already assimilated into Kaedweni cities. There are also wars with Aedirn over the Pontar
Valley, or Loremark. This area is hotly disputed territory even as Nilfgaard advances toward Ban Glean is a city to the
it.
southwest of the capital. It was
Henselt has had some very powerful advisers. One such was Sabrina Glevissig, a
once the home of the Dun Ban-
powerful native Kaedweni sorceress, beautiful and usual y dressed in provocative clothing.
ner, a light cavalry unit, dash-
She became the power behind the throne, leaving Henselt time for more pleasurable pur-
ing in their cloaks and beaver
suits. Unfortunately during the battle with Aedirn she chose to follow the instructions of
fur hats. The unit was famous
the Lodge of Sorceresses rather than Kaedwen’s best interests, causing vast Kaedweni casu-
for their brave action at the
alties. Henselt had her burned at the stake. This was not the end, though: Sabrina put her
Battle of Brenna. Unfortunate-
death curse on the battlefield so that wraiths would fight the battle out over and over again ly, while leading the Kaedweni
until the curse was final y lifted just last year.
army into battle once again,
Ard Carraigh is the capital of Kaedwen, a hardy fortress city with few of the com-
the unit was shattered by the
forts and amenities you might find in other capitals. It sits near the center of the country, sorceress Sabrina Glevissig, for-not associated with any lake or river. The legendary founder of Henselt’s line, Viduka, was
mer adviser to King Henselt.
led to this unusual site by a unicorn, which now features on the flag of Kaedwen. In town,
–Brandon of Oxenfurt
locals are likely to harass visitors who appear too “foreign” or ostentatious. It is a rough town for non-humans, though dwarves are grudgingly accepted. Henselt’s palace is on a
bluff just north of the main city and access for anyone other than nobles and military elite is limited.
184
Aldersburg
Aldersburg is known for its
Aedirn
position in the First and Sec-
Aedirn is newer than Temeria and Redania, founded as hu-
ond Battles of Aldersberg. In
mans worked their way up the Pontar after the Landing of
the first battle, the Northern
the Exiles. It is bordered to the north by Kaedwen, on the
troops of King Demawend and
west by the disputed Pontar Valley and the Mahakaman
Queen Meve of Lyria broke
Mountains, on the south by Lyria and Rivia, and on the
from negotiations and took
east by the Blue Mountains. It was founded at roughly the
on the Nilfgaardians, under
same time as Kaedwen. The Kaedweni have always been
noted Nilfgaardian general
jealous of the mild Aedirnian climate and its more arable
Menno Coehoorn. The North-
lands. These conditions made for a population skilled in
ern armies were routed. In the
farming and dairying. The country had many small towns,
second battle King Henselt of
most general y neat and clean. Unfortunately these enviable
Kaedwen joined Demawend
conditions resulted in Aedirn losing a lot of land to nearby
and Meve, and the Nilfgaard-
powers, primarily Kaedwen. Despite King Demawend III’s
ians were overcome. The
noted tactical skil s, which allowed him to anticipate Nilfgaard in the First Nilfgaardian
battlegrounds outside the city
War, Aedirn has become smaller and smaller.
are only now recovering, and
Now the bulk of Aedirn is awash in death and devastation. Everything fell into
scavengers sometimes find ar-
chaos when King Demawend was assassinated by Letho of Gulet on the king’s pleasure
mor and weapons left after the
barge. His current sorcerer, his bodyguard, and the well-known archer Tybalt were killed
battles. Also well known in Al-
as wel . Demawend was a ruthless and unpleasant king, looking for any excuse to send “pu-
dersberg is the tale of Jacques de
nitive expeditions” into Dol Blathanna, but Aedirn dearly misses his tactical mind. Aedirn
Aldersberg, who left this town
is occupied by Nilfgaard, which is probably gathering its forces for an assault on the Pontar as a hungry waif and rose to be
Valley. The people looked to Demawend’s son, Prince Stennis, but the word spreads that he
the Grand Master of the Order
may already be dead, perhaps lynched for attempting to poison Saskia, Virgin of Aedirn. It
of the Flaming Rose before he
is unlikely Aedirn will receive aid from Kaedwen. In the last war, Kaedwen turned traitor
descended into madnes .
to all the North and formed an agreement with Nilfgaard to split up Aedirn as spoils of
–Brandon of Oxenfurt
war. Aedirn’s lands were only returned at the Peace of Cintra. As Demawend hated elves
passionately, we can write off aid from Dol Blathanna. During the Second Nilfgaardian War,
advancing Nilfgaardian troops dismantled or destroyed all industrial centers, from forging
to weaving. All they dismantled they loaded into wagons and took to Nilfgaard, as well as
all the crops and livestock they could find. I do not envy the Nilfgaardian troops assigned
to cart Aedirn’s wealth and food all those miles home to the South through angry, starving
civilians with nothing to lose.
