Nilfgaardian Empire

Lore & Background

According to Andrzej Sapkowski, the world of The Witcher is set on an unnamed continent settled by elves from overseas thousands of years prior. After a war with gnomes and dwarves, the non-human races retreated or were pushed into ghettos when human colonists arrived about five hundred years before the stories began. Over the centuries preceding the main narrative, most southern regions fell under the control of the Nilfgaard Empire. The saga itself unfolds in the wake of the first major war between this empire and the Northern Kingdoms. Sapkowski notes that while he abhors politics personally, his books depict a world where political machinations are unavoidable. He stated that 'The story dictates the necessity' regarding monsters and backgrounds, implying the Empire's existence serves the narrative need for conflict rather than adhering to a specific real-world mythology.

In Their Own Story

It mentions that the saga takes place in the aftermath of the first major war between the Nilfgaard Empire and the Northern Kingdoms, with a second war beginning in the middle of the series. The narrative focus remains on the consequences of these conflicts rather than a detailed chronicle of imperial campaigns.

Reader's Guide

When exploring the history of The Witcher series, readers should note that the Nilfgaardian Empire serves as the dominant southern power against which the Northern Kingdoms struggle. Sapkowski's writing places the narrative in the aftermath of their first major war, with a second conflict erupting midway through the five-novel saga. For those interested in the books' structure, the core story is told across nine novels and fifteen short stories. The prequel Crossroads of Ravens (2024) explores Geralt's youth but does not detail the Empire's founding. Fans should be aware that while video game adaptations have sold over 75 million copies as of May 2023, the literary source strictly defines the political landscape without providing the granular details found in other media.

Did You Know?

• The Nilfgaardian Empire controls most of the continent's southern regions, while the north belongs to fragmented kingdoms.
• The Witcher Saga takes place in the aftermath of the first major war between the Nilfgaard Empire and the Northern Kingdoms.
• A second major war between the Empire and the North begins in the middle of the saga.
• Andrzej Sapkowski stated he personally abhors politics, yet his books depict complex political conflicts involving the Empire.
• The series consists of nine fantasy novels and 15 short stories, with the final installment originally published in 1999.