The Men, Women, and Monsters of The Witcher 2

CD Projekt RED continues to provide Destructoid with various bits of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings content, with the latest set including profiles and images of some of the men, women, and monsters we’ll be encountering in the game. You’ll meet Filippa Eilhart toward the end of Act 1:

As proud and independent as she is pleasing to the eye, Filippa Eilhart is renowned as one of the most talented sorceresses in the Northern Kingdoms. Few if any approach her understanding of polymorphy, perhaps the most challenging of the arcane arts. Among her rare skills, she can transform into an owl, thus gaining the ability to fly. Like her sisters, she does not show her age, which probably exceeds 100 years.

Filippa’s talents brought her to the court of Redania, Temeria`s main rival. Fulfilling her strong ambition and interest in politics, she rose to a position of influence, becoming the lover of Sigismund, the chief of intelligence, as well as an advisor and perhaps more to its ruler, King Vizimir. Following his mysterious death, she gained a seat on the ruling council of regents. Not as detached as Sheala, neither is she friendly by nature or even particularly agreeable, except perhaps when it will serve her purpose.

“Men, even kings, are so easily swayed by beauty. And women aren`t always immune to each other`s charms either.” Will Filippa continue to shape the destiny of the Northern Kingdoms or fall victim to her own supreme self-confidence?

But I had yet to see a single Harpy by the close of the press build:

Equal parts humanoid and bird, the harpy is as tall as a man, with a wingspan typically twice its height. Across the Northern Kingdoms, it’s easy enough to find people who think it the most revulsive of all monsters. Lacking even the slightest semblance of plainness, it is perhaps the ultimate incarnation of ugliness. The creature’s predominant facial feature is a stout, sharp beak perfectly suited to tearing flesh and breaking bones to get at the marrow within. It has skin more wrinkled than any crone’s, arms that stretch well below its knees, and hands and feet ending in sharp, hooked talons.

Although capable of crafting primitive weapons from the bones of its prey, the harpy usually prefers to attack with its highly effective natural armaments, using its razor-like claws to shred enemies and its powerful wings to pummel them. It is also known and feared for its invasive telepathic abilities which allow the creature to penetrate a victim’s mind and steal its dreams. Fortunately, it most often nests away from the outposts of civilization, building its lair in a remote, inaccessible place such as on a mountain peak or in a rocky ravine. Were it not for this, the repulsive, nearly hairless monster would undoubtedly be even more loathed.