Xanthe

Fight Xanthe at Howling Keep

Xanthe is the oldest vrakhir in Brencis’s court and uses mind manipulation. The game record connects her to the irreversible ritual that creates Blood Guards and to the dark magic keeping her daughter Chariklea alive; these relationships explain the story behind her entry as well as its boss profile.

In Xanthe’s Excavations: Unsealed Secrets, collect the research notes to keep the discoveries from reaching her. Armaya’s Orders is connected to this investigation: it tells the excavation workers to secure their finds and stop work if they uncover paintings of the moon, darkness or eclipses, then wait for Armaya. The orders explain what the workers are looking for; they do not ask Coen to deliver his finds to Armaya.

To complete Unsealed Secrets, head to the excavation cave beside the main river south of Howling Keep. Defeat the soldiers outside, climb through the opening and fight the Barrow Lord inside. When he swings both swords together, dodge back from the unblockable attack. After the fight, pick up the Unsent Note from the low wooden table beside the cave wall to finish the quest and receive Ancient Champion’s Sword. Looting the enemy and collecting this note are separate steps.

Her Court quests are grouped around Blood Guards, Excavations, Recruiters and Transports. They are separate entries in the quest directory, so use the journal list to follow the specific activity you have unlocked instead of treating the four groups as one fixed quest order.

Advance her Court activities until Leonard approaches with the lamp for The Cycle of Love. At Howling Keep, the lantern statues open passages blocked by red growth. Keep track of which statue is holding a door open before taking its lantern elsewhere; your aim is to reach Chariklea’s room, where Xanthe confronts Coen.

Her lashes reach farther than a sword. Block the normal strikes while closing the distance, then use a short attack or an available ability when she recovers. If a glyph forms beneath Xanthe at close range, retreat immediately. Chasing her through that explosion trades a small opening for a heavy hit.

When small glyphs appear under Coen, keep moving through the sequence of three and approach for a counter after the last one. Her larger ranged glyph has a longer warning but deals heavy damage if it catches you. Watch the floor as well as her weapon, and save enough stamina to leave the marked area.

At health-segment breaks, Xanthe rises into the air and creates red orbs. Destroy the orbs promptly to interrupt her recovery: the first break produces three, and the second produces four. Continuing to attack her while leaving the orbs alone lets the healing phase undo your progress.

If you want the option to drain Xanthe, begin this confrontation at night. A daytime victory does not offer that vampire action. At night, equipped Scarlet Shield can also restore blood through successful blocks. Its benefit depends on having the ability equipped, not merely unlocked.

After winning, decide whether to spare, kill or drain her when that option is available. Chariklea’s fate is a separate conversation afterward. Check the chest in Chariklea’s room for Vrakhir’s Treads; it is separate from the Corrupted Pendant associated with Xanthe. The cathedral treasury’s blood phial offers another way to unlock Blood Surge.

• Chariklea and Xanthe’s family story
• Xanthe’s Court quests
• Unsealed Secrets excavation objective
• Unsealed Secrets cave location
• Ancient Champion’s Sword
• The Silts
• Brencis’s court
• Blood Surge and blood phials
• Choose a final assault route