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There is no good. Nor evil. Only pain.
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- Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
Audio version: Media:Mad Kiyan voice line.mp3

Kiyan was a witcher from the School of the Cat. Abducted by a mage, Ireneus var Steingard, he was forced to undergo torture and experimentation that broke his mind and left him as a husk of his former self.

Biography[]

Kiyan's curriculum vitae cannot be reproduced without significant gaps in the story, as the witcher was not known to keep a journal or diary. However, an assortment of notes scattered around Velen and Novigrad help paint a picture of Kiyan's last days as a witcher.

According to these notes, the chronology began with Kiyan taking on a contract issued by Prince Adrien of the Sea Cats, which consisted of killing the participants of an expedition led by professor Sigismund Gloger to find a treasure in Est Tayiar. Kiyan fulfilled the contract and then departed aboard the ship Flying Stag, despite being offered a secure post as Adrien's bodyguard.

On this ship, Ireneus var Steingrad had bribed the captain to allow the mage to share a cabin with Kiyan so that he could kidnap the witcher. The mage took notes on Kiyan's actions, studying him. He then conjured up a storm to occupy the crew, which left him undisturbed as he opened a portal and carried the witcher off to his laboratory below Novigrad. The storm was stronger than he expected, however, and it wrecked the Flying Stag, killing the crew.

Kiyan was then subjected to cruel experimentation intended to test the physical and mental endurance of a witcher. Steingard also used this opportunity to interrogate Kiyan, and forced him to reveal secrets about witcher training and the Cat School of witchers in particular. Steingard was pleased to find that this information confirmed his theories about the Cat School's elven origins. Kiyan's body survived the excruciating treatment, but his mind was not so fortunate, and was overwhelmed by the procedure within four days. Even after breaking his mind, Steingrad continued his experimentation and study.

The demise of a witcher[]

The torturous experimentation, which ultimately may have included demonic possession (as referenced in the laboratory notebook), turned the witcher into a crazed and tormented shell of his former self, driven only by immense pain. The resulting being could be found in the abandoned laboratory below Novigrad's Temple Isle, where Geralt of Rivia could have encountered it. Here, what is left of the witcher could be killed, finally putting him to rest.

Fighting tactics[]

Mad Kiyan can prove a serious threat. Despite lacking any real consciousness, Kiyan's combat skills as a witcher remain. It can use Signs consisting of Quen, Igni, and Aard. Its swings with the Moonblade are fast and can cause bleeding if they land.

Associated quest[]

Gallery[]

External links[]

  • Gwent icon See the GWENT standalone game version card: Kiyan
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