The court system serves as a central pillar of progression in The Blood of Dawnwalker, offering a distinct path for advancement alongside traditional questing and gear acquisition. By strategically engaging with Brencis' court, players can uncover new allies, acquire better equipment, and even destabilize the ruling power.
Following the game's prologue, players gain access to the "Court" tab in the main menu. This interface displays Coen's current infamy status and the anger levels of Brencis' key vassals: Ambrus, Xanthe, and Bakir. Manipulating these elements is crucial for unlocking new gameplay opportunities and shaping the narrative.
Angering Vassals and Unlocking Quests
To raise a vassal's anger level, players must undertake sabotage missions. These missions are visually represented by small diamonds linked to each vassal's portrait in the court menu. Initially, sabotage opportunities may appear as question marks until players discover them through map exploration and quest completion. Once a vassal's anger level is maximized, it unlocks a dedicated quest that delves into their personal backstory.
It is important to note that killing a vassal before their anger level is maxed will prevent their quest from becoming available. Therefore, players might consider sparing any encountered cronies in the early game to preserve this potential questline. After reaching maximum anger, a quest may not immediately appear in the journal, but the angered vassal will eventually contact Coen.
The Mechanics of Infamy
Angering Brencis' vassals directly contributes to an increase in Coen's overall infamy level. As infamy rises, Brencis will enact countermeasures, such as increasing patrol presence in settlements or establishing military checkpoints throughout the valley. Gaining too much infamy too early in the game can inadvertently make the player's journey more difficult, suggesting a measured approach between sabotage missions and regular questing is advisable.
However, achieving a high level of infamy, particularly the "notorious" tier, is a prerequisite for joining the Manumits, an anti-Vrakhir rebellion. While this elevated status will provoke a more aggressive response from Brencis, it also provides access to new methods for opposing him.
Strategic Court System Utilization
When engaging with The Blood of Dawnwalker's court system, several strategic considerations can optimize progress. Some standard quests may incidentally affect vassal anger and infamy if their outcomes impact Brencis or his subordinates. Direct sabotage, however, offers a more efficient route to these goals.
Players do not need to complete every available sabotage mission to reach a court member's maximum anger level and initiate their quest. Choosing a variety of sabotage types can make the process more engaging; for instance, instead of completing three blood cellar clearings for Ambrus, a player might opt for a mix of sabotaging a leech collector camp, intercepting a blood transport, and clearing a blood cellar.
For players aiming to unlock a vassal's personal quest as quickly as possible, focusing on one court member at a time is recommended. The map provides information on which court member controls specific regions. Regions are also marked with colored skulls (yellow, orange, or red) indicating their comparative difficulty for Coen's current level, with red being the most dangerous. Ambrus, controlling less perilous regions like Briar Sloughs and Maragir Wealds, generally presents an easier entry point for sabotage compared to Xanthe or Bakir.
It is also worth remembering that engaging with Brencis' vassals and their associated sabotage missions is entirely optional. While angering vassals leads to more quests and potential advantages, it also results in a more hostile Brencis and an overall more challenging game. Players should weigh this trade-off when deciding their approach.