WITCHER

The Trials

The first of the Trials to happen was the infamous Trial of the Grasses. An incredibly painful one, it required the absorbtion of special virus cultures plus alchemical ingredients known as "the Grasses" to modify the physiology of the subject. It took about a week. The grasses in question included corn lily, nightshade, speargrass, wildrye and wolfsbane. Furthemore, mutagenic elixirs were essential as well. Supposedly, albumen of gray scolopendromorphs constituted the basis of witcher mutagens. Before the main portion of the Trial began, one segment of the grasses was served to the children via teas.

The herbs and elixirs were injected directly to immobilzed children's veins. Most adepts died by the third day. The survivors, agitated by strikes of sudden madness, would fall into a deep stupor. Their eyes turning glassy, hands reaching for any nearby clothing, and breath loud and hoarse. After being administered the elixirs again, the children's cough would progress into vomiting. They also suffered from seizures, while cold sweat ran down their skin. Thus weakened, the adepts fought with the mutagens, herbs, and viruses penetrating their bodies. When they woke up by the seventh day, their eyes had already turned cat-like. No more than three or, at best, four in ten survived; the rest died in agony. Aside from the eyes, The Trial granted witcher adepts lightning-quick reflexes, slower aging, physical strength as well as sharpened senses.

The second rite called the Trial of Dreams further enhanced the witcher trainees' abilities. The Trial, among other benefits, augmented their nightvision. On the other hand, it also sterilized them.

The Trial of the Mountains, much better known to Wolf Witchers as the Trial of the Medallion, served as an exam intended to verify what the adepts remembered from the previous stages of training. Would-be Wolves needed to swim across a pond near Kaer Morhen, get through caverns inhabited by an old cyclops called Old Speartip without waking him up, then climb Troll's Head, deal with its mistrustful rock trolls, and get to a Circle of Elements. After activating their medallion at the Circle the Trial was complete. All this was done in groups, as mentors believed that even though witchers were lone hunters they could still benefit from cooperation.

Adepts of the School of the Bear, meanwhile, needed to pass a more ruthless version of the Trial. The goal was to reach the summit of formidable Mount Gorgon and retrieve a special runestone as a token of their ascent. Many froze to death before ever finding the summit, their frozen bodies left in the snow to mark the way.

The last trial was the trial of the sword, a ritual sword duel for life and death fought in traditional armors, the Trial of the Sword was optional. It took place only when one of master witchers, but not instructors, doubted at the last moment whether the candidate was worthy of becoming a full-fledged member of the school.

The animal and The school

As many of you know there wasn't only one witcher school, in fact there were various schools, having their philosophies, teaching and training their witchers different things such as dual wielding, the art of magic and how to empower their signs, how to fight of mutiple opponents at the same time or even deadly mutations that would drive other witcher to die from poison. Different schools also had different armor sets, different proficiencies and even different weapons. Almost all schools had their school logo at the pommel of their weapon and had a medallion representing their school. There are 7 witchers schools. These are

• School of the Wolf

• School of the Cat

• School of the Griffin

• School of the Bear

• School of the Viper

• School of the Manticore

• School of the Crane

Creating a Witcher

When creating your Witcher, think about how your character views the world as a result of your training. Do they view them as an ultimate evil, that thay are on a crusade against? Or do they view them as feral creatures, unable of understanding the evil they perform, simply following their nature? Also, consider your Witchers emotions. As a result of your trials, your emotions have been stunted, but they are still there. Finally, consider the circumstances surrounding your induction to the Witcher caste. More often than not, most children don't get a choice when they are chosen. Orphans are often taken, and there are rumors that some children are abducted. Your parents might have given you away because they didn't have enough food, or you might have run to them seeking adventure. Think about this and how it impacts your view of humanity.

Quick Build

You can make a Witcher quickly by following these suggestions. First, make either Strength or Dexterity your highest score (depends which school you select), followed by Intelligence. Finally, take the Outlander background.

Class Features

As a Witcher, you gain the following class features

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

(a) Studded Leather or (b) Scale Mail or (c) Splint

(a) Silvered and a Normal Longsword or a Silvered and a Normal Greatsword or (b) Silvered and a Normal Battleaxe or a Silvered and a Normal Greataxe

(a) Light Crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) 20 Throwing Knives

Alchemist kit

Witchers Medallion and Bestiary

Witcher Artifacts

The trials and your training has mutated you, altering your physiology and enhancing your body. You gain darkvision to a range of 60 feet (if you didn't have it already), gaining cat eyes, advantage on saving throws against diseases, and if your base walking seed is less than 30 feet it becomes 30 feet. You gain a medallion representing your school that vibrates whenever you're within 20 feet of a spell being cast or a magical creature and you have the bestiary in which you can recall monsters that you have previously encountered knowing both their strengths and weaknesses.