Vengerberg is the capital of Aedirn. It was once one of the largest, most prosperous,
and most beautiful of the Northern cities. It sits on important trade crossroads and its marketplaces, factories, schools, and churches were the envy of many. Historical y, Vengerberg
is known for producing beer, spirits, dyes, and textiles. Elves would not be comfortable in
Vengerberg. Aedirn’s displeasure does not typical y extend to dwarves, especial y the Vival-
di family of the Vivaldi and Sons bank, but there has been at least one non-human pogrom.
Nilfgaard did great damage to the city during the Second Nilfgaardian War due to the hor-
rific agreement between Kaedwen and Nilfgaard, but after the Peace of Cintra the citizens
of Vengerberg started to rebuild their city. Now Vengerberg is again in Nilfgaardian hands.
Who knows what will happen?
185
Temeria Adda the Strygga
After seven years, Foltest’s
daughter—Adda—rose again
Temeria is more populated and more central to the North-
as a monster: a strygga, just
ern Kingdoms than its neighbor Redania. Historical y it
over a meter tall but extremely
has been very strong, a rival to Redanian power. Over the
fast and extremely strong with
course of time, the Temerian king has held the titles King
long claws and sharp teeth. She
of Sodden, Sovereign of Pontar and Mahakam, and Senior
came out at night and kiled so
Protector of El ander and Brugge. This area is falling into
many people that a new castle
chaos and will be difficult to wrest from the advancing Nilf-
was built elsewhere. Foltest was
gaardian army. Many vil ages have been looted and burned.
desperate to find a solution
Others still exist, but t
heir people have suffered unbelieva-
that would save the child, who
ble horrors. Both armies have stripped the land for provi-
was all he had left of his belov-
sions and executed “col aborators,” frequently non-humans.
ed Adda. The famous witcher
Do not travel through this area but in the greatest necessity.
Geralt of Rivia broke the curse
Temeria is bordered on the north by the great Pon-
on Foltest’s daughter and she
tar River, which creates the boundary with Redania. Tributaries of the Pontar, the Ribbon,
emerged as a mentaly dull girl
as well as the Yaruga in the south, penetrate the land creating highways for valuable trade.
who was not at that time gen-
The eastern border is the Mahakaman Mountains, with large dwarf strongholds that pro-
eraly considered as part of the
duce the best iron and steel in the world. On the western side, Temeria is largely isolated by succession.
the Brokilon Forest and its distinctly anti-social dryads. In the south, Temeria borders the
–Brandon of Oxenfurt
Temerian protectorates of Brugge and Sodden, now lost to Nilfgaard.
It wasn’t always like this. Temeria was founded in the eighth century by King Dez-
mod just after the Landing of the Exiles. Four hundred years later, King Medel ruled une-
ventful y with his queen and two children. The son, Foltest, and the daughter, Adda, were
very close. No one appreciated how close until Foltest announced that he intended to marry
Gors Velen
his sister and make her his queen. The royal advisers were horrified. Unfortunately, Adda
was already pregnant. She died giving birth to a stil born daughter so deformed that one
Gors Velen is the second larg-
midwife went insane. There were whispers that it was retribution for their unnatural liai-
est Northern trade port after
son, but Foltest was inconsolable.
Novigrad. At the booths of
The Nilfgaardian Emperor’s cleverest strategy was arranging the assassination of
the marketplace one can find
King Foltest and King Demawend of Aedirn by the former witcher, Letho of Gulet, and
almost anything from almost
tying those deaths to the Lodge of Sorceresses. The loss of the kings’ tactical and diplomatic anywhere. Northwest of Gors
skil s has been keenly felt in the war. Since Foltest’s death, Temeria has been plagued inter-Velen is the island of Thanedd.
nal y by battling nobles. Constable John Natalis is a sufficient supreme commander of the
Thanedd was the home of Are-
Temerian forces, but he is not a diplomat and cannot handle the fractious dukes. No true
tuza, the magic training acade-
leader has emerged, and the Nilfgaardians currently lay siege to the capital city of Vizima.
my for young girls and also the
Vizima is a large walled city encompassing an island at the edge of Lake Vizima,
scene of the Thanned Coup,
which empties into the Pontar River. Temerian soldiers and conscripts constantly harass the
which changed forever the rela-
Nilfgaardian siege forces. In the future, if the city is rescued by Northern forces, it is well tionship between sorcerers and
worth visiting. However one should avoid the Old Vizima quarter, a run-down ghetto for
kings.
non-humans.
