The Blood of Dawnwalker offers players the opportunity to pursue romantic relationships with several characters, including the formidable vrakhiri Lacra and the village herbalist Anca. Successfully romancing these characters involves completing specific questlines and making crucial dialogue choices throughout the game. Both characters' romance arcs are detailed, but be aware that spoilers follow.
Romancing Lacra
Lacra's romance is woven into a multi-part quest arc that begins after the player character, Coen, learns of her existence through Vicho's questline in Svartrau City. The initial step, "A Friend Like This," requires investigating disturbances in the northern part of the city, leading to an encounter where Lacra is interrogating an uriashi prisoner. Players must defeat Lacra in combat and then choose to spare the prisoner, demonstrating a calm approach that Lacra appreciates.
The subsequent quest, "Heart of the Mountain," involves meeting Lacra at a marked location in Crown Rock during nighttime. After feeding on a shepherd as instructed, players must deescalate a confrontation with uriashi by choosing dialogue options that advocate for peace, such as "Lacra, calm down" and "Nobody needs to die." Successfully navigating this tense situation is key to progressing her romance.
"Hive and Seek" primarily involves fighting kobolds and retrieving the carcass of Isbrand. While this quest focuses on combat, it moves the narrative forward for Lacra's arc. "Rotten Roots" takes Coen and Lacra into Anachora, a surreal, hellish realm. A critical moment occurs when Coen chooses to investigate a forbidden area against Lacra's warnings. Later, after defeating Isbrand, the player must decide his fate, with one option being to allow Lacra to absorb his essence. Following this with an apology for defying her wishes can mend any strain on the budding relationship.
The final quest for Lacra's romance is "Night of Horrors." This quest becomes available concurrently with "Midnight Reckoning," which is tied to the game's finale. It is crucial to complete "Night of Horrors" before advancing the main story to the point of no return. During "Night of Horrors," players will explore swamps and share intimate thoughts. It is advised to choose conciliatory and supportive dialogue options. Crucially, if hostile soldiers are encountered, players should evade them to avoid failing the quest due to the advancing morning.
At the quest's conclusion, within a cavern, Lacra offers her blood to Coen after he chooses to drink a mandrake plant. This act, followed by a kiss, leads to a romantic scene and unlocks the Mesmerize vampiric skill and the Mandrake Ward perk.
Romancing Anca
Anca, a herbalist from Coen's village, is available for romance early in the game. Her romance arc culminates in the quest "Stronger Than Achilles," preceded by "Withering Away," "Echoes of Silenced Bells," "Between the Words," and "Where Old Devils Lie."
In the prologue, "Withering Away," players can initiate romance by asking Anca about her scars and paying for ingredients. Inside her hut, choosing to study Latin and share dialogue about "kisses" and "grains of sand" deepens the connection. Tending to her wounds and expressing enjoyment of her company over books are also important steps. After Brencis kidnaps Coen's family, maintaining a kind demeanor towards Anca is vital.
"Echoes of Silenced Bells" takes Coen and Anca to St. Tyna's Convent. Responding empathetically to Anca's past suffering and supporting her ritual for her fellow nuns, even at the cost of an extra Time Segment, strengthens their bond. Players should ensure they give Anca the notes for the ritual rather than discarding them.
During "Between the Words," Coen and Anca decipher clues from books. Offering to prepare a warm drink for Anca and engaging in dialogue about deeper feelings, such as "Your feelings toward me--it’s more than just faith," fosters a romantic atmosphere.
"Where Old Devils Lie" involves further bonding moments. Dialogue choices like "Who knows what else I have in store for you?" while at the inn, "I care about you" by the lake, and "Nice to see you smile" when near ruins, all contribute to developing their relationship.
In "Stronger Than Achilles," the relationship progresses with more serious conversations. After Coen's arm is injured, stating "Better me than you" and acknowledging Anca's desire to use the Font of Life with "You were hoping to use the Font yourself" and "I would, too, in your place" are crucial. Ultimately, declaring "I’d do anything for you" and "I love you" is necessary. It is vital to avoid dialogue options that suggest remaining just friends.
Upon returning to the inn after the quest "Stronger Than Achilles," the romance scene with Anca can occur. Players must select dialogue options such as "There’s a conversation we need to finish" and "Screw decency. I want you, too." After a kiss, a final affirmative response leads to a romantic scene. The choice Coen makes regarding the Font of Life itself does not appear to impact the romance scene. Successfully completing these steps unlocks a romance scene with Anca.
