Ciri’s father being alive is a plot twist that is revealed in the Witcher series. The identity of Ciri’s father is initially shrouded in mystery, but it is eventually revealed that he is none other than Emhyr var Emreis, the Emperor of Nilfgaard.
Emhyr var Emreis, also known as Duny, is a character introduced in the first book of the series, “Blood of Elves.” He is a prince from the kingdom of Cintra and falls in love with Pavetta, the daughter of Queen Calanthe. However, their love is forbidden, as Duny is cursed and hideously deformed. Despite this, Duny invokes the Law of Surprise, which entitles him to claim something that his benefactor has but does not yet know about.
To everyone’s surprise, it is revealed that Pavetta is pregnant with Duny’s child. This child is Ciri, the main protagonist of the series. However, Duny’s true identity is not immediately revealed, and it is believed that he perished alongside Pavetta when their ship sank at sea.
In reality, Emhyr var Emreis survived the shipwreck and went on to become the Emperor of Nilfgaard. He abandoned his former identity as Duny and orchestrated events to ensure that everyone believed he was dead, including Ciri. Emhyr’s motivations for doing so are complex and tied to his desire to fulfill a prophecy and obtain Ciri’s powers.
The revelation of Emhyr as Ciri’s father adds a new layer of complexity to the story. It creates a conflict of loyalty for Ciri, as she is torn between her biological father and her adoptive family, Geralt and Yennefer. Furthermore, Emhyr’s intentions towards Ciri are not purely paternal, as he sees her as a means to achieve his own ambitions.
Ciri’s father being alive is a major twist in the Witcher series, with Emhyr var Emreis, also known as Duny, revealed to be her true father. This revelation adds depth and complexity to the story, as Ciri must navigate the conflicting loyalties and motivations of her biological father and her chosen family.