The Home Sweet Home quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker presents players with one of the game's most emotionally resonant storylines, as protagonist Coen finds himself trapped in a looping dream where he is reunited with his lost family. This challenging quest not only rewards players with valuable loot and contributes to one of the game's endings but also delves into Coen's poignant relationships, particularly his bond with his deceased younger brother, Alin.
Completing Home Sweet Home requires a series of specific steps to break free from the dream's confines. The quest is particularly demanding due to the loss of Coen's gear and the forced combat against formidable enemies, which can be especially difficult for players who have prioritized vampire skills over witchcraft abilities.
Starting the Quest at Silts Tower
The journey begins at Silts Tower, also known as Aurelius's Tower, located in the southwestern region of The Stilts. Players may need to visit this location for other quests, such as 'Who Pulls The Strings,' but it can be accessed independently. While the tower contains useful loot and manuals, its inhabitants are challenging. It is advisable to be around level 20 to safely navigate the tower's dangers, including guardsmen and a potent witch mini-boss named Svetlana, the Dark Prodigy.
Upon reaching the tower's summit, players will find a door. Peering through the opening reveals Aurelius, the astrologer, in what appears to be a workshop. Entering the tower consumes four units of in-game time.
Navigating the Dream Loop
Inside, Coen finds himself back at the start of the game, with his father Pieter asking him to chop firewood. After a brief, optional interaction with his family, a monstrous creature breaks through the roof. Coen must then leave the house and proceed north to confront a group of glowing red skeletons. He is equipped only with his starting clothes, sword, and a few sausages for healing. This combat sequence is significantly easier for players who have invested in Coen's Witchcraft skills, allowing for in-combat healing, while those focused on vampire skills may struggle.
Following this, Coen must direct his mother, Esme, to the church and then proceed through town, encountering more red spirits and ignoring disembodied voices. In the town square, he faces wraiths before directing his siblings to safety. The quest culminates in a confrontation with the Keeper of Nightmares, a winged mechanical monstrosity. Players can parry its airborne attacks to bring it back to the ground. After defeating the creature, Coen's father urges him to proceed to the church, leading to a cutscene that unexpectedly returns Coen to the beginning of the loop.
Breaking the Illusion
Recognizing the cyclical nature of the dream, Coen can choose to repeat the loop three more times to unlock the secret 'Together Forever' ending, where he succumbs to the illusion. Alternatively, to break the loop, players must inspect the well in the courtyard where Coen's siblings were located. This action reveals Coen's vampire self, who engages him in a conversation about the illusion. Dialogue choices here are inconsequential, as they all lead to an encounter with 'Alin.' Upon completion of this dialogue, Coen gains the ability to use both his Vampire and Witchcraft skills simultaneously for the remainder of the dream sequence.
Confronting Past Trauma
Next, players must use Shadowstep to ascend a wall and enter a cave. Progressing through platforms leads to a church where a priest is conducting a funeral service for Alin. To aid the priest, players must interact with Alin's coffin, then with Coen's mother Esme, and finally with a younger version of Coen. These interactions trigger Coen's memories, leading him to witness his younger self fleeing the church. Following the younger Coen leads to a portal that transports him to a meadow.
In the meadow, players should use Focus mode to examine a toy, a swing, and a nearby stump, which prompts Coen to recall memories of Alin, including their last ice-skating trip. This leads to a sequence where Coen uses Clawride to descend a cliff to a frozen river, the site of Alin's death. Here, Coen confronts Alin's ghost. The ensuing dialogue, regardless of player choice, culminates in a touching scene where Alin encourages Coen to move beyond his past.
Quest Completion and Rewards
Upon the dream's conclusion, Coen awakens to find Aurelius attempting to attack him. Coen automatically retaliates, ending the quest. Players are advised to loot Aurelius's body and the surrounding area for valuable items. The primary reward is the Astrologer's Ring, a legendary item that offers significant bonuses, particularly for Witchcraft builds with a +11.2% increase to ability damage. Completing Home Sweet Home also increases Coen's infamy with Xanthe, as the quest takes place within her territory.
