CD Projekt Red is currently celebrating the eleventh anniversary of The Witcher series; the first Witcher game launched eleven years ago on the 26th of October. In addition to releasing several anniversary wallpapers for free, the studio has also been releasing information or art which fans might not be aware of. This has included a cancelled Focus Mode from The Witcher 3, and even a ghost ship which appears somewhere in the game. The most recent are two new pieces of concept art from The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings which were never used.
The Witcher 2 Concept Art for Zerrikania and Dol Blathanna
The new concept art shows off what could have been the aesthetic for peoples from two regions; the lands of Zerrikania and Dol Blathanna; “Below you can see some Zerrikanias and Dol Blathanna Elves concept arts for The Witcher 2,” says CD Projekt Red; “In the end they didn’t make the final cut, but the elves legacy lives on – these concepts heavily influenced Triss’ alternative outfit from The Witcher 3.”
Witcher Fact #11
Below you can see some Zerrikanias and Dol Blathanna Elves concept arts for The Witcher 2. In the end they didn’t make the final cut, but the elves legacy lives on — these concepts heavily influenced Triss’ alternative outfit from The Witcher 3. pic.twitter.com/SmIWQ1eNGQ
— The Witcher (@witchergame) October 26, 2018
The region of Zerrikania has never featured in The Witcher games. Descriptions of the area given in the games suggest that it has elements in common with Arabia or Africa. The only look that we get at anything Zerrikanian in the games is actually on Ciri; the free DLC released by CD Projekt Red called “Alternative Look for Ciri,” features an outfit which is apparently; “inspired by the latest fashion in Zerrikania.”
Dol Blathanna is a very different region, although it too has never featured in the games. The realm was founded by Emhyr var Emreis, who gave it to Francesca Findabair to rule as a home for the elves. However, following the end of the second Northern War, Dol Blathanna fell under the control of Aedirn. The small elven nation crops up from time to time during the story of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. However, no characters from Dol Blathanna ever appear in the games. Certainly, this piece of concept art may be the only public artwork featuring Dol Blathanni elves.
