Wyvern

In a grossly small cage, curled up in a ball, lay a lizard covered in dark, peculiarly adorned scales. When the beaked one struck the cage with his rod, the reptile thrashed about, running its scales across the bars. It stretched its long neck and emitted a piercing hiss, demonstrating sharp, white, conical teeth that contrasted starkly with the nearly black scales around its maw.

pg.75 Time of Contempt (U.K. Edition)

Wyverns (Elder Speech: Vyverne) are an endangered species of ornithosaur with snake-like necks and long tails that end in a venomous trident, adorned almost fully in dark scales. Their menacing teeth allow the creature to swoop down from the sky, easily snatch their prey and carry it off to their nest, not caring if it is a sheep or a man.^[1]

What makes the Wyvern species endangered in their universe? toggle section

The endangerment of the Wyvern species, or Vyverne in Elder Speech, is attributed to their dangerous nature. These dark-scaled ornithosaurs possess snake-like necks and venomous trident-tipped tails. Their teeth enable them to snatch prey from the ground and transport it to their nests. The royal wyverns are notably deadly, with a toxic stinger on their tails that inflicts intense pain, even to witchers.

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What is the significance of the Wyvern's venomous trident tail? toggle section

The Wyvern's venomous trident tail is a crucial part of its combat strategy, equipped with a stinger that delivers potent toxins. It uses this tail to strike its prey, often diverting attention with its tooth-filled beak before landing a venomous blow. The tail's bright colors suggest its venomous nature, and its aggressive use in combat makes it a lethal weapon.

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Where can Wyverns be first encountered in the game? toggle section

In the game, the first encounter with Wyverns occurs in Chapter II. Their initial location is restricted to Wyvern Island, situated in the northern section of the swamp.

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What kind of prey do Wyverns typically snatch and carry off to their nests? toggle section

Wyverns, an endangered species of ornithosaur, use their menacing teeth to swoop down from the sky and snatch prey, carrying it off to their nests. They are indiscriminate in their choice of prey, targeting both sheep and humans alike.

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What is the role of Wyvern Island in the game? toggle section

In 'The Witcher', Wyvern Island is a notable location in the north-central swamp forest outside Vizima. The island, located between the druids' grove and the mage's tower, is home to a colony of wyverns. These creatures, appearing from Chapter II, are resistant to stun and poison but vulnerable to silver and Ornithosaur Oil. They employ a combat strategy of diving at opponents and using venom.

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The Witcher[]

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."

Monsterbook[]

Developer CD PROJEKT RED's characterization of the wyvern taken from the Monsterbook which was enclosed with the Collector's Edition of the computer game "The Witcher" for Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic:

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 colors 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)

Sources[]

In Chapter III, Geralt can talk with a Townswoman sitting at The New Narakort. She is blonde and wearing a green dress with a yellow shirt, telling him she is in the mood to spin a tale but she is thirsty. Depending on her mood, she will ask for "a mug of beer" or milk, informing Geralt about Basilisks, Wyverns and eventually Archespores.
Geralt must exit and then re-enter the inn (or meditate) after each tale to speak to her again. After Geralt has acquired all the entries she knows about, she will still ask for milk and beer but will not part with any new tales or journal entries.
Ornithosaurs

Notes[]

Their remains will contain Wyvern meat with or without their bestiary entry.
The Wyvern Contract requires three wyvern steaks.
Hungry Like a Wolf (The Price of Neutrality premium module) also requires three wyvern steaks.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt[]

A bestiary entry can technically be obtained by reading Death From Above, but the book doesn't appear during gameplay.

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.

Unobtainable without reading the book:

A wyvern will usually attack from the air, aiming to knock its prey down with its wings. After landing it will attack with its tooth-filled beak, trying to draw attention away from its most dangerous weapon: the stinger found at the end of its long tail. A strike from this carries the risk of poisoning from powerful toxins. Even a witcher's body experiences wrenching pain when injected with wyvern venom, and so it is worth preparing oneself with suitable potions ahead of time.

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.