Story and Setting: A Witcher’s Path in a Changing World
The exact storyline of The Witcher 4 is still a closely guarded secret, but the developers have given us the broad strokes. You will take control of Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon (Ciri) right as she embarks on her journey to become a witcher.
That means this is essentially Ciri’s “origin story” as a professional monster hunter – a chapter we haven’t seen fully in the books or games. By the end of Witcher 3, depending on your choices, Ciri either became a witcher or took another path.
It appears CDPR is canonizing the ending where Ciri survives the Wild Hunt and chooses the witcher life (rather than, say, becoming Empress of Nilfgaard). Now we’ll get to experience what following the witcher’s path looks like for someone of Ciri’s unique background and abilities.
Setting-wise, The Witcher 4 will expand the universe with new regions and possibly new kingdoms. The trailer and tech demo footage show the Kingdom of Kovir in the far north – a land known for its riches and mines, but not explored in previous games. Kovir’s inclusion hints at a fresh locale with its own culture and conflicts.
Of course, we can also expect to revisit some classic Witcher locales or see the impact of past events on the world state. The phrase “the old world crumbles around her” has been tossed around, suggesting that politically or magically, the Continent is in turmoil as Ciri sets out. This could refer to aftershocks from the Witcher 3 era (for example, wars, succession crises, or the ongoing danger of the Wild Hunt threat).
One exciting aspect of the story is how Ciri’s personality will shape the narrative. Geralt was a jaded, seen-it-all veteran; conversely, Ciri is younger and more idealistic. According to CDPR’s writers, Ciri is “open, curious, and drawn to people, yearning for connection and understanding.” This means players might see a warmer, more human side to interactions.
Don’t worry, though – The Witcher 4 will still delve into dark, mature themes and tough moral dilemmas. Ciri’s compassion might be tested by the harsh realities of the Witcher world. The village sacrifice scenario in the reveal trailer already highlighted a classic Witcher theme: sometimes, human evil is as frightening as the monsters.
Ciri stepping in to save someone from superstition resulted in unintended bloodshed. How you, as Ciri, choose to handle such situations may form the crux of gameplay. CD Projekt Red has implied that choices and consequences will remain a key part of quests, and with Ciri’s fresh perspective, players could face very different decision dynamics than in Geralt’s time.
And what of our old hero, Geralt? The studio has confirmed that Geralt of Rivia will appear in The Witcher 4 in some capacity, but he won’t be the focus. They’ve deliberately kept his role secret, which has fans wildly speculating.
At the very least, Geralt might mentor Ciri briefly or pass the torch to her in a meaningful way. Other beloved characters like Yennefer, Triss, or others from the Witcher 3 cast have not been confirmed yet. Given Ciri’s close relationships, it wouldn’t be surprising if a few familiar faces show up in cameos or supporting roles – but for now, the spotlight is squarely on Ciri and her journey.
