A gwyhyr is a splendid gnomish sword, regarded as the best in the world. The gnomes had ceased production of these weapons more than two hundred years before the events of the saga. Gwyhyrs were forged with "dark iron" which made the blades light and sharp as a razor. They were also characterized by their undulating edge and ray shagreen covered hilts.
In late 1267, Leo Bonhart takes his prisoner Ciri (using the alias Falka) to the swordsmith Esterhazy to give her a sword to fight with in the Claremont arena. Esterhazy reveals an expensive gwyhyr he had in storage and gives it to Ciri as a gift, who thus names it Zireael.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings[]
Gwyhyr appears in The Witcher 2 as a rare steel sword. It is the best steel sword available in Act 2. Geralt obtains the sword by completing the Baltimore's Nightmare quest in Chapter 2 if he sides with Iorveth. To obtain it, he must keep Master Baltimore's notes from Thorak (i.e. he cannot show him the notes!). this ultimately leads to the witcher being forced to kill Thorak after which he returns to Alderman Cecil and is rewarded with the sword.
Alternatively, showing Thorak the notes but rejecting his offer to let him search the workshop first will turn Thorak and his team hostile. This has the same result as not showing Baltimore's notes to him in the first place.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[]
Gwyhyr returns as a steel sword in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
One can be found on a Nilfgaardian soldier's corpse inside the cave where Harrisi has her nest during the quest Contract: Missing Brother, in one of the alcoves in the final chamber. It is otherwise only obtainable as random loot - from guarded treasures after reaching level 15, and in some caves in Velen and Skellige after reaching level 25.
Notes[]
- The Yrden Sign intensity and critical hit damage rolls will always match.