In the world of Blood of Dawnwalker, player choices often carry significant weight, and the decision of whether to eliminate the soldiers at Mert's Mill during The Firebrand quest is no exception. This choice, which may appear to be a small detail, directly impacts the fate of an important non-player character, Renna.
After investigating Vlad's house in Laslea, players are directed to the mill located in the southern region. Upon arrival, they are met by a group of soldiers, presenting a moral and tactical dilemma. The outcome of this encounter depends on the time of day.
If players approach the mill at night, they will be ambushed by the soldiers. However, a dialogue option allows players to de-escalate the situation by stating, "I'm Mirto." Conversely, if players choose to engage and kill the soldiers, Mert's wife, Renna, will appear. She will express her dismay, informing the player that their actions have led to her being labeled a rebel collaborator, especially with Mert already imprisoned at Stoneward Post. This choice, therefore, carries immediate narrative consequences.
When arriving during the day, Renna takes a different approach. She will feign a need for assistance with a broken cart. During this interaction, she will explain the sensitive situation with the soldiers and implore the player not to harm them, again to avoid implicating her as a rebel. However, the notes suggest this advice is dangerously misguided. If the soldiers are left alive, Renna is subsequently killed while the player attempts to free Mert from prison. Upon returning to the farm after the rescue, players will discover Renna's corpse in the middle of the farmstead, a grim testament to the player's inaction.
To ensure Renna's safety, it is strongly advised to kill the soldiers present at the mill. After successfully jailbreaking Mert, players should instruct him to flee with Renna to the Svartrau Almshouse, a safer location away from the immediate danger. If the soldiers were eliminated, Renna's corpse will not be found upon returning to the farm, indicating that she and Mert were able to escape.
Players can reunite with Mert later at the Almshouse within the Svartrau Cathedral complex. Checking in on him there provides a resolution to his storyline and offers a glimpse into the positive outcomes of the player's decisive actions. The game does not specify if delaying this quest has further repercussions, but it is recommended to address Mert's situation as promptly as possible to mitigate potential negative consequences.