Born in 3042 AD in Germanicus, now modern Germany, Dietrich is a 21-year-old with the ranking of 8=3 "Magister, Order of the Magi." His powers include controlling wires that can seal and manipulate a victim's actions and perceptions. He is also an expert in "Lost Technology," which is exceedingly rare within the Trinity Blood universe. Known by the codename Marionettenspieler, meaning "Puppeteer" in German, he also goes by Dean Butler, a fake name used to disguise him as Isaak's brother.
Referred to as the Puppet Master, Dietrich can control both human and vampire bodies, even after death. Unlike many members of his order, he is a Terran, or human, believing his involvement with the Rosenkreuz Orden serves a greater purpose for the world. Born in a province of Germanicus to a landowner, Dietrich displayed unusual intelligence from a young age, frightening the townspeople who saw him not as a genius but as a monster.
At six years old, his father attempted to kill him out of fear of his son's apparent potential for evil. However, Dietrich turned the tables and killed his entire family instead. Using his father's lands, he collected people from his town, using them as toys for his experiments and ultimately killing them. At seven, Cain and Isaak coincidentally visited his town. Witnessing Cain's immense power, Dietrich was amazed; it was the first time he encountered someone stronger than himself. This encounter gave his life direction, leading him to join the Rosenkreuz Orden, where he quickly rose to a high-ranking position by the age of ten.
The meeting with Cain and Isaak provided Dietrich with a sense of purpose. Innocent yet evil, he became a formidable adversary to Abel and Esther. Concepts like trust, love, friendship, and loyalty do not exist for him, causing him to live in isolation. He views people as mere playthings. Intrigued by Esther and Abel due to their contrasting nature, Dietrich embodies the paradox of a devil masquerading as a bringer of light.
