As the release date of Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales rapidly approaches, CD Projekt Red has begun to detail some of the characters who will make appearances. They have already gone into detail about the backstory of the game’s protagonist, Queen Meve. Now, they have confirmed another Northern Kingdoms ruler who will feature; King Demavend. Prior to his death at the hands of Letho of Gulet just prior to the start of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Demavend was the monarch of Aedirn.
Thronebreaker Characters: King Demavend of Aedirn
Demavend’s realm of Aedirn is one of five which will feature in Thronebreaker. Meve’s kingdom, consisting of Lyria and Rivia, will be included, along with Angren and Mahakam. While other Northern rulers are likely to play a part in the story, it looks as though players will spend a good amount of time in Demavend’s kingdom in particular. Demavend is a ruthless and ambitious ruler, and his realm is one of the strongest among the Northern Kingdoms. The king of Aedirn plays a major role during the second war against Nilfgaard, although he does go on to eventually meet his end at the hands of Letho of Gulet.
“Demavend should be satisfied with what he has,” says CD Projekt Red; “After all, he’s a king! And not of some insignificant, backwater little realm either – like Rivia or Cairngorn – but of Aedirn! A land of rick black soils, mountains full of precious metals, thousands of cutting edge smelters and forges billowing smoke in the faces of envious neighbouring rulers. Instead, he is restless. Always yearning for more, with eyes fixed somewhere far away on the horizon. Demavend feels he’s destined for more.”
The Role Which Demavend Might Play in Meve’s Story
Among the northern rulers, Demavend is one of the more formidable. In matters of politics, he could very well be a formidable rival for Queen Meve; especially if he looks down on her realms as inferior to his own. As the northern rulers come together against Nilfgaard, there are likely to be disagreements over matters of strategy, resulting in arguments between Meve and Demavend. He is highly intelligent, a capable general, and a skilled and experienced politician. He has one key flaw, however, which could cause problems for Meve.
“Sadly, Demavend is also impatient,” explains CD Projekt Red; “He wants too much, too soon – fighting all his neighbours at once, constantly changing his advisors, introducing sweeping reforms every few months, before the last round of decrees is even implemented. If not successful, he becomes increasingly frustrated and turns to simple pleasures – exquisite food, sweet wines. A great rules who becomes soft and lazy. Is Demavend a bad king? Hard to say. But he is definitely too eager to be a great one.”