The Witcher community is still buzzing from the shock announcement of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past, the first major expansion for the 11‑year‑old RPG in nearly a decade. But the news gets even better: CD Projekt Red has quietly confirmed that not one, but three beloved characters will return for Geralt’s final adventure.
The Clues Were Hidden in Plain Sight
Eagle‑eyed fans noticed a new piece of artwork shared on social media last month, showing Geralt wielding a curved‑hilt sword never seen before in The Witcher 3. That same weapon then appeared on the official poster for Songs of the Past, sparking intense speculation. Now, Senior Community Manager Laura Beitzelhas has confirmed that the studio has been dropping hints for weeks.
During a livestream celebrating Blood and Wine’s 10th anniversary, Beitzelhas said: “As a few eagle‑eyed people have already seen over the past 24 hours, there are some hints waiting for you on a very important evening in Witcher lore, Belleteyn Night, in our Belleteyn celebration that we shared a few weeks ago. So… keep looking for clues.”
That pointed fans directly to the Belleteyn festival – a night of bonfires, wishes, and music. And one character is inseparable from such festivities.
Dandelion Returns – Strumming His Lute
The artwork features Dandelion (Jaskier) in his usual eccentric fashion, strumming his lute. The bard has been absent from major Witcher 3 story content since the main Novigrad questline. His presence at Belleteyn suggests a more personal story – perhaps testing whether he can finally settle down, or becoming the emotional core of a bittersweet farewell.
Ciri and Yennefer Are “Never Too Far”
The most exciting hints come from a poem shared on social media about Belleteyn night:
On Belleteyn night, when tall fires rise, whispered wishes go through the quiet skies. A lion cub’s fate is penned in the stars, and lilac and gooseberries are never too far. Tonight, there are no monsters to kill, no roads to roam, just quiet thoughts and wishes that try to find a home. The White Wolf sits still, mesmerized by the dancing flame, while Dandelion strums his lute and hums Geralt’s name.
“Lion cub” unmistakably refers to Ciri. “Lilac and gooseberries” is the signature scent of Yennefer. The poem strongly implies that both will appear alongside Geralt and Dandelion at the festival. This would be the first time since Skellige in the main Witcher 3 campaign that the entire “family” has been together.
A Bridge to The Witcher 4
Songs of the Past is explicitly designed to lead into The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes over as the sole protagonist. Having Yennefer and Ciri present in this expansion allows CD Projekt Red to explore the emotional dynamics before the torch is passed. Will Geralt finally retire? Will there be a farewell scene that rivals the end of Blood and Wine? We’ll find out in 2027.
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What We Know So Far
- Release year: 2027
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (no last‑gen)
- Setting: Likely a new continent (based on increased system requirements)
- Size: Potentially larger than Blood and Wine
- Story: Geralt’s final adventure before Ciri’s solo saga
The expansion’s title, Songs of the Past, suggests a nostalgic, reflective tone – a fitting capstone for the White Wolf after nearly two decades of in‑game storytelling.
For now, fans can pore over the existing clues and dream of one last gathering around a Belleteyn fire. The Path is ending for Geralt – but it will end beautifully.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is available now. Songs of the Past arrives in 2027. The Witcher 4 is expected in late 2028 or 2029.