A witcher medallion is a silver symbol of the witchers' profession. Each one is shaped to represent the school a witcher comes from. It is sensitive to magic, vibrating and tugging on its chain when spells are being cast or magical beings, like genies or even mages,[1] are present. This magic medallion is given to every young witcher candidate who has passed the Trial of the Grasses. The origin of the first medallions is unknown, though it is assumed they were made in the magic forge at Kaer Morhen. The medallions vibrate in response to magic in all its forms, including curses, charms, and spells. They also warn of lurking monsters born of magic or magic experimentation. However, witcher medallions are not foolproof, certain monsters such as dopplers and higher vampires remain undetected whenever in range of a medallion.
The Witcher[]
In The Witcher, Geralt's medallion can be tuned to detect either monsters or magic. This particular screen can be found while Geralt is meditating, by clicking on the Inventory icon.
If the medallion is tuned to detect monsters, it will vibrate whenever a monster is near. When the monster is very close, there will also be a red haze around the left side of the screen, and the medallion will vibrate quite violently.
If the medallion is tuned to detect magic, then it will vibrate in the same manner when in proximity to a Place of Power.
Finally, the ring around the medallion in the game interface (upper left corner) shows the icons for active effects and a progress bar for XP.
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings[]
The medallion emits an audible vibration when in the presence of magic. It can be used when energized, as indicated by a pulsating yellow aura. Using the causes the medallion to highlight items such as plants, monsters, monster remains, and containers in orange, and Circles of Power in red; this function is extremely helpful in cluttered and overgrown areas. Surrounding the medallion are the player's various level indicators:
- Vitality – indicates Geralt's health level. Reduction to zero results in death.
- Vigor – necessary to cast signs and/or block enemy blows.
- Toxicity – increases for the duration of each potion consumed, effectively limiting how many may be active at once.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[]
In the Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the medallion has a diminished role, being largely replaced by witcher senses, an ability that wasn't present in previous installments of the trilogy. Though it gets mentioned when Geralt talks to someone generating magic such as a cursed being, and vibrates infrequently (whether pointing out a clue or warning of danger) as the player explores the world.
Notes[]
- According to Geralt in The Last Wish, no monster can touch a witcher's medallion.
- Leo Bonhart boasts a collection of three witcher medallions: a cat, a griffin, and a wolf. After his death in The Lady of the Lake, Ciri claimed the cat medallion for herself, gave the wolf one to Geralt (whose own original medallion was destroyed near the end of The Tower of the Swallow). It is unclear what happened to the Griffin medallion, since it was never mentioned after the fight.
- A wolf's-head keychain was part of the packaging for some editions of The Witcher, with a full replica included in the third game's collector's edition. More of these replicas can be purchased from The Witcher Official Store.