The Witcher World

Nilfgaard Empire

The Nilfgaard Empire, with its capital in the city of the same name, is perhaps the most powerful state in the universe invented by Sapkowski. The empire stretches for many hundreds of kilometers from north to south and from west to east. Located much south of the Northern Kingdoms. In the east of the empire is the vast desert of Korat, in which the rarest creatures of this world are found - unicorns.

The empire’s technologies are far ahead of the Nordling’s technologies, as well as their political system (if it were not for the accession to the throne of Emperor Emgyr, a constitutional monarchy would be established in the empire). He is pursuing an aggressive policy towards his neighbors, twice a big conquest was made against the kingdoms of the North, but the united Nordlings defeated the imperial troops both times under the command of Marshal Menno Koegoorn (the famous battle of Brenna). In many conquered states, Emgyr var Emreis introduced a puppet regime (the principalities of Vicovaro, Tussent, Nazair, Geso, Meht, Ebbing, Mettina, the Kingdom of the Free Elves Dol Blatanna, or the Valley of Flowers). The Nordlings scornfully call the Nilfgaards “nilfs” or “blacks”.

The likely founder of the Empire was Torres. In the future, several dynasties were replaced on the throne, and often power passed from hand to hand by force. So, the initiator of the northern wars, Emgyr Var Emreis, Deithwen Addan yn Carn aep Morvudd (White Flame, Dancing on the Mounds of Enemies), although he came from an ancient Caesar family, seized the throne as a result of a palace coup.

For centuries the empire was ruled by the Emreys dynasty (its last offspring was overthrown by a rebellious aristocracy, dreaming of a constitutional monarchy). However, Emgyr Var Emreis managed to return the throne with the help of the sorcerer Wilgeforts from Roggeveen. After Emgyr usurped the throne, he received the honorary title "White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of Enemies", and you could forget about the constitutional monarchy. The direct heiress to the throne of Nilfgaard is Princess Tsintra Zirilla (Lion cub from Tsintra).

Wizards of Nilfgaard occupy an exclusively subordinate position. In fact, they are only civil servants who are obliged to use their magical talents for the benefit of the Empire - magicians have no choice.

Kingdom of Temeria

Temeria is one of the largest and most powerful Northern kingdoms, which is important both strategic and political. Throughout the history of the Nordling civilization, the Temerts were not only valuable allies of the Nords, but also the legislators of some modes of culture (for example, the best beer in the north is brewed in Temeria - Temer sherry). Temeria was directly involved in the liberation of the kingdoms of the North from the Nilfgaard occupation. However, this does not mean that the Temerians live happily with other kingdoms - because of a small piece of land known as the Pontara Valley, they have been bickering for centuries with Caedwen, Aedir and Redanah. There is a lot of land under the protectorate of Temeria; in terms of the number of vassal states, the Temerts are second in the world after Nilfgaard. The largest of them are Mahakam, Brugge, Verdun, Sodden and Ellander. Temeria belongs to the island of Tanedd, on which the notorious revolt of sorcerers took place (during which Ciri disappeared and Geralt was crippled). Earlier, under King Meddel, Temeria was a real stronghold of tolerance; elves, dwarf humans, gnomes, inferiors and people could peacefully coexist in it. However, after the accession of King Sambucus of Temerii (the grandfather of the world-famous King Foltest), the situation deteriorated sharply - the subject of Mahakam, a rich land of red people, refused to trade with Temeria. The confrontation between people and “nonhumans” reached under King Foltest, when the famous Vyzim pogrom took place, which resulted in a bloody massacre between the personal royal guard from the Order of the Knights of the Burning Rose and the elven Skoy'tael under the command of Yaevinn.

Kingdom of Redania

Redania is a very rich and powerful kingdom located in the north. It borders with the states of the Hengforth League in the north (Kovir and Powiss), Temeria in the south and Kae-wen in the east. Gaining its strength and power gradually, despite the recessions, has always been a key country in the North. The capital of Redanya is Tretogor, and the local currency, Novigrad crowns, is the most popular currency in the north (almost on a par with the Temer Oren). In general, there are three cities in Redanya that really deserve attention - the capital Tretogor, Oksenfurt with its university, and Novigrad, the largest trading city in the North. After the recognition of Kovir’s independence, Redanya’s economy shook violently, but remains one of the most influential in the north. Redans repeatedly made unsuccessful attempts to conquer the rebellious county of Kovir, and as a result were forced to recognize its independence.

Kingdom of Kedwedn

  With its capital in Ard Carraig, Caedwen, ruled by King Henselt, is the most aggressive kingdom of the north. So, Henselt repeatedly claimed his rights to the entire Pontar Valley (after the assassination of King Foltest, the Kedwa garrison entered the border town of Aedir Flotzam). Kaeadwen is constantly arguing with Aedirn over Upper Aedirn (Kaeadven considers this land to be his land and calls it Margraine Lower Margia).

