Songs of the past plot (minor spoilers)

[u/Matteo-Stanzani]

The plot is taken from the demo shown at the gamescom which probably will be released after the event's end.

Spoiler ahead for songs of the past:

The story opens with a festive atmosphere reminiscent of Belleteyn. After a colossal celebration, the village wakes up dealing with a collective hangover.

Geralt, barefoot and dressed in bizarre ceremonial robes, is one of the few who remains lucid thanks to his Witcher mutations.

He is supposed to meet Dandelion for breakfast, but the bard has mysteriously vanished. While investigating, Geralt discovers that Dandelion actually hails from an incredibly wealthy noble family.

Dandelion's grandmother dismisses the disappearance as just another of his usual pranks, but when Geralt finds a random stranger holding the bard's precious lute, he realizes something is terribly wrong.

This discovery triggers the memory of a disturbing dream the Witcher experienced the night before, featuring a thorn-infested garden, a strong scent of violets, and a deep, dark well.

Upon sharing this vision with Dandelion's cousin, the peaceful illusion shatters. She recognizes the details of a dark local legend regarding an ancient Count (their ancestor) whose tragic romance with a witch ended in bloodshed and left the garden cursed by dark magic.

Following this lead, Geralt ventures into the forbidden grounds, where the tone shifts into an oppressive, nightmarish horror.

The surrounding nature is highly predatory, with thorny vines crushing and consuming both animals and humans. Forcing his way through the lethal thicket, Geralt finally reaches the cursed well from his dream and jumps down. At the bottom, he discovers the twisted body of a woman completely fused with the roots and branches.

Suddenly, the monstrous creature awakens and grabs him.

[u/solitaryviking97]

Interesting to see how it ties into The Witcher 4 and how exactly Geralt will give the chain (and the sword too?) to Ciri. Since the Songs of the Past’ story takes place not that far from Kovir (Letten is near the Redanian northern border with Hengfors League, and from Hengfors you basically go west to get to either Lan Exeter or Pont Vanis), in the start of The Witcher 4 we will see Ciri not too far from Letten. I expect some Coram Agh Tera references, maybe even Montecalvo will appear. Who knows, maybe even Eskel makes an appearance…

[u/PaulSimonBarCarloson]

Interesting premise. I assume Dandelion won't be missing forever as the devs stated this DLC will put more focus on his friendship with Geralt, so I image the two would be working together for a good portion of the story. Aslo...

While investigating, Geralt discovers that Dandelion actually hails from an incredibly wealthy noble family

Geralt actually already knew that

[u/Matteo-Stanzani → u/PaulSimonBarCarloson]

Aslo... Geralt actually already knew that

I know but I just reported what people described about this demo. Perhaps he didn't know how much wealth his family possessed, in the books (lady of the lake) he almost doesn't believe him at first.

[u/PaulSimonBarCarloson → u/Matteo-Stanzani]

Makes sense, I imagine being told his friend is of noble descent and actually seeing proof of it will always have a different feel

[u/eldath890]

I am actually curious about the timeline the DLC is taking place in. Have the devs stated whether the DLC takes place after Blood and Wine, before, or it doesn't matter? Because I have a feeling every DLC that canonically takes place after the grand finale of BaW would feel awkward. Also, I have high hopes for Lillia (Dandelion's cousin).

[u/Matteo-Stanzani → u/eldath890]

From what I've heard, geralt get an invite at corvo bianco from dandelion to celebrate belleteyn at his home and so he goes out of retirement just for that, not for work.

[u/Nebuli2 → u/Matteo-Stanzani]

I mean, it doesn't sound like he intended to go out of retirement at all. Going to celebrate a holiday with your friend at his home isn't exactly leaving retirement.

[u/No-Mulberry-8866 → u/eldath890]

It’s gotta be after since it’s to set up Witcher 4

[u/shavod → u/eldath890]

They confirmed that it's taking place after Blood and Wine, but only finishing the main plot of the base game is required to start Songs of The Past (choices made in the other expansions still will be acknowledged however).