Devourer

They say the tale of Baba Yaga was devised by a man who happened upon a devourer. If so, a disclaimer is required: the tale was softened. It provides only a faint idea of what can happen to a stray traveller who should have the misfortune of passing near a devourer's lair.


 * "Devourers are often called night witches, because they resemble old, ugly women and are famous for their witch-like viciousness. These creatures gorge themselves on human flesh; although they willingly eat carcasses, above all they crave flesh that is fresh and warm. Devourers hunt after dark in groups that peasants refer to as sabbaths. They like to deceive their victims and torture them, but there is no truth to the tales of their midnight flights on broomsticks and their gingerbread houses."

Location

 * Fields
 * Murky Waters

Source

 * In Chapter IV, during the Temptation quest, agreeing to help the Blacksmith (rather than refusing with the, "Sorry but I promised your wife," line) will give Geralt a bestiary entry for Devourers and their alchemical components, if you do not have the information already. You will still be able to complete the quest for either the Blacksmith or his wife.
 * The Tome of Fear and Loathing, volume II

Monsterbook
Developer CD Projekt's characterization of the devourer taken from the Monsterbook, which was enclosed with the Collectors Edition of the computer game The Witcher for Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic:

Like the noonwraith, this monster is strongly rooted in Slavic lore. It began with a name mentioned by Sapkowski; the idea that the devourer should resemble an old, menacing woman followed soon after. The artist strove to create the ugliest possible hag, and thus was born the devourer. In its final form, the devourer is a hag with a wonderfully hooked nose, drooping breasts and a swollen, wrinkled belly. Its open mouth curves into a spiteful grin, and the protruding tongue and pulled back hair make it resemble a dog panting after a chase.

The devourer embodies children's nightmares of a mischievous, sadistic witch waiting to carry off naughty children. In an illustration of one of Geralt's flashbacks, the witcher defends a boy from a devourer. The way she glares at the urchin explains the fear in his eyes.

Until the third game, Geralt only encountered female devourers resembling old and ugly hags. In the third installment, he met male individuals. He also learned they are cousins with rotfiends.

Combat tactics
Quen helps guard against their attacks, but be mindful of rotfiends, which also like to join the fight and can quickly overwhelm you. A blizzard potion will help tip the odds in your favor and make the fight easier: after you build up your adrenaline points, the enemies will move in slow motion allowing you to avoid hits and makes attacks a lot easier.

Like their cousins, the rotfiends, devourers will explode when their health reaches a certain level. When you see them start to choke and their heads swell, back away quickly. Their death attacks can damage nearby enemies as well.

Trivia

 * In Danusia Stok's translations, devourers are called "black annis".

Gallery
Požíračka Verschlinger Devorador Dévoreur Éhín Divoratrice Ryjikė Zjadarka Яга