Beast

The list of misfortunes that can befall the inhabitants of a village includes plague, war, and taxes. The worst misfortune, however, entails the appearance of a ghostly hellhound known simply as "The Beast." Many bad things can be said about this creature, but they all come down to two things: blood and pain. Lots of blood. And lots of pain.

Journal Entry

"The hellhound, referred to also as the Beast, is a creature of the underworld, a specter that assumes the form of a terrifying hound and tirelessly stalks its victims once it finds their trail. Peasants believe that the hellhound embodies the vengeance of the gods, who send the Beast to punish humans for their wickedness."

Occurrence

Might appear wherever dishonorable people live.

Immunity

Immune to most effects; it is a corporeal creature, so knockdown or stun attempts are possible, yet rarely successful.

Susceptibility

Sensitive to steel; the Fast Style is most effective against hellhounds.

Tactics

Able to summon barghests; a hellhound traps its victims in a circle of fire and proceeds to tear them to pieces.

Alchemy

• Trace of the Beyond, an irridescent mark

Location

• Outskirts of Vizima

Source

• Berengar's notes on the Beast

Notes

• You can run to the spot between the house and that little building beside it. That area is small enough to rest in without being attacked while your vitality is restored.
• I found an article indicating that if you take the "Stun" hero ability on your Aard you have a chance to stun the beast and kill him in one blow.
• Specter Oil might work, too.

Gallery

Concept art

the Beast, dead