In The Blood of Dawnwalker, players face a difficult choice regarding the character Xanthe, one of Brencis' Boyars. While Xanthe's backstory, revealed during The Cycle of Love quest, explains her murders as desperate acts to preserve her daughter Chariklea, players can opt to spare her life upon learning this truth.
Interestingly, Xanthe is unique among the Boyars as she can be encountered and potentially defeated early in the game. Many players discover her during nighttime explorations of Svartrau Cathedral, making it possible to eliminate her before confronting other significant figures like Ambrus or Bakir. This early encounter complicates the decision of whether to kill or spare her, with both choices carrying distinct consequences.
Killing Xanthe
Choosing to kill Xanthe results in the death of her daughter, Chariklea. It also prevents Xanthe from continuing to murder other women to sustain her daughter. Players who take this path also have the option to end Chariklea's life early, potentially sparing her further suffering. The immediate benefit of killing Xanthe is acquiring her unique Legendary Corrupted Pendant, an amulet that provides increased damage against mortals and boosts vampire health.
Furthermore, draining Xanthe's blood yields the Blood Surge vampire skill, which causes targets to explode, instantly killing normal enemies and inflicting significant damage on bosses. While a Phial of Xanthe's Blood can be found in the game, draining her directly is the most straightforward way to obtain this powerful ability.
Sparing Xanthe
Sparing Xanthe means she will likely continue her lethal actions to keep Chariklea alive. However, this decision significantly eases the final assault on Greifberg Castle. With Xanthe alive, players will not have to contend with Blood Guard enemies during the finale. Xanthe will also provide guidance on navigating the castle and defeating Brencis.
Additionally, sparing Xanthe deactivates her trap, a series of looping rooms that can hinder progress during the endgame. This choice can be advantageous for a swifter final push towards the game's conclusion.