Prologue[]
The opening cutscene depicts Yennefer fleeing the midst of a large battle in White Orchard and Geralt and Vesemir several days later tracking her escape from various signs left in her wake. At the scene's conclusion the story officially starts with Geralt in a guest room at Kaer Morhen, the stronghold of the witchers in the Blue Mountains. After proceeding through brief tutorials on movement and combat mechanics, and the sudden and terrifying appearance of the Wild Hunt, we learn that the time Geralt is actually dreaming about the events at Kaer Morhen. Geralt awakes to discuss his dream with Vesemir and they resume their tracking of Yennefer's flight as seen in the opening scene.
Quaint village of White Orchard shows signs of the scars of war
Vesemir and Geralt make their way to White Orchard where they learn that Yennefer was last seen speaking with the Nilfgaardian Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve before she raced off. The captain agrees to tell Geralt where Yennefer went in exchange for ridding the town of a griffin that has recently been attacking villagers on the main road. Geralt examines the beast's nest and sets a trap for the griffin and with the help of Vesemir soon defeats the griffin. The Nilfgaardian captain says that Yennefer has rode on to Vizima. Just as Geralt and Vesemir are about to depart they are approached by none other than Yennefer herself. Yennefer insists that Geralt follow her back to Vizima for an audience with Emperor Emhyr var Emreis. Vesemir decides it would be best if he returned to Kaer Morhen.
Even when crossing the short distance between White Orchard and Vizima, Geralt and Yennefer cannot have a quiet moment as they are soon set upon by hounds of the Wild Hunt. Fortunately for our hero no harm comes to either Geralt or Yennefer and they arrive safely in Vizima where Emperor Emhyr enlists Geralt's aid in finding the emperor's daughter Ciri who is believed to have the Wild Hunt closing in on her. Geralt agrees to help and meets with Yennefer to formulate a plan. Geralt intends to begin his search in Velen and meet with Triss Merigold to join forces in the search. Meanwhile, Yennefer departs to investigate a magical disturbance in Skellige that might be linked to Ciri.
Act I[]
Geralt finds himself traveling the road alone in No Man's Land, also known as Velen, a region devastated by the war between the Nilfgaardian Empire and the Northern Kingdoms. Geralt can choose to begin his search here by seeking out emperor Emhyr's spy, Hendrik, who is in nearby Heatherton. Upon reaching the small village it is clear that something evil beyond the normal destruction caused by warring nations has visited this town. Geralt finds Hendrik dead, but he gets two leads on Ciri's whereabouts from the spy's notes.
Philip Strenger, the bloody baron
The first clue is that Ciri met with the local warlord and now de facto ruler of Velen, Phillip Strenger, nicknamed the Bloody Baron. Geralt finds this self-proclaimed ruler enthroned at nearby Crow's Perch. Geralt agrees to locate the missing wife and daughter of the Baron in exchange for information about Ciri. This seemingly simple task for someone as skilled as a witcher takes Geralt all over Velen and even into the nearby city of Novigrad. The Witcher finds out that the stresses of alcoholism, infidelity, abuse and warfare have combined to form a poor outcome for the Baron and his family, which forces him to make several difficult decisions between greater and lesser evils.
The second clue is that a woman fitting Ciri's description was seen to have quarreled with a witch. The people of Velen are very superstitious, so for them a witch could be anything from a local healer to a powerful sorceress. This leaves not much to go on at first. Geralt's first attempt to find the witch leads him to the wrong person: he finds Keira Metz, who is living in the nearby village of Midcopse. Long time friends, off and on lovers, the two team up to search for a mysterious elven mage whom Keira claims may have been helping Ciri. Unfortunately The Wild Hunt reaches the mage's underground cave first, and the resulting fight and search of the caverns under The Mire yields very little information on Ciri's whereabouts. Keira suggests Geralt investigate Crookback Bog, where a trio of Crones live, in case these are the witches that Ciri was heard to have tangled with. Geralt investigates the bog and meets its residents, which leads to a surprising tie-in with the Baron's search for his family. All of this is overshadowed by an epic struggle between the powerful Crones and a mysterious spirit, on which the lives of many depend.
The Baron tells Geralt that Ciri said that the Wild Hunt was chasing her and she would ride to Novigrad to seek shelter. This leads Geralt to continue his investigation in Novigrad.
Act II[]
Geralt must muster additional forces for the forthcoming battle in Kaer Morhen with the forces of the Wild Hunt. Geralt takes on several tasks to bolster his allies before the coming battle. The aftermath of the attack is also presented, too.
Act III[]
Geralt's path comes to a close, and the decisions you made throughout the adventure come back to help (or haunt) you.