After working my way through about a third of Witcher 2, I decided to go back and give the first game a try again. My original thought was that if I finish the sequel first, I won't have any interest in going back to this one. I know me and I won't do it, too many other games on the pile that need attention. I also found that as good as Assassins of Kings is, I really felt like I had no idea what the hell was going on. Several times events from the previous game are referenced, and I also wanted to get a better understanding and feel for the characters and places. Plus you can import your save game into Assassins of Kings, complete with the choices you made and some of the gear you ended the game with.
The Witcher opens with Geralt attempting to cure King Foltest's daughter of a terrible curse that transforms her into a monster. He is killed, but somehow brought back to life with no memory of who he is. Along with his fellow witchers, they return to their fortress of Kaer Morhen. It's not long before the keep is attacked by a group known as the Salamandra. The witchers are thrown on the defensive, with Geralt quickly grabbing a sword to help repel the assault. The first few areas introduce the combat system and it's three different styles: strong, fast, and group. It's stressed that different types of enemies require different styles, so switching back and forth quickly to adapt is vital. Shortly afterwards, a group of Salamandra break into the main keep and make for the witcher laboratory underneath the fortress. Just before Geralt and crew reach the keep to go after them, a large beast called the Frightener crashes through one of the outer walls. Surrounded by Salamandra, it begins to make it's way through the courtyard. Here I'm given a choice to either go with head witcher Vesemir to slay the Frightener, or go with another witcher and the sorceress Triss to help secure the laboratory. In my many previous attempts I've done both, but this time I decided to defend the lab.
Leo is the other witcher that helps, and it's pretty obvious that he is the most inexperienced. We make our way into the keep, fighting cultists as we head towards the stairs to the lower level. At first the passage to the lab is blocked, but with Leo's help we find a nearby shrine that grants the Aard sign. Signs are the witcher form of magic, with this one being used to stun and blast back enemies. After the rubble is cleared we make our way into the lab and fine their leader, a criminal known as The Professor, along with two mages. Triss takes on the more powerful Azar Javed, while I am left to deal with Savolla. This is the first boss fight, so it's not particularly tough. Savolla surrounds himself with a shield, then begins draining the life force of his followers to power his attacks. I cut him down fairly quickly, just as the other two escape. Triss passes out due to wounds from her battle with Azar, and at some point Leo was killed during the fight.
The prologue is wrapped up with a little bit of exploring around the keep and cleaning out any remaining Salamandra. Once that's done, Vesemir tasks me with brewing a potion that will cure Triss. This introduces the games interesting potion making system. Aside from the signs, potions are a witcher's bread and butter. You start with only a few formulas and are able to collect few ingredients. Once Geralt does some reading up after acquiring numerous books, he can begin to harvest more exotic types, some even from the monsters he slays. After brewing the potion and attending Leo's funeral, the witchers decide to split up and track down Salamandra. Geralt travels to the nearby city of Vizima, seat of King Foltest's power.
Arriving in the outskirts of town, Geralt finds that Vizima is quarantined and that no one is allowed in without a pass. Conversations with the local populace reveal a large hellhound that is terrorizing the residents. The local reverend believes that Abigail, a witch who just recently came to town, is the one controlling the beast. It's here that I really began to see how much time and effort the writers put into this story. To say these characters fall into the gray area of morality would be an understatement. There is very little in this game that's black or white, good or evil, hero versus villain.
Take the reverend for example. On the surface he appears to be your garden variety bible thumper with a head full of righteous indignation. However, after digging a little deeper it's discovered that his own daughter was raped some time ago by a local guardsman. (The same one that the reverend asks you to help to gain his trust, I might add...) Upon discovering that she was pregnant, he threw her out of his house and she was left to fend for herself on the streets. It's also implied in a later chapter when you actually meet her that he was a molester as well. Then there's the local merchant Haren Brogg, who asks for help killing some drowners that are ransacking his stock at night. On the surface he seems like an honest business man trying to make a living. After dealing with the drowners, however, I encountered a group of Scoia'tael elves that were expecting to meet Brogg and buy some illegal weapons and supplies. Things are tense between the human and non-human races, and Broggs is profiting by selling weapons to the elves. I was given the choice to let them take what they wanted and earn extra coin, but instead I refused and killed them all. This also has an effect on a later quest in the next chapter.
Things come to a head at the end of chapter 1. After talking with Abigail right before the fight with the hellhound, I exited the cave she was in to find the reverend and his congregation outside. They demand that the witch be handed over, believing it's the only way to get rid of the beast. I decline, then called each one out on their indiscretions. They attacked from all sides, but had no chance against a witcher. The hellhound then appears and Abigail helps by healing me during the fight. After it was dead I looted the gate pass from the reverend's body. I didn't feel that bad about it, as Abigail had done nothing wrong and was helping me with another major quest, plus it seemed like they were all scum anyway. I made for one of the gates into Vizima and promptly handed over my pass when asked. The local guard immediatly arrested me, chapter 2 starts with Geralt in prison.
