The Blood of Dawnwalker thrusts players into 14th-century Europe as Coen, a character grappling with a dual human and vampire existence. The game's prologue emphasizes the impact of player choices, particularly in time management, quest selection, and dialogue, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative and an upcoming mass ceremony. This guide details an optimized path through the prologue to minimize negative outcomes during this pivotal event.
Understanding Time Management
Time is a critical resource in The Blood of Dawnwalker, and the prologue serves as an early lesson in its importance. Many quests are marked with hourglass symbols, indicating the number of time segments they consume. Quests also have time sensitivity, denoted by a clock symbol, where completing them at specific times can influence their outcomes and subsequent in-game events. For instance, delaying the "Deep Down" quest may result in the death of an NPC named Lazar.
Prologue Quest Walkthrough
The prologue begins with the "All Good Things" quest, a tutorial introducing movement and combat mechanics without time constraints. After Coen awakens from a dream, the "Withering Away" quest tasks players with splitting logs for firewood and obtaining medicinal herbs from Anca. This quest consumes two time segments. While en route to Anca's, players can pick up additional quests, such as "Live Bait," "Someone Needs A Lesson," "Disturbed," "Blasphemy," and "Deep Down," without consuming time, though they should only be added to the journal for later completion.
Upon visiting Anca, players can choose to stay and study with her, completing the "Page Turner" quest and potentially initiating a romance. This option, however, consumes two time segments instead of the usual one for obtaining herbs. If players decline Anca's offer, they receive a skill point. After returning home, brewing medicine for Esme is crucial, requiring precise adherence to Anca's recipe.
The "Like Father, Like Son" quest, which involves combat training with Pieter, takes one time segment and unlocks the Charge Manual. Following this, players have approximately five time segments remaining before the mass ceremony. The guide recommends prioritizing "Live Bait," "Blasphemy," and "Deep Down."
Key Early Quests
The "Live Bait" quest, requiring one time segment, involves meeting siblings by the river and demonstrating how to bait fishing hooks. During this quest, players will encounter an officer and a Uriash, with specific dialogue choices recommended to de-escalate the situation. The "Deep Down" quest, also taking one time segment, involves searching for Lazar near peat bags. It is crucial to complete this quest earlier in the day to find Lazar alive. The quest culminates in a fight against The Forgotten Guardian within a cave system.
Following "Deep Down," the "Enter Not" quest can be undertaken without consuming time. This involves finding a way into an abandoned house, retrieving a Figurine of St. Jude, and returning it to Father Florin at the church. This quest concludes with Gavril and Lazar, resolving the "Deep Down" quest.
Mid-Prologue Objectives
The "Dead Drop" quest, which requires no time segments, tasks players with investigating an ancient grave north of the church and following tracks that lead to a Mysterious Letter. Afterward, the "Blasphemy" quest, consuming one time segment, involves investigating Gremla's missing banner. This quest requires interrogating villagers, including Alois, Otokar, Dana, and finally Premysl, to uncover the culprit.
With two time segments typically remaining, players can opt to complete optional quests like "Someone Needs A Lesson," "On The Run," or "Disturbed." The guide suggests completing "If A Tree Falls In A Forest…," a quest that takes no time and involves investigