"[Geralt] caught sight of Regis looking at him intently. 'Is that a fresh injury?'

"'Not really. But it's tormenting me. Do you have any herbs capable of soothing the pain?'"

- Baptism of Fire by A. Sapkowski, pp.128

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Turbulent winds howl as rain batters the weathered precipices. Wolves can be heard in the distance, likely feasting on a carcass less fortunate than they, while miles away regular farmhands sit around a table, guzzling Viziman Champion as they wager their own boots to break even in Gwent.

Away from it all, stood atop a sequestered crag, Geralt of Rivia patiently awaits the sunrise after completing his contract. The world is quiet here: "I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead," Sylvia Plath writes in Mad Girl's Love Song. "I lift my lids and all is born again." Such is the case in The Witcher 3.

If you've recently finished the Witcher Netflix series, which revels in its confidently kitschy adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's illustrious saga, then you're probably wondering where to go next. The Witcher was commissioned for a second season before its inaugural one even aired, but there will likely be at least a year between the two. But you're already hungry for more: where's all the good food?

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What fine rump Henry Cavill has - a super bottom, you could say - so why not slap it on the poster for Netflix's new Witcher TV show?

Exactly. Which is why Cavill, turned away from camera, decked out in full Witcher garb, is the lead image for the show. And it's a clever shot, because bum aside, it's how you see Geralt (the character Cavill is playing) for hours and hours when you play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game. It's familiar. It's saying, "This is the character you know."

Oh, and his carrying only one sword in place of the two you're used to seeing him with in the games? As people have pointed out in the comments below: Geralt carries one sword in the books, leaving the other with his horse Roach for when he needs it. And the show, remember, is based on the books, not the games.

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If you're in the mood for a bit of a throwback freebie, you might be interested to know that GOG is currently giving away CD Projekt Red's very first foray into The Witcher franchise - as long as you don't mind downloading free-to-play Witcher card game Gwent.

The original Witcher launched for PC back in 2007, so if you're coming at it by way of the masterful Witcher 3, you might, inevitably, be in for a shock. Geralt's first video game outing is a considerably less slick, and unsurprisingly dated, affair - but despite its wonky combat and other rough edges, it's still a deep, ambitious RPG - with a wonderfully refined sense of place and a rich cast of characters. And there's definite appeal in discovering where the journey began.

If that fleeting reminisce has at all whet your appetite for a whirl around Geralt's old haunts, your first port of call should be this particular page on GOG's website. From there, you'll need to be signed into your GOG account and you'll need to have a copy of Gwent in your library. The good news is that Gwent is both free and really quite good.

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UPDATE 4PM GMT: Netflix has also confirmed a number of the other actors joining The Witcher cast, including the actress who'll play iconic sorceress Triss Merigold. Taking the role is Anna Shaffer, according to the Hollywood Reporter, who you may remember as Romilda Vane from Harry Potter - the girl who gave Harry a love potion. Shaffer also played Ruby Button in British soap opera Hollyoaks.

Other actors joining the cast include: Eamon Farren (The ABC Murders, Twin Peaks) as Cahir, Joey Batey (Knightfall, Strike) as Jaskier, Lars Mikkelsen (House of Cards, Sherlock) as Stregobor, Royce Pierreson (Wanderlust, Judy) as Istredd, Maciej Musiał (1983) as Sir Lazlo, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte (Jamillah & Aladdin, Dickensian).

ORIGINAL STORY 3PM GMT: Netflix has given the world its first look at Superman actor Henry Cavill made up for his new role as mutant monster hunter Geralt, in the upcoming The Witcher television series.

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UPDATE 15TH NOVEMBER: There was a minor update to this story during a call discussing CD Projekt's Q3 2018 earnings. Joint-CEO Adam Kiciński referred to the issue as "an open one", intimating no decision either way had been made.

"Until we have reached a significant milestone we intend to withhold comments," Kiciński told investors. "The issue is an open one, and when we feel we have information which can be shared with the world - in terms of specific outcomes - you will hear from us. For now, we will refrain from comments."

ORIGINAL STORY 2ND OCTOBER: Remember when Andrzej Sapkowski, creator of The Witcher fiction, told me he'd been "stupid" rejecting a percentage of the profits while selling the video game rights to CD Projekt Red all those years ago?

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