Witcher school

Choose one of the 7 schools: School of the Wolf, School of the Cat, School of the Griffin, School of the Bear, School of the Viper, School of the Manticore or School of the Crane, each which are detailed at the end of the class description. You gain features from your Witcher School at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 10th and 15th level

Stamina

Your training and your mutations allow you to push your body to it's limit. You can now use stamina points. Stamina points can be used for the following reasons:

1. To gain a 2nd bonus round (only one stamina point and only one bonus action per round)

2. For certain features such as the features from your witcher archetype and witcher school

3. To reroll either saving throws you're not proficient with or ability checks you are not proficient with.

You regain all stamina points when you finish a short or long rest.

Signs

Starting at level 2 you can use signs. Though you are not a warrior mage who employ powerful magic, you can cast simple magic spells that can prove effective when used properly. Witchers call these spells signs and usually use them against monsters, though they also have non-combat applications. Because of the signs, witchers prefer single-handed weaponry since it leaves their other hand free to cast. Some of the signs are casted by arranging the fingers in specific way, while the other have to be drawn on a solid surface. You can use almost all signs the same way that a mage can use cantrips. Sometimes you can use both your hands to strengthen some of your signs. The only sign you have to use stamina point is Heliotrop

Igni

Evocation

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: self (10 feet in front of you)
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous

You throw your hand forward, launching an arc of flames. every creature that is 10 feet in front of you must make either Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 1d10 + Your Intelligence modifier fire damage and for 1d4 rounds takes 1d8 fire damage. On a success the target is not burning. If you use both your hands then you double the dice. This spell's damage increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10) and 17th level (4d10).

Heliotrop

Abjuration

• Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile
• Range: Self
• Components: V, S, 1 stamina point per hit or 1/2 stamina point per level of spell until 8th level spell
• Duration: Instantaneous

You cross your wrists in tight fists and a magical shield appears. The creature that hits you must roll a 1d20 without any modifiers. If the target rolls 15 or lower then you take no damage. If it rolls 16 or higher then you gain resistance to that attack. You use as many stamina points as half the level of spell until 8th level spell or greater or you use it as many stamina points as the creature hits you

Quen

Abjuration

• Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile
• Range: Self or ally
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Instantaneous

You wave your hand with the index and pinky finger bent. You gain a magical shield. The shield has 1d10 hit points, that can reduce the damage taken from an attack. You also add your proficiency modifier to your AC. The shield lasts for 5 rounds. The shield hit points increases by 1d10 when you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10) and 17th level (4d10).

Yrden

Abjuration

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: self (15 feet radius)
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 1 minute

There are 2 forms of Yrden that you can use

1st form: You press your open hand to the ground creating a 15 feet purple glyph circle centered on your current location. Each creature in the circle must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target is frightened and has to use its action to leave the circle and blocking it to get closer. On a success the target has disadvantage on attack rolls and can't use magical spells when it is inside the circle, also every creature that is incorporeal becomes corporeal and can take normal physical damage

2nd form: You form a magical trap which can wound and immobilize opponents. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 1d12 psychic damage and is poisoned for 1d4 rounds and can't take actions or move for 2 rounds. On a success save, the target takes half the damage, isn't poisoned and isn't trapped

Somne

Enchantment

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 30 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 1 minute

You wave your hand in the air. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target sleeps for 1 minute. In combat you can use it to make the target have disadvantage on attack rolls. It must still make the saving throw

Hate Reflecting Sign

Illusion

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 30 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 1 minute

This spell works only on evil or neutral alignment enemies. You absorb the targets rage, hate, bloodlust and hunger and you reflect it to the target, creating a monster from those feelings. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw or being frightened for 1 minute

Supirre

Enchantment

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 200 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: 2 minutes

Supirre is a Sign enhancing the auditory perception of the user. Drawn on a solid surface, it allows you and the people near the Sign to hear sounds which would be normally inaudible due to the distance or background noise. As such, it is often used for eavesdropping.

Alchemy

At 3rd level you can use alchemy. Alchemy is the process of converting substances into other materials, and vice versa. In this world, alchemy is used to craft Potions, Oils, Bombs and other useful items that you can use to enhance your efficiency in combat. You can craft five potions, two oils, one bomb or one decoction per long rest.

