Summary
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntand its previous games are set in a vast unnamed land and some adjacent islands collectively referred to by its characters asthe Continent. In the latest game, players can access five major areas:
Each village that Geralt visits has a deep history. Most areas, likeSkellige, were inhabited by giants and elves but have since been conquered by humans. The struggle for control over land by different races has been a major problem in the Continent since time immemorial, with most of the conflict being humans against elves. While different species now seemingly live in harmony in some cities like Novigrad, the siege of the Northern Kingdoms by the Nilfgaardian Empire continues to bring unrest. With all the chaos going on in the Continent, one needs to look back at its history to make sense of it all.
What is the History of The Witcher 3’s Continent?
The most memorable, yet mysterious, event in the Continent’s history isThe Conjunction of the Spheres. According to lore that stretches across the games, books, and TV series, this paranormal event brought upon the arrival of humans and other species to the Continent. Before the Conjunction, the land was mostly ruled by the Elder Races: elves, gnomes, and dwarves. This happened in 230, around 1,500 years before the events ofThe Witchergames. The humans, split into two folks known as Wozgor and Dauk, were relatively primitive during this time.
The Landing of the Nordlings
It wasn’t until over 500 years later in 760 that humans started to conquer lands for their own. This historical marker was known as “The First Landing” or “The Landing of the Nordlings.” It was during this time that humans started venturing and settling into the Northern Kingdoms. Some humans stayed in the South, and it was speculated that those who stayed were part of the original humans because of their drastically different appearance from those who settled in the North.
The First Defeat of an Elven Kingdom and Beyond
Around 782, Ludovic’s army brought down Divethaf and took control overToussaint. This marked the first time that Humans successfully usurped an Elven kingdom. It was around this time that magic was mastered by Humans as well, and they eventually learned to use it against the Elves they learned it from. These three major events sparked centuries of war and tensions across the Continent. Conflicts continue to wage on in the show and the game franchise. This time it goes beyond Humans vs. Elves, as the Nilfgaardian Empire, whose people have both Human and Elven blood, threatens to upend the Northern Kingdom.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
WHERE TO PLAY
You are Geralt of Rivia, mercenary monster slayer. Before you stands a war-torn, monster-infested continent you may explore at will. Your current contract? Tracking down Ciri — the Child of Prophecy, a living weapon that can alter the shape of the world.PLAY AS A HIGHLY TRAINED MONSTER SLAYER FOR HIRETrained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.Gruesomely destroy foes as a professional monster hunter armed with a range of upgradeable weapons, mutating potions, and combat magic. Hunt down a wide variety of exotic monsters, from savage beasts prowling mountain passes to cunning supernatural predators lurking in the shadowy back alleys of densely populated cities. Invest your rewards to upgrade your weaponry and buy custom armor, or spend them on horse races, card games, fist fighting, and other pleasures life brings.EXPLORE A MORALLY AMBIGUOUS FANTASY OPEN WORLDBuilt for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity. Traverse a fantastical open world: explore forgotten ruins, caves, and shipwrecks, trade with merchants and dwarven smiths in cities, and hunt across the open plains, mountains, and seas. Deal with treasonous generals, devious witches, and corrupt royalty to provide dark and dangerous services. Make choices that go beyond good & evil, and face their far-reaching consequences.
