled Olgierd's "wish".
O'Dimm watches.
Olgierd then reminds O'Dimm that Gaunter must fulfil him three wishes first before he has to pay up. O'Dimm introduces Geralt as his champion and tells Olgierd that Geralt will fulfil the three wishes as a proxy for Gaunter. As Geralt is the one whom he has to deal with, Olgierd expels Gaunter from the place and O'Dimm leaves after a mocking bow. After O'Dimm is gone, Olgierd reveals to Geralt that he has prepared three tasks so hard Geralt can never fulfil them - thus preventing O'Dimm from collecting his soul.
Geralt is informed that his tasks are to acquire the house of Max Borsodi and to show is brother Vlodmir Von Everic the "time of his life", with the third task to be completed after the first two. When Geralt leaves the estate to fulfil the requests, he is once more approached by O'Dimm who gives him information saying that getting the house of Max Borsodi will be the easier of the two tasks as Vlodmir had already died, but also provides a container of Von Everic blood. When Geralt asks how he got the blood O'Dimm dismisses the question and tells him to get to work.
For the first task Geralt only knows that there is the Borsodi auction house and manages to gain attendance through one of his contacts who regularly attends the auctions, when he gets to the opportunity to as the current manager of the auction house about "Max Borsodi's house" he is immediately thrown out and told never to return. After being roped into a robbery of the auction house he learns that "Max Borsodi's house" is actually a replica mansion that houses Max Borsodi's will which states that both his sons must meet once a year or all of his possessions will go to charity.
After Geralt has fulfilled the fist task, obtaining Max Borsodi's house, he calls the ghost of Vlodimir von Everec as Olgierds second wish was a giant party for his deceased brother. Geralt brings Vlodimir, who has inhabited Geralt's body for the duration of the party, to a wedding where, among other guests, O'Dimm is present. Despite Vlodimir possessing Geralt's body, O'Dimm immediately recognizes Vlodimir and mocks and insults him for being the weak brother who was never as good as Olgierd. After giving Geralt some tips how to flirt with Shani, O'Dimm departs into the night. When Vlodimir later refuses to leave Geralt's body O'Dimm appears once again. He forcefully drives the spirit out of Geralt and tortures him with his sinister powers before banishing Vlodimir back to his grave.
Gaunter kills a drunkard with a spoon.
It is during Olgierd's last wish Geralt learns the true extent of O'Dimm's power. He learns of the backstory of Olgierd as well as O'Dimm's deal with him. After fulfiling the third task he returns to a tavern in Oxenfurt where he believes to be meeting Olgierd. Instead, O'Dimm is sitting on a bench and beckons Geralt closer. Before Geralt can sit down, a drunk man approaches Geralt and invites Geralt to drink with him. He tries to convince Geralt but O'Dimm stops the conversation by clapping into his hands which stops time altogether - except for him and Geralt. While the rest of the patrons are frozen in time, O'Dimm tells Geralt to bring Olgierd to the Temple of Lilvani to fulfil the deal. During the conversation Geralt flatly asks O'Dimm what he is, with O'Dimm turning serious and informs him that "this one time" he will not fulfill his wish as all who have learned his true name have either been driven mad or ended up dead. He then stands up and walks towards the door. Once he has reached the drunk patron, O'Dimm kills him by driving a wooden spoon into his eye, claiming that this was the last time the man interrupted him. He then restores the flow of time and leaves the tavern.
The contract is fulfilled.
When Geralt and Olgierd arrive at the Temple of Lilvani, a clifftop ruin, O'Dimm arrives moments later by walking towards them through the air. Olgierd's heart of Stone returns back to normal. When he claims that he has fulfiled his part of the deal, Olgierd remembers him that both of them have to stand on the moon if O'Dimm wanted to collect his soul. However, O'Dimm reveals that he outsmarted Olgierd. By removing the dust from the floor he reveals that the floor is in truth a mosaic of the moon. Despite Olgierd's stammering denial, Gaunter moves forward in order to collect the soul. It is up to the player how the outcome is. If Geralt does not interfere, Gaunter revokes Olgierd's immortality. Absorbing Olgierd's soul, he watches as Olgierd rapidly ages before him. He then grabs Olgierd by the head and rips out his skull. As their deal is fulfilled, Gaunter removes the mark from Geralt's face. He then rewards Geralt for his help and casually walks from the temple, humming his tune and juggling Olgierd's skull.
