Bloodborne has an abundance of interesting characters and Master Willem is one of the most interesting ones. In fact, he is a central figure in the world of Bloodborne. Although you technically only meet him once, his influence spreads throughout the story of the game. He is the provost of Byrgenwerth, an institute of learning, and the mentor of Laurence, the founder of the Healing Church.
Master Willem’s goal is to achieve ascension and he believes the way to do this is to align his brains with eyes. His adage is a contradiction of the practices of the Healing Church. He believes one should “fear the old blood” while the Healing Church openly uses and distributes it. Aside from these facts, there are so many more things about Master Willem not that many people may know.
10 He Led The Discovery Of The Old Ones
As the head of an institute of learning, Master Willem has always had a desire for truth. When an old and massive labyrinth was discovered deep below Yharnam, he sent his scholars on an expedition to scour it for secrets it may hold. Lo and behold, what they discovered exceeded their wildest expectations.
The scholars of Byrgenwerth discovered remnants of the Great Ones.; they also gained knowledge of the Old Blood. If it weren’t for Master Willem and his resources, these things would remain undiscovered, and the world would arguably be better for it.
9 Parasites In His Brain
Master Willem believed that if he lined his brain with eyes on the inside, he would be able to reach a higher plane of understanding – one on par with that of the gods. In the end, it seems he managed to do just that. This is also the reason why Master Willem and the other Choir members cover their eyes.
It is their belief that one doesn’t need their external eyes to see. One clear sign that Master Willem has lined his brain with eyes is the parasites that seem to creep out of the back of his head. Magical eyes will become lined with parasitic pests as seen from the Blacksky Eye. Master Willem has these kinds of eyes inside his brain. If killed, he also drops the “Eye” rune.
8 Cut Master Willem Content
There is additional content regarding Master Willem that has been cut from the final version of the game. However, by accessing the game’s alpha test, one can retrieve these missing elements. Doing so will show additional dialogue from Master Willem.
Originally, when you approached Master Willem, he will actually talk to you. When approached, he will simply say “Eyes, I need eyes. I need more. I can’t see. Fetch me eyes. Anybody…” That is not only a perfect representation of his character but a haunting piece of missing dialogue.
7 Master Willem Was Originally Going To Be A Boss Fight
Another original plan for Master Willem that was removed from the final product of Bloodborne is the fact that he was originally going to be a boss fight. The players would have had the chance to fight the “university professor”.
According to Master Willem’s NPC parameters, his team type, during the early stages of the game’s development, was originally “23”. This means that he was going to be an enemy according to the developer documentation. There’s also a removed item called “Soul of the University Professor”, an item Master Willem would have dropped after he is defeated.
6 Master Willem’s Relationship With His Subordinates
Master Willem’s time as the provost of Byrgenwerth has spawned a plethora of highly talented and skilled individuals. One of them is Laurence, one of Master Willem’s closest students – if not his closest one. When Laurence decided to leave Byrgenwerth to pursue his own interests, Master Willem saw this as a “betrayal” instead of a student moving on.
Even after the Healing Church was founded, a lot of those who left the school maintained their respect for Master Willem. A lot of the ideologies of the Choir, specifically, can be traced back to the vision and mission of Byrgenwerth.
5 Master Willem And Caryll
Runesmith Caryll is one of Master Willem’s students in Byrgenwerth. She is one of the most prominent and skilled students under Master Willem’s tutelage, and it’s clear the provost also had a close relationship with her. Caryll is nowhere to be found in the game, so it is unclear whether she is dead or has simply left the city of Yharnam. One thing is clear, though.
Runesmith Caryll’s work on the Caryll runes is one of the most significant advances made in this world. It is also implied that Master Willem wasn’t around when Caryll created the runes. According to the Rune Workshop Tool, Master Willem “would have been” proud of her work as they do not rely upon blood. This means Master Willem holds Caryll in high regard, but he ultimately did not see the fruition of her labor first hand.
4 Master Willem And Gehrman
While Gehrman wasn’t a student of Byrgenwerth, it is clear that Master Willem had a friendship of some kind. If you happen across Gehrman while he’s sleeping at the back of the workshop in the Hunter’s Dream, you’ll hear him call out to Laurence and Master Willem, pleading them to help awaken him.
In a cut content section, Master Willem also says “You think now, as Gehrman did, to betray me.” Whether this was just the ramblings of a frail and senile man or Gehrman did actually do something Master Willem considers a betrayal is unknown.
3 The Lecture Building
The Lecture Building is an area in the game that has been sucked in by the nightmare realm for reasons unknown. But it used to be a part of Byrgenwerth. A lot of the enemies that occupy the Lecture Hall are wearing student uniforms belonging to students of Byrgenwerth.
This would have been the place where Master Willem would teach future scholars. He also has his own office located in the Lecture Building – the very same room where you encounter Patches the Spider.
2 His Research On The Fishing Hamlet
When Byrgenwerth discovered the Fishing Hamlet and the washed-up Great One on its shores, they immediately made short work of its inhabitants. The school, along with the very first hunters, raided the village, violated their peace, and massacred them.
Master Willem, in particular, had a very different performance in mind. Upon seeing the transformed creatures of the village due to being in constant contact with a Great One, he had their heads removed and skulls opened to see if there were eyes on the inside. Priorities.
1 Inspiration For Master Willem
It is very possible that Master Willem was loosely based on Wilhelm Wundt, a philosopher, physiologist, and professor. He is widely known as one of the founders of modern psychology and the father of experimental psychology. Much like Wilhelm Wundt, Master Willem also didn’t shy away from experimental practices.
Interestingly, Wilhelm Wundt also had a student who broke away from him to start his own study. This student’s name was Oswald Külpe. Much like Master Willem and Laurence’s relationship, Oswald started his own laboratory after doing his own thing. His former mentor also disagrees with his ideologies.
NEXT: Elden Ring: 5 Features From Dark Souls It Can Use ( 5 Features From Bloodborne)
