This synthesis analyzes a 550-page leaked CD Projekt Red narrative document detailing the 2012–2013 early script state for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (originally titled The Witcher 3: A Time of Sword and Axe). The documented design reveals a primary narrative pipeline estimated at triple the length of the final 2015 release. The increased scope was driven by side quests being integrated directly into the main plot, longer quest staging, extra dialogue trees, expanded mechanics (including Witcher-Sense Quick-Time Event combat and advanced sailing fatigue), and broader character rosters.
Significant narrative diverges from the final build include: Whoreson Jr. written as the Bloody Baron’s elder brother; "Becca" (the False Ciri) substituting for Cerys in the Skellige succession; the Doppler "Blanca" fulfilling roles later split between Dudu, Priscilla, and Dandelion; a 5-person criminal underground in Novigrad featuring Isengrim Faoiltarna; Karine Tilly serving as a secret Nilfgaardian double agent; an invasion of Novigrad by the Wild Hunt in Act 3; and a climactic final boss battle against Avalac'h at Tor Gvalch'ca.
Key Highlights & Timestamps
2:42 Early Subtitle & Scope: The game was originally titled The Witcher 3: A Time of Sword and Axe. The main plot was roughly triple the final length, with core side quests fully integrated into the primary story path.
6:58 Witcher-Sense Combat System: Combat features a targeted slowdown mechanic via Witcher Senses, allowing players to target specific monster vulnerabilities (e.g., hitting wings) and execute instant QTE finshers.
12:10 Bloody Baron & Whoreson Jr. Kinship: The Bloody Baron (Philip Wy) is written as the younger brother of Whoreson Jr. (Cyprian Wy). Anna’s real name is Selena, and Tamara is named Mara.
17:49 Novigrad Big Five & Isengrim: Novigrad’s underworld is controlled by "The Big Five," including book character Isengrim Faoiltarna. Karine Tilly is a Nilfgaardian double agent spying on Sigismund Dijkstra and Vernon Roche.
24:54 Blanca the Doppler: Siri’s primary companion in Novigrad is a Doppler named Blanca, whose narrative actions were later split across Dudu, Priscilla, and Dandelion in the final release.
34:36 Faroe Landing & The Thurs: Geralt washes ashore on Faroe instead of Ard Skellig, encountering a separate tribal civilization known as "The Thurs," a giant, a dragon-like monster named the Abarii, and nautical fatigue mechanics.
38:51 Becca & Skellige Succession: Cerys an Craite's narrative role is fulfilled by "Becca" (the False Ciri from the novels). Svanrige is written as the illegitimate son of Crach an Craite and Birna Bran.
45:20 Yennefer's Island Exile: Disagreeing with Yennefer regarding Ciri's potential empresshood results in her tricking and stranding Geralt on a remote Skellige island, splitting the companion path between her and Hermion.
53:30 Lambert’s Medallion Alignment: Lambert features a cut quest line centered on his Witcher medallion losing its magical alignment, along with a custom alchemical distilling setup.
1:00:03 Succession Ritual Massacre: The Skellige coronation trial involves a blood ritual overseen by a youth named Fitter. Hearn the Hunter (a Skellige deity) appears following a Berserker attack to withhold his sacred mead.
1:15:01 Vampire Doctors & Eternal Fire Heist: Joachim von Gratz is revealed as a Higher Vampire leading a cabal of medical vampires in Novigrad. Geralt participates in an elaborate heist to steal the Eternal Fire Torch.
1:31:52 Forefathers' Eve & Avalac'h Reveal: The Forefathers' Eve ritual uses Hearn's magical mead to exorcise Uma, revealing Avalac'h's spirit manifesting above the bonfire.
1:34:44 House Reardon's Subterranean Horror: The Reardon estate quest features Letho fighting an eldrich subterranean pit monster, an Elven assassin, and incestuous lore involving walled-in corpses.
1:40:21 Kaer Morhen Unicorn Sacrifice: Vesemir survives the Battle of Kaer Morhen. Avalac'h summons a sentient Unicorn (previously freed from the Eternal Fire) that sacrifices itself to repel the Wild Hunt.
1:43:00 Oak Fruit & Crow's Perch Siege: Imlerith’s power stems from eating fruit from the Ancient Oak. Morvran Voorhis leads a Nilfgaardian siege against Crow's Perch, where players can negotiate terms.
1:58:33 Novigrad Rat Control & Crones Relocation: Avalac'h teaches Geralt to telepathically control a rat to infiltrate the Big Five. Following the Oak's destruction, the Crones relocate near Novigrad, controlling local bandits.
2:08:58 World Hopping & Night City Cameo: Fast-travel portal sequences include a brief stop in Night City (Cyberpunk 2077), where Geralt can give money to a NPC who later appears wealthy in Cyberpunk.
2:12:03 Elven Disguise & Caranthir Manipulation: Avalac'h magically transforms Geralt into the elf Nithral. In disguise, Geralt deceives Caranthir regarding Eredin's replacement plans, inciting internal Wild Hunt conflicts.
2:25:32 Novigrad Invasion & Lodge Combat: The Wild Hunt directly invades the city of Novigrad. Philippa Eilhart gets gem eyes, Yennefer uses dual fire whips, and Sheila de Tancarville self-destructs to kill enemies.
2:31:16 Tor Gvalch'ca & Avalac'h Final Boss: Avalac'h and Ciri state both must die to stop the White Frost. Convincing Ciri to refuse this sacrifice turns Avalac'h hostile, triggering a final boss fight against the sage.
2:34:16 Alternate Epilogue Architecture: The bad ending shows Geralt drowning his grief at Kaer Morhen while Vesemir arrives with a new child obtained via the Law of Surprise. The Witcher ending reveals that Ciri using magic continues to leak the White Frost into the world.