Hello, i basically copied this off my documents where i've been taking sloppy notes and theorising what could happen, so it may not be very polished, sorry. I thought some of my findings were a bit interesting and could tell us what to maybe expect from this new expansion. And also by going of off what we were shown with the previous expansion art (BaW and HoS) and how they could tell us what expect for their respective dlcs. And i wanted to share them so i'm not yapping in the void lol, hope some of you at least found it somewhat interesting or agree with me. When more info is revealed to us, or found, I may update this post with future mad scribblings i once more take from my doc.
Comparing to other expansions
This: https://x.com/thewitcher/status/2049790924234883446/photo/1 posted on twitter on april 30th 2026 is apparently a clue. It’s from belleteyn eve and that’s in spring. U can see the sword beside geralt. Here is the poem attached to it:
“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.
May your Belleteyn night be full of magic and sparks!
”
Idea is that family + dandelion are revisiting old locations (depending on Ciri endings it can start differently but will get to the new expansion start place regardless). Because they’re all reunited again, Ciri is going on the path, and they just want to be together after so long. If Triss was romance they can either retcon it like they did with Shani, or have her show up (i doubt having her along would remove Yen. And she's still there in BaW option as an ending so i feel like they will have her if romanced), along with Yennefer. Because Yen isn’t just a romance choice, she's Ciri's other parent and very important to her. Or, Triss is still a no show because she’s in Kovir and the rest are having divorced family time lol. Dandelion may have different dialogue if you helped Priscilla or not, same with Yen if you aren't together but she's still there for Ciri.
Along the way to their destination, or when they’re at their destination (maybe Ellander?) they get there in time for the local Belleteyn festival but things aren’t quite right. Geralt thinks something is up. Something happens on Belleteyn. Either from the monster that the people worship (like the crones) or it's a well-known monster around and are scared of, or it’s just arrived. (Maybe if it was worshiped like a god it could tie-back to the W4 cinematic trailer; the villagers there revered the Bauk as a god).
The sword is either a gift for Ciri (could contradict the endings tho cos you give her one in those) or, could be a special sword that can kill the monster.
Final act of the questline could be the actual belleteyn festival where we fight the monster. Or the festival happens before. Either way, killing the monster will probably be something we do in the final, or second to final quest in the expansion (BaW with Detlaff, HoS with Gaunter and Olgiered) since that's how it is. Just unclear if Belleteyn is the end game festival, or we play it at the start or in the middle of the expansion main story.
Comparing previous expansions and what they told us
Added these here to further show my workings out and evidence to show what CDPR has revealed to us in the past, when these reveal arts were released.
The art to promote hearts of stone. The tattoo he gets from Gaunter. His outfit is what he's wearing on the Ofieri ship as a prisoner. He has both tattoo and garb when the storm happens and he escapes the ofieri. It literally shows us how geralt looks in the main story at one point
And the name we know is because of the wish Olgiered made with gaunter. Maybe hard to discern if you don't know what it means in the main story, but knowing it makes us realise it was right in front of us the whole time.
BaW feels a little less obvious, to me anyway. First off we see the monster. We know this is Detlaff now but this is us being shown "yeah this is the big bad you'll fight at the end" once more showing us what happens in the story.
His outfit, i don't think it's the exact one he wears if you let Syanna live (the ceremony Annarietta holds if you bring her back alive). But it is very similair. So, the art is once more showing us how Geralt will look in the story (though it's choice dependant).
And him on the throne, this bit confused me but i ended interpreting. With Geralt, he is laid back relaxing with some wine. Throne suggesting a increase in position and maybe lording over something. That tracks because in BaW we are given Corvo Bianco, Geralt does get a raise in rank as he is now a land owner with a vineyard. So he is on a throne lording over something with a glass of wine, and relaxing at his new estate.
The name is a bit more vague than HoS. "Wine", we have alcohol in the base game but out of all places in the witcher world, none are more famous for their wine but Toussaint. Now "Blood", makes us thinks violence maybe a massacre from this monster (as i wouldn't say it is very obviously a vampire). Knowing that it's about vampires later makes the "blood" line click even more than just a rampant monster killing everything. So perhaps a double meaning because there are vampires as the main focus of the story (famous for drinking blood) and a vampire who commits a massacre and causes so much bloodshed in Toussaint (night of long fangs caused by detlaff).
Comparing to other expansions
- The new sword will come into play and have a important role. Sword resembles a silver one with the downward crossguard, and has Ciri’s red scabbard. Would tie into this being a w4 tie in. And the sword for ciri could be a stand in for herself, until they reveal more information and most likely Ciri’s role.
