Leshen
| Leshen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Species | Relicts |
| DLC | Base game |
| Oil | Relict Oil |
| Signs | Igni |
| Bombs | Dimeritium Bomb |
| Location | |
The Leshen is a Relict that rules the dense, ancient forests of the world. It uses inborn magic to command the plants and animals of its territory. Leshens live in the deep woods of Velen, Skellige and the valley of Kaer Morhen.
Lore
The bestiary entry opens with a grim promise from Mulliver, the ealdorman of Hoshberg in lower Aedirn. The village never hunts in the Leshen's woods. It never will, even if the whole village starves.
That fear is well earned. A Leshen hunts with stealth and cunning. Because the whole forest serves it, stalking one is very hard. Half the battle is simply getting close enough to strike. The oldest Leshens earn the title "ancient." Their skills and tactics make them even more dangerous.
Behaviour
Leshens dwell in dense, primeval woods and defend them fiercely. On Ard Skellig, a Leshen settled in the forest around a sawmill and killed all the workers there. The sawmill now stands abandoned and overgrown.
Some Leshens become part of village life. The Woodland Spirit in the forest near the Skellige village of Fayrlund is the best-known case. The elders of Fayrlund worship it as a protector, while the young warriors want it killed.
Weaknesses
Coat the silver sword with Relict Oil. Igni is the Leshen's great weakness, so cast it at every chance. Dimeritium Bombs help too.
A Leshen moves slowly, but its claws hit very hard. Dodge or roll away from every swipe. Watch for it to push its arms into the ground. That calls up a line of roots that bursts from the earth in front of it, so roll out of the line. A Leshen also sends swarms of crows to harass its foe, and the older ones call Wolves to their side.
When pressed, the Leshen vanishes and moves to a new spot before taking shape again. Its path stays visible as it travels, so track it and be ready when it reappears.
Contracts and Quests
| Quest | Quest Giver | Location | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abandoned Sawmill | - | Abandoned Sawmill, Ard Skellig | 50 XP |
A Leshen is fought in the side quest Abandoned Sawmill on Ard Skellig, in Skellige. The quest begins on the first visit to the sawmill in the forest. Searching the abandoned buildings with the Witcher Senses turns up human bones. The Leshen that killed the woodcutters then appears and must be slain.
Drops
| Name | Image | Category | Effect | Value | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 
|
Crafting Component | - | 3 | 0 |
| Leshen Mutagen | - | Mutagen | +5% Sign intensity | 20 | 0 |
| Leshen Resin | 
|
Alchemy Ingredient | - | 51 | 0 |
| Monster Bone | - | Crafting Component | - | 15 | 0 |
| Timber | 
|
Crafting Component | - | 5 | 0 |
| Powdered Monster Tissue | 
|
Crafting Component | - | 15 | 0 |
| Ancient Leshen Mutagen | - | Mutagen | +5% Sign intensity | 20 | 0 |
| Infused Shard | 
|
Crafting Component | - | 60 | 0 |
| Hardened Timber | 
|
Crafting Component | - | 12 | 0 |
Notes
The Leshen is based on the Leshy of Slavic myth. Its name comes from "les," the Slavic word for forest.
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