The Witcher's timeline makes a lot more sense thanks to Netflix's interactive map

(Image credit: Netflix)

If trying to keep up with The Witcher's jumping timeline has made your head spin, Netflix is finally lending a hand. A very slick and extremely helpful interactive map, along with an accompanying timeline, is now yours to browse, which should hopefully clarify some wheres and whens. And even if you've got a grasp of it, who'd pass up the chance to explore a sexy fantasy map?

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The Witcher only ever drops hints about when an event is taking place—brief references to battles, jokes about Jaskier ageing—but this map lays the whole thing bare, even rather rudely revealing exactly how old Yennefer and Geralt are. There's a 32-year difference, making Geralt a bit of a perv, but we already knew that. By the time they meet for the first time and have their saucy tumble, they're already getting on a bit, and by the end of the season Geralt's 103—but still rocking those very tight trousers—and Yenn's 72. Magic is a heck of a skincare regimen.

The timeline is split into four tracks, following Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri and general history. The show dumps a fair amount of lore on viewers, so now you know when all of those historical events took place. The timeline also notes what episodes stuff occurred in, if you need a refresher.

Click on the timeline and you'll be taken to the location on the map, which lights up depending on what characters are involved. The weather also changes, depending on what event you're clicking on, along with other neat effects.

Scroll to the far left, where the timeline begins with the Conjunction of Spheres, and you'll see ink falling onto the map, revealing the monsters the magical event brought to the world. Scroll all the way to the right and the map burns away to reveal a message: "Va'esse deiradh aep eigean, va'esse eigh faidh'ar." According to Google, that's Elder Speech for "something ends, something begins." Unfortunately, it won't begin until next year, when The Witcher season 2 kicks off.

Fraser is the UK online editor and has actually met The Internet in person. With over a decade of experience, he's been around the block a few times, serving as a freelancer, news editor and prolific reviewer. Strategy games have been a 30-year-long obsession, from tiny RTSs to sprawling political sims, and he never turns down the chance to rave about Total War or Crusader Kings. He's also been known to set up shop in the latest MMO and likes to wind down with an endlessly deep, systemic RPG. These days, when he's not editing, he can usually be found writing features that are 1,000 words too long or talking about his dog.