A school in The Witcher universe is almost like a school in the real world. Instead of learning Pythagoras' theorem and calculus, though, potential Witchers are taught all there is to know about swordplay and killing monsters. There are different types of schools in The Witcher lore. Geralt of Rivia, for example, studied at the School of the Wolf, and fans are speculating that the upcoming protagonist for The Witcher 4 will have studied at the lesser known School of the Lynx.

While the real world might not be ready for different Witcher schools spread out all across the globe, one Polish company set out to teach fans the essentials of becoming a Witcher, except without all the mutations and torture. Organized by 5 Żywiołów (5 Elements), the school gave fans the opportunity to feel like they were learning to walk the Path of a Witcher through live-action role-play events. However, the school based on The Witcher books and games will no longer be operating due to CD Projekt Red pulling the license from 5 Elements.

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The exact reason behind CD Projekt Red's sudden termination of the contract between itself and the Witcher School is unknown. However, according to recent reports, the explanation could involve politics, something that even video game companies have become increasingly outspoken about due to events like the potential overturning of Roe v Wade and the Buffalo mass shooting. 5 Elements alleges that CD Projekt Red pulled the license due to a staff member's involvement with a Polish Catholic organization called Ordo Iuris.

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Ordo Iuris is known to hold beliefs which are anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion, and it is also believed to reject ideas of gender equality. Only one staff member had ties with the group, according to 5 Elements, which stated that the individual in question was the company's lawyer from around 2017 to 2019. Recently, that lawyer was commissioned by Ordo Iuris to work on legal mechanisms surrounding vaccine obligations and the draft of a law penalizing illegal abortion. According to 5 Elements, The Witcher developer CD Projekt Red allegedly terminated the contract without explanation once informed of this individual's political stances.

CD Projekt Red has given a statement in response to the Witcher School's organizers, stating that the decision was made to end cooperation in February and was tied to the live-action role-play and potential Witcher merchandise that could be tied to it. Currently, CD Projekt Red is offering no further comment. 5 Elements is apparently working on its own setting to continue offering LARP experiences, but these will no longer be exclusive to The Witcher fans.

The Witcher 4 is currently in development.

MORE: The Witcher 4 Should Take the Character Creation Route

Source: Eurogamer