Dettlaff van der Eretein

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Dettlaff van der Eretein

	If you acknowledge any gods... start praying, now.
- Dettlaff to Geralt

Dettlaff van der Eretein, also known as The Beast of Beauclair, is a character in the Blood and Wine expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He is a higher vampire who was responsible for regenerating Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy with his blood and nursing him back to health after he was killed by Vilgefortz in the Assault on Stygga castle. Regis is forever indebted to Dettlaff for his selfless actions.

Blood and Wine expansion

When Geralt of Rivia was hired by the Duchess of Toussaint to find The Beast of Beauclair, The Beast had already killed 3 knights and Geralt witnessed The Beast kill a fourth. Geralt chased and fought The Beast until Regis appeared and ran the Beast through with his claws. Calming down, The Beast then escaped, and Geralt found out that the Beast is a higher vampire named Dettlaff van der Eretein. According to Regis, the behaviour that Dettlaff had shown in Beauclair was unlike him, saying that because Regis and Dettlaff are bound in blood, Regis knows that Dettlaff must have a very good reason to commit his actions, citing some examples that shows Geralt and Dettlaff are quite similar in their beliefs and actions, among which are:

- Regenerating Regis himself, which took a significant amount of blood, time and patience on Dettlaff's side.

- Killing the Brute of Lyria in the year 964, out of anger that the Brute had killed a boy who offered him an apple, with the boy expecting nothing in return.

Because of this, Regis thought that something must be afoot due to Dettlaff's nature and bond with Regis. In trying to find Dettlaff, Geralt and Regis brewed a potion called Resonance and witnessed that Dettlaff killed the knights due to manipulation and blackmail, which was confirmed when Geralt and Regis went to a toy shop in Beauclair's port and found the names of the knights, how they are to be killed and an incriminating letter that showed his former lover being kidnapped.

Regis stayed behind in the toy shop and waited for Dettlaff, in which then Regis explained that Geralt wanted to help and then travelled to meet Geralt at Orianna's residence, whilst Geralt was with Duchess Anna Henrietta. After their meeting, Dettlaff and Regis went to Dun Tynne to assist Geralt and freeing his lover, both vampires killing a company of Nazairi mercenaries without much effort. However, when he found that his lover had used and betrayed him, he flew into a rage, and threatened war against the duchy unless his lover explained everything.

When Dettlaff made good on his threat, Regis and Geralt took matters to their own hands, either by rescuing his lover, or appeasing the Unseen Elder and forcing Dettlaff to meet in Tesham Mutna. Depending on Geralt's actions, Dettlaff will fly into a rage at being summoned without complying with his demand or tricked again, forcing Regis and Geralt to battle him until Geralt defeats him and Regis kills Dettlaff; or letting Dettlaff kill his former lover and both Geralt and Regis allowing him to walk away unscathed.

Skills and Capabilities

Being a higher Vampire, Detlaff is already inherently powerful, possessing his kin's common trait of supernatural strength and speed, ability to assume human form, transformation into cloud of mist, effective immortality and the uncanny capacity of evading most form of detection, even witcher's silver medallion and the most advanced megascopes. This makes him not only a dangerous opponent, but also near impossible to track down.

Dettlaff can assume his monstrous form, in which lengthy claws will grow from all ten digits of his front limb that can be used as weapons. These claws can easily cut through human bones, and Geralt at one point claimed that they are as sharp as witcher's blade. Detlaff can push this transformation further into a humanoid monstrosity with wings and bat-like features, in which he possess nightmarish abilities akin to magic; among them the ability to summon hordes of bats as weapons and conjuring ground traps seemingly made of blood.

Detlaff proved to be a skillful fighter, even by higher Vampire's standard; In the scenario where the Night of Long Fangs culminates in conflict, Detlaff manages to knock Regis off from majority of the fight after only a short engagement, even after having assistance from Geralt.

Dettlaff is also unique in his skills, having an indomitable will that can force lesser vampires to help him, something Regis described as "herd mentality". Detlaff can use this power to amass an an army of lesser vampires and launch full-fledged assault on settlements, as he did to Beauclair.