Kingdom of Aedirn

  One of the largest kingdoms of the North. It borders with Kaeven in the north and Temeria and Redan in the west. It was captured and plundered during the war with Nilfgaard. The capital of Aedirn is Wengerberg, the birthplace of one of the main characters of the saga Jennifer from Wengerberg .

States of the Hengforth League (kingdoms of Narok, Talgar, Velgad and Hengfors)

  The Hengfor League in the world of “The Witcher” is called the legally consolidated union of the small kingdoms of the north (concluded in the city of Hengfors, the capital of the eponymous dwarf principality). The league also includes the kingdom of Malleor and the principality of Caingorn (subsequently expelled).

Others

•   Cintra

This small state with a favorable strategic location at the mouth of the Yaruga River bordered on the nilfgaard province of Nazair. Cintra was captured by the Imperials during the First Nilfgaard War: the capital of the same name was burned to the ground, and most of the local aristocracy, led by Queen Kalante, died in the battle. When Zintra became a nilfgaard province, many of its inhabitants emigrated to Verdun, Brugge, Temeria and Skellig. The attack of the Temerian army on Cintra during the Second Nilfgaard War forced the Emperor Emgyr to fight on two fronts. After the conclusion of peace, the throne was officially taken by Cyril Fiona Helen Rianon, Queen of Tsintra, Princess Brugge, Duchess of Sodden, heiress of the Skelig Islands, overlords of Atre and Ab Yarra, she is also a Lion Cub from Tsintra and the Child of Destination. However, this name hid an orphaned Zytrian noblewoman, whom Emperor Emgyr first married for political reasons (then personal motives were added). As a result of this marriage, Zintra entered into a dynastic union with the Nilfgaard Empire.

•   Kingdom of Lyria and Rivia

Beyond the Mahakama Mountains, east of Temeria, is its longtime ally Rivia - the nominal "homeland" of the witcher Geralt. Thanks to the marriage of the local king with Mawa, the ruler of neighboring Lyria, both countries joined together in a dynastic union. Meva's husband had already died by the beginning of the Saga, so the queen ruled both countries. Rivia and Lyria were one of the first victims of the Nilfgaard aggression, and they occupied them quickly and almost without resistance. However, the further fate of the kingdoms was different. The merchants and workshops of Rivia literally forced Queen Meva to surrender, for they feared for their wealth. But in Lyria, the father of the kingdom of the ruler, a guerrilla war began. Meva and her supporters found shelter in Angren, from where they constantly raided their occupied homeland. In these cruel times, Meva showed herself from the very best side, winning great respect from her subjects.

•   Kingdom of Verdun

This kingdom played an ambiguous role in the Northern War. At first, Verdun king Erville became a vassal of Nilfgaard, for he feared the aggressive policy of Foltest Temerii. However, as a result of the coup, Erville renounced in favor of his son Kistrin, who switched to the side of the northern coalition. In the future, the Verdanians held very firmly, not allowing the Imperials to seize their kingdom and strike at Temeria.

•   Kingdom of Brugge

One of the main losers of the war. King Wroclaw of Brugge tried to force the dryads to give him a significant part of Brokilon - right up to Verdun - of course, without success. In addition, Wenzlaw pursued a policy of oppressing nonhumans: pogroms often broke out in Brugge. Fearing Nilfgaard’s aggression, Wenceslas declared himself a vassal of King Foltest, as a result of which the country turned into a protectorate of Temeria.

• Kovir and Powiss are the northernmost and richest kingdoms. Officially maintained neutrality in the war with Nilfgaard.
• The Kingdom of Tsidaris is a small kingdom located in the north of the Bremervoord Peninsula, in the east it borders with Temeria.
• Kingdom of Sodden is a protectorate of Temeria.
• Dole Blatanna is a free elf state with ruler Francesca Findabaire at the head. Puppet state created by Emperor Nilfgaard.
• The Principality of Tussent is a protectorate of Nilfgaard with Princess Anne Henrietta (Anarietta) at the head.
• Zerrikania is a country in the south, east of Nilfgaard. Who it is controlled is unknown.
• The state of the Skellige Islands is an independent state off the coast of Cintra. Supported by the North during the war with Nilfgaard. The ruler of Skelleague is the Jarl Crach en Krayt.
• Hackland is a country in the east, further than Zerrikania.
• Ophir and Zangwebar are countries overseas , far west of the Northern Kingdoms.

Scoia'tael

Skoya'taeli (in translation from the Elder Speech - " protein ") - the partisan movement of nonhumans. For the first time mentioned in the book “Blood of the Elves” as the elves of the “brigade” (gang), robbing in the Temer forests. The "brigades" also included representatives of other Senior Peoples - dwarf people , lower class .

