Captain Claude Withers commands the Coup de Grace, a Northern Union military unit tasked with eliminating rogue Incarnates. His leadership is marked by a solemn vow never to smile until all transformed soldiers are eradicated, reflecting his unwavering dedication. Claude is the younger half-brother of Cain Madhouse, the primary antagonist leading a faction of Incarnates; this familial bond fuels Claude's personal drive to hunt Incarnates, especially Cain, as he seeks answers for his brother's rebellion and turn to villainy. His father, Richard Withers, serves as President of the Northern Union, placing Claude within a political structure that shapes his authority.

Initially, Claude operates with a rigid, duty-bound perspective, viewing all Incarnates as threats to be eliminated. He prioritizes military objectives above nuanced understanding, exemplified when he praised Schaal Bancroft for killing her Incarnate father—a comment causing her visible discomfort. Interactions with Schaal and intelligence agent Liza Runecastle, who provides logistical support and mediation, gradually challenge his black-and-white worldview. During missions like the operation in Rivulet Wood, where Schaal's father reemerged as a decaying Nidhogg Incarnate, Claude demonstrates tactical competence, coordinating his squad to neutralize threats while minimizing civilian casualties. Exposure to the tragic circumstances of individual Incarnates contributes to subtle shifts in his demeanor, leading him to acknowledge their existence's complexity, though his core mission persists.

Claude's character arc involves grappling with his brother Cain's legacy and the Incarnate program's broader implications. His unresolved quest to understand Cain's motivations underscores an internal conflict between familial loyalty and military duty. Claude possesses blonde hair, green eyes, and wears the formal military uniform befitting his rank.