White Orchard in the morning

Most of the travellers passing through White Orchard will not have the company of Geralt or Vesemir. That increases the chances of death by being ripped apart into shreds by a monster or stabbed or hanged to death by the Nilfgaardians exponentially. Ideally, the only exploration of Nilfgaard occupied White Orchard should be undertaken along with Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, or Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon. Perhaps one could also tag along with Vesemir but the old witcher is wary of preparing Kaer Morhen for the winter, so he may not be so willing. Since Geralt and his friends (family) have the Wild Hunt on their tail, even they might be treacherous company.

So, welcome to White Orchard. Let’s assume that one has tumbled across this region and is probably a travelling merchant or a herbalist looking for noble causes. Either way, it must be common knowledge by now that the region has been annexed by Nilfgaard. I mean, why not. It’s basically a defenceless land just next to Vizima. In a world without the United Nations, nobody really cares if a small piece of land is taken over. Of course, that has only come to happen since King Foltest is dead and the Temeria we once knew is no more. King Emhyr is merciless in his conquests and the fertile lands of White Orchard are perfect for his armies camped at the south of Velen.

Vizima – Politics

But enough politics, we are here to find out how to go about sight-seeing in White Orchard. Well, do not. That is the shortest answer if you ask me over a glass of Viziman Champion. The drink’s good though, bloody hell. You’ve got to be dung-headed shit-smacked to even think of such an idea. Although if it is such a necessity, we will talk about it. At least, let us say, hold out in the Tavern unless Geralt of Rivia has dealt with the griffin and perhaps some of the drowners. They do come again in numbers as corpses pile up each day, but at least, we can let the griffin die first. Massive deathstalker from the skies, its talons are as wide as anchor hooks from merchant ships. It stinks of rotten meat and its shriek makes a grown man piss his pants.

White Orchard – This is just one of them. Let the witcher work!

Once the coast is clear, one can safely stand by the Woesong Bridge and gaze at the Ismena River. It is a beautiful sight. There is no music in White Orchard save that of the commands of the Nilfgaardian bastards asking anyone they see to do this or that. Truth be told, they prefer order but they prefer busy hands. So, perhaps sit with a fishing hook, and sell them some too. Oh, be careful of drowners. At night, it is safe to hang by the tavern and play gwent and drink. The soldiers will not bother you unless you are on a date. That is not a safe bet given the leeriness at play.

White Orchard – The water, damn.

For any further travels, one should have a horse, a sword and a knife for good measure. The travel north from the tavern to the mill is pleasant for a tired mind. The cool breeze rustles the leaves of the forests adorning the river. The roads are mostly safe, although if you hear wild dogs, run for your life. Further, do not go left. There is a haunted place. It is a strange place that gives a certain mystical aura. The witcher was very interested but did say the place was not really pretty.

Among the places that would be recommended off the bat for their beautiful locations is a lake south of the village. It is surrounded by monster nests, so you have to pick your trail carefully here. The food at the tavern is average to absent at best. So, if you packed some roasted potatoes and bread, this might be a nice stop for lunch. Do not overstay though, death is never distant in this place. In addition, do not enter the cave. I repeat, do not enter the cave. Once again, do not go around the cave and go near the well. The well is not to be stepped near. Courage is stupidity at such a juncture. Be warned, my fellow mate.

For the next part, we should negate the possibility of sudden death, assuming that Geralt of Rivia has cleared the area of all the deserter bandits. If so, and if the witcher bothered to burn the bodies, so that there are no undead crawling about, the region boasts some exquisite and pretty roads to ride through the forests. It is therapeutic for the mind, of course, the paranoia of death from monsters must be set aside, after all, a tourist in White Orchard cannot have a gelatinous resolve. The ride down the Ford and the eastwards towards the dilapidated village and toward the Crossroads gives a glimpse of the travesties of the people living in these lands. It paints a sombre picture of the travails of war. One might want to stop by and see the extent of destruction caused by the bloodthirsty army of Emperor Emhyr.

If you fancy to view the tree where Geralt of Rivia and Vesemir camped, stand atop the hill near the Crossroads, rest by the tree trunk and absorb the vista of the setting sun. At this point, you should be riding at breakneck speed toward the village. It is fair warning once again. The ghouls do not come to chat.

The North of White Orchard is not a place that any visitor wishes to visit. It is a place of summons and abuse. The Nilfgaardian garrison stands proud and tall. The marshes behind it harbour the worst of monsters and the garrison still manages to give off an aura more sinister. Humans are the scourge of this world, an elf once rightly said so. Even the witcher was left with a sour taste in his mouth. “I wonder who the true monster was,” Geralt remarked to me with a grim scowl when he returned from the garrison having dropped the head of the griffin at the garrison.

White Orchard is a place to answer your inner questions provided you are alive

All in all, the flowers still bloom, the sun still sets as beautifully and rises as gorgeously at White Orchard. The war and the corpses may have given the once mesmerising land by the Ismena river a negative connotation, but a battle hardy merchant can still aim to do business as well as have a pleasant time exploring the wilderness in this place. White Orchard also does not have strong restrictions for entry or exit so as long as one is abiding by basic rules and keeping her/his head down, it is safe.

That said, death is lurking in every bush in this land and one must accept that. Fear will make you impale yourself upon your own sword, so if you have ridden a mile without doing that, I would say that you will enjoy yourself here. The bridge by the Ismena River awaits a poet and a lover. So, let your hair loose.