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Sword Of Destiny
''Sword of Destiny'' () is the second published short story collection and fix-up novel in Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski's ''The Witcher'' series. Although published in 1992, it is officially considered the second entry in the series, behind ''The Last Wish'', which was published the following year. ''Sword of Destiny'' was first published in English in the UK by Gollancz in 2015. The anthology consists of six stories, loosely linked in chronology. They introduce characters that become major players in the later novels, which began with 1994's '' Blood of Elves'' and are known as ''The Witcher Saga''. The titular story, "The Sword of Destiny", introduces the character of Ciri. The following story, "Something More", is a direct prequel to the novels. Plot "" Geralt of Rivia meets the traveling knight Borch "Three Jackdaws" and his Zerrikanian bodyguards Tea and Vea, who seek a green dragon. Although Geralt is a Witcher, a professional monster slayer, he explains ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andrzej Sapkowski
Andrzej Sapkowski (; born 21 June 1948) is a Polish fantasy writer. He is best known for his series of books '' The Witcher'', which revolves around the eponymous monster-hunter, Geralt of Rivia. The saga has been popularized through television, stage, comic books, video games and translated into 37 languages making him the second most-translated Polish science fiction and fantasy writer after Stanisław Lem. Described as the "Polish Tolkien", he has written multiple novels and short story collections, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. The influence of Slavic mythology is seen as a characteristic feature of many of his works. He is a five-time recipient of the Zajdel Award, Poland's most popular science fiction and fantasy prize, as well as many other awards and honors including David Gemmell Award, World Fantasy Life Achievement Award and the Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture. Early life He was born on 21 June 1948 in Łódź, in central Poland. His fath ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Doppelgänger
A doppelgänger ( ), sometimes spelled doppelgaenger or doppelganger, is a ghostly double of a living person, especially one that haunts its own fleshly counterpart. In fiction and mythology, a doppelgänger is often portrayed as a ghostly or paranormal phenomenon and usually seen as a harbinger of bad luck. Other traditions and stories equate a doppelgänger with an evil twin. In modern times, the term twin stranger is occasionally used. Spelling The word "doppelgänger" is a loanword from the German noun , literally meaning "double-walker". The singular and plural forms are the same in German, but English writers usually prefer the plural "doppelgängers". In German, there is also a feminine form, (plural ). The first-known use, in the form , occurs in the novel '' Siebenkäs'' (1796) by Jean Paul, in which he explains his newly coined word in a footnote; the word also appears in the novel, but with a different meaning. In German, the word is written (as is usual with Ge ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Witcher (TV Series)
''The Witcher'' is a fantasy drama television series created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich for Netflix. It is based on the book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Set on a fictional, medieval-inspired landmass known as the Continent, ''The Witcher'' explores the legend of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg and Princess Ciri. It stars Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, was released on Netflix on December 20, 2019. It was based on '' The Last Wish'' and '' Sword of Destiny'', which are collections of short stories that precede the main ''The Witcher'' saga. The second season, also consisting of eight episodes and based on the novel '' Blood of Elves'', was released on December 17, 2021. In September 2021, Netflix renewed the series for a third season, which also consists of eight episodes, released in two volumes on June 29 and July 27, 2023. This will be followed by a fourth season, with Liam Hemsworth ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Hexer (TV Series)
''Wiedźmin'' (''The Hexer'' or ''The Witcher'' in English) is a Polish fantasy television series that aired in 2002. The story is based on the stories of ''The Witcher'' fantasy series (''The Last Wish'' and ''Sword of Destiny'' collections), by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Plot The Hexer begins with the childhood of Geralt of Rivia (Michał Żebrowski Michał Jan Żebrowski (born 17 June 1972) is a Polish actor and singer. He was the first actor to portray Geralt of Rivia, in the movie '' The Hexer''. Filmography Film Television Video games Discography Studio albums Other Music vi ...), who is a traveling monster hunter. Vesemir collected the child while invoking the Law of Surprise. The series then follows him train at Kaer Morhen, develop his abilities, and mutate. Reception The series has been described as better than the movie which preceded it, but the poor critical and fan reception of the movie, which was described as a glorified, incoheren ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Helsingin Sanomat
, abbreviated ''HS'' and colloquially known as , is the largest subscription newspaper in Finland and the Nordic countries, owned by Sanoma. Except after certain holidays, it is published daily. Its name derives from that of the Finnish capital, Helsinki, where it is published. It is considered a newspaper of record for Finland. History and profile The paper was founded in 1889 as '' Päivälehti'', when Finland was a Grand Duchy under the Tsar of Russia. Political censorship by the Russian authorities, prompted by the paper's strong advocacy of greater Finnish freedoms and even outright independence, forced Päivälehti to often temporarily suspend publication, and finally to close permanently in 1904. Its proprietors re-opened the paper under its current name in 1905. Founded as the organ of the Young Finnish Party, the paper has been politically independent and non-aligned since 1932. During the Cold War period was among the Finnish newspapers which were accused by t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tähtifantasia Award
