An Introduction to the Worlds of The Witcher

Image: Tor.com

A warrior roaming the lands has gained notoriety among the commonfolk. Word of his deeds has spread far, and his approach strikes fear at the heart of the most formidable opponent. Known as the “Butcher of Blaviken” or the “White Wolf,” Geralt of Rivia’s reputation as a killer of men and monsters has earned him appreciation and disdain in equal measure. Better known by his famed moniker The Witcher, Geralt goes where no man dares. He answers bounties and notices posted by the citizens of the continent, calls for aid in ridding their towns of haunting menaces or in breaking curses that trouble the innocent: blood for coin. And in his mastery of the sword— rumours telling of a steel blade for men, a silver blade for non-humans—he is almost unrivaled.

Like a relic of the past emerging from the mists of Avalon, Geralt of Rivia has entered our awareness over the last two decades. He rose out of the fog of fiction and settled in our consciousness, a deadly sword-bearer schooled in the arcane arts. Created by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the Witcher series of novels and stories has risen to prominence as one of the best modern fantasies ever written, ranked alongside works by Robin Hobb, Philip Pullman, and George R.R. Martin by its fans.

Discover more about The Witcher, and what you’ll need to know in the lead-up to the new, highly anticipated Netflix television series by clicking the Tor.com link: An Introduction to the Worlds of The Witcher