However, Geralt can save Olgierd by interfering when O'Dimm tries to collect the soul. With the information from the professor, Geralt can challenge O'Dimm to a wager. Should Geralt solve a riddle O'Dimm poses, Olgierd's soul is free. Should Geralt fail to solve the riddle in time, O'Dimm collects both his and Olgierd's soul. O'Dimm agrees and transports Geralt in a surreal world where Geralt has to solve the following riddle:
| “ | To all things and men I appertain, and yet by some am shunned and distained Fondle me and ogle me til you're insane, but no blow can harm me, cause me pain. Children delight in me, elders take fright. Fair maids rejoice and spin. Cry and I weep, yawn and I sleep. Smile, and I too shall grin. What am I? |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter O'Dimm's riddle |
O'Dimm is defeated and banished.
Venturing through the world, Geralt arrives in a vast room full of mirrors. Realising that the solution is "a reflection", Geralt moves towards one of the mirrors but before he can look inside, O'Dimm destroys the mirror with his powers. He continues to do so every time Geralt approaches another mirror while mocking Geralt. Eventually, Geralt manages to outsmart O'Dimm by blowing up a brick wall that seals a spring. By looking at his own reflection in the water, Geralt solves O'Dimm's riddle and is able to banish the demon from their realm of being. However, as O'Dimm is immortal, it is implied that he will return one day as he has done before. With his last words, a demon-faced O'Dimm also claims that he cannot be killed and will be back.
Journal entry[]
Geralt has escaped a great many predicaments, sometimes of his own doing, sometimes aided by others. One of the strangest helping hands was that extended to him by Master Mirror. The witcher was on an Ofieri ship, held captive and bound for a date with the gallows... when, out of nowhere, in came Master Mirror. He reminded the witcher of their first encounter, when he helped Geralt find Yennefer in White Orchard. Now he was offering help as well -- this time, for a price. In exchange for freeing Geralt from the ship, he demanded Geralt meet him at a certain crossroads. When the witcher agreed, a strange mark appeared on his face. It was as though Master Mirror had put a stamp on him to show they had entered into as pact – a suspicion later confirmed beyond all doubt...
Gaunter O'Dimm explained he and their mutual acquaintance, Olgierd von Everec, had entered into a strange pact. Their deal stipulated O'Dimm must grant von Everec three wishes – yet could not do so on his own, but instead had to call upon the services of a proxy. And who better to provide such assistance than a witcher? Since O'Dimm made agreeing to be this proxy a condition for receiving help off the Ofieri ship, Geralt had little choice but to agree.
Master Mirror appeared once again – suddenly and out of nowhere, as usual – after Olgierd proclaimed his first two wishes. Mirror told Geralt of a way to show Olgierd's brother the time of his life, even though this life had in fact ended years earlier. He equipped Geralt with von Everec blood and the knowledge of how to summon Vlodimir's ghost. Just how O'Dimm had managed to collect a vial of von Everec blood was never made clear, but then again, burning question marks hung over everything this strange figure did.
Master Mirror made an appearance at the wedding Geralt attended with Shani and the ghost of Vlodimir, who inhabited Geralt's body so that he may enjoy one last night of earthly revelry. When midnight struck, Vlodimir was unsurprisingly in no mood to abandon the pleasures of the witcher's flesh. Yet Master Mirror intervened to put an immediate and cruel end to Vlod's stay among the living. Geralt later told me the cries of torment Vlod's ghost made haunted his dreams for months to come.
- If Geralt seeks out Professor Shakeslock:
Geralt came away from his meeting with Professor Shakeslock knowing of a way to outfox Master mirror. The demonic pact-maker could be lured into a wager: win it, and he would be defeated once and for all.
- If Geralt chooses to help Olgierd:
Geralt soon discovered Professor Shakeslock's words were true. Master Mirror could indeed be defeated at his own game. Geralt made a bet with him, wagering everything on one battle of wits, and won. By solving Master Mirror's riddle, he drove the demon from our dimension - though I fear he may yet return. His kind always returns.
- If Geralt doesn't intervene:
Geralt decided to deliver Olgierd to Master Mirror's murky hands, thus completing their bargain. Geralt knew it was over at once, for in that moment the mark which had appeared on his face on the Ofieri ship disappeared like charcoal smudges drenched in a rain shower. That was the last Geralt ever saw of Master Mirror. I do not think he was missed.
