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Kaedwen

Country Region The Continent The Witcher Universe

Overview King Henselt frequently quarreled with neighboring Aedirn, mostly over the ownership of the Upper Aedirn in the Pontar Valley which once belonged to the Kaedwenians.

Overview

King Henselt frequently quarreled with neighboring Aedirn, mostly over the ownership of the Upper Aedirn in the Pontar Valley which once belonged to the Kaedwenians. Kaedwen also shares borders with the kingdoms of Redania and Caingorn; and portions of the Dragon Mountains, the Kestrel Mountains and the Blue Mountains run through the kingdom. The witchers' fortress of Kaer Morhen is located amidst the peaks of the Blue Mountains, and further south lies the land of the Free Elves, an enclave established by elves seeking refuge from centuries of warring with humans. [citation needed]

Forests cover nearly two-thirds of the country and are its main resource; the typical Kaedwan is a blond, sturdy, and stubborn lumberjack. The people of this place have been hardened by frequent battles against bands of wild elves living in the forests, which are incredibly numerous in this region.

In the far future, the weather changed enough that northern regions, like Talgar, Caingorn, and Kaedwen, are no longer suitable to grow certain types of produce due to the colder climate. In particular, Kaedwen no longer has the capability to grow grapevines and thus no longer has a wine industry.

History

Dagread's reign

In 1130, King Dagread moved the capital from the city of Ban Ard to Ard Carraigh, closer to the Kingdom's center. The former capital city was granted to the magical academy.

Northern Wars

During the reign of King Henselt, during the First Northern War in 1263, the Kaedwenian Army marched south to face the invading Nilfgaardian Army. While successful, many soldiers were lost in battle, and concurrently Kaedwen was left partially undefended to the newly established Scoia'tael, who constantly attacked Kaedwenian forts and regiments on the road, such as Beeches.

In early 1267, after the northern rulers meeting at Hagge, Henselt formed an offensive against the warring Scoia'tael, resulting in pogroms against nonhumans becoming commonplace around the kingdom.

In July, after the beginning of the Second Northern War and fall of Aedirn, Henselt negotiated a peace treaty with Nilfgaard: the lands of Aedirn were to be split between two, the natural division line being the Dyfne river. Kaedwenian troops marched to occupy the northern region known as Upper Aedirn, where on the river, Margrave Mansfeld shook hands with Menno Coehoorn, commander-in-chief of the Nilfgaardian army.

National Emblems

Coats of Arms

From time immemorial, the coat of arms of Kaedwen has been the black unicorn on gold. The legend has it that when Viduka was wandering through the country he saw the unicorn which led him to the unusual rock where he would later found his capital.

Notable Kaedwenians

For the main article on Kaedwenian kings, see Dynasty of the Unicorn.

Royalty

Others

For a complete list of known Kaedwenians, see Category:Kaedwenians.

Armed forces

Notable locations

Cities and Keeps

Regions and Landmarks

Marches

Kaedwen's central or Royal District is surrounded by marches, or marks, named such after signs called marks meant to denote the Kingdom's expanding borders. Marches are ruled by Margraves, either hereditary or appointed by the King.

Notable marches:

Others

The Witcher

The Prologue is set in the grounds of Kaer Morhen, which is located in the northern kingdom of Kaedwen. Additionally, one of the types of beer available to Geralt throughout the game is Kaedwenian Stout.

The Price of Neutrality premium module

This premium module for the game is set in the surroundings of Kaer Morhen, which is located in the northern kingdom of Kaedwen.

Journal entry

The above journal entry states that, Kaedwen borders the duchy of " Vspaden ", which is an error based on a fan-made map from Andrzej Sapkowski Zone, even though CD PROJEKT RED created a more correct map of their own for the game, which does not include this error. The fan-made map includes the duchy based on a (misspelled) reference to Yspaden in " The Lesser Evil ". According to Andrzej Sapkowski's own notes, which were released after the map was created, Yspaden is a city in Redania.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

While the kingdom of Kaedwen does not itself feature in the game, its king, Henselt and a Kaedweni taskforce of 5,200 men do. They attempt to seize the Pontar Valley through negotiated terms at first, but are met with resistance from Prince Stennis and the Blood Curse of Sabrina Glevissig. Henselt is forced to take it through military action, but this is met with fierce resistance from Saskia and the Vergen militia. The outcome of the battle and fate of King Henselt can be influenced by the Geralt's actions. Kaedwen may end up controlliing both strategic lynchpins of the Valley, should Geralt allow Kaedwen to seize both Flotsam and Vergen.

