Garkain

Garkains are lesser vampires, so foul that the mere sight of one paralyses opponents, especially sensitive ones. Apart from using its ugliness as a weapon, the garkain has at its disposal an amazing variety of ways to pin down victims and suck their blood.

What makes Garkains different from other lesser vampires? toggle section

Garkains, a type of lesser vampire, are notorious for their brutal attack methods, which involve dismembering victims and reveling in their remains. They are incapable of running but can leap significant distances to assault their prey. Garkains are often the leaders of packs comprising other lesser vampire subspecies. They inhabit cemeteries or deserted buildings, and are immune to stun attempts but vulnerable to silver and Vampire Oil. Their repulsive appearance can immobilize opponents, and they employ diverse tactics to immobilize victims and consume their blood.

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What are some of the ways Garkains use to pin down their victims? toggle section

Garkains, identified as lesser vampires, employ a distinct attack strategy. Unable to run, they leap extensive distances to engage their victims. They keep a distance during combat, incapacitating their adversaries. Garkains are notorious for dismembering their victims and reveling in the gore. They often rally other lesser vampire subspecies, typically assuming the role of the alpha.

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Who is Vesper in relation to the Garkains? toggle section

Vesper is identified as a large Garkain, accompanied by two other Garkains and several wraiths. He is located at the start of the path to the Striga's crypt on Cemetery Island in the Swamp Cemetery. A bounty is offered for his head by the Royal huntsman.

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How do Garkains compare in appearance to fleders? toggle section

Garkains, part of the lesser vampire group, are perceived as more repugnant than fleders, which are generally disliked for their appearance. They are frequently confused with gargoyles due to their grotesque looks. Garkains have an advanced sense of smell and are known for their brutal feeding habits, which involve tearing apart their victims and playing with their entrails. Despite their inability to run, they can leap significant distances to assault their prey.

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The Witcher

Notable garkains

Vesper, a trophy quest in Chapter V is a garkain.

Journal Bestiary entry

Garkains, the filthiest of vampires, are uglier even than fleders. Since fleders are widely despised for their looks, it is easy to imagine how abominable garkains must be. As vampires, the creatures drink blood but they are also drawn to fresh meat, or even corpses. Garkains are often mistaken for gargoyles because they lurk on rooftops, waiting to dive at their victims.

Location

Source

In Murky Waters, Geralt may have a chat about garkains with a Peasant woman. She is concerned for a family member who suffered a garkain attack and now suffers from poison. Geralt helps her identify the source of the problem. The conversation will result in a Garkain bestiary entry along with any associated ingredient entries he does not have yet.
In Old Vizima at the Hospital (and sometimes in various houses in the area) there is a Diseased man that asks for something to eat. In return, he will unlock Garkains and their alchemies.
Vampires: Facts and Myths
Physiologus

Notes

Garkain remains will not contain their saliva without the monsters' bestiary entry.

Blood and Wine expansion

The bestiary entry can be obtained by reading Natural Born Killers: A Study of Garkains.

Bestiary entry

Blood on the ceiling, guts on the walls... Must be a garkain.
– Yan of Lan Exeter, investigator and Captain of the City Watch

Garkains, like fleders, belong to the class of particularly dangerous vampires whose strength exceeds even that of fiends. An encounter with one of their number almost always ends in death, which is why there are not many eye-witness accounts of them. From the city guard reports written up in Lan Exeter describing the attacks committed in that city in 1104 by three garkains (later killed by a certain Olivier of Gulet, witcher), it seems these horrible monsters do not content themselves with drinking the blood of their victims. The investigators concluded from the blood and guts strewn around the crime scenes that garkains tear their victims to shreds with great delight and muck about in their bloody entrails.

Garkains belong to the group of creatures known as lesser vampires. They often gather around themselves members of other subspecies of lesser vampires, acting in such situations as leaders of the pack. They are by and large unable to run, but can jump a great distance and often attack their prey in that way. During combat, they usually keep their distance from their foes, trying to incapacitate them using a blast of mental energy provoking visions that beguile and disorient.

Before grappling a garkain, one should drink the Black Blood potion and stock up on vampire oil. It should also be remembered that the Samum and Moon Dust bombs are always effective weapons against any mental attacks.