Sigismund Dijkstra

Sigismund Dijkstra
Dijkstra in The Witcher 3
Details
Alias(es)	Sigi Reuven
Titles	Count
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Nationality
Location	Oxenfurt Novigrad (in The Witcher 3)
Physical Description
Eye color	Pale-azure
Hair color	Bald
Family
Cult
Appearance(s)
Books: Blood of Elves Time of Contempt Baptism of Fire The Tower of the Swallow The Lady of the Lake Season of Storms (mentioned only) Video games: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Sigismund Dijkstra is the head of Redanian Intelligence, or secret service. He is a physically imposing man; nearly seven feet tall and bald, with a rather noticeable stomach and is said to give the impression of a scrubbed pig. Preferring bright colours and flamboyant dress, he doesn't dress the least bit like a spy. He is an exceptionally clever man and is said to be very influential in Redania. At one point in the saga he was even Philippa Eilhart's lover.

In the saga[ | ]

There is a considerable description of Dijkstra in the novel Blood of Elves, where he is first introduced into the saga. His personal assistant is Ori Reuven, who was known for his sniffing. His lover is Marie, the wife of the Redanian Minister of Finance.

“

Dijkstra, head of King Vizimir of Redania's secret service, did not resemble a spy. He was far from the stereotype which dictated that a spy should be short, thin, rat-like, and have piercing eyes forever casting furtive glances from beneath a black hood. Dijkstra, as Dandilion knew, never wore hoods and had a decided preference for bright coloured clothing. He was almost seven foot tall and probably only weighed a little under two quintals. When he crossed his arms over his chest - which he did with habitual pleasure - it looked as if two cachalots had prostrated themselves over a whale. As far as his features, hair colour and complexion were concerned, he looked like a freshly scrubbed pig. Dandilion knew very people whose appearence was as deceptive as Dijkstra's - because this porky giant who gave the impression of being a sleepy, sluggish moron, possessed an exceptionally keen mind. And considerable authority. A popular saying at King Vizimir's court held that if Dijkstra states it is noon yet darkness reigns all around, it is time to start worrying about the fate of the sun.

”

— pg(s). 196-197, Blood of Elves (UK edition)

During the second war with Nilfgaard, King Vizimir of Redania was assassinated. The country was ruled by a Regency Council headed by Dijkstra and Philippa Eilhart in this interregnum period. This made Dijkstra the most powerful man in the kingdom and during the war's conclusion, he was one of the negotiators of the peace treaty negotiations held in Cintra.

In the aftermath of the Treaty of Cintra, Dijkstra tells Philippa Eilhart that he is hot on the trail of the conspirators that killed king Vizimir. When an assassination attempt is made on his own life, he realizes that he may have confided in the wrong person and flees Redania. At the foot of the Elskerdeg Pass, he meets with Isengrim Faoiltiarna and Boreas Mun, both fugitives for their own reasons. The three of them form an unlikely travelling party, heading East, towards Zerrikania or even Haakland, presumably leaving the territories of the Nilfgaard Empire and the Northern Kingdoms for good. To his companions he introduces himself as "Sigi Reuven".

In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[ | ]

Spoiler warning: Significant plot details follow.

In The Witcher 3, Geralt meets the spymaster once more.

Journal entry[ | ]

The individual masquerading as Sigi Reuven was in fact none other than Sigismund Dijkstra, the former head of Redanian intelligence and a man Geralt and I had had many dealings with in the past.

He had fallen out of King Radovid's favor and nothing had been heard of him for many years. Now it seemed he had finally decided to emerge from the shadows, but instead of returning to high political wrangling he dove deep into the criminal underground – and quickly surfaced as one of its leading figures.

Though he did not show it, in his own way Dijkstra respected Geralt – even though the very thought of their last meeting brougt a pained grimace to his face. The two had found themselves standing in each other's way during the coup on Thanedd Island. The stalemate was quickly broken when Geralt summarily broke Dijkstra's leg.

The spy's life story would make for a postively enthralling adventure tale. A victim of Philippa Eilhart's intrigues, he had been forced to flee Redania at breakneck speed – or have his own neck broken by assassins. For a certain time he sought refuge in far-off lands, but in the end he decided to return to the Free City of Novigrad.

Well aware of Geralt's extraordinary talents, Dijkstra asked him to help find his stolen treasure. Though Geralt knew the identity of the criminal mastermind responsible, he decided not to divulge this information and set about investigating as if the case were a complete mystery.

Though the witcher's lips remained tightly sealed regarding my role in the treasure heist, Dijkstra still sniffed out his dishonesty – and made if clear how much he disliked being played for a fool.

Though Dijkstra did not aid the persecuted mages out of the goodness of his heart, Triss appreciated his support all the same, for it proved vital to the endeavor's success.

Dijkstra opposed the mage hunts sweeping the city, but for Philippa Eilhart he was willing to make an exception. He had never forgiven his one-time friend for betraying and then trying to kill him. Unfortunately, Geralt needed Philippa alive - and was in no mood to negotiate. He thus turned to a tried and true method - and broke Dijkstra's other leg.

Anyone who thought Dijkstra had broken all ties with the world of political schemers and plotters was sorely mistaken. His great comeback was to be a patriotic act that would free Redania from the rule of a madman – the assassination of King Radovid.

If Geralt sides with the Temerians:

As an experienced dragonslayer once commented, more than once heads have only rolled after the dragon's been slain, the mead broken out and the campfire lit, for when it comes time to share the treasure, hunters of beasts often become slayers of men instead. Such was the case after the assassination of Radovid, when Dijkstra tried to renege on the terms of their arrangement and do away with Thaler and Vernon.

Dijkstra counted on Geralt maintaining witcher neutrality in this matter - a miscalculation which cost him his life.

If Geralt sides with Dijkstra:

As an experienced dragonslayer once commented, more than once heads have only rolled after the dragon's been slain, the mead broken out and the campfire lit, for when it comes time to share the treasure, hunters of beasts often become slayers of men instead. Such was the case after the assassination of Radovid, when Dijkstra tried to renege on the terms of their arrangement and do away with his allies, who wanted to negotiate with Nilfgaard.

With this move the former spy achieved his goal, fortifying himself in a position that allowed him to continue the war against Nilfgaard.

Significant plot details end here.

Associated quests[ | ]

Notes[ | ]

In the saga, Geralt broke both of his legs. To no surprise Dijkstra honestly hates the witcher.
In one of the translations of Baptism of Fire there is such phrase: "Dijkstra looked upon his agent's cold, shiny eyes.". It is not correct, eyes described there were not agent's but Dijkstra's and were not "cold and shiny" but "cold and pale-azure (or pale-light blue)".

Gallery[ | ]

Dijkstra according to the modder group Square Crusaders, authoress - MIHO.
Dijkstra in The Witcher 3
Gwent card art