In The Blood of Dawnwalker, players seeking revenge against Brencis must first contend with his formidable Brencis's Court. This challenging encounter also serves as a gateway to increasing your Infamy Level, a mechanic that carries both advantages and disadvantages. Understanding how to manage Infamy and strategically defeat the court members is crucial for advancing the narrative and unlocking potential opportunities.
Understanding Brencis's Court and Infamy
Brencis's Court is comprised of three vrakhiri vessels: Ambrus, Bakir, and Xanthe. Access to the court system becomes available through the main menu after completing the prologue and Coen's recovery. Disrupting the established order of these vassals will directly lead to an increase in your Infamy Level. As your Infamy rises, Brencis will implement new edicts, or orders, designed to impede your progress.
Each vassal is initially associated with several question marks, indicating undiscovered side quests. Completing these quests not only angers the respective vassal but also contributes to your overall Infamy Level. While it is possible to challenge Brencis's Court at any time, maximizing the vassals' Anger Levels and your Infamy Level offers significant benefits. Completing these associated side quests also provides valuable experience points.
The Benefits of High Infamy
Raising the Anger Levels of Brencis's Court members and consequently increasing your Infamy Level offers several rewards. Successfully maxing out the Anger Level of each vassal unlocks a specific quest tied to that individual, culminating in a direct confrontation. Furthermore, reaching the 'Notorious' Infamy Level provides an opportunity to join the rebel group known as the Manumits, who are actively working against the vrakthir.
Beyond these narrative and factional benefits, engaging with the vassals' side quests and increasing their anger can lead to gaining new vampiric abilities. While Brencis will introduce edicts to hinder players with higher Infamy, the rewards and progression offered by this system are considerable.
Strategy for Defeating Brencis's Court
To approach Brencis's Court in the most optimal manner, players should focus on maxing the Anger Levels of Ambrus, Bakir, and Xanthe to unlock their individual quests. These quests typically become available after a short period of exploration outside of Laslea, shortly after Chapter 1 begins. Side quests may be encountered on the way to objectives, such as the Briar Sloughs Watchtower during the 'From Above' quest, where defeating soldiers at a campsite can yield information related to Ambrus's Collectors set of quests.
Following the main quests will naturally lead players to opportunities to disrupt and anger the vrakhiri vassals. Players are advised to eliminate any soldiers encountered, as they may carry crucial information regarding further side quests or camps that hold valuable intel. The vassals also have varying difficulty levels, and a recommended order of engagement is Ambrus, followed by Bakir, and then Xanthe. Once all three vassals have been defeated, players can then proceed to challenge Brencis himself.