- Geralt in his usual armour suggests (and name) he’s going back on the path (even tho blood and wine is set a few years after and is his sort of ‘retirement’ but since blood and wine is in the future this could take place a bit before then).
- New monster. Like Detlaff and BaW, this monster will probably be part of the main questline. Maybe to do with the sword, or it’s just an antagonist.
- There is also sparks from a fire. So a fight perhaps? Or war torn country (Temeria could be at play here), or just lots of fighting and strife. OR because we now know that belleteyn will play a role, so it’s likely this is depicting a scene from the expansion. Like in HoS that basically reveals what happens to Geralt in the story, it’s the case here: Geralt is in his base outfit and at a belleteyn celebration (the fire sparks), most likely with a sword for ciri. Only for the monster to attack during the celebration (in the belleteyn art we see it lurking around in the fire and as a shadow. The reveal art it's behind Geralt too).
- Name: "Songs" bit is a bit confusing, but sometimes song is used to refer to stories in the past, a way of telling them like how skalds do. "Past", calling back to past events in some way, so the book times then? (secret option: it's a musical directed by dandelion)
- So a return to form of going back to all 3 (yen, geralt, ciri) + dandelion and the family they should’ve had at the end of the books? Or more in line with how they left off in the books maybe? Past hint
- And since Dandelion is a bard and he narrates witcher 3, maybe it’s do with him once more narrating this story of the family and he’s with them on this adventure? Maybe it's a little more metta then from cdpr because it is's an expansion for a game 11 years old making a return (feels less likely)? Songs and Past
- Could be going back to a past location, like Cinta or gors velen, which are also tied to Ciri (her home country and where she was going to learn magic properly). Geralt doesn’t really have a tie to gors velen though, but he could share one with Cintra. Cintra was savaged by war but that was years ago and since then under Nilfgaards control it could be better now. Maybe Ellander? Both Geralt and Ciri, even Yen have ties there, and as it’s in Temeria, depending on what ruler is in charge Temeria could still be at war (like velen) or more untouched. Past hint
- Going back to Ellander would fit with the past in the name, and i think it's the most likely option if we are returning to a previous location. While not trained to be a witcher at Ellander, Ciri was still being schooled there and it's where she taught a bit of magic, which would tie into the witcher 4 events as she can use magic again, so has obviously been learning it once more. Past hint
- Or maybe the monster can make you see in the past. Something at Belleteyn could happen and Geralt (maybe everyone else) goes in a the trance from the monster. Past hallucinations and such? Then you have the music still playing from Dandelion?
- This could be set before BaW so, could just mean "Past" because were going back to before BaW instead of after. Which is now ten years old and the assumed end of Geralt's journey.
This: https://x.com/thewitcher/status/2049790924234883446/photo/1 posted on twitter on april 30th 2026 is apparently a clue. It’s from belleteyn eve and that’s in spring. U can see the sword beside geralt. Here is the poem attached to it:
“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.
May your Belleteyn night be full of magic and sparks!
”- We see Dandelion (he is mentioned in the poem too) and songs can refer to him cos he is a bard.
- More Ciri confirmation; sword likely to do with her if not a stand in (poem mentioned, she was also born on belleteyn, and this dlc is most like for her game
- Yennefer is mentioned in the poem. She was born on belleteyn too. (And like Geralt she also has a big role with ciri and taught her magic)
- Ciri likely secondary role to Geralt. With Yen and Dandelion on the side, maybe Yen slightly more prominent perhaps, bcs greater role to Ciri. A lot like how they worked in the base game main story, maybe Dandelion is a bit more important this time?
- “... no monsters to kill, no roads to roam…” may not have to fight the monster here or wander around bcs it’s a celebration, doesn’t mean the monster can’t be seen or effect the celebration.
- “Whispering wishes..” could just be people making wishes they want as it’s a celebration. But could be sinister chants hidden as well maybe? WISHES, maybe this is where Ciri decided she wants to go through the trial? Wish is mentioned twice in the poem and Ciri could wish to not have her powers perhaps? Hmmmm, maybe all will make a wish. Not a djinn scenario but something the characters say that reveals more about them y’know
- “...mesmerised by the dancing flame…” maybe the fire is magic and puts people in a trance? (there is a shadowy figure somewhat resembling the monster in the flames)
- There’s a clawed hand shadow beside Geralt’s head (monster lurking, disaster going to happen. Or it’s like the crones and is in charge, watching over is people)
- Looks like there’s a person shape in the fire. Big, dark and maybe in a cloak? Could be monster it has similiar horns. The others are all dancing, but that shadowy one is standing still (looking at Geralt?), also why would they be visible if they were behind the fire? So they must be in it then.