Oils

A Witcher can coat his blade in oils that can further damage a monster - if the Witcher knows which oil is best for the task. Once made, an oil can be applied any time, and will last for several hits. Oils last for 1 hour before becoming ineffective. Attacks made with oiled weapons against a specific type of creature deal 1d6 acid damage + your Intelligence modifier in addition to the weapon's damage. A herbalism kit is required to craft oils. Oils become inert if not used within 24 hours.

Bombs

Elixirs

Elixirs are special potions that only witchers can consume and give them powers. There are two different type of Elixirs. Potions and Decoctions. You can only drink 3 potions or 1 dectoction at a time and must finish a long rest to regain this feature. If you drink more elixirs than that you gain one level of exhaustion per elixir you drink

Potions

A Witcher can make use of powerful potions that would be lethal to a normal human. These specialty potions can do everything from granting night vision, increased regenerative capabilities, and more. Once a potion is crafted, it can be replenished at any time on a long rest. Take note that you need to have the necessary ingredients to make one potion . You can make at most 5 potions per long rest.

Alchemical Recipes

Decoctions

Decoctions are longer-lasting than regular potions and confer more powerful effects. However, decoctions also have high toxicity and must only be used once before they have to be replenished via long rest. The only way to create those potions is to get the blood of a certain creature and you can only make 1 decoction at the time.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Using the optional feats rule, you can forgo taking this feature to take a feat of your choice instead.

Extra Attack

Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Witcher Archetype

Some witchers dedicate their time in certain aspects and specialities such as becoming better at combat or increasing their signs and creating a stronger version of their spells or even going to the deadly side of the alchemy. When you reach level 5 you can select to strengthen certain aspects, you can choose to strengthen combat, signs or alchemy.

Your choice grants you features at 5th level and again at 7th, 11th, 15th and 18th level.

Remove curse

At 6th level, you can cast remove curse as a ritual expanding one stamina point. Remove curse at level 6 is a 3rd level spell and can remove a 3rd level curse, the spell's level increases at 13th level and 17th level.

Razor Focus

At 9th level, you gain the ability to sense when things nearby aren't right. When you've been ambushed in combat you can't be surprised. You also have advantage on Wisdom saving throws when you want to find traps or hidden doors and every time you roll initiative you gain one stamina point.

Intensified Signs

At 9th level, your signs are empowered. You can double the Intelligence modifier to increase the damage (or hit points to quen) and to make a saving throws harder to succeed. Take note that heliotrop can only get stronger at the school of the wolf.

Monster Hunting

At 11th level you gain the ability to see within 120 feet or to know within 300 feet based on your investigations the type of monster you are facing off. You can take a short rest and make a 1 bottle of monster oil, 1 potion, 1 decoction and 1 bomb that you may use them in battle to give you an edge. The alchemy items you built are then discarded from your inventory

Hardened Soul

When you reach 13th level, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and frightened.

Master Witcher

At level 20 your training is finally "complete", you have achieved the rank of Master. Due to the vastness of everything you've seen on your journey, nothing phases you anymore. You are immune to any and all illusion spell effects or conditions (I.E. Charmed, Slept, ETC). At 20th level, you can also attack three times, instead of twice, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

School Of The Wolf

The Wolf School appears to be balanced, focusing on all aspects of training equally. Their primary fighting style, the Temerian Devil, is strong and efficient; dealing as much damage as possible in a single blow. You are proficient at Strength saving throws. You gain the following features at level 1

School Of The Cat

The Cat School focuses on Addan Anye, or the Fiery Dancer, a fast fighting style where you do less damage but more frequently, also limiting your opponents chance to strike back. You gain proficiency at Dexterity saving throws

School Of The Bear

Witchers of the Bear School, unlike the Wolves, tend to be loners and do not forge strong bonds with their brethren. Meeting between them on the Path can even lead to bloodshed. The school also is famous for using a heavy armor set

They wear heavier armor, favoring defense over agility. Along with the Cat School, they are the only known witcher schools to use crossbows in their hunt. You gain proficiency on Strength saving throws.

Rage

In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On Your Turn, you can enter a rage as a Bonus Action. Because you have mastered the use of heavy armor you also gain the following benefits:

• You have advantage on Strength Checks and Strength Saving Throws.

• When you make a melee weapon Attack using Strength, you gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll. This bonus increases as you level.

• You have Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

You can't cast signs when you are in rage mode and you can use it only two times per short or long rest.

Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked Unconscious or if Your Turn ends and you haven't attacked a Hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your rage on Your Turn as a Bonus Action.