Quotes[]
| “ | Ahh, like everyone. | „ |
| ~ Gaunter's first sentence in his first meeting with Geralt. |
| “ | Two schannpes! Hah. It'll lift your spirits. | „ |
| ~ Gaunter offers Geralt something to drink. |
| “ | Gaunter: Yennefer of Vengerberg? Geralt: Never mentioned her name. Gaunter: Yet you described her perfectly. And once I hear something, I never forget. Can't help it. |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter about Yennefer. |
| “ | Geralt: What to you do? Who are you? Gaunter: A mangy vagrant. Gaunter O'Dimm, at your service. Geralt: Vagrant-that a profession now? Gaunter: Ah, once a merchant of mirrors. The madding crowd dubbed me Master Mirror, or the Man of Glass. |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter introduces himself to Geralt. |
| “ | Geralt: How do you know Yennefer? Gaunter: What a a question. Master Dandelion's ballads, of course. They only way a humble merchant might hope to rub up against greatness. Useless, that is, he's as lucky as I am. Geralt: And run into a very patient Witcher? Gaunter: Into Geralt of Rivia himself. The butcher of Blaviken. |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter explains to Geralt how he knows about Yennefer and Geralt. |
| “ | Deepest apologies, but I must ask: Is this about love? | „ |
| ~ Gaunter asks Geralt why Yennefer is so important. |
| “ | Yes, as a vagrant I deserve no explanation. | „ |
| ~ Gaunter reacts to Geralt's lack of response. |
| “ | Geralt: What do you know? Tell me. Gaunter: Before you appeared, it never occured to me that might've been Yennefer. Who would've thought... Geralt: Get to the point. Gaunter: A Nilfgaardian scout from the local garrison saw her. Geralt: Where? Gaunter: At their camp. She rode in there - dark of night, black and white, gooseberries and... yes I know, had a terse exchange with the garrison commander and races off. Geralt: Where to? Gaunter: I'm not omniscient. Ask at the garrison. |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter explains where Yennefer is to Geralt. |
| “ | Greetings, Geralt. Remember me? Gaunter O'Dimm, known also as Master Mirror. I helped you find your Yennefer. | „ |
| ~ Gaunter reappears in the Hearts of Stone expansion. |
| “ | Vlodimir von Everec - go back whence you came... please. | „ |
| ~ Gaunter to Vlod. |
| “ | Gaunter: Get ye hence, or I'll take you with me, and your moldy crypt will look like paradise in comparison. The choice is yours. [Vlod screams] Geralt: Don't torture him. Gaunter: I promise he'll not die, hehehe. |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter torturing Vlodimir's ghost. |
| “ | Geralt: Didn't have to make him suffer. Gaunter: Of course I needn't have. But I could. |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter after banishing Vlodimir. |
| “ | That was the last time you interrupted me while I was talking to someone. | „ |
| ~ Gaunter killing a drunk patron at the tavern in Oxenfurt. |
| “ | Gaunter: I gave you what you wished for. Here, on the moon, our contract you fulfill. Olgierd: You whoreson. You cheated me! Gaunter: I never cheat. [If Geralt does nothing:] It is done. Your soul belongs to me. |
„ |
| ~ Gaunter claiming Olgierd's soul. |
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Gaunter O'Dimm on The Witcher Wiki.
Trivia[]
- The characters of O'Dimm and von Everec, and their story, is heavily influenced by the Polish legend of Master Twardowski - a nobleman, who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for magical powers. Their contract stated that Twardowski's soul could be taken from him only when he and the devil (Mephistopheles) meet in Rome. After many years, they finally meet in an inn called Rome, but Twardowski uses his magic to escape the devil and live on the Moon.
- Another possible inspiration for O'Dimm is Stephen King's Needful Things.
- Gaunter O'Dimm's acronym is G.O.D.
- Should Geralt fail to solve the riddle in time, O'Dimm approaches Geralt from behind and collects his soul, causing Geralt's face to desintegrate in fire. A game over screen then appears.
- Gaunter also somewhat resembles Satan from Mark Twain's story The Mysterious Stranger. Aside from tremendous power over reality, Satan in the story often points out and exploits mortal flaws and states "I can do no evil for I know not what it is". At various points, Gaunter seems to understand some things about mortals on an intellectual level and is en expert at pointing out and mocking mortal flaws but at other times shows curiousity at mortal traits and even outright asks Geralt why mortals do some of the things that they do. Also like Satan, he never tries to bend people to evil but instead places the bait and lets their baser natures destroy themselves.
- An easter egg referencing O'Dimm can be found in Frogwares' 2019 horror game The Sinking City. During the sidequest "Through the Looking Glass", the player can find a picture of the late mirror-maker Gaunter Randall who is almost identical to O'Dimm. Charles Reed (the player character) will ask whether all mirror-makers are this creepy.
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