Status of each main character in The Witcher before The Witcher 4

CD Projekt RED recently confirmed this The Witcher 4 is coming, and former protagonist Geralt of Rivia has hung up his swords in favor of his adopted daughter, Ciri. Although The Witcher 4 will likely focus on telling a new story and introducing new characters, but may also include a few familiar faces.

Because The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt contained multiple fates for certain characters depending on the player's choices, CD Projekt RED may choose to either not include them, make some of the third game's choices and endings “canon”, or allow players to import save data into The Witcher 4. Here's a quick reminder of the possible fates of these iconic characters at the end of the third game:

The Witcher 4 is destined to break a huge tradition in the game

With the reveal of The Witcher 4 trailer and CD Projekt Red confirming Ciri as its protagonist, it looks like the new game will disrupt the Witcher's main lore.

Cirilla “Ciri”

Initially, the player's choice of v The Witcher 3 he saw Ciri following in her father's footsteps as a witcher or becoming empress of Nilfgaard. It seems that The Witcher 4 definitively cements Ciri's status as a canon witcher as she takes on the role of the new protagonist and is seen wielding the witcher's iconic steel and silver swords in the game's first trailer.

However, in early interviews, representatives of CD Projekt RED indicated that they took all possible endings Wild Hunt into consideration and want to make sure fans who chose alternate fates for Ciri “don't feel cheated.” While the Wild Hunt itself has been defeated, it is possible that Ciri will continue to deal with the attention of various factions such as the Elves due to her powerful Elder blood.

Geralt of Rivia

After many decades of work as a witcher, Geralt decides to retire at the end of the year the witcher 3, pass the mantle to Ciri. In the base game, she moves in with either Triss Merigold or Yennefer of Vengerberg – or continues to wander the world if she falls in love with neither. However, in Blood and wine DLC, Geralt is gifted Corvo Bianco, a vineyard in Toussaint, and retires there.

Blood and wine the ending and subsequent supplementary material indicate that Ciri and the many friends he has made on his travels visit him frequently. Geralt “makes his presence known”. The Witcher 4, and it might be fun for Ciri to visit her retired father or two. Let's hope Geralt still has his beloved horse Roach with him – or perhaps a descendant of the original Roach.

Rulers: Emhyr, Radovid and others

Geralt's actions throughout The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt it can have far-reaching consequences for who rules what country and which kings and emperors remain in power or are deposed. Depending on the player's choice, The Witcher 3 ends in one of the following situations:

Emhyr var Emreis of Nilfgaard either continues as a victorious, ambitious ruler, gaining power in the Northern Kingdoms just like Nilfgaard, or loses the war against the kingdoms and is executed by his own people.
King Radovid of Redania he can be assassinated or stay alive as a cruel monarch persecuting magic users. If he is alive, it is not safe for mages in Novigrad, and Triss Merigold is heavily involved in smuggling mages out of the city.
If Radovid is killed, depending on the player's choice, either Sigmund Dijkstra gains power over all four kingdoms or Vernon Roche and his Blue Streaks free Temeria while Emhyr controls the remaining three. (Roche or Dijkstra can potentially die if the latter's path is chosen.)
Skellige can be controlled Cerys an Craite, Hjalmar an Craite, or Svanrig Bran, depending on who supported Geralt. Cerys leads Skellig to peace while the other two focus on conquest and raiding.

Why Witcher 4 could have a skill tree similar to phantom freedom

There is speculation that The Witcher 4 will adopt a Phantom Liberty-inspired skill tree that will offer deeper character development.

Yennefer of Vengerberg and Triss Merigold

Depending on the player's choices, Geralt can end up in a romantic relationship with one of two witches: Yennefer of Vengerberg or Triss Merigold. Both witches move on with their lives whether they end up with Geralt or not – Triss becomes an advisor to King Kovir while Yennefer decides to retire and enjoy life. End Blood and wine shows Triss or Yenn in love spending time with Geralt in Corvo Bianco, both of them finally having time to relax together. Since witches have greatly extended lives compared to standard humans, one or both could definitely appear The Witcher 4.

Other characters

Over the course of the first three games, Geralt and Ciri have made many friends – and many enemies. While The Witcher 4 likely to primarily introduce new characters and stories, some of these characters could potentially appear or be referenced in them The Witcher 4, including:

Dandelion he continues his life as a bard and tavern owner. Most of the endings of the original game suggest that she continues her friendship with Geralt, and the two occasionally visit each other. Note, however, that as a human without magical powers or witch mutations, Dandelion could come of age—or even transition—in The Witcher 4. However, if he were alive, he would certainly be up to his usual bardic antics.
Geralt Wolf's school brothers Eskel and Lambert continue working as warlocks if they survive the final battle. Lambert may be hinted at starting a relationship with Keira Metz, another witch. Member of Viper School Letho from Gulet he also continues as a warlock if he survives Wild Hunt
Baron Phillip Strenger, aka Bloody Baron, main character in the first arc wild hunt he will either die or travel to the distant Blue Mountains, so his appearance in The Witcher 4 is less likely.
Sorceress Phillippa Eilhart can survive Wild Hunt she still craves power and may be a wanted fugitive following her involvement in the possible assassination of Radovid. At the end wild hunt she has expressed interest in becoming an advisor to Emhyra, meaning she can remain an active political figure and potential antagonistic force.
Other friends of Geralt and Ciri who survive The Witcher 3 and can potentially appear in The Witcher 4 include dwarves Zoltan Chivay and Yarpen Zigrin, changeling Bagpipes, doctor Shani, vampire Regis, and Duchess Anna Henrietta of Toussaint – and potentially her sister Sylvia Anna, depending on the player's choice.