Got stuck into the new season of The Witcher yet? Of course you have. And if you’re here, you probably have questions — understandable, considering how long it’s been since season three (and since Geralt grew two inches and turned Australian — a detail the show explains in quite a clever way).
Luckily, we’ve delved into the tales of the bards, the histories of the ancients, and the depths of Wikipedia to bring you answers. Let’s start with the girl who keeps nipping at Stribog the storyteller’s ankles. Who is Nimue, and why is she important to the story?
The Witcher Season 4: Who Is Nimue and Why Does She Matter?
In the first episode of The Witcher season four, an enthusiastically hopeful Nimue tells Stribog that she believes she’s connected to Geralt, Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and Ciri (Freya Allan). She even points to herself in a picture with Ciri, speaking with the conviction of a child who feels part of something bigger. By the end of the series, that idea starts to make sense when we meet the grown-up Nimue, heading to Aretuza — the place where women are trained to become sorceresses.
“I still feel a connection to her,” Nimue tells Stribog. “Linked by [destiny].”
“How this saga ends may depend on you,” he replies. And while she wonders how, we already have an idea — thanks to the source material.
Without giving too much away, the books confirm that Nimue and Ciri’s journeys are deeply connected, just as the show teases. Nimue becomes instrumental in helping a lost Ciri find her way home — a key part of Ciri’s arc. After all, “never lost, always found” has become something of an anchor for the Lion Cub of Cintra, even if she’s twisted the phrase this season to reflect her trauma.
Since Ciri and Nimue exist centuries apart, this connection will almost certainly involve time travel — and we can’t wait to see how season five adapts that.
It’s also worth remembering that Nimue’s name comes from Arthurian legend — the Lady of the Lake. Whether The Witcher’s version will tie into that myth remains to be seen, but the potential is fascinating.
Who Is Julian Alfred Pankratz, Viscount de Lettenhove?
When Nimue clutches a book in her hands, we notice something intriguing: the author’s name reads Julian Alfred Pankratz, Viscount de Lettenhove.
So who is this mysterious nobleman? Well, it turns out Julian is none other than Jaskier — the bard himself. In the books, he’s known as Dandelion and is of noble birth, a detail that seems to be trickling into the TV adaptation’s canon too.
Who Are the Major Warring Factions in The Witcher?
War is raging across the Continent, and keeping track of who’s fighting whom is a challenge even for the most devoted fans.
Leading the charge is Nilfgaard, ruled by the powerful and ruthless Emperor Emhyr var Emreis (Bart Edwards). His ambition is simple — total domination of the Northern Kingdoms. Yet his main focus remains capturing his daughter, Ciri, to fulfill a prophecy ensuring his bloodline’s eternal rule.
Opposing him is an uneasy alliance between the Northern Kingdoms — including Redania, led by King Radovid (Hugh Skinner), and two new rulers introduced this season: King Henselt of Kaedwen (Magnus Samuelsson) and Queen Meve of Lyria and Rivia (Rebecca Hanssen).
Meanwhile, the defeated Scoia’tael — the elven and non-human fighters who fell in season three — are regrouping. Their leader, Francesca Findabair (Mecia Simson), has joined forces with Yennefer, who’s forming the powerful Lodge of Sorceresses.
Their goal? To stop both Nilfgaard and another emerging threat: Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu). From the very beginning of season four, it’s clear Vilgefortz is gathering magical power to destroy Yennefer and Geralt, and ultimately to control Ciri — whose power could change the fate of the entire Continent.
