As a seasoned Witcher fan and a connoisseur of fantasy lore, I can’t help but be awestruck by the intricate tapestry of schools and characters that populate the enchanting world of The Witcher. Having traversed many a tavern and town square in my time, I’ve come to appreciate the diverse lineage of witchers that call this realm home.
CD Projekt RED has officially started the full-blown development phase for the upcoming title in the Witcher series, commonly known among fans as Witcher 4.
2022 saw the unveiling of the upcoming Witcher game, which goes by the name Polaris. This title will include Geralt among its supporting characters.
If the renowned White Wolf features as a secondary character in the forthcoming Witcher game, it significantly increases the likelihood that the primary character could be Ciri or a witcher originating from one of the remaining witcher schools.
As a dedicated Witcher fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of anticipation. Will the upcoming game unfold after the epic tale of The Witcher 3 or perhaps before the events that transpired in the initial game and the novels? Regrettably, it seems we’ll have to wait for a few years yet before we can immerse ourselves in this new adventure.
In a fresh twist, Geralt has set the stage with an exceptional trilogy, and now it falls upon a new character to propel the series to even greater heights. Be it Ciri or a witcher from one of the witcher schools, here’s an overview of the witcher schools, their standout members, and how they will intertwine in Witcher 4.
The Witcher Schools
According to legend, witchers aren’t naturally born; instead, they undergo intense training and mystical rites like the Test of the Flowers. Initially, mages and later witcher academies took youngsters to transform them into skilled witchers.
Originally, Witchers were crafted by rulers and magicians for their role in eradicating monstrous threats across the entire continent, eventually leading to the establishment of the Witcher order.
Originally, the Order of Witchers was responsible for crafting the first witchers. However, when rulers and mages discovered that these mutated youngsters had only modest magical capacities, they exiled them. This displacement caused witchers to scatter across the continent, leading to the establishment of various witcher academies.
In a likely scenario, The Witcher 4 could take place prior to the occurrences of the initial trilogy, potentially offering glimpses into the Order of Witchers and diverse witchers hailing from distinct schools.
School of the Bear
Immediately following the downfall of the Order of Witchers, I, as a fellow witcher, established the School of the Bear. Being a solitary figure was typically our way, seldom crossing paths with other witchers hailing from diverse schools. This was due to an unfortunate tendency for clashes between rival schools, often resulting in one of us losing our life.
As a devotee of the School of the Bear, I’ve learned to zero in on my mission, making it my guiding principle as I traverse The Path. Compared to other witchers, those hailing from the School of the Bear don our armor thicker and stronger, a testament to our unique style and combat readiness.
The original Witcher School, known as the School of the Bear, is where the Schools of Viper and Manticore originated. Their founding was not without its troubling aspects, though.
School of the Bear Notable Witchers
- Junod of Belhaven
- Ivo of Belhaven
- Gerd
School of the Viper
Following his betrayal of Arnaghad the Witcher, Ivar Evil-Eye resolved to confront the Wild Hunt. Dismissing Arnaghad as inadequate for guiding the witchers against the Wild Hunt, Ivar chose to turn against them and establish the School of the Viper instead.
Witchers hailing from the School of the Viper are recognized for undertaking killing assignments against creatures, people, and non-people alike, thus earning them the reputation as the most secluded witcher groups. Moreover, they possess extensive knowledge about the Wild Hunt due to their founder’s relentless pursuit to vanquish these spectral entities.
Witchers belonging to the Viper school have a reputation as regicides: these skilled assassins were employed by Emperor Emhyr to carry out the elimination of rulers in the Northern Realms.
School of the Viper Notable Witchers
- Letho of Gulet
- Serrit
- Auckes
School of the Manticore
Just as the School of the Viper was established by dissenting from the philosophies of Arnaghad and Ivar Evil-Eye, so too did the School of the Manticore come into being under the guidance of witcher Iwan. Unlike many on The Continent, the witchers trained at the School of the Manticore were few in number, as it was located far to the east.