- The sword beside him TWO SWORDS!!! One is the one from the trailer art, but there is a scabbard in front of it, cant see the sword tho. So most likely Ciri’s and he’s watching them for her
- He’s holding a wreath (maybe belonging to Ciri and Yen) but everyone is wearing a wreath, Geralt may just not be participating
- Wreath looks like it has red poppies, and they have associations with dead soldiers, remembrance would fit in with the whole going back to the past thing). Look like oak leaves too in wreath, and they’re for strength and endurance (also have ties with old beliefs like the green man and that stuff, very old irl folklore). So maybe it's remembering those lost and having the strength to carry on after??? Irl Beltane seems more about transitioning in seasons (from my very brief wikipedia read i admit), while witcher seems to be more related to fertility and the stuff that comes with that, aside from being a celebration.
- The party is at night with fire and maypole, typical of a belleteyn addition. (fire sparks like the trailer art?)
- Geralt looks suspicious, like he’s keeping an eye on something
- “Have a magical Belleteyn” something magic is going on, not a normal celebration. So maybe a cult rendition of belleteryn for this monster (again, a bit like the crones perhaps?) who has the event happen. Something’s gonna go down
Idea is that family + dandelion are revisiting old locations (depending on Ciri endings it can start differently but will get to the new expansion start place regardless). Because they’re all reunited again, Ciri is going on the path, and they just want to be together after so long. If Triss was romance they can either retcon it like they did with Shani, or have her show up (i doubt having her along would remove Yen. And she's still there in BaW option as an ending so i feel like they will have her if romanced), along with Yennefer. Because Yen isn’t just a romance choice, she's Ciri's other parent and very important to her. Or, Triss is still a no show because she’s in Kovir and the rest are having divorced family time lol. Dandelion may have different dialogue if you helped Priscilla or not, same with Yen if you aren't together but she's still there for Ciri.
Along the way to their destination, or when they’re at their destination (maybe Ellander?) they get there in time for the local Belleteyn festival but things aren’t quite right. Geralt thinks something is up. Something happens on Belleteyn. Either from the monster that the people worship (like the crones) or it's a well-known monster around and are scared of, or it’s just arrived. (Maybe if it was worshiped like a god it could tie-back to the W4 cinematic trailer; the villagers there revered the Bauk as a god).
The sword is either a gift for Ciri (could contradict the endings tho cos you give her one in those) or, could be a special sword that can kill the monster.
Final act of the questline could be the actual belleteyn festival where we fight the monster. Or the festival happens before. Either way, killing the monster will probably be something we do in the final, or second to final quest in the expansion (BaW with Detlaff, HoS with Gaunter and Olgiered) since that's how it is. Just unclear if Belleteyn is the end game festival, or we play it at the start or in the middle of the expansion main story.
Comparing previous expansions and what they told us
Added these here to further show my workings out and evidence to show what CDPR has revealed to us in the past, when these reveal arts were released.
The art to promote hearts of stone. The tattoo he gets from Gaunter. His outfit is what he's wearing on the Ofieri ship as a prisoner. He has both tattoo and garb when the storm happens and he escapes the ofieri. It literally shows us how geralt looks in the main story at one point
And the name we know is because of the wish Olgiered made with gaunter. Maybe hard to discern if you don't know what it means in the main story, but knowing it makes us realise it was right in front of us the whole time.
BaW feels a little less obvious, to me anyway. First off we see the monster. We know this is Detlaff now but this is us being shown "yeah this is the big bad you'll fight at the end" once more showing us what happens in the story.
His outfit, i don't think it's the exact one he wears if you let Syanna live (the ceremony Annarietta holds if you bring her back alive). But it is very similair. So, the art is once more showing us how Geralt will look in the story (though it's choice dependant).
And him on the throne, this bit confused me but i ended interpreting. With Geralt, he is laid back relaxing with some wine. Throne suggesting a increase in position and maybe lording over something. That tracks because in BaW we are given Corvo Bianco, Geralt does get a raise in rank as he is now a land owner with a vineyard. So he is on a throne lording over something with a glass of wine, and relaxing at his new estate.
The name is a bit more vague than HoS. "Wine", we have alcohol in the base game but out of all places in the witcher world, none are more famous for their wine but Toussaint. Now "Blood", makes us thinks violence maybe a massacre from this monster (as i wouldn't say it is very obviously a vampire). Knowing that it's about vampires later makes the "blood" line click even more than just a rampant monster killing everything. So perhaps a double meaning because there are vampires as the main focus of the story (famous for drinking blood) and a vampire who commits a massacre and causes so much bloodshed in Toussaint (night of long fangs caused by detlaff).
