The Blood of Dawnwalker features several intricate quests, including the Lunar Game against Bakir and the Gilded Gauntlet involving Ambrus. These challenging encounters require careful preparation and strategic execution to overcome.
The Lunar Game: Bakir's Showdown
The Lunar Game quest is triggered when players consistently disrupt Bakir's operations, such as freeing prisoners, ransacking distilleries, and eliminating his headhunters. Bakir's jester, Farkas, will then invite the player to a contest. This segment functions as a PvPvE battle royale within Bakir's stronghold, the Lunar Manor. Players begin with low-tier equipment and must scavenge for upgrades within the manor while fighting off hostile creatures and human combatants. To avoid suspicion from Bakir, it is crucial to refrain from using vampiric powers.
Players are advised to arrive at the tournament grounds early, ideally in the afternoon, to have time to interact with other participants and potentially form alliances. During this preparation phase, costing one Time Segment per action, players can poison the Cockroach NPC by offering him herbs, gauge the Porcupine NPC's intentions, and enlist the Marten NPC's aid against Bakir. Upon entering the main event, players should respond positively to Bakir's speech, avoiding any aggressive dialogue options. As the game progresses, players will encounter other competitors, with the Rat falling to the Cockroach and the Marten perishing against a Tatzelwurm. The player can choose to let the Porcupine pass, and if the Cockroach was poisoned, he will be incapacitated. A final encounter with the Porcupine near the end will see Bakir's guards kill him if the player refuses to do so.
A riddle within the Lunar Game presents a choice: "Silver coin shimmers on the right, Middle feels like a summer light, Left reeks of blood and fear, Choose wisely or you will scream." The correct answer is "the left one it is," aligning with the grim nature of vampire lords.
Following the game, a feast with Bakir requires careful dialogue choices to maintain anonymity. Responses like "I’m sorry, but I’m not taking the mask off," "With pleasure," "Cheers!" "To friendship and good fortune," "I want to die in my sleep at a ripe old age," "Is that all? Can I get my reward now?" and "I saw no need to be cruel" are recommended.
After the feast, Bakir leads the player to his treasure room. At this point, players can reveal their true intentions with an aggressive dialogue choice, such as “I just want to rip out yours,” initiating the Bakir boss fight. Bakir is exceptionally fast, capable of teleporting and unleashing swift melee attacks or ground-shattering blood eruptions. Dodging sideways is key to survival. Upon defeating Bakir, players can loot his treasure room. Notable rewards include the Shadowstorm ability, which slows time, Bakir's Armor (a legendary chestpiece), and the Vrakhiric Bracers (another legendary item). Drinking Bakir's blood also teleports the player to the Anachora realm.
The Gilded Gauntlet: Ambrus Confrontation
The Gilded Gauntlet quest becomes available after provoking Ambrus by sabotaging his blood transports and other operations. Upon tracking the quest and arriving at Maragir, a cutscene will play near crucified individuals.
Players can choose to confront Ambrus immediately by ringing a bell at nearby ruins, which costs two Time Segments and can only be done at night. Alternatively, a side quest, The Bittersweet Toast, can significantly weaken Ambrus but consumes more Time Segments.
Completing The Bittersweet Toast involves several steps, each costing one Time Segment: accompanying Iulian's servant, speaking with Iulian, visiting Vera's hut, inspecting her alchemy table, examining her remains, finding her ritual scroll, and finally performing the ritual. The ritual itself costs three Time Segments and involves fighting spectral enemies and force-feeding Iulian a poison. In total, The Bittersweet Toast requires nine Time Segments. It is essential to summon Ambrus within three days of completing this ritual.
When confronting Ambrus, players can choose to toast with him. One option, "Gladly! To a juicy slaughter!" results in both Coen and Ambrus feeding on Iulian and both becoming poisoned, though Ambrus's poison persists longer. Choosing "I don’t drink from humans" leads Ambrus to kill Iulian, poisoning Ambrus for one health segment. Other options, like "Letting a peasant drink first? What kind of a boyar are you?" or "I don’t trust anything you offer," result in only Ambrus drinking from Iulian, with the poison lasting the entire fight.
The Ambrus boss fight is characterized by his swift melee attacks, teleportation, and a spinning slice. Perfect blocks followed by ripostes are necessary to land hits, and his Scarlet Shield ability heals him if attacked while active. If Ambrus is poisoned, the fight becomes significantly easier, with the player primarily needing to dodge his unblockable attacks until the poison takes effect. If Ambrus is not poisoned, players must contend with his full combat prowess.
Upon defeating Ambrus, players can drink his blood, which teleports them to Anachora. Ambrus can be invited to this realm. The Scarlet Shield ability is unlocked, restoring vampiric health after perfect blocks. Ambrus's Cuirass, a legendary heavy chestpiece, and his epic-tier weapon, the Sword of Valor, are among the lootable rewards. Iulian does not survive the ordeal, and players can choose to bury his body for one Time Segment.