Witcher: The Half Elf

The disaster in Kaedwen, the severe weakening of the Brotherhood, and the spread of hellish monsters not only plunged the North into a state of heightened mystery and danger but also accelerated the chaos engulfing the Northern Kingdoms. The instability further caught the attention of Nilfgaard, the expanding southern empire, which now eyed the North's resources with growing interest.

While the Northern kings remained preoccupied with internal squabbles and minor concerns within their realms, a looming crisis was quietly taking shape—one that would soon sweep across the entire region.

But in every crisis lies opportunity. For ambitious Northern lords, mercenaries for hire, the soldiers of Nilfgaard, and even the Witcher schools, this chaos presented a chance to rise and solidify their power.

...

Three years passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now 1256, six years before the fateful meeting of Ciri and Geralt, as chronicled in the original stories.

The lifting of the fog over Kaedwen did not bring relief; instead, it destabilized the kingdom further. The uncontained spread of thousands of monsters from the fog shattered the kingdom's foundations, throwing its rule into disarray.

Previously, the fog—while dangerous—was contained, covering only about one-fifth of the kingdom's territory. The remaining regions, while facing occasional threats, were still habitable for ordinary folk.

Now, with the monsters roaming unchecked across forests, farmlands, and villages, the unprotected populace found themselves unable to fend off these threats. Life in the countryside became unsustainable.

Those with the resources attempted to build high walls and diverted their strongest workers into forming militias to protect their families.

Many chose to flee their homes, carrying whatever belongings they could salvage, and sought refuge in fortified cities. These migrations often subjected them to the exploitation of local lords in exchange for protection. 

Kaedwen's once-thriving wilderness had now become a paradise for monsters. The fallen sorcerers who escaped corruption during the earlier calamities took command of various monster hordes. They raised undead armies from the many corpses left behind and fortified themselves in strongholds scattered across the kingdom.

The surviving fallen humans fared no better. Under the leadership of their more cunning and powerful members, they formed ruthless bands of marauders. These groups pillaged the countryside, looted villages, and enslaved their victims. Over time, these scattered bands began to consolidate into camps and even factions, creating localized centers of terror across Kaedwen.

For now, the chaos in Kaedwen had not yet spread to the neighboring kingdoms, though this fragile containment seemed destined to fail.

King Henselt, incapacitated and unconscious, left the throne without strong leadership. Two rival noble factions engaged in constant power struggles, vying for dominance. Their endless disputes paralyzed the kingdom's ability to mount a unified response to the worsening crisis.

Without centralized leadership, Kaedwen's military strength eroded rapidly, leaving it powerless to address these domestic issues.

As the premier organization of spellcasters in the North, the Brotherhood bore a responsibility to assist Kaedwen in eliminating the monstrous invaders.

During these three years, the fallen sorcerers, corrupted by the power of hell, began reappearing across the North. Their resurgence caused considerable trouble and diverted significant resources from the Brotherhood.

Without the direct control of Demon Lord Baal, these fallen sorcerers gradually regained some independence over their actions. However, the lasting effects of hell's influence on their souls left permanent scars. Their personalities transformed into cruel and cunning personas, marked by a ferocious love for chaos and killing.

Unlike the monsters that spread gradually within Kaedwen, these fallen sorcerers used their magical abilities to traverse the North quickly. They even organized themselves into a sinister spellcasting faction, secretly recruiting societal outcasts, rogue sorcerers, and other unsavory elements. This shadow organization emerged as a dangerous rival to the Brotherhood, headquartered somewhere in Kaedwen, which had fallen into disarray without a centralized authority.

The collapse of order in Kaedwen continued to deepen. Nearly 30% of the civilian population fled the kingdom, seeking refuge in neighboring territories. Those who remained in towns and cities struggled under rising prices and the oppressive taxes imposed by nobles who sought to maintain their lavish lifestyles amidst growing instability.

In the absence of strong leadership, noble factions intensified their internal struggles. These disputes consumed increasingly scarce resources, exacerbating tensions and creating a volatile environment. Amid this brewing chaos, Kaedwen's fragile stability faced a new and more immediate threat—a sudden war.

...

Blue Mountains, Kaer Morhen

Three years had passed, and Kaer Morhen, the ancient stronghold of the Wolf School, had undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a crumbling relic of the witcher era, the castle had been completely rebuilt. With the assistance of skilled elven architects and powerful giant craftsmen, it now resembled a fortified military city rather than a simple stronghold.

The new Kaer Morhen fortress boasted defensive walls, watchtowers, stables, gardens, smithies, and various other facilities. The structure combined the elegant artistry of the elves with the monumental craftsmanship of giants. Even among the grand fortresses of the Northern Kingdoms, it stood as a marvel of engineering and design.

In the grand meeting hall of this imposing stronghold, Wayne sat at the head of a long table, his chin resting lazily on one hand. His piercing gaze, half-obscured by a relaxed posture, scrutinized the individuals seated around the table—his trusted subordinates.

By his side, Aglais, a graceful dryad in a light yellow gown, moved with an air of youthful curiosity. Acting as Wayne's temporary secretary, she poured tea for the attendees while observing them with wide, innocent eyes.

One of the assembled individuals stood to speak:

"Wayne, according to the latest intelligence we've gathered, Demavend, King of Aedirn, has led an army of 10,000 men into Kaedwen's territory," the speaker reported, their tone a mix of caution and urgency. "Based on their current march, they're expected to besiege Sherela, the southern city under Earl Carwen, by tomorrow."

The report hung heavy in the air as Wayne's subordinates exchanged uneasy glances.

"It's clear that Demavend has been scheming for quite some time," the speaker continued. "He must have struck secret deals with multiple factions in advance. His goal is obvious: to carve off a significant piece of Kaedwen's land while the kingdom is mired in internal chaos."

The person speaking at this time was Julia, a striking figure adorned in bright armor with feline-like grace. As Wayne's trusted subordinate and the leader of his mercenary group, Julia was arguably the most well-informed individual regarding external affairs, second only to Francesca, Wayne's elven ally.

In recent years, the dangerous conditions in Kaedwen had significantly increased the demand for mercenaries. Seizing this opportunity, Julia expanded her Mercenary Group, recruiting thousands of mercenaries and integrating them into the Wayne Chamber of Commerce, a burgeoning enterprise that had quickly gained fame across the North.

Beyond her role in bolstering Wayne's military and economic power, Julia had also established a robust intelligence network, particularly in Temeria and Kaedwen. This network provided her with a constant stream of critical information, making her an indispensable asset to Wayne.

"Boss," Julia began, her tone measured but urgent, "if Demavend succeeds in defeating Earl Carwen, it's likely that the entire southern nobility of Kaedwen will defect to Aedirn."

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she laid out the implications.

"If that happens, half of Kaedwen could fall into Aedirn's hands. With King Demavend's strong and ambitious character, he might begin to interfere with your plans."

Julia's expression turned serious as she added, "Do we need to intervene?"