Nilfgaard



Nilfgaard, officially known as the Nilfgaardian Empire (Ceas'raet aep Nilfgaard in the Nilfgaardian speech), is the most powerful empire in the history of the Witcher world. It is located in the southern part of the Northern Continent and boasts both a thriving economy and a strong, well-trained army with talented commanders. It has expanded mostly through the conquest of foreign countries, which were then turned into provinces of the Empire. The Empire's inhabitants believe that "real" Nilfgaardians are only those born in the heart of the Empire, and not those born in the conquered provinces. The provinces are ruled by either stewards or kings (in cases in which a king willingly surrenders, he retains his throne but is subject to the Emperor or just a vassal). The empire has expanded throughout the years, conquering new lands and going as far to the north as the Yaruga River during the reign of Emperor Emhyr var Emreis.

In the Witcher saga, the Empire is portrayed as an overarching antagonist, with many free people of the North expressing hatred towards it with passion. It is introduced in Blood of Elves, when it invades Cintra.

In When the Cold Breeze Blows Away, Nilfgaard is part of the Coalition of the Red Star.