The main identification mark of the Scoia'tael were squirrel-headed caps, for which they got their name. Scoia'tael also used arrows with special tips, with angled tips that “screwed” into the target, decorated with gray feathers. Skoya'tael dumplings braided a beard in two braids.

Activities

The ideological background of the movement was the struggle against crowding older civilizations, the return of territories that the elves, gnomes, and dwarf humans considered to be their original. The movement was both chaotic (raids) and ordered (participation in the riot on Tanedd Island).

After the guerrilla movement of the Scoia'tael was organized, a campaign began against the rebellious elves in Temeria, in response the elves broke up into small brigades dispersed throughout the forests, which complicated the task of capturing them. Scoia'tael and humans exterminated each other with mutual cruelty, using similar methods of demonstrating intimidation of the enemy: human army units transported the corpses of elves to the forks of roads and hung them on pillars, and the elves carried out massacres of captured captives.

During the Northern Wars, the Scoia'tael actively collaborated with the Empire, destroying the rear of the northerners even during the officially declared armistice.

The protagonist of the Saga, the witcher Geralt, encounters "squirrels" in Kaeden, while traveling with a group of Järpen Zygrin and the Kaeden military. "Squirrels" attack the caravan, but fail and die.

Then, during the riot on Tanedda, the Scoia'tael led by Isengrim Failthiarna helped the sorcerers collaborating with Nilfgaard. Then, during the second war with Nilfgaard, the “squirrels” began to flock to Brokilon , receiving treatment and other help from the dryads. When Nilfgaard returned to the elves their ancestral lands, the Valley of the Flowers ( Dol Blathanna ), the “squirrels” received land, the struggle for which motivated their impudent attacks. The formal ruler of this state was Francesca Findabair or Enid en Gleanna, nicknamed Daisy from the Valleys, which had previously been part of the magical Capitulum , then the Arcane Lodge and was supposed to provide political support for the movement.

The empire renounced the “squirrels” even during the short-lived truce between the two Northern Wars (the elves Dol Blatanna were forced to do the same under pressure from imperial diplomats). When Nilfgaard and the Northern Kingdoms concluded the Tsintri peace that put an end to the Northern Wars, the elven officers of the Vrijedd brigade serving the empire under the terms of the treaty were given to the Nords. Only a few of those issued managed to avoid death, among them was the most famous of the Scoia'tael commanders - Isengrim Faoiltiarna.

In the game The Witcher , which takes place five years after the end of the Saga , the squirrels rallied around a new leader - Yaevinn. The player has a choice: to destroy them, to stand on their side, or to accept neutrality.

Rats

The Rats of the Borderland are a teenage gang (a “Hansa” on the slang of robbers), which hunts robberies and murders in the territories of the principalities conquered by the Nilfgaard Empire. As part of the gang of Rats, one of the main characters of the saga , Cyri , takes refuge from the Nilfgaard hunters chasing her.

Rats were engaged in the robbery and resale of looted, mainly thoroughbred horses, taken from the nobles. The Rats had their own “code of honor,” they didn’t let outsiders into the Hansa, they didn’t trust anyone, they brutally avenged their betrayal. The rules of the gang included the obligatory distribution of money in the villages near which they robbed, so that the locals would not give them to the Nisars (police detachments consisting of the salaries of the Nilfgaard barons ).

For their boldness and audacity, Rats became so popular that their clothing style and demeanor became fashionable among young people. The official authorities - and almost all the feudal lords in whose possessions the gang operated - all the time the Rats existed, they were openly hunting them.

Gang members, with the exception of Ciri, died at the hands of the assassin Leo Bonart , hired by one of the local barons.

Elven Calendar

The elven calendar is built by the sun . It has eight periods called Savaed:

• Saovine (Saovine)
• Yule
• Imbaelk
• Birke
• Blathe
• Feainn
• Lammas
• Velen

The new year begins on the 1st of Saovina (early November).

There are eight important dates, holidays: two Solstices (Soltius) and two Equinoxes (Equinox) , as well as four dates associated not with planets, but with magic:

• Midinwaerne - Winter Soltius
• Imbaelk - Budding
• Birke - Spring Equinox
• Belletyn (Belleteyn) - Flowering
• Mida - summer Soltytsy
• Lammas - Ripening
• Velen - Autumn Equinox
• Saovine - Freeze

People Calendar

The calendar of people is based on the phases of the moon . The year is divided into 12 months, each month begins with a new moon. Also, people took over all 8 holidays of the elves and adjusted them to their calendar.

• The human states of the Witcher world. Magazine "World of Fanastics"
• The Witcher Wiki - Encyclopedia dedicated to The Witcher