The "A Study in Crimson" quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker presents players with a complex murder mystery set within the city of Svartrau. This quest is not immediately visible on the map and requires players to actively seek out its starting point and make specific dialogue choices to ensure its successful completion.

Starting the Quest

To initiate "A Study in Crimson," players must locate Vicho, the quest giver. The quest begins after discovering and investigating Vicho's curio emporium. Citizens of Svartrau City may mention this shop, which is marked by a notice of temporary closure on its door. The emporium is situated northwest of Svartrau Cathedral. Players can find it by entering the city through the northeast gate, following the main road southwest, and then turning left at the first opportunity.

Since the shop cannot be entered during the day, players must utilize the Shadowstep ability to break in at night. An unlocked balcony door above the shop's entrance provides access. Inside, using focus mode to investigate will reveal Vicho. Agreeing to help him will officially begin the quest.

Investigation and Key Decisions

The quest involves several key objectives: investigating the murders of Devora and Eli, exploring Dr. Simeon's residence, finding a crucial clue after the initial investigation concludes, and confronting Vicho. The entire quest consumes four time segments and can only be undertaken at night; running out of time will require the player to return the following night.

After Vicho leads the player across the rooftops and into Devora and Eli's house, a critical dialogue choice arises. When Vicho asks for assistance, selecting "I'll take a look around" is essential. Choosing "I won't help you" will result in quest failure.

Players are free to investigate the premises, but must examine Devora's corpse upstairs and Eli's corpse in the cellar to progress. Eli's corpse holds a key needed to open a box beneath the staircase. Upon returning to Vicho, players may have an opportunity to resolve the situation with guards. For those with low infamy, choosing "It's Vrakhiri business" or "Apologies, they were our friends" can lead to a peaceful resolution, including the guards burying the bodies. Attempting to bribe the guards with 200 denarii will trigger combat.

Dr. Simeon and the Farmhouse Clue

The investigation then leads to Dr. Simeon's house. Inside his shed, a key can be found between some books on a desk, granting access to the main house. After a thorough search, Vicho and the player move to a nearby warehouse. Accessing the warehouse via a balcony door at the rear, players will eventually find Dr. Simeon downstairs, leading to a combat encounter.

Following Dr. Simeon's defeat, Vicho is convinced of his guilt. The player receives a Mercenery's Amulet. However, looting Dr. Simeon's body and searching his upstairs room with a key obtained from his corpse reveals a letter and other belongings. These items point to a farmhouse south of Svartrau City, a place Vicho frequented, suggesting a different perpetrator.

"The Good Samaritan" and Uncovering the Truth

Investigating this farmhouse can be undertaken at any time, but visiting the medic in Svartrau City beforehand adds narrative depth. The medic may ask the player to deliver medicine to the same southern farm, initiating the "The Good Samaritan" quest. If the player enters the farm without speaking to the medic, "The Good Samaritan" will begin automatically.

At the farmhouse, players must enter the main house during the day to compel a body. Following a blood trail will lead to another body in a field south of the farmhouse. Completing these steps concludes "The Good Samaritan," either immediately or upon returning to the medic.

Confronting Vicho

With the truth uncovered, players must visit Vicho at night to discuss their findings. The first major choice is whether to reveal the truth about the murders or claim bandits were responsible. Telling Vicho it was bandits results in the quest ending with no further rewards, though Vicho remains available as a merchant.

Choosing to tell Vicho the truth, by responding with "You don't remember?", continues "A Study in Crimson." This leads to Vicho confessing his own involvement and contemplating suicide, presenting the player with another crucial decision: allow him to die or intervene.

Vicho's Fate and "Unquenchable Thirst"

If the player chooses to let Vicho die by saying, "If that is your wish," he will ask the player to stay until morning. Remaining results in an extra cutscene and the ability to loot Vicho's ashes for Vicho's Cross, a legendary trinket, from his nightstand. If the player does not stay, Vicho's ashes can still be found later, but without the rewards.

To save Vicho, the player must select "Don't do it, Vicho" and follow up with specific dialogue options such as "But you have me now," "I'll provide you with blood," and "From blood transports." Successfully convincing Vicho to live ends "A Study in Crimson," grants Vicho's Cross, and initiates the "Unquenchable Thirst" quest.

Choosing to save Vicho means the player must regularly supply him with blood throughout the remainder of the game to keep him as a witchcraft vendor. These deliveries, required approximately every two nights, are tracked via the "Unquenchable Thirst" quest journal objective. Failure to deliver blood within a day of the objective appearing will result in Vicho's death, leaving his ashes as a grim reminder.