How about culture?

Gods

Melitele

Also known as the Great Melitele, the goddess of flowers, spring, fetus, nature and fertility. The high priestess of the temple is Nenneke. Worshiped mainly by people connected with nature, which are usually the farmers and lumbermen.  

Water Gentelmens

They are the object of worship bricklayers living and working in the swamps outside Vizima. Brickmakers, chaired by Mr. Vasco daily pray to their gods and put their fate in the hands of these mysterious creatures. Brickmakers communicate with the Water Lords, by the altar, which is located near the clay pits

Coram Agh Ter

He is the god of sudden and violent death. His priests are specialists in inflicting pain, suffering and throwing curses. One of his temples is in Mircia.  "- (...) We've come up to to Gelibol and destroyed a temple. To make matters worse, there was also a young priestess.
-What was the temple Nivellen?
-One plague knows Geralt. But it had to be bad temple. On the altar, I remember were lying skulls and bones, burning green fire. smelled like disaster (...)"

How about culture?

Currency

Oren - The unit of currency, also known as "Temeria's Oren". According to information from the book Oren, as the payment is low. One crown is over six and a half Oren. Currency is divided into orens and pennies. Informations from the book:
" Oren is weak, and prices in Vizima stones are not too high, too close to the dwarven mines in Mahakam" ~ The Last Wish

About communities

Wolf's school

One of Witcher's guilds, residing in Kaer Morhen. Its symbol is a medallion in the shape of a wolf. In Sapkowski's books there is no further information on this topic. Famous "wolves":

Vesemir

The only surviving elders of the Witcher involved in the formation and training of witchers. Master the sword, fencing teacher and expert knowledge of the monsters, preceptor witcher Geralt and Eskel. He wore his white beard. He has a weakness for Triss. He can't get used to the fact that the sorceress is no a child. Vesemir was the only survivor of the attack on the peasants and magicians Kaer Morhen. 

Eskel

One of the witchers wintering in Kaer Morhen. A friend of Geralt, from the times of their training. He is presented as a man with a nasty scar on his cheek, and a metallic, unpleasant voice. Eskel's scar is the work of Deidre Ademeyn, which is his child of destiny. 

Coen

The youngest of the witchers in Kaer Morhen. Heis a demanding Ciri's teacher. He don't liked Triss Merigold, or gave that appearance by calling her by surname. He can't cook anything but pasta.

 

About communities

Scoia'tael

Rebels, responsible for the uprising against the people in northern countries. The reason for their dissatisfaction was racism and non-humans discrimination. "Chipmunks" make up the core of the elves, but in their ranks, you can also meet representatives of other races such as halflings and dwarves. Scoia'tael are divided into detachments, which are composed of several or a dozen fighters. The most famous was the brigade formation Vrihedd, sealed in silver lightning, headed by Isengrim Faoiltiarna. The hallmark of squirrels, and also the reasons for their nickname, the squirrel's tail clipped to their hat. Scoia'tael famous cry was: "People to the sea!"
Simple Scoia'tael:

Iorweth, know also as Forest's fox

He is one of the most wanted bandits in Pontar valley. During the war he commanded the detachment Nilfgaard's Chipmunks. Iorweth survived the bloody chase. Elf hates humans, but is ready to cooperate with them on certain conditions. A clever and dangerous idealist, always keep his word. He can play the flute very beautifully. On the left chest and collarbone he has a tattoo. Iorweth has broken a few teeth on the upper right side of the jaw. According to popular theory, Iorweth lost an eye in a fight with a knight who has the same spear that killed Sabrina Glevissig. Their fight was so violent that the spear broke on elf in half. Iorweth keep the arrowhead.

Let's play a game

Second part

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - video game genre role-playing game, developed by Polish studio CD Projekt RED. In the game, we follow the fate of the witcher Geralt of Rivia that happen after the events of the first part.
 
PLOT: Geralt, along with Vernon Roche - the head of the special services  called "blue stripes" and King Foltest go in search of the bastards of the king. On the way to the temple the dragon separates them. Once you reach a point where it has Bussy and his sister Anais Foltest says to Geralt  to not come to the children because he can scare them. Monk urges Foltest said a prayer of thanks for getting the castle. Foltest 

kneels. The monk removes  bandage from his eyes and slits Foltest's throat. Before Geralt could react it was too late. Regicide jumps out the window. There, waiting for him Scoia'tael's commando. The soldiers worried about the noise and run into solitude. They finds there Geralt, which is in a battle frenzy, with blood-stained sword.. Everything indicates that Geralt is a murderer.

Let's play a game

First part

Witcher is an RPG video game developed by CD Projekt Red Studio. The game takes place in the world created by Sapkowski. Its main character is a witcher Geralt, and the story covers the period after the events described in the saga of The Witcher

PLOT: The mysterious person runs in the rain through the forest. He falls from exhaustion. Shortly thereafter, the group of witchers recognized in him the supposedly deceased Geralt of Rivia. Geralt is taken to the headquarters of the witchers, Kaer Morhen. There he meets his old friends and Triss Merigold. However, he's suffering from amnesia. The hero doesn't remember any events from his past. The joy of meeting breaks an unexpected attack on Kaer Morhen. It soon becomes clear that the robbers attacked Kaer Morhen just to get the witcher mutagenic potions. After repelled the attack witchers separate and move to Temeria, to find a man standing behind the attack. Geralt goes to the Vizima. There he tries to regain lost memories.