From that point onwards, witchers hailing from the Manticore school provided safety to merchants and caravan travelers traversing the harsh Korath desert. Their role primarily involved shielding these civilians from the dangerous creatures hiding within the desert wilderness.
School of the Manticore Notable Witchers
- Iwan
- Merten
School of the Cat
As a gamer, I’d rephrase it like this: Unlike the two previous schools, the School of the Cat wasn’t birthed by the same folks who founded the Order. Instead, it was a group of rogue witchers who believed they could devise a superior system. This school’s inception was also sparked by the treachery of certain witchers within the School of the Bear.
Amid the chaos, several witchers decided to leave and stole several mutagens and alchemist tools.
Pupils at The Cat’s School tended to prioritize swiftness and dexterity, and this trait often manifested in their political activities, as they were known to frequently change allegiances to the parties that seemed most advantageous for them.
In our world, there’s only one witcher school known as “The School of the Cat,” which specializes in training and crafting both male and female, as well as non-human, witchers.
School of the Cat Notable Witchers
- Brehen, Cat of Iello
- Gaetan
- Jad Karadin
- Mad Kiyan
School of the Griffin
Amidst the turmoil that arose within the Witcher Order and as different factions emerged, the Order’s strength in numbers and spirit dwindled. A Witcher named Erland from Larvik departed the Order peacefully, without inciting any conflicts among his fellow Witchers, and established the School of the Griffin.
At the Griffin School, they preserved the chivalric principles initially bestowed upon the order by its royal and magical founders. Among themselves, they fostered a strong fraternity and showed unwavering respect towards each other. The Griffin witchers were trained to excel in the mystic arts.
The Witchers affiliated with the School of the Griffon consistently stayed impartial regarding political matters. Consequently, they are frequently admired by individuals seeking their expertise in slaying monsters.
School of the Griffin Notable Witchers
- Coën
- George of Kagen
- Jerome Moreau
- Raven
School of the Wolf
Over time, individuals who remained loyal to the Order of Witchers were instrumental in establishing the School of the Wolf. This group found their permanent base in the northern region of the continent, close to Morhen Valley. Eventually, Kaer Morhen emerged as the headquarters for the School of the Wolf.
The School of the Wolf has endured two catastrophic events that came dangerously close to annihilating its entire population. In the first instance, a furious group of priests and sorcerers launched an attack on the keep, while in the second occurrence, the School of the Cat’s witchers turned against them during a witcher competition.
Geralt belonged to one of the last remaining groups of witchers who had trained at the Wolf School. Tragically, this school was annihilated during an attack by the Wild Hunt, which also claimed the life of Vesemir.
School of the Wolf Notable Witchers
- Geralt of Rivia
- Eskel
- Lambert
- Vesemir
- Deglan
- Barmin
Other Minor Schools
A text titled “Tales from The Witcher’s Universe” introduces a specialized witcher institution known as the “School of the Crane.” The witchers at this school were primarily tasked with eradicating marine and aerial creatures.
Ciri As A Witcher
Any individual who has engaged with at least one Witcher video game or delved into the novels is familiar with the fact that Ciri is Geralt’s adopted daughter through the Law of Surprise and serves as his apprentice, which makes her a strong candidate to be the central character in The Witcher 4.
Although Ciri isn’t altered like typical witchers, she carries the Elder Blood, making her an impressive combatant. Her ability to manipulate time and space hints at her extraordinary capabilities, as glimpsed during her gameplay segments in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
In The Witcher 4, the storyline continues and incorporates the series’ established lore, focusing on events following the game. If Ciri’s journey culminates in her becoming a witcher (as per the canonical ending), it would be logical for Geralt to serve as her mentor now that Uncle Vesemir has passed away.
Geralt being in Witcher 4 further cements the theory that Ciri may be the next game’s protagonist.
Although The Witcher 4 is still a few years down the line, enthusiastic fans of the series are optimistic that CD Projekt RED will manage a smoother release for it compared to the rollout of Cyberpunk 2077.
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2024-11-27 20:12