Great Weapon Master Feat

At 3rd level you gain the great weapon master feat but instead of -5 penalty on attack roll it becomes -3.

Brutal Attacker

At 6th level when you are surrounded, instead of the enemies having advantage, you have it. Your heavy armor also grants you resistance to all damages except from psychic damage

Crossbow Expert Feat

At 10th level you gain the crossbow expert feat

Berserker

At 15th level, you begin to learn to control the lycanthropic curse that now lives in your blood. As a bonus action, you can transform into your Werebear form for up to 1 hour. You can speak, use equipment, and wear armor in this form. You can revert to your normal form earlier as a bonus action. You automatically revert to your normal form if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die. This feature replaces the rules for Lycanthropy within the Monster’s Manual.

Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

School Of The Viper

The Vipers were trained on twin small blades and an assassination-based approach to killing monsters. Their fighting style featured sinuous, unpredictable movements using the two blades ("fangs"). Another style the Vipers employed was one of fast furious strikes to overwhelm their target. These blades would often be coated with poison as the school made great use of its knowledge of alchemy. Your gain proficiency on Dexterity saving throws

Dual Wield Feature

At 1st level you gain the dual wield feature

Dual wield Signs

At 3rd level you can use signs when you dual wield but you will have a -3 penalty on damage on damage and enemies have a +3 on saving throws from your signs

The Great Serpent

At level 6, when you poison your weapons, you gain advantage on attack rolls for 1 minute.

Snake's Knowledge

At 6th level you know everything about aberrations, fiends and celestials from their strengths to their weaknesses.

Crippling Strike

At 10th level when you hit an enemy it must make a constitution saving throw. On a failed save the creature takes 1d4 psychic damage for 1d4 rounds

Kingslayer

When you kill an enemy, you gain advantage on everything for 3 rounds.

School Of The Griffin

Griffin School equipment is of medium weight and amplifies the intensity of the wearer's Signs; as such, it is heavily implied that the school and its disciples may have specialized in the use of magic. Griffin witchers may also possess higher standards of social etiquette compared to other schools. You gain proficiency at Strength saving throws

School Of The Crane

Skilled in both swords and early guns, the Cranes prove to be the best remedy to monsters of the air and the sea which can be encountered on long routes between Cherdian and Novigrad.

While expecting to fight a sea monster, a witcher of this School prepares a long rope, one end of which they binds to the mast of a vessel and the other to a close-fitting protective suit covering their whole body except for hands, feet and the head. When not expecting to fight such, they prefer to wear no significant armor, just belts for swords and guns. You gain proficiency at dexterity saving throws

Feats

At 1st level you gain the sharpshooter feat and crossbow expert.

Sea And Air Monsters knowledge

At 3rd level you know everything about both sea and air monsters. All of their strengths and weaknesses. You also gain the ability to set traps.

Magic Initiate Feat

At 3rd level you gain magic initiate feat

Sentinel feat

At 6th level you gain the sentinel feat

Stunning hit

At 6th level everytime you hit someone with a crossbow the creature must make a strength saving throw or be stunned for 2 rounds. Flying creatures stop fly if the fail the saving throw.

Polearm Master

At 10th level you gain the polearm master feat

Dragon's scream

At 15th level you can use your bonus action to scream, every enemy that can hear you must make a wisdom saving throw or fall unconscious for 5 rounds. You can use it again after you finish a long rest.

School Of The Manticore

School of the Manticore, sometimes called the Manticore guild, is a witcher school headquartered somewhere in the far east. Witchers from this school were great in alchemy, creating elixirs that even witchers would consider deadly. You gain proficiency at Dexterity saving throws.

Feat

At 1st level you gain the tough feat

Fast Metabolism

At 3rd level your body can handle the use of elixirs and poison in your body. The limit is 3 potions and 1 decoction. You can also craft mutagens from the bloodhunter order of the mutant, but you can only select only 2 recipes. The bloodhunter mutagen are also the same with decoctions, having the same effect on your body

Strange Metabolism

Beginning at 6th level, your body has begun to adapt to toxins and venoms, ignoring their corroding effects. You gain immunity to poison damage and the poisoned condition. The limit for potions and decoction still applies.

Poisoned Blades

At 10th level when you apply oil to your blade, you can add 1d6 poison damage when you hit a specific creature with the specific oil.

Euphoria

At 15th level, when you have drank at least one potion or decoction, you can add +5 attack damage to both your weapon and signs that deal damage.

Witcher Archetypes

Combat

Alchemy