Tähtifantasia Award is an annual prize by Helsingin science fiction seura ry for the best foreign fantasy book released in Finland. Recipients See also * Tähtivaeltaja Award Tähtivaeltaja Award is an annual literary prize presented by Helsingin science fiction seura ry for the best science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imag ... Sources {{DEFAULTSORT:Tahtifantasia Award Fantasy awards Awards established in 2007 Finnish literary awards Science fiction awards Finnish speculative fiction awards ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anna Dereszowska
Anna Dagmara Dereszowska (born 7 January 1981) is a Polish actress, voice actress and singer. Biography She is the daughter of Krzysztof Dereszowski and Dagmara Kufieta-Dereszowska (1943-1990). She has an older brother Andrzej and a younger half-sister Julia. In 1999 she graduated from the Private Music School in Mikołów under the auspices of ISME in the piano class. She is also a graduate of the III Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Adam Mickiewicz in Katowice. In 2003 she graduated from the Theater Academy in Warsaw. Personal life From a relationship with actor Piotr Grabowski, she has a daughter, Lena (born in 2008). With photographer Daniel Duniak, she has two sons, Maksymilian (born 2015) and Aleksander (born 2021). She is involved in social causes, supports the activities of the Foundation "Akogo?" and "Dreams Come True". She has previously been an advertising ambassador for Philips feminine care and styling products. Discography * ''Już Nie Zapomnisz Mnie'' (2011) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Narrenturm (novel)
''The Tower of Fools'' ( Polish original title: ''Narrenturm'') is the first historical fantasy novel in the '' Hussite Trilogy'' written by Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski, first published in 2002 in Polish and in English in 2020. It is followed by '' Warriors of God'' (''Boży bojownicy'') and '' Light Perpetual'' (''Lux perpetua''). It tells the story of Reinmar of Bielawa, also called Reynevan von Bielau. The action takes place in Silesia in 1425, at the time of the Hussite Wars. The setting is mostly historical, with some historical characters and descriptions of particular locations. Fantasy elements include occasional magical feats, artifacts, and non-human characters. The German word '' Narrenturm'' means "the Tower of Fools", a tower in which, in the Middle Ages, people suffering from rare mental diseases were isolated. ''The Tower of Fools'' has been translated to Lithuanian, Czech, Slovak, Russian, Serbian, German, Ukrainian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Beltane
Beltane () or ''Bealtaine'' () is the Gaels, Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held on 1 May, or about midway between the March equinox, spring equinox and summer solstice. Historically, it was widely observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. In Ireland, the name for the festival in both Irish language, Irish and English is (). In Scottish Gaelic it is called (), and in Manx language, Manx Gaelic or . It is one of Quarter days, the four main Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh—and is similar to the Welsh . Beltane is mentioned in the Early Irish literature, earliest Irish literature and is associated with important events in Irish mythology. Also known as ('first of summer'), it marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were Transhumance, driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect cattle, people and crops, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires wer ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Last Wish (book)
''The Last Wish'' () is the first published short story collection in Polish fantasy writer Andrzej Sapkowski's ''The Witcher'' series. Published by SuperNowa in 1993, it was preceded by 1992's ''Sword of Destiny'', but is officially considered the first entry in the series and ''Sword of Destiny'' the second. The collection contains seven short stories interspersed with a continuing frame story: Geralt of Rivia, after having been injured in battle, rests in a temple. During that time he has flashbacks to recent events in his life, with each flashback forming a short story. ''The Last Wish'' was first published in English on 7 June 2007 by Gollancz, and has also been translated into several other languages. In 2003, it won the Premio Ignotus for Best Anthology. Plot "The Witcher" :''"The Voice of Reason" () Part I - In Ellander's Temple of Melitele, a wounded Geralt is awakened from his slumber by Iola, a mute servant. The two make love, and fall asleep together, with Geralt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brainwashing
Brainwashing is the controversial idea that the human mind can be altered or controlled against a person's will by manipulative psychological techniques. Brainwashing is said to reduce its subject's ability to think critically or independently, to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into their minds, as well as to change their attitudes, values, and beliefs. The term "brainwashing" was first used in English by Edward Hunter in 1950 to describe how the Chinese government appeared to make people cooperate with them during the Korean War. Research into the concept also looked at Nazi Germany and present-day North Korea, at some criminal cases in the United States, and at the actions of human traffickers. Scientific and legal debate followed, as well as media attention, about the possibility of brainwashing being a factor when lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was used, or in the induction of people into groups which are considered to be cults. Brainwashing ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dryad
A dryad (; , sing. ) is an oak tree nymph or oak tree spirit in Greek mythology; ''Drys'' (δρῦς) means "tree", and more specifically " oak" in Greek. Today the term is often used to refer to tree nymphs in general. Types Daphnaie These were nymphs of the laurel trees. Epimelides The Maliades, Meliades or Epimelides were nymphs of apple and other fruit trees and the protectors of sheep. The Greek word ''melas'', from which their name derives, means both apple and sheep. The Hesperides, the guardians of the golden apples, were regarded as this type of dryad. Hamadryad Dryads, like all nymphs, were supernaturally long-lived and, like many, were tied to their homes, but some were a step beyond most nymphs. These were the hamadryads, who were an integral part of their trees, such that if the tree died, the hamadryad associated with it also died. For these reasons, dryads and the Greek gods punished any mortal who harmed trees without first propitiating the tree-nymphs ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
