From the journal
In his fight with the forktail, Geralt gave proof not only of his masterful swordsmanship, but also of a previously-undemonstrated flair for shepherdry. With a little help from a brave sheep lent by the village elder, he lured the monster into a trap - then ended its life.
It's got scales, wings, claws… A dragon's a dragon! No point gabbin', just go kill it!
– Vagn, village elder of Fyresdal
Few truly know what a dragon looks like, for those who have seen one up-close rarely have the chance to share their impressions. That is why people are forever mistaking other monsters for dragons. This was the case in Fyresdal, where the so-called dragon wreaking havoc turned out to be a forktail.
Yet this mistaken attribution did not mean there was no reason for worry. The forktail harassing Fyresdal was a particularly vile representative of its kind, one equipped with an endless store of deadly venom. Fighting it without first drinking a regenerative potion or a poison antidote would be tantamount to suicide.