Completing The Gilded Gauntlet in Blood of Dawnwalker involves a confrontation with Ambrus, one of Brencis's boyars. This encounter often serves as an early introduction to the game's boyar fights, as Ambrus controls the provinces immediately following your departure from Laslea and is tasked with extracting blood from the region's inhabitants.
To initiate the quest, travel to Maragir in the Maragir Wealds. Upon arrival, you will discover a new quest marker, indicating that Ambrus has captured and crucified villagers to provoke a confrontation. A note will challenge you to a duel with Ambrus at the ruined castle above the town at nightfall. Unlike other boyar encounters, no allies will join you when you confront Ambrus directly.
The Bittersweet Toast Quest
An alternative approach involves undertaking The Bittersweet Toast quest, which offers a method to poison Ambrus. Shortly after learning of Ambrus's actions, the servant of Lulian Codric, the former ruler of Maragir, will approach you with a plan to poison the boyar. If you choose to pursue this questline, Lulian Codric will end up poisoning himself. As it is revealed that Codric is Ambrus's source of blood, Ambrus will consume him, thus ingesting the poison.
During this sequence, Ambrus may become suspicious and attempt to make you feed on Lulian first. To proceed with the poisoning, you should respond with "Letting a peasant drink first, what kind of Boyar are you?" This will prompt Ambrus to feed on Lulian instead. While Codric will die, this outcome aligns with his own wishes as revealed during the quest.
Poisoning Ambrus offers distinct advantages during the subsequent fight. His health will be significantly depleted throughout the battle, he will be stunned at various points and clutch his stomach in pain, and his ability to self-heal will be less effective. However, there is a considerable drawback: if you end the fight with less than a full segment of health, you will be compelled to feed on Ambrus yourself. This is a risky tactic, as the poison is potent and its effects last for multiple cycles. If you intend to kill Ambrus and avoid drinking his blood, the poison is a beneficial strategy if you are struggling with the combat. If you opt not to use the poison, Lulian Codric will survive, though he will not be pleased with the outcome.
Deciding Ambrus's Fate
Upon defeating Ambrus, and provided you have more than one health segment remaining, you will be presented with two primary options: drain his blood or kill him.
Choosing to drain Ambrus's blood offers the opportunity to invite Ambrus in, and critically, grants you Corruption levels and unlocks his Scarlet Shield vampiric ability. This ability is powerful, providing healing whenever you execute a Perfect Block, a reward for consuming Vrakhiri blood.
Alternatively, killing Ambrus means you will not gain access to his unique ability or the choice to invite him. However, you can still loot his sword and legendary armor set. Killing Ambrus also increases your infamy, which can be beneficial for quests such as "Where Loyalty Lies."
