Susan Mcdonnell

Bear for Hire

The path to riches and Lan Exeter begins at the port town of Valdrest.

Oct 24, 2025

This is a fan theory — a fictional take on the Witcher 4 universe.

This theory explores the story of the bear and the merchant, in the town of Valdrest, as seen in the Witcher 4 Tech Demo below.
Not even at the Lan Exeter fair!
Shady merchant in The Witcher IV Tech Demo

Like a Fish in Water

In the early hours of the day, in the town of Valdrest, a port in Kovir, a boat came to shore. It was filled with loads of fresh fish.

“Look at that Ratkar! We’ve got enough to last the whole day!” exclaimed the shady merchant.

Ratkar looked unimpressed.

“I can’t do this anymore, the taste of fish...”

The merchant didn’t let him finish.

“Think about the coin Ratkar! You like coin don’t you? Besides, the way you eat these things, I know you’re enjoying it.”

“I have to perform...,” replied Ratkar.

“Well, you’re fooling me! And every tourist in this town that doesn’t know better! You’ll see, soon enough we’ll put on a show in Lan Exeter itself! It’ll snow coin! You’ll see!” boasted the merchant.

“The smell of fish has to be even worse there,” remarked Ratkar.

The two men proceeded to unload the crates of fish from the boat.

Lan Exeter Fair

First Light — Art by Susan Mcdonnell
First Light — Art by Susan Mcdonnell

Ratkar started to change, he grew in size, fur appeared all over his skin and claws grew off his fingers. He was now a full-fledged giant bear.

With a discreet wave of his giant paw, he indicated to the merchant that he was ready.

A big crowd had gathered around the merchant for this unique attraction.

After encouraging the crowd to spend their coin, the merchant introduced the beast.

“Not even at the Lan Exeter fair! Now hone thy gazes while I present ’im with a fish, for the furry rascal will often wink — and a bear’s wink grants good fortune!”

The bear proceeded to grab and eat the merchant’s fish with, seemingly, great enthusiasm...

Got a theory? Write it up as a short story and send it my way — I’ll share it here with credit to you and a link to your socials.

Wind’s Howling...

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