Let's watch a movie

The film about the witcher

Polish fantasy movie from 2001 directed by Mark Brodsky. The film is a screen adaptation of stories about Witcher. The title role was entrusted to Michael Zebrowski. The music is by Gregory Ciechowski. I think that rightly the audience didn't like it. Because of  that it has earned only about half of what was spent on its production. The cause of defeat was probably the fact that as a result of attempts to use the largest part of the plot of the original material has become very not consistent.
The film was created as an additional effect of work on television series, which premiered in autumn 2002, which may partly explain the low level of film. 
In my opinion one of the most low-cost moments:

Cards on table

The Witcher "Card Game" - Publisher 'Forge Game "was selected by CD Projekt RED to create two complete card games to accompany the premiere production of" The Witcher ". Games will be released in Poland, but CD Projekt doesn't exclude the possibility of publishing them also in other countries. Playing is with two decks focused on fighting two players. One person plays as Geralt, the second control monsters. The victory will depend on the decision making and selection of appropriate strategy and luck. The game includes elements of adventure and strategy.

Looking at comics

Books are not enough. For lovers of comic books will also be an edition of The Witcher. The author of the series is Maciej Parowski and drawings created Boguslaw Polch. In 1993-1995, he created six albums released by the publisher "Prószyński i S-ka", issued later in the two sets in hardcover. Publisher CD project, responsible for the computer game "The Witcher", announces the resumption of comic books. Example of pictorial history:
  

"The road of no return"
It tells the story of the first, and only meeting of the Geralt's parents - Korin and Visenna.

Books and stories

"The Sword of Destiny"

A SHARD OF ICE

This story shows the complicated relationship between Geralt and Yennefer. The action takes place in the city Aedd Gynvael, where Geralt lives with Yennefer. He killed zeugl there. The wizard Istredd, who is Yennefer's lover, offers her marriage, but she doesn't agree. Jealous Geralt is making conversation with Istredd, and challenging him to a duel. They don't know, however, that a woman, for which they want to fight, left the city and left them a message...

 

Books and stories

"The Sword of Destiny"

Released in 1992, published by SuperNOWA, the second part of the Witcher series by chronology. It consists of several short stories.

The Bounds of Reason

Geralt hired to kill the basilisk, hunting in the ruins of the castle. He hasn't retired very long time, so the villagers thought he was dead and try to get his stuff. Prevented this the knight Borch three jackdaws and his companions (which protected him at a time) - Tea and Vea.  After a while, Geralt is appearing, pulling behind him a dead basilisk. Terrified villagers pay him and flee. The Witcher thanks Borch, and he invites him to the tavern "Under pensive dragon". They all together  set off on a journey around the world the next day. At the border stops them decurion, tasked only allow those who have safe-conduct. Among the people waiting at the barrier is Jaskier. He tells Geralt that King Niedamir arranges hunting a dragon, who recently appeared in the area. In the hunting takes part: the knight of Denesle Eyck, gnomes, dwarves Yarpen Zigrin's, a shoemaker Kozojed and the sorceress Yennefer . Upon hearing about her Geralt decides to join the expedition. But he don't know what the secret is hidden with his new companion - Borch Three Jackdaws.

Books and stories

"The Last Wish"

THE LAST WISH

Geralt and Jaskier are catching fish on the river. In the fishing net tangled a mysterious box. Jaskier said that there's a genie. Despite the advice of Geralt he takes off seal and frees the spirit. He expresses two wishes: killing his rival, the troubadour Valdo Marx, the second: have romance with the Countess Virginia. But he couldn't say third, because the genie began to suffocate him. Geralt banishes the spirit by exorcism, but he can't cure Jaskier, so he takes him to a nearby town. But there they can't help him too. The only remedy is the sorceress of Vengerberg - Yennefer.

Books and stories

"The Last Wish"

THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

Geralt and Jaskier are going to the village. Representative of the village, Dhun, asks him to help in the expulsion from the village, "the devil" who wanders about the local area, destroying crops, contaminating water and stealing oats from the granary. The Witcher decides to handle the case. Jaskier insists that there are no devils. They go into the field to deal with the devil (or rather Silvan). Soon it appears. Jaskier, despite warnings Geralt attack Silvan. He hurls at them with iron balls. Friends need to withdraw. In the village everything becomes clear. A wise girl named Lillie has helped them, but she forbade killing. Geralt devised a plan.