–Brandon of Oxenfurt
186
Rumors of Skellige
Because these islands are so re-
Skellige
mote, many people believe the
The Skellige Isles are an archipelago off the coast of Verden.
rumors about Skelige. That it
There are six clans, each with its own territory. Each clan
is primitive and the people are
has a jarl but there is only one king, chosen by vote. Other
ruthles , uncultured barbari-
than that, all Skelligers are considered equal. Their islands
ans. But this is not entirely true.
take the brunt of ocean storms, and are not particularly rich
They are a hardy people. The
or fertile. Their coastlines are rugged with tal , jagged cliffs
men dominate and do the fish-
and few natural harbors to land in, but many fjords to hide
ing and raiding, but the wom-
in. Before the First Nilfgaardian War they had strong alli-
en are given much respect in
ances with the Kingdom of Cintra. The strong, wise, and
their domain. The sea is rough
beautiful Queen Calanthe of Cintra, after being widowed,
around the islands and their
couldn’t rule due to her gender. She married Eist Tuirseach
ships, the result of hundreds of
of the Skellige Clan Tuirseach as her second husband. Eist,
years on the sea, are simple and
who was at that time King of Cintra and Skellige, fell in the
light. Skeligers are used to the
Battle of Marndal, leading Cintran and Skellige warriors against Nilfgaard. Since then the
facts of a dangerous life.
Skelligers have hated Nilfgaard. They are not so much part of the North as they are an al y
–Brandon of Oxenfurt
with similar goals. No nation’s ships are safe while sailing through Skellige waters.
All six clans trace their lineage back to their legendary champion, Hemdal . The
most powerful is Clan An Craite with their current jarl, Crach an Craite. Their territory
Jarl Houndsnout
is the northern half of the largest island, Ard Skellige. This clan has had many strong jarls The Jarl of Clan Tordarroch at
and kings. Their colors, which identify them on the battlefield, are red, brown, and black.
the time of the ice giant attack,
Clan Tuirseach lives on the island of An Skellig. Their colors are blue with bearskin and
Harald Houndsnout, returned
their current jarl is Svanrige. The previous jarl, Eist Tuirseach, became King of both Cin-
to Undvik to reclaim it, but
tra and Skellige. Torgeir Tuirseach the Red was a legendary pirate of the clan who sacked
there has been no word from
Nilfgaard’s capital, the City of Golden Towers, several times with his companion Gerd, of
him in some time.
the Bear Witchers. Clan Brokvar, and their jarl Udalryk, live on Spikeroog. Clan Brokvar is
–Brandon of Oxenfurt
known to produce archers without equal, but many clans still consider them cowards after
they once left the field of battle because their opponents were too numerous. Their colors
are black and gray. Clan Hemaey, and their jarl Donar an Hindar, live on Hindarsfjal . This
The Death of Bran
is also the site of the largest temple and sacred grove of the goddess Freya. Donar an Hindar is a much-revered and patient elder jarl and the Hemaey are a pious group. Their colors
Recently, King Bran of Skelige
are yellow, black, and white. Clan Dimun lives on Faroe, the smallest island. They are the
passed on. In his old age he
most merciless of raiders. Their jarl is Holger Black Hand who said “After you’ve taken their decided, as many elderly Skel-wenches and their gold, burn their home to the ground. That’s how Clan Dimun lives.”
ligers do, that he would rather
Their colors are brown, black, and olive. Clan Drummond, with their jarl Madman Lugos,
die in battle than in his bed.
live on the southern half of Ard Skellig. The Drummonds still rage over the seizure of the
King Bran died fighting a great
northern half of their island by the more powerful Clan an Craite. One’s position in Clan
Skelige bear with only a knife.
Drummond is based on personal combat. The Drummond colors are purple and black
His death has left a vacuum of
with minor blue points. Clan Tordarroch is in limbo now, as their people, once known as
power on the Skelige Isles.
excellent smiths and fisherman, have recently been chased off Undvik by an ice giant and
–Brandon of Oxenfurt
an army of sirens. Most of them are living in An Craite territory on Ard Skellige.
187
Kovir & Poviss
The Hengefor’s League
There are several small feuding principalities or duch-
The Hengefor’s League was once the East March of Kovir.
ies north of Redania. The two most powerful, Kovir and
Since breaking away, that area has broken up into several
Poviss, are joined under King Tankred at this time. They
small principalities: mainly Cairngorn, Creyden, Malle-
are not involved with the Nilfgaardian War other than to
ore, and Woefield. Sandwiched between Redania and
send significant monetary support to the North. Origi-
Kovir and Poviss, the League would have to cooperate
nal y given to a castoff member of Redanian royalty, the
or be annexed. After 200 years of war, King Niedamir of
backwater of Kovir and Poviss became very successful
Cairngorn final y united this group by military interven-
after finding large veins of rare minerals, including di-
tion, executing anyone who opposed him. The League
meritium and 80% of the world’s current gold deposits,
are followers of the Cult of Kreve, the thunder god of the
in their territory. King Tankred has also made a point of
North. Kreve’s followers take action to fight evil in the
saving and employing sorceresses cast off, and in some
world, but also within themselves. Original y, the Order
cases tortured or imprisoned, by Redania.
of the White Rose was the military arm of Kreve, but
There are some who say that the University of
The Witcher Pen & Paper RPG Page 41