FreeKnight
Well-known member
I'd actually really prefer a Mass Effect style 'create your own witcher' a la Sheppard / DA:O backstories and traits. Depending on if they set it in the Northern Realms or other areas could really affect the options. Rather than force you to be 'one' character, give us a few options to flavor your witcher with, even if they only affect one or two quests and don't really matter (cough CP2077 backgrounds, ME backgrounds)As for story I don't think we really have anything official yet. I still wish they would make the Ciri becoming a witcher the canon ending and then us her as the MC. We could easily have her go somewhere we haven't been yet and it would help tie into the first trilogy well. Imagine being able to visit Geralt and Yen at Corvo Bianco Vineyard in Toussaint. Plus we know that both Geralt, Yen, and Ciri can live a very long time so it is not like it has to take place right after the third game.
Plus I just can't help but think of the Mass Effect Trilogy. They brought in Andromeda and while the same universe I think too many people thought it was too far removed. Although I still think it would have worked if they had continued with it and made a second and third MEA game. I really think the key to starting a new trilogy in such a establised world in which you had the same character all the way through, you need to closely tie them together. Like the new MC should be family or thought of as family. While I know it can restrict a bit but it is enough to tie us to the existing games without it feeling like a brand new story that just happens to be in that universe.
If they stick with the Northern realms, maybe you're a grizzled old veteran witcher, the last from a dying school who wandered north, or a lost Wolf that was assumed dead and you've finally come back to Kaer Morhen. The promo picture from the first visuals had an image of a Griffin school medallion if I remember right, so they might distance themselves from Geralt et al but include some cameos I would suspect.
I think the route I'd personally want to go with is something like; You're the first new Witcher in who knows how long. You were cursed/poisoned in a 'plot critical event' related to your chosen background, and while dying your 'regularly interacted NPC pal/family/whatever' dragged you to the griffin school and begged them to do something, anything, no matter how reckless. This also means you're not starting as a master witcher, so Nekkers, Drowners and such actually pose a threat at the start.
So the 'Vesemir-substitute' there tries to mirror the trial of the grasses as best they can knowing they've lost most of the knowledge. You survive it and mutate, but only through luck and the chance interaction of the trial with your curse (excuse for potential new game mechanic). This also prevents there from being a wealth of new Witchers (as well as a potential conflict quest where Vesemir-sub considers using the curse to make new Witchers). Now with golden eyes, you can't go back to your old life due to the prejudice against Witchers and are forced to learn their ways.
At some point you of course cross path with who/what is responsible for the original curse, plot happens, you have to hunt them down to stop 'awful world changing plan', etc, but that would be the rough start I think I'd be hoping for.