Yann

Overview

Yann is a member of the Greymanes and one of Kliff Macduff's closest companions. Pearl Abyss describes him as "resourceful and cunning," with a talent for reading people and working political angles that the rest of the group would rather avoid. Where Kliff leads through loyalty and force, Yann keeps the Greymanes alive through negotiation and strategy.

He is not one of the three playable characters. Yann appears in cutscenes and scripted combat sequences throughout the story, fighting alongside Kliff during key moments.

Role in the Greymanes

The Greymanes are a mercenary company founded in Pailune under the leadership of Gian. After Gian was killed in the ambush orchestrated by the Black Bears, the surviving members were scattered across Pywel. Yann is one of the survivors. Pearl Abyss press materials state that he, Oongka, and Naira each "possess their own survival stories following the ambush."

Within the group's hierarchy, Yann fills the role of advisor and negotiator. The Greymanes operate in a continent full of rival factions, noble Houses, and territorial disputes. Somebody has to talk to these people, and Yann is the one who does it. His sharp mind and quick thinking let him navigate the political landscape of Pywel -- brokering deals, gathering intelligence, and figuring out which alliances are worth pursuing.

Once Kliff begins reassembling the Greymanes, Yann, Naira, and Oongka form the inner circle. Together with secondary members like Marius and Hubert, they make up the core of the rebuilt company. Damiane joins as a playable character later in the story.

Political and diplomatic abilities

Yann's value to the Greymanes lies in his ability to read situations that would otherwise end in bloodshed. Pywel has "dozens and dozens" of factions, according to Pearl Abyss, and many of them control territory that the Greymanes need to pass through or liberate. Yann provides strategic counsel on which factions to approach, which to avoid, and how to play them against each other when necessary.

His diplomatic solutions are not just about avoiding fights. In a setting where mercenary companies depend on reputation and alliances to survive, Yann's ability to forge agreements and maintain relationships with local powers keeps resources flowing to the group. This ties into the broader faction and reputation systems -- the kind of political maneuvering that lets the Greymanes access better vendors, supply lines, and allied support in different regions.

Story involvement

After the Black Bears' ambush, Yann is separated from Kliff and the others. Kliff's early journey involves tracking down his scattered companions across the continent. The details of Yann's individual survival arc have not been fully revealed, but Pearl Abyss has confirmed that each core companion has their own story of what happened between the ambush and their reunion with Kliff.

One specific moment from preview footage has Yann getting kicked off a cliff during a combat encounter, per Fextralife's gameplay breakdown. The context of the scene has not been detailed beyond that, but it suggests Yann is present and involved in action sequences rather than staying on the sidelines.

The larger narrative eventually moves beyond the Greymanes' feud with the Black Bears. A greater threat tied to the Abyss looms over Pywel, and the wizard Alustin warns that the Greymanes need to be at full strength to face it. Reuniting the group -- Yann included -- is part of preparing for that confrontation.

In gameplay

Yann is a non-playable companion. The three playable characters are Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane. Yann fights alongside the player during scripted story sequences and appears throughout the game's cutscenes. Whether companion characters like Yann can be given commands or fight independently during open-world gameplay has not been confirmed.

See also