 

 

Books and stories

"The Last Wish"

A QUESTION OF PRICE 

Geralt is invited to the court of Queen Calanthe. He has to dress as a knight, called Ravix of Czteroróg. During the feast he sits next to the queen. She has an important task for Geralt.However, he did not know at the moment, what it is, but it is certain that Geralt perform them because each task is only a "a question of price." Meanwhile, adoption continues. At the banquet, there are many candidates to  the princess of Cintra's hand - Pavetta. During the feast there is the mysterious knight, a hedgehog of Erlenwald.  Announces that Pavetta is for him, under the laws of surprises. Years ago he saved a life of her father, who got lost while hunting. This promised to give him something that already has, and what did not expect. It was just Pavetta.The queen has no intention to do that. This wasn't the best idea.

Books and stories

"The Last Wish"

THE LESSER EVIL

Geralt travels the world in search of work. Along the way, kills Striga from the swamp. He comes to a nearby town called Blaviken. Mayor, however, lacks the funds and therefore does not pay Witcher. He proposes to carry the creature to the wizard. The magician knows Geralt and invites him to his tower. Stregobor tells his story. Years ago there was a prophecy which says that mutants will master the world. Wizards began to exterminate them. One of them was a princess Renfri. Her mother sent a huntsman to kill the girl, but he died,  trying to rape her before. Renfri escaped, joined the band of gnomes and together they attacked the merchants. Stregobor found her and while Renfri tried to kill him, he locked her in the crystal. Unfortunately, not for long. Now, Renfri with his new band chases Stregobor. The wizard asks Geralt to kill Renfri because it is a monster in human skin. The Witcher refuses. In his opinion Stregobor and Renfri are equally bad. It turns out to sytuacion, that Geralt have to make a choice.

Books and stories

"The Last Wish"

A GRAIN OF THRUTH

Geralt on his faithful mare wanders the globe in search of work. On the road is a dead armorer and his daughter. To explain who killed these people, Geralt leaves the trail and moving down the road that killed one's traveled . He runs into an old and mysterious mansion - it's abandoned, but only superficially. The Witcher sees a beautiful girl who escapes to his view. Then he meets the owner of the manor - the beast, that wants to oust Geralt from his estate. The Witcher don't want be discarded and asks for hospitality, the host (named Nivellen) finally gives way. At the request of Geralt, Nivellen tells him his story. Geralt leaves the Nivellen's house in the evening, but  he realizes, that was a big mistake and his new friend threatens terrible danger. 

 

 

Books and stories

"The Last Wish"

It's the first collection of short stories. It was released by the Independent Publishing House in 1993. Consists of a main history "voice of reason," interrupted by other stories, explaining, supporting and forming a story of Geralt of Rivia. 

THE WITCHER

To Vizima, the capital of Temeria, comes a mysterious horseman of Rivia. In a roadside inn he is attacked by robbers. Riv kills them, then he is escorted to mayor - Velerad. He explains that he is a witcher Geralt of Riva of the wolf guild and he came here to execute the order of King Foltest. Velerad explains the whole situation. Now, in his youth the king Foltest had an affair with his own sister, Adda. From this union was born a girl. Adda died in childbirth, and her daughter soon after. They were buried in the royal tomb. After seven years  from the tomb came vampire /in polish: strzyga/ , who started killing people. She comes out every few nights during the full moon and she is extremely dangerous and unforgiving. Attempts to kill her yielded no results. According to a wizard of the vampire you can remove the curse, you should just sleep in the Adda's tomb and leave it after the third pianiu cock. The wizard was killed, trying to do this, but the king kept the plan and does not allow kill his daughter. The Witcher takes on the task.

Presentation of the characters

Regis

Barber and one of the 1200 vampires, he is 428 years by human reckoning of time, and 642 years according to calculations of the elves. A very powerful vampire. He always carries a canvas bag for herbs, so his presence is always accompanied by a strong herbal-spicy scent. This effectively confuses animals like horses, which are able to recognize a vampire. Because of acuminata canines he smiles almost exclusively with pursed lips. In the "Baptism of Fire" he joins Geralt and his company. Regis turns out to be a loyal friend. At first, when Geralt discovered the identity of Regis, he tried to kill him.

My opinion: In this saga I love vision of vampires: no deadly garlic, silver bullets or pins. About blood: for vampires it's nothing like the main component of the diet. It's just delicious intoxicant. After meeting one of vampires, he temporarily stopped overuse of blood, but after she left the beloved "addiction" has returned with renewed strength.

 

 

Presentation of the characters

Calanthe

Queen of Cintra, Pavetta's mother and Ciri's grandmother. Just like her granddaughter, she has gray hair. Too many rumors circulated about her. Gossip about incest in family relationships, gossip about the "hot blood", with numerous romances and adventures. Even rumors of incestuous relation with her cousin Calanthe, the queen of Lyria - Meve.

My opinion: She's cold and selfish. "But the uncle Crach an Craite still kneeling with head bowed, greeted the Lioness of Cintra less official title, but recognized by the islanders for a fuller worship."Hail, Modron."

 "Princess" said Calanthe cold and imperious voice, not at all looking at the Earl. [...]
Grandmother's hand was strong and hard as hand man of the icy rings