Geralt of Rivia

Witcher Universe

The Witcher world is a rich and complex universe where magic coexists with political intrigue, and ancient races struggle for survival with humans.

Three faces of the Continent

A stronghold, a great city, and an island archipelago. Explore these locations from The Witcher 3 without spoilers for their endings.

Kaer Morhen Novigrad Skellige

01 · Home of the School of the Wolf

Kaer Morhen

A mountain stronghold where wind and training blades break the silence. For Geralt, it is a place of return, linked to his training and his fellow witchers.

Atmosphere

Old walls, a courtyard, and mountain trails recall a time when new monster hunters trained here. The few remaining inhabitants make the scale of the fortress feel even greater.

Role in the story

In the games, the stronghold connects witcher training, memories of Ciri, and reunions with old companions. It reveals the everyday life behind Geralt’s profession.

Connected characters

Vesemir, Eskel, Lambert, and Ciri.

What to notice in the game

Look at the damaged fortifications and training grounds: the surroundings tell the story of the School of the Wolf.

02 · Trade and contradictions

Novigrad

Busy squares, a harbour, and narrow alleys form a city where wealth hides fear and struggles for influence. Information can be worth more than a silver sword here.

Atmosphere

Merchant houses, taverns, workshops, and poorer quarters stand side by side. In The Witcher 3, the Eternal Fire’s influence and the persecution of mages make the city dangerous even for those without weapons.

Role in the story

Novigrad is one stage of the search for Ciri. Geralt turns to old acquaintances and follows rumours through competing interests.

Connected characters

Triss Merigold, Dandelion, and Zoltan Chivay.

What to notice in the game

Notice the contrast between lively markets and back alleys: each part of the city has its own character.

03 · Islands, clans, and the sea

Skellige

Rocky shores, cold seas, and settlements shaped by clan traditions. Travelling between the islands feels like a journey to the edge of the familiar world.

Atmosphere

Life in the archipelago revolves around the sea, family ties, and reputation. Great halls stand alongside small villages, while mountain roads lead to ruins and old legends.

Role in the story

In The Witcher 3, Geralt and Yennefer follow Ciri’s trail here. The witcher also encounters local customs and the struggle over the islands’ future.

Connected characters

Yennefer, Crach an Craite, Cerys, and Hjalmar.

What to notice in the game

Venture beyond the main settlements: mountain views and smaller side stories capture the character of the islands.

About the game and its world

Main Factions

Northern Kingdoms

Confederation of northern kingdoms, including Temeria, Redania, Aedirn and Kaedwen. Constantly at war with each other and against Nilfgaard.

Nilfgaard

Powerful southern empire seeking to conquer the northern lands. Known for their discipline and expansionist policy.

Mages Association

Organization of mages playing a key role in continental politics. Their loyalty often changes depending on circumstances.

Bestiary

Know your enemy before drawing a sword

Six creatures from different games. Each entry names its game: mechanics and advice can differ between instalments.

The Witcher 3

Ghoul

Scavenger · Necrophage

Where bodies remain unburied, ghouls are rarely far away. Battlefields and graveyards attract them, but living travellers can also become prey.

Open dossier — Ghoul

Where to find it

Battlefields, burial grounds, and places with carrion.

Behaviour

Ghouls are dangerous in groups. While Geralt attacks one, others can approach from the side; sudden lunges make positioning important.

Preparation and tactics

Use a silver sword and necrophage oil. Quen provides insurance against a hit; avoid letting the pack surround Geralt.

Witcher’s note

Move around the edge of the pack and use short attack sequences. Create distance instead of committing to a long combo while surrounded.

Do not confuse a ghoul with an alghoul: they are different enemies with different traits.

The Witcher 2

Draug

Spectre of war

The draug is tied to a cursed battlefield. It turns the echoes of war into a tangible threat, keeping the violence of the past alive.

Open dossier — Draug

Where to find it

The cursed battlefield in chapter two of The Witcher 2.

Behaviour

This is a boss encounter rather than an ordinary witcher contract. Heavy attacks and strong defences reward patience and careful timing.

Preparation and tactics

Maintain Quen protection and use your silver sword. Watch its attacks rather than relying on uninterrupted frontal strikes.

Witcher’s note

Learn the pauses between attacks first. Retreating and choosing an opening is safer than trading damage.

The draug and draugirs are not the same. This entry covers the boss from The Witcher 2; the illustration conveys a general undead-warrior theme.

The Witcher

Striga

Cursed being

Behind a striga’s monstrous appearance is a human transformed by a curse. The encounter asks whether a witcher should kill the creature or try to save the victim.

Open dossier — Striga

Where to find it

In Geralt’s story, a crypt and its surroundings; active at night.

Behaviour

Powerful blows and sudden lunges make close range dangerous. Yet the outcome depends on more than swordsmanship.

Preparation and tactics

Decide on your goal first: fighting and lifting the curse require different actions. A cure requires survival and fulfilment of the quest conditions, not simply dealing damage.

Witcher’s note

Read the quest journal and investigate the curse’s origins. Treat the encounter as more than a routine monster hunt.

Story details and the precise solution are omitted here to preserve a first playthrough.

The Witcher 3

Drowner

Necrophage

A dangerous inhabitant of shores and marshes. It often hunts in groups and attacks anyone who ventures too close to the water.

Open dossier — Drowner

Habitat

Riverbanks, marshes, and flooded areas.

Behaviour

Keep the group in front of you, dodge lunges, and preserve an escape route.

Preparation

Silver sword and necrophage oil; Igni helps during fights on land.

The Witcher 3

Griffin

Hybrid

A large winged predator combining features of a beast and a bird. It is dangerous both on the ground and in the air.

Open dossier — Griffin

Habitat

Open terrain and high ground near its nest.

Behaviour

Watch for aerial approaches. After it lands, use short attacks and avoid its wing strikes.

Preparation

Hybrid oil. Aard and the crossbow help against aerial attacks; Quen provides protection.

The Witcher 3

Leshen

Relict

An ancient forest creature bound to the wilderness. Its presence can turn a familiar forest into hostile territory.

Open dossier — Leshen

Habitat

Remote woodland far from settlements.

Behaviour

Watch for roots and nearby creatures. Keep moving and leave room to dodge.

Preparation

Relict oil and Igni. Read the contract conditions and journal before committing to the hunt.