Completing the A Bulwark Against Darkness quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker allows players to craft the legendary Arbiter armor set. This multi-stage endeavor becomes accessible several hours into the game, contingent on undertaking specific in-game activities.

Prerequisites for A Bulwark Against Darkness

To initiate A Bulwark Against Darkness, players must achieve Level 4 Infamy, known as Notorious tier. This is accomplished by disrupting the operations of Ambrus, Bakir, and Xanthe, thereby drawing the ire of Brencis. Upon reaching Notorious tier and witnessing the associated cutscene, players should travel to the Crossroads Inn to speak with Anca. She will reveal that a messenger has left a letter indicating others are willing to offer assistance.

Acquiring Armor Components

The Arbiter armor set comprises four distinct gear pieces, each requiring a specific component. These components are detailed in a second letter provided by Anca:

  • Large Lizard Moult
  • Flask of Quicksilver
  • Silk Threads
  • Relic of a Saint

Players will also need to locate Nareh, an uriash blacksmith situated in the northwestern hinterlands. Nareh is also the NPC who assists with the Forge It Anew quest.

Location of Components

The Large Lizard Moult can be found in a cave within the marshlands between Briar Sloughs and Maragir Wealds. This area is near the ritual site for Iulian from the Gilded Gauntlet/Bittersweet Toast quest. The lizard is the same creature Vera was hunting prior to her death.

The Flask of Quicksilver is located in Ambrosius Tower. Accessing it requires completing the Home Sweet Home quest to escape the tower's time loop. After a cutscene involving Coen and the astrologer, the item can be retrieved from a desk in the ritual room on the top floor.

Silk Threads are obtained through a quest chain involving the Sanzhani fairies. The quest 'Come Hither' yields one Silk Thread upon defeating a Murohn. An alternative, though not recommended due to cost, is purchasing a Silk Thread from a Sanzhani in the 'Pearly and Precious' quest for approximately 6,000 denarii.

For the Relic of a Saint, players have several options. The Saint's Finger or Tibia can be acquired as part of Anca's Echoes of Silenced Bells quest. The Relic of St. Tobias is found during the Night of Horrors quest. It is recommended to use either the Saint's Tibia or the Relic of St. Tobias, as they are less valuable junk items compared to the epic Relic of St. Tyna or the legendary Relic of St. Dasius amulets.

Crafting the Arbiter Armor Set

Once all components are gathered, they must be presented to Nareh, the uriash blacksmith. Crafting the Arbiter armor set requires undergoing a ritual that costs 3x Time Segments. Following the ritual, players will face a combat gauntlet against a pack of wolves and a bear. Upon defeating these wild animals, the fully enhanced set will be awarded.

The components of the Arbiter armor set provide the following benefits:

  • Enhanced Armor of the Arbiter (heavy chestpiece): Increases weapon damage, claw damage, witchcraft ability damage, and AC restoration.
  • Enhanced Shin Guards of the Arbiter (heavy trousers): Reduces witchcraft ability cooldown, enhances AC restoration (passive and active), and boosts AC restoration on perfect blocks.
  • Enhanced Bracers of the Arbiter (heavy bracers): Augments maximum vampiric health, vampiric health segment regeneration, blood drinking restoration, and weapon damage.
  • Enhanced Boots of the Arbiter (heavy boots): Increases maximum human health, human health restoration, maximum stamina, and magical damage reduction.

Completing this quest also unlocks the "Arbiter’s Regalia" achievement.