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Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Vizima (维吉玛) |
| Alias(es) | Temeria's capital; the former capital of Temeria 42 447 |
| Affiliation | Kingdom of Temeria; later the Nilfgaardian Empire 42 447 |
| Occupation/Role | Major trade city and political center on Vizima Lake 42 |
| Status | Extant; ruled by Emperor Emhyr var Emreis in spring 1272 447 |
| First Appearance | 17 |
Geography and Districts
Vizima stands on the shore of Vizima Lake, where a tributary of the Pontar River meets the Ismena River. Its productive land, waterways, and location made it Temeria's largest city and a highly profitable trading hub. 42
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Temple District | A residential district containing Victor Corleone's former three-story base, Saint Lebioda's Hospital, and the Hairy Bear Tavern. 44 103 |
| Trade Quarter | A commercial district connected to Vizima Cemetery and home to Natalis Square, Vivaldi Bank, and a temporary frontline command post during the riots. 72 232 |
| Vizima Cemetery | An ancient cemetery dating to the era of elven rule, positioned between the Temple District and Trade Quarter. It contains ruins, crypts, and recurring ghoul activity. 72 73 |
| Old Manor | An abandoned royal administrative hall on an island southwest of the city; later used by the Fire Lizard Gang as a hideout and experimental site. 221 |
| Eastern Gate | A major entrance associated with plague controls, a temporary hospital, and a Squirrel Party breach during the unrest. 42 234 |
| Outskirts | Satellite settlements around the city's four main gates, inhabited largely by people unable or unwilling to live within the city proper. 42 |
History
Catriona Plague Quarantine
The Catriona Plague reached Vizima through the same trade routes that enriched it. Several districts were sealed, and Mayor Velerad imposed controlled access at the gates; travelers required passes to enter or leave. 42 46
As the weather cooled and the plague subsided, restrictions at several roadblocks began to lift, restoring some of Vizima's usual activity. 76
The Fire Lizard Gang and the 1270 Riots
The Fire Lizard Gang established a base beneath the Old Manor, where Azar Javed created biological weapons through crude mass-produced versions of the Trial of the Grasses. 221
In 1270, rising human–nonhuman tensions erupted into riots. The Squirrel Party broke through near the eastern gate, chaos spread into the Trade Quarter, and nonhuman unrest also affected the slums and Temple District. 234 241
The city suffered severe damage during the violence, including the destruction of Victor Corleone's Temple District base. 241 248 By the fourth day of the riots, the Squirrel Party had been driven from the city and the guard had begun besieging the Order of the Flaming Rose. 246
After Foltest
Following King Foltest's death, Vizima entered political turmoil. Royal adviser Triss Merigold lost both her office and home in the city amid accusations tied to witchers and kingslayers. 304
By spring 1272, Temeria had fallen under Nilfgaardian rule. Vizima remained physically picturesque and largely intact after the war, but its Temerian lily emblems had been replaced by Nilfgaard's Black Sun. 447
Institutions
- Vizima City Guard — Led by Captain Vincent Meis; controlled gate permits, maintained city security, and defended Vizima during the unrest. 46 246
- Mayor's Office — Mayor Velerad issued the plague access restrictions and later coordinated wartime commissions from the city. 42 234
- Royal Palace — The seat of Temeria's royal court under Foltest and later a Nilfgaardian-controlled palace under Emhyr. 238 447
- Order of the Flaming Rose — A major armed order within the city; its forces were besieged by the city guard after the riots. 246
- Saint Lebioda's Hospital — A Temple District hospital where Shani worked during the plague era. 44
Notable Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Plague lockdown | The gates were placed under controlled access and multiple districts were sealed because of the Catriona Plague. 42 |
| Ghoul incursions | Repeated ghoul activity at Vizima Cemetery led to the installation of an iron gate and the Corleone Line's defense of the site. 73 |
| Fire Lizard experiments | Azar Javed used the Old Manor as a base for creating artificial monsters from human subjects. 221 232 |
| 1270 riots | Human–nonhuman unrest, Squirrel Party attacks, and monster outbreaks devastated several districts. 229 234 241 |
| Princess Adda's rescue | Victor lifted Adda's striga curse amid the unrest, exposing Roderick de Wett's betrayal and drawing the city further into the conflict with the Fire Lizard Gang. 238 241 |
| Nilfgaardian occupation | After Temeria's collapse, Vizima became a Nilfgaardian-held city under Emperor Emhyr. 447 |
Trivia
- The city is associated with the lakeside view known as “Moon Reflected in the Lake.” 103
- A ballad titled “Vizima” describes walking through the Temple District until every light goes out; its author is unknown. 103
- Despite plague, riots, and political upheaval, the Hairy Bear Tavern is described as remaining lively late into the night. 248