The Witcher season 3 volume 1 ending explained: What happened with Vilgefortz?

After a bounty was placed on Ciri's (Freya Allan) head at the end of season 2, the latest instalment of the hit fantasy series begins with Geralt and Yennefer teaming up to take Ciri into hiding.

But with enemies from across the globe after her, this proves to be no easy feat, and leads up to a tense mid-season finale.

So, does Yennefer and Geralt's plot go to plan, what happened with Vilgefortz and is Ciri still alive at the end of the instalment? If the finale has left you scratching your head, read on for everything you need to know about the ending of The Witcher season 3.

The Witcher season 3 ending explained: Does Yennefer and Geralt's plot go to plan?

Yes and no. As season 3 continues, Yennefer is given more responsibility for Ciri’s training and welfare. Bringing her back to Aretuza, the two butt heads over Yennefer’s change in behaviour, leading to Yennefer questioning what more can be done to create togetherness - and avoid an impending war. Her answer is to host a Conclave of Mages ahead of impending battle, which takes up the majority of episode 5.

In terms of Yennefer’s goal of togetherness, the attendees seem receptive to the idea on the surface. However, as this is The Witcher, nothing is actually what it seems.

The Conclave becomes a hunting ground for Yennefer and Geralt to call out Stregobor (Lars Mikkelson), who they believe to be Rience’s master. The pair are so convinced in their belief that they manage to persuade the Brotherhood of Stregobor’s guilt, finding the Book of Monoliths along with his possessions.

Read more: The Witcher exec producer compares Geralt re-casting to Doctor Who

It’s only later that they both realise they’ve got the wrong man, though Stregobor is already doomed to punishment.

Though Ciri’s safety takes a backseat during episode 5, there are plenty of smaller details for fans to pick up on. The ball reveals those who are willing to work in alliance with Yennefer and Geralt, which includes Dijkstra (Graham McTavish) and Philippa (Cassie Clare) - after some convincing.

While peace among the Mages of the North is officially declared at the ball, each of the main characters has their own secret to hide, meaning all-out war is certainly on the cards for the second half of season 3.

What happened to Ciri in The Witcher season 3?

Though she’s the person of the most importance throughout The Witcher’s third season, Ciri isn’t seen during the final episode of the first half. Instead, we last see her in episode 4, where she is left in Jaskier’s care while Geralt and Yennefer attend the Conclave of Mages.

Holing up in a cabin outside of Aretuza’s grounds, Jaskier (Joey Batey) cares for Ciri until his attention is distracted by his new love interest, Prince Radovid (Hugh Skinner). As the pair seek a romantic moment away from the cabin, danger heads Ciri’s way in the form of an ambush by the elves.

Elsewhere, Cahir (Eamon Farren) makes an offer of provisions and weapons in exchange for being backed by the White Flame. The elves fail to believe Cahir’s story of Gallatin (Robbie Amell) attempting a coup, yet the two sides reluctantly agree to cooperate with each other in order to locate the missing Ciri.

Throughout the drama, Ciri is still soundly sleeping in her cabin bed while Jaskier is nowhere to be seen — but how much longer will that last?

Who is Rience’s master and what happened with Vilgefortz?

For the majority of episode 5, Yennefer and Geralt make Stregobor the target of their suspicions. The two plan to expose him to the rest of the Conclave the day after the ball, leading him to be put on trial for his wrongs.

However, as the episode continues, Geralt and Yennefer realise they have been misguided in their thinking. When Yennefer finds Tissaia’s (MyAnna Buring) dropped scarlet ammonite bracelet after the group confronts Stregobor, she doubts if Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu) is telling the complete truth.

Rumoured to protect loved ones, the pair work out that Vilgefortz has been giving the ammonite to those he believes to be valuable property, with the substance itself found in the same place where Geralt discovered the locked-up girls in episode 2.

Thanks to Geralt’s earlier discussion with Vilgefortz during the ball, Yennefer realises the Aretuza’s First Landing painting has been a big clue. Yennefer had been taken there through a corrupted portal in episode 4, leading to the realisation that Lydia (Aisha Fabienne Ross) must also be in love with him after receiving the same ammonite.

As the pair are on their way to prove that Vilgefortz is in charge of Rience, Geralt is stopped in his tracks by Dijkstra (Graham McTavish), who holds a knife to his throat.

Do Geralt and Yennefer get together in The Witcher season 3?

It definitely looks like it. Over the three seasons of The Witcher, Yennefer and Geralt have been stuck in a will-they-won’t-they dynamic. By the end of season 2, it seemed as though the pair would be keeping their distance, only for Geralt to later call on Yennefer’s talents to help in the opening of season 3.

As the two grow closer through protecting Ciri, episode 4 finally sees them kiss and make up — only to be ridiculed by a hidden Jaskier and Ciri nearby.

Episode 5 once again changes the game for them, uniting Yennefer and Geralt in the discovery of Vilgefortz as Rience’s master. Putting on the front as a loved-up couple during the ball itself, their romance is all part of the distraction needed in order to call out Stregobor.

However, an aphrodisiac has been slipped into the drinks of all who attend the ball, leaving Geralt and Yennefer to plenty of steamy alone time.

What will happen in season 3 volume 2 of The Witcher?

At the end of episode 5, Geralt has a knife held to his neck by an unknown attacker. Episode 6 is extremely likely to show us who that is, alongside whether the truth about Vilgefortz will make itself known.

The next biggest issue is what happened to Ciri. Left alone at the cabin while an attack is heading towards her, it seems unlikely that her safety is guaranteed. Now that she has some faith in her own abilities, new episodes in season 3 could show Ciri to hold her own just as much as Geralt stepping back in to help out.

The budding romance between Jaskier and Prince Radovid certainly looks to be hitting new heights, while Tissaia’s love for Vilgefortz is surely set to crumble.

On the other side of the coin, Cahir also looks to be a potentially huge threat. Knocking his enemies off and drawing those useful to him closer, he’s truly marching to the beat of his own drum — even if that does ultimately mean going against the White Flame.

With all sides now battling it out, who will get to Ciri first?

The Witcher season 3 volume 1 is available to stream on Netflix now. You can sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Fantasy hub for more news and features.

Take part in the Screen Test, a project from Radio Times and the Universities of Sussex and Brighton, to explore the role of television and audio in our lives.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.