The "Midnight Reckoning" quest serves as the conclusion to Coen's narrative arc and one of the endgame quests in The Blood of Dawnwalker. This pivotal mission presents players with significant choices that impact the story's outcome, alongside challenging combat encounters and a disorienting time loop mechanic. Players are advised to complete all desired activities before embarking on this quest, as it marks the end of the main storyline. To initiate "Midnight Reckoning," players must first progress through Lacra's quest line, beginning with "A Friend Like This." While the "Night of Horrors" quest offers a romance opportunity, it is optional before proceeding to "Midnight Reckoning."
Preparation is key, with recommendations to acquire the best armor and skills to face the numerous soldiers and undead enemies that populate the quest. The journey involves entering Greifberg Castle, navigating a trap, and ultimately deciding whether to confront Brencis or betray Lacra. The quest can only be started at night and does not consume in-game time.
Navigating Greifberg Castle
The initial path into Greifberg Castle is linear. Players will encounter "The Unblinking Blasphemy," a formidable insectoid creature that is susceptible to stun attacks. Following this battle, players proceed through the temple, where Lacra will destroy a red orb. The next obstacle is Ambrus, who must be defeated if not dealt with previously. Within the dungeons, a prison key can be found on a corpse in a room filled with wraiths, which can be used to free prisoners, though they are beyond saving. Upstairs, players may encounter Bakir, whom they might have fought during the "The Lunar Game" quest. Further on, Coen experiences a vision revealing Lacra's potential role in dooming his family by interrupting a ritual. Coen can either confront Lacra about this or accept her actions, though this dialogue choice does not alter the quest's outcome.
In the courtyard, players will face either human soldiers or another Unblinking Blasphemy, potentially influenced by prior quest completion. After the fight, players must use Shadowstep to ascend to the castle entrance, carefully avoiding the HP-draining red veins and aiming for the white paint markings.
Following this, players will confront Xanthe if she has not been defeated earlier. Regardless of prior encounters, players will then find themselves trapped in a time loop, unless they had previously made a deal with Xanthe.
Escaping Xanthe's Time Loop
To break free from Xanthe's trap, players must navigate a series of doors. The first correct path is through the door left of the staircase, marked by a triangular banner. Players should utilize focus mode to locate this marker. After moving a bookcase and jumping down, players must again pass through the time loop area. This time, the correct exit is marked by two triangular banners on the left side of the room. Choosing the incorrect door will reset the entire time loop sequence, including battles. The final correct door for escaping the loop is on the right side of the staircase, also marked by a triangular banner.
After escaping the loop, players will face a few undead wolves and the Commander of the Blood Guard before proceeding to confront Brencis.
Final Confrontation: Siding with Brencis or Lacra
Upon entering the throne room, players will engage in a conversation with Brencis, leading to a final choice. Players can opt to fight Brencis directly, or allow Lacra to handle the situation. The choices lead to different endings: siding with Brencis by uttering "Just draw the blade, Brencis" results in a fight against him and Lacra surviving, leading to the "Patricide ending." Accepting Brencis's offer with "I accept the offer. I'm sorry, Lacra" avoids a fight with Brencis, but leads to Lacra's death at his hands and the "Turncoat ending." A dialogue option, "Lacra, can you handle him on your own?" offers sympathy to Lacra and allows Coen to choose between leaving with his family or staying to fight, ultimately leading to one of the two previously mentioned endings based on that subsequent choice.
If Brencis is fought, the initial phase may seem manageable, but he will teleport to Anachora for a more challenging second phase. Brencis utilizes unblockable attacks, necessitating frequent dodges, and may summon wraiths of his fallen boyars.
The "Midnight Reckoning" quest concludes after these events, with an epilogue that varies based on the player's decisions. This epilogue allows for interactions with surviving friends and family, reflecting the consequences of the player's choices throughout the game.