Text | Evening of August 2nd

[rollstoseduce]

[It's finally time for the fantasy trio to leave for Kanto and start a new badge journey, and like last time, they're taking a night train to sleep through it. Or that's the idea anyway - because also like last time, Jaskier wants to take the chance to chat a bit with the network. And after a little misunderstanding from the steward regarding Kiri, there's a topic that won't leave his mind.]

Many a similarity I've found among the realms us otherworlders hail from, yet there's one thing from mine (besides witchers!) I haven't found anywhere else: the Law of Surprise.

It's a custom as old as humanity itself, the granting of a seemingly impossible wish, the price a man who saves another can demand:

"Give me that which you already have but do not know yet".

It is a request for something which neither the savior nor the saved knows the nature of, until the saved man returns home. It could be a cute little pup or a mere crop, mayhap a new pair of shoes... or even a baby. So many heroic stories from my world were starred by a Child Surprise, often known as the Children of Destiny.

So imagine yourselves, if you will, in front of a powerful king or queen that asks you what reward you'd like for your service. What is your answer?

Do you ask for gold? A lady's hand in marriage?

Or do you dare to ask for the Law of Surprise to see what Destiny has in store in for you?



((As always, Jaskier needs to be super extra with his font. Lmk if you need me to drop it!))

Comments

text

[instrumentally]

How would one know if they are a child of destiny?

[rollstoseduce]

Usually their new guardians raise them without hiding the fact they're a Child Surprise, although some tales do add a later discovery for the excitement of a reveal.

[instrumentally]

Do you think it is possible for other worlds to have Children of Surprise? Or do they only exist in the world that you know best?

[rollstoseduce]

I don't see why it should be impossible - as I've already mentioned, realms have many a thing in common. But I haven't found anyone familiar with the Law of Surprise (or witchers) so far.

[instrumentally]

I am not familiar with either of these concepts, beyond what you have already mentioned in this post. I would like to know more about them, if you would be willing to share this knowledge with me.

[rollstoseduce]

Ask away - although I should note that if you want an extensive explanation of witcher lore, I included it in one of my books.

[instrumentally]

Are Witchers also considered Children of Destiny?

[rollstoseduce]

Not all of them, although they often overlap. Children of Destiny is a term used exclusively for children claimed by the Law of Surprise.

[instrumentally]

I see. Does the Law of Surprise often give children as a reward? Or are there just more stories to be told about the occasions when this is so?

[rollstoseduce]

Oh, the stories do undoubtedly not match the real numbers. There is nothing exciting to tell about receiving a bag of potatoes, now is there?

[instrumentally]

Thus, it is not the reward that matters, but that the promise is kept. To disregard such a promise would show that one's word could not be trusted, even with a matter as small as the sack of potatoes.

[rollstoseduce]

Exactly! Not only you would lose any trust others had put on you, you'd also be defying Destiny itself. That's another recurring theme in these tales - how Destiny would punish those that want to escape It. A lesson in responsibilities, if you will.

[instrumentally]

One cannot avoid the duties they must perform. Doing so only invites further harm.

[rollstoseduce]

[When she puts it like that, it reminds him of something he'd rather not think about. It takes him a moment to reply.]

As long as those duties come from your own choices and actions, yes. Which I suppose it's a bit ironic to say when we are in this realm against our will. I'm not complaining, however, I'd rather like it here.

[instrumentally]

I am fond of it as well.