Bestiary entry

It was horrifying to watch... that gentleman suddenly turned into a ghastly beast, with claws, and... tore those men to shreds with the precision of a master butcher...
– a witness to Dettlaff's attacks

Dettlaff is a higher vampire and one of the most terrifying creatures the world has ever known. Some vampires of his sort live among men easily and inconspicuously, sometimes even gaining the respect and admiration of their community. Yet even the most civilized vampire can be incredibly dangerous if provoked, and Dettlaff... Dettlaff was far from civilized.

When in his two-legged form, Dettlaff strikes in surprising and unique ways, so one must be extremely alert and attentive. His razor-sharp claws, wielded with great strength and precision, are his chief weapons, yet he can also wield weapons of human devising with extraordinary skill.

Like all higher vampires, Dettlaff can turn into fog and envelop opponents. When fighting a vampire in this form, one must watch out for magic puddles and attacks from the air. When wounded, Detlaff tends to assume his winged form, using these powerful appendages to stun his foes near effortlessly.

One must remember higher vampires are immortal creatures and thus do not fear for their lives while fighting, meaning they take every risk. They are able to turn invisible and can regenerate strength during combat. All in all, they are supremely difficult foes, even for a witcher.

Journal entry

Milton's murderer was very swift. Even with years of witchering under his belt, Geralt could barely keep up with him. Soon, it became clear the killer was as clever as he was fast, by entering an old warehouse where he set a trap for Geralt. In this way Geralt had his first face to face encounter with the Beast of Beauclair – and discovered it was a higher vampire named Dettlaff.

A fight immediately ensued which might have ended very badly for the witcher, had he not been saved in the nick of time by an old friend, Regis, who put a stop to their battle. After that, Dettlaff fled away in a puff of fog...

When Geralt went to Orianna's residence with the duchess, he was certain Dettlaff was somewhere far away, safe in Regis' care. He was wrong, as he found out while watching both vampires stroll into the room, his surprise quickly turning to irritation. In the conversation which followed, the duchess had no idea she was talking to the murderer she so wished to have slain. In fact, the Beast of Beauclair even came off as... charming.

Afterwards, Geralt set off for Dun Tynne, but not before first extracting a promise from Regis to keep Dettlaff at a safe distance this time.

At Dun Tynne Geralt was dragged into a fight against bandits with considerably superior forces at their disposal. There's no knowing how this might have ended, had the proverbial cavalry not ridden to his rescue. Birds in service of Geralt's vampire friends had been following him the whole time. Thanks to them, right at the battle's pivotal moment, Dettlaff and Regis appeared to fight at his side.

Believing he was battling the men responsible for his beloved's kidnapping, Dettlaff killed with unseen passion. He only stopped when there was not a being left on the battlefield giving out the least sign of life.

Upon learning the woman he loved was using him for her own ends, Dettlaff lost all will to keep on living. The only thing left to him was a longing for vengeance – blind, unrestrained vengeance. Dettlaff issued a clear ultimatum: Syanna was to meet with him alone and explain everything. If she failed to do that, Beauclair would be awash with blood. No one had any doubts Dettlaff meant exactly what he said.

If Geralt visits the Unseen Elder:

Geralt and Regis arrived at the meeting with Dettlaff, but without Syanna. As predicted, Dettlaff flew into a rage. This time, however, Geralt was ready for him and stood to fight. After an exhausting battle, Dettlaff had been defeated.

Yet no man can truly kill a higher vampire – that takes another higher vampire. As he died, Dettlaff harbored no hard feelings for Regis, knowing death was his best option, there no longer being anything in this world he wished to live for.

If Geralt brings Syanna...

...and gave her the ribbon:

Regis and Geralt brought Syanna to Dettlaff. Clearly not having grown one iota less enraged with Syanna, Dettlaff slashed out at her with his razor-sharp claws, hoping to rip her to shreds. She was saved, however, by a magic ribbon taken from the Land of a Thousand Fables, which transported her to a safe place in the nick of time. Dettlaff, more furious than ever, then attacked Regis and Geralt. In the fight that ensued, Dettlaff was defeated. Yet no man can kill a higher vampire – that can only be done by another of its own kind. As he died, Dettlaff harbored no hard feelings for Regis, knowing this was the best option for him. There was no longer anything in this world he wished to live for.

