Xanthe is one of Brencis's boyars in The Blood of Dawnwalker, and there are two ways to deal with her. As you progress through The Cycle of Love, you learn that the vampire has been killing women for the sake of her own daughter, Chariklea. After defeating Xanthe, the game lets you either finish her off or agree to an alliance.You can also encounter Xanthe much earlier by exploring Svartrau Cathedral at night. Unlike the other boyars, you do not have to complete her entire Court storyline before fighting her. In this guide, we'll explain what happens if you kill or spare Xanthe, what rewards you can get, and whether fighting her early is worth it.Image unavailable
Should You Kill or Spare Xanthe?
Both options have their advantages. If you kill Xanthe, you will receive the legendary Corrupted Pendant and can also drink her blood to unlock the vampiric ability Blood Surge.If you spare the boyaress and agree to work with her, she will become Coen's ally and help during the final assault on Greifberg Castle. In particular, Xanthe will remove some of the enemies from your path and disable her trap.
What Happens If You Kill Xanthe?
After defeating Xanthe, you can reject her offer and finish the vampire off. In this case, Chariklea will also die later. On the other hand, Xanthe will no longer be able to keep killing other women to sustain her daughter's life.The main practical reward for this option is the legendary Corrupted Pendant. You can obtain it even if you kill Xanthe early, before unlocking The Cycle of Love. The pendant increases damage against mortal enemies and raises your vampiric health.After the fight, you can also drink Xanthe's blood. Doing so unlocks the Blood Surge ability for Coen. It causes the selected target to explode. Regular enemies die instantly, while bosses take heavy damage.However, you do not have to kill Xanthe solely for the ability. Her blood can also be obtained another way by finding the corresponding phial while exploring the world. Still, getting it after the fight is much easier. The downside of this decision becomes apparent closer to the finale. During the assault on Greifberg Castle, Xanthe will no longer be able to help Coen, so you will have to deal with some fights and obstacles on your own.Image unavailable
What Happens If You Spare Xanthe?
After defeating Xanthe, do not kill her and listen to her offer. If you agree to work together, the boyaress will become Coen's ally. Chariklea will also remain alive. However, the reason behind her condition does not disappear: Xanthe has been keeping her daughter alive by kidnapping and killing other women.The main advantage of the alliance becomes clear during the final assault on Greifberg Castle. Xanthe will help Coen, remove some enemies from his path, and provide useful advice for navigating the fortress. Xanthe's trap will also be disabled. Otherwise, the finale forces you through a series of repeating rooms that noticeably slow your progress through the castle. So if you do not need the unique pendant and would rather make the final section a little easier, sparing Xanthe is a reasonable option.Image unavailable
How to Form an Alliance with Xanthe
A full alliance only becomes available after completing The Cycle of Love:
First, raise Xanthe's Anger by completing Court activities connected to her. Once the meter is full, the boyaress's personal quest will unlock.
At the end of the quest, defeat Xanthe but do not kill her. During the conversation, listen to her offer to work together and accept it.
After that, Xanthe will become an ally, and her status in the Court tab will change accordingly.
What to Do If You Meet Xanthe Early
Unlike Ambrus and Bakir, Xanthe can be reached before her personal quest becomes available. If you explore Svartrau Cathedral at night and find the boyaress, the game lets you fight her. It is entirely possible to defeat her at this stage. However, we would not recommend rushing into it. If you kill Xanthe early, you will immediately receive the Corrupted Pendant and can take her blood, but you will miss the full The Cycle of Love quest involving Xanthe and Chariklea.If this is your first playthrough, it is better to leave Xanthe alone and return after unlocking The Cycle of Love. That way, you can see her entire storyline and only then decide whether to kill the boyaress or form an alliance.
Which Choice Is Better?
If you want the legendary Corrupted Pendant and would also like to unlock Blood Surge immediately, kill Xanthe. If the gear is not that important to you and you want to make the final assault on Greifberg Castle easier, agree to the alliance.On a first playthrough, we would also recommend against killing Xanthe during the early encounter. It is better to unlock The Cycle of Love first, complete her storyline, and only then make the final decision.
