Wyvern

Peasants mistake wyverns for dragons, and it is hard to tell them apart. Wyverns are great flying reptiles with snake-like necks and long tails that end in a venomous trident. Swooping down from the sky, they easily snatch their prey and carry it off to their nest. And they do not much care if it is a sheep or a man.

Andrzej Sapkowski
In Time of Contempt, Ciri killed a wyvern which escaped its cage at a sideshow in the market square in Gors Velen.

In the game, wyverns do not appear until Chapter II, where they are initially restricted to Wyvern Island in the northern part of the swamp.

Journal Bestiary Entry

 * "Wyverns are unlucky to be frequently mistaken for dragons. Seeing a reptile approaching a flock of sheep, peasants panic. They expect it to breathe fire, massacre everyone and abduct the local virgins. While it is true that wyverns hunt sheep, they neither breathe fire nor lay waste to whole villages. And they are completely indifferent to virgins."

CD Projekt's Bestiary

 * Developer CD Projekt's characterization of the wyvern taken from the Bestiary (enclosed with the Czech, Hungarian and Polish Collectors Editions of the first computer game:


 * Ordinary folk often mistake wyverns for dragons. Witchers, however, immediately recognize these flying lizards, which tread upon the ground on two heavily-muscled legs. They also know that when fighting this beast, they must avoid the venomous stinger at the end of its tail and its jaws that bristle with deadly teeth.


 * The concept for the wyvern emerged from the human fear of reptiles. With its flat head and long neck, the creature resembles a snake; its extended tail only strengthens this impression. The dinosaur-like hump on its back makes it all the more terrifying. The bright colours of the sketch immediately suggest a venomous creature. Thin, long spikes seem to protrude directly from its curved spine, and along with the beast's general posture serve to emphasize its malicious and treacherous nature.


 * If you are not a witcher, you had better not mess with the wyvern.


 * On one of his quests, Geralt has a chance to fight alongside a group of these beasts. It is a pleasure to witness the destruction they spread amongst foes unfamiliar with the ways of fighting these fearsome creatures.

Location

 * Swamp
 * Lakeside
 * Fields
 * Kaer Morhen valley (In The Price of Neutrality premium module)

Typically a wyvern will attack from the air, attempting to knock its prey down using its wings. After it lands it will attack with its tooth-filled beak in an attempt to draw attention away from its most deadly weapon, the stinger that can be found at the end of its long tail.

A single strike from this carries risk of poisoning from powerful toxins. Even a Witcher will experience wrenching pain when injected with the venom, so preparing ahead of time with Golden oriole is suggested.

Bestiary entry

 * Most dangerous of all are the royal wyverns. Or, as they're called in some circles, the royal pains in the arse.
 * — Albina Tottelkampf, lecturer in natural sciences at Aretuza


 * Wyverns are often mistaken for dragons, and, though they are much smaller than their more famous kin and do not breathe fire, they are likewise extremely dangerous monsters. Especially feared are the so-called royal wyverns who, like their namesake monarchs, are exceptionally ornery and extremely deadly.

Combat Tactics
Wyverns are quite venomous, they are able to spit their venom from a distance and even inject it directly into its victim through the stinger on the end of its long tail, the use of Golden oriole can prevent it from incapacitating you. They will fly around their prey, well beyond Crossbow range, before they will swoop down at break neck speeds in an attempt to claw at their victim.

Aard and Grapeshot can bring a wyvern to the ground, though they are tough enough to be resistant to Crossbow bolts, but other more lethal munitions can force it to the ground.

Once on the ground a wyvern will prefer to strike with the talons on its feet, its teeth and its tail. It is possible to parry the bites, but if unsuccessful the consequences can be deadly. The don't appear to be very good at dodging while on the ground; an unending series of Fast attacks has been seen to keep them off balance so they don't attack right to the point that they die.