...and didn't get the ribbon and let Dettlaff go:

Regist and Geralt brought Syanna to Dettlaff – and the vampire murdered her without blinking an eye. Geralt understood the vampire's pain and did not hinder him in his vengeance. Dettlaff appreciated the witcher's neutrality and stated he had no more quarrel with him. He also had no reason to stay in Beauclair and decided to leave. As his friend, Regis decided to go after him. He knew Dettlaff would need him now more than ever.

...and didn't get the ribbon but did attack Dettlaff:

Regis and Geralt brought Syanna to Dettlaff. The vampire then murdered her without blinking an eye, Geralt attacked him and a final fight took place in which Dettlaff was defeated. Yet no man can truly kill a higher vampire – that takes another higher vampire. As he died, Dettlaff harbored no hard feelings for Regis, knowing death was his best option, there no longer being anything in this world he wished to live for.

Associated quests

• The Beast of Toussaint
• Blood Run
• The Night of Long Fangs
• Tesham Mutna

Template:Gwent standalone

Dettlaff is a Monster faction leader introduced in the Crimson Curse.

Reward Tree entries

Scroll 1: Dettlaff once tried to live among people in peace. He muzzled his bloodlust, mastered the Common Speech, and perfected the basics of courtly etiquette. Over time, he began to make friends of humans... And in one in particular, he found a lover.

Scroll 2: His beloved's name was Syanna. Dettlaff's love for her was absolute. He was prepared to do any and all for her. In fact, Syanna made ample use of his love-driven dedication... That is, until the day she vanished without a trace or a word.

Scroll 3: Syanna likely assumed that Dettlaff would swallow the bitter pill of rejection like all her lovers before him. Alas, the reasoning of vampires works differently than in men. And so, too, did Dettlaff's fury burn more fiercely.

Scroll 4: Dettlaff felt scorned not only by Syanna, but by the entire human race. He took them all for traitors, hypocrites, and deceivers. Unfortunately, even but a brief look back on the Continent's history shows us he is not altogether wrong...

Chest 1: Witchers used to classify higher vampires as a distinct species. However, their logic was not fully sound, for each possesses its own unique character and abilities. Regis, for example, was a loner endowed with extraordinary intellect. Dettlaff, by contrast, seemed destined to lead a flock. Lower forms of vampires such as katakans, ekimmaras, and bruxae answered his every call without delay. The inhabitants of Beauclair would quickly learn the disastrous consequences of such overwhelming control...

Chest 2: Perhaps the most distinctive piece of Dettlaff's attire is a jewel-encrusted brooch crafted in the shape of a moth – a gift bestowed to him by Regis. Dettlaff viewed the token as a symbol of his connection with the night. Regis, however, held a different association in mind. He knew his friend, driven primal urges, would – like a moth – always be drawn back to the light. Even if that meant he would one day be consumed by the flames.

Chest 3: After Dettlaff slayed four knights of Toussaint guilty of despicable acts, he became known to Toussaintois as the Beast of Beauclair. Sentenced to death for the killings, the Toussaint court summoned a witcher to track and kill the unknown monster. Dettlaff could but watch on in utter disbelief, for the widely adored Duchess Anna Henrietta has condemned dozens to the scaffold for much, much less! Even the monster slayer called to Toussaint had more innocent lives on his conscience than the alleged beast he was commissioned to kill! This was the tipping point. Dettlaff decided to no longer adhere to the laws of men. He would instead impose upon them the vampiric code of honor – a system founded on the harshest punishments...

Notes

• Dettlaff van der Eretein has the surname of Marta Dettlaff, a Concept Artist at CD Projekt RED. Marta also said that Dettlaff is her favorite character.
• Dettlaff is voiced by Andrew Greenough, the same actor who voiced Ge'els in the base game.

Videos

How to beat DETTLAFF on ANY DIFFICULTY – Top 10 toughest bosses in WITCHER 3- -2

Gallery

Concept art of final version

Concept art of alternative versions

Concept art of outfit detail

Monster version sketches

Monster version sketches

Regis, Orianna and Detlaff

Sylvia Anna and Detlaff

Transforming Detlaff

Gwent card art

Higher Vampire card art

Promo art of Crimson Curse

Digital model by Marcin Blaszczak, character artist

Digital model of Dettlaff attacking

Digital uncolored model of outfit

Digital model of monster face