Journal entry

Lorelei
History In 1229, it was run by Madame Pampinea Monteforte.
The Continent Kaedwen 0 Points
Red Swamp
History Due to its close proximity to the School of the Wolf and being a nesting ground for all sorts of creatures, the place is used as part of the school's witcher trials to weed out the boys who'll then be put through the mutations.
The Continent Kaedwen Swamp 0 Points
Brista
References
The Continent Kaedwen River 0 Points
Kaer Morhen valley
Currently, the only known "inhabited" structure in the valley is the limestone keep of Kaer Morhen, the home of the witcher 's School of the Wolf, and surrounding places. The Gwenllech river flows through the valley.
The Continent Kaedwen Region 0 Points
Fort Leyda
History Prior June 1267, the fortress was sacked by the Scoia'tael. Outrage over the incident is said to have contributed to the pogrom in Ard Carraigh, and the deaths of over 400 nonhumans.
The Continent Kaedwen Fortress 0 Points
Kaedwenian intelligence
While taking enlistment, they primarily picked out individuals with great potential, such as exiled mages and spies.
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Vespaden
History Reign of Kennet Blackbeard Henselt's intervention Following the execution of Nikodemus Talbot in 1251, Henselt 's forces marched into the duchy to avenge the affront. Geography and climate Vespaden is situated north of Kaedwen, touching the Kestrel and Dragon Mountains.
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Mantovanis Bank
Branches and employees Kaedwen
The Continent Kaedwen Bank 0 Points
Bonis Bank
Branches and employees Kaedwen
The Continent Kaedwen Bank 0 Points
Ban Gleán
It also boasts a fortress, guarded by the Dun Banner, an elite light cavalry brigade in the Kaedwenian Army. These soldiers all trained and lived in Ban Gleán, fighting in the Second Northern War.
The Continent Kaedwen City 0 Points
Heihgard
Around the 1250s it was ruled by Martya, 50-years-old wife of the deceased lord. While wealthy, she was more concerned with providing herself a comfortable afterlife, thus funding local temples and the Melitele Guard.
The Continent Kaedwen 0 Points
Sturefors
Prisoners sometimes tattooed letter S wrapped around a dagger. Known prisoners Preston Holt Petru Cobbin Notes Sturefors was first mentioned in Andrzej Sapkowski 's Season of Storms without information regarding its location.
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Western March
Its border is marked by the Buina River and the Kestrel Mountains to the west. Like Kaedwen's other marches, the margraves here meant to push the kingdom's border out, looking to expand westward past the Kestrel Mountains.
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Badger Ravine
History In February 1266, while a large Dun Banner patrol was passing through the ravine, Scoia'tael warriors ambushed and slaughtered them all, and promptly disappeared back into the surrounding woods. References
The Continent Kaedwen 0 Points
Two Weatherfish
References
The Continent Kaedwen Tavern 0 Points
Kaedwenian Army
Although the Kaedwenian soldiers were not the best swordsman of the north, they were without a doubt the best in the use of siege weapons and cavalry units.
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Daevon
History In 1266, the merchant trails to this city were being attacked by Scoia'tael, due to the lack of defense from the Kaedwenian Army following the First Northern War. References
The Continent Kaedwen City 0 Points
Ard Carraigh
It is mainly built of wood, except for the royal palace, an adapted elven structure. However, the latter is surrounded by magnificent brick walls, a rarity in this region.
The Continent Kaedwen City 0 Points
Beeches (region)
Locations Beeches settlement Notes While the name Beeches appears in Blood of Elves, the book doesn't specify whether it's a settlement or an area.
The Continent Kaedwen Region 0 Points
Ban Ard
Residents Bras Locations Ban Ard Academy The Three Spruces The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Journal entry Notes In The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, the armor of Ban Ard can be obtained from the golem in the cave under Henselt's camp.
The Continent Kaedwen RegionCity 0 Points
Riverbend (Fandom Witcher)
History Historically, the village has had adversarial relations with the neighboring communities of Saint's Crossing and Bartok-Barrow Mines.
The Continent Kaedwen Village 0 Points
Yarsbor
Around the 1250s, the town belonged to Lord Blothbon but debts to Cianfanelli Bank posed a threat to his authority.
The Continent Kaedwen Town 0 Points
Rocamora
History Around 1225, the estate was purchased by the semi-retired witcher, Preston Holt, after he suffered a permanent injury that meant he could no longer take regular contracts.
The Continent Kaedwen 0 Points
Beeches
The Continent Kaedwen Region 0 Points
Hertch
Locations Gwenllech Kaer Morhen valley Notes The name is unclear due to ambiguous Polish declension and using all caps in the whole sentences in the comics.
The Continent Kaedwen Region 0 Points
Kestrel Mountains
Several rivers run through the range as well, including the Buina, the Braa (which rises between the Kestrel and Dragon mountain ranges) and the Nimnar.
The Continent Kaedwen Region 0 Points
Upper March
Its border is marked by the Gwenllech River and makes up the northern part of Kaedwen, stopping before the Dragon Mountains.
The Continent Kaedwen Region 0 Points
Saint's Crossing
History Historically, the village has had adversarial relations with the neighboring communities of Riverbend and Bartok-Barrow Mines.
The Continent Kaedwen Village 0 Points
Lixela
The Lixela (Polish: Liksela) is a river which flows through Kaedwen. It is a tributary of the mighty Pontar.
The Continent Kaedwen River 0 Points
The Weary Traveler
The place to go to get a drink in Saint's Crossing. The inn has five single rooms and one double room upstairs.
The Continent Kaedwen 0 Points
Shaerrawedd
At the heart of the granite and marble palace was a fountain and a rose bush covered with beautiful white-lilied flowers, adorned with silver drops on the petals, a symbol of hope for the elves.
The Continent Kaedwen Residence 0 Points