The Witcher
"Later it was said that the man came from the north from the Powroznicza gate. He walked on foot, and led his horse, which was laden, by the bridle. It was late afternoon and the stalls of the ropemakers and saddlers were already closed, and the street was empty. It was warm, and the man was wearing a black cloak thrown over his shoulders. He was drawing attention." - So begins the short story "The Witcher" by Andrzej Sapkowski, which gave rise to a seven-volume series.
Episodes
An old witcher appears at the home of young Geralt's parents, wanting to take the boy away, as promised to him long ago under the so-called law of surprise. The father stands up for his son, but is quickly overpowered. Geralt ends up in the mountain fortress of Kaer Morhen. Here, young candidates have long been subjected to magical trials, mutations, and training designed to transform them into witchers—reliable killing machines. Only one in five boys survives all the trials. Upon seeing the boy, the priest Vesemir decides to subject him to experiments that have never been tried before.
Young Geralt is studying at a school for witchers. His teachers bully him and put him through difficult trials. When he emerges victorious thanks to his cleverness, the witcher Sorel plots to kill him. Meanwhile, Geralt falls in love with Adela, who leaves, rejecting his feelings. During the final exams, the young man must face a difficult, uneven battle with Master Thornwald.
Geralt rescues a teenage princess from the hands of bandits. He kills the attackers, breaking the witcher's code. However, the girl shows him no gratitude. During his further journey, the young man saves the life of the dryad Morenn, who was struck by an arrow fired by Falvick's henchmen. Morenn falls in love with him. However, there is no room for love in Geralt's life.
Geralt's next task is to slay the dragon. During this difficult mission, the witcher befriends the knight Borch. The expedition includes a wide variety of people: from noble knights to cutthroats born under an unlucky star, eager to steal the valuables from the dragon's treasure trove. Among the hunters, Geralt unexpectedly encounters the sorceress Yennefer, with whom he once had a passionate romance.
Geralt and Yennefer stop in the town of Aed Gynvael. The witcher is hired to kill a zeugl, a monster prowling the town dump. Yennefer, meanwhile, spends a lot of time with the wizard Istredd, who is conducting mysterious experiments. At the local court, Geralt meets the renegade witcher Dermot Maranga. An unpleasant exchange ensues between them. Geralt learns that Istredd and Yennefer have long been in love.
Geralt saves the lives of Calanthe, Queen of Cintra, and her daughter Pavetta. He is invited to their court. Suitors for Pavetta's hand arrive. One of them, the mysterious monster Hedgehog, greatly displeases the queen. The monarch asks Geralt to deal with him. The monster explains to the witcher that the princess belongs to him by right. Years ago, he saved her father's life. The grateful king promised his savior that he would give him whatever he found in his house upon his return. It was a newborn daughter. Geralt decides to spare Hedgehog, and when Calanthe orders him to be killed, he stands up for him.
Geralt and Jaskier, his former companion whom he met by chance, rescue a changeling named Dudu. He is a representative of an ancient race of beings who can imitate other characters. In intolerant Novigrad, he faces death at the stake. After completing this mission, the witcher and Jaskier travel to the end of the world. They arrive in the Valley of Flowers, where they are to drive the “devil” himself out of the village. The sudden appearance of elves hinders them in completing this task. Despite this, the daredevils do not give up on their mission. After completing it, Geralt parts ways with his friend and continues on his journey.
A terrible striga is rampaging through the city of Vizima—the daughter of King Foltest, transformed into a monster. The ruler is looking for a brave soul who can break the spell. Geralt takes on this task, but the princess, enchanted into a beast, proves to be a very dangerous opponent. Seriously wounded, the witcher heals himself in the temple of Melitele and reflects on the meaning of his calling. Soon, he decides to return to Cintra, where mourning reigns after the tragic deaths of Pavetta and the Hedgehog.
Geralt is seriously wounded. He recovers in the temple of Melitele, where he meets a girl named Cirilla. It turns out that she is the granddaughter of Queen Calanthe and the last living descendant of the royal family of the Elder Blood. The witcher learns that she is one of the few survivors of the sacking of Cintra by the armies of Emperor Nilfgaard. Soon, the ruler's confidant, Falwick, hires a dangerous gang to find the young heir to the throne. Geralt, who has befriended his new acquaintance, decides to protect her.
Geralt arrives in Blaviken, where he meets his friend, the mage Stregobor. Stregobor informs him of the terrible fate that befell the priestess Melitele. At the same time, he begs Geralt to defend him against Princess Renfri, known as the Shrike. The sorcerer once ordered her to be killed, believing her to be a monster in human form. The princess travels in the company of ruthless bandits. Soon, she encounters the witcher.
Geralt meets his friend, the bard Dandelion. The witcher ponders the nature of good and evil. His old companion supports him in moments of doubt. They both travel to Brokilon, where they search for Ciri. Unfortunately, she is not in the Dryad Forest. It turns out that she has been kidnapped. The Lady of the Forest of Brokilon warns them not to get involved in the matter. However, Geralt, who is strongly attached to the girl, does not intend to listen to her. They set off on their journey with an elven patrol. Along the way, the Witcher overhears the conversations of a group of knights. He intends to thwart their plans and those of Falwick. Disguised as a Nilfgaardian, he goes to the bathhouse, where he meets an old acquaintance, the thug Cykada.
Geralt arrives at the inn where Ciri may be staying. He defeats the White Rose knights and frees the children they are holding captive. Unfortunately, the princess is not among them. The witcher allows himself to be captured by the Nilfgaardians and during interrogation casts suspicion on the schemer Falwick. The baron orders a trial by combat, during which the two greatest enemies are to cross swords.
Geralt parts ways with Dandelion and continues his search for Ciri. The witcher saves the life of a merchant he meets by chance, Yurda. As part of the law of surprise, he is to give him whatever he finds when he returns home that he does not expect. When the two arrive at the farmer's house, it turns out that during the war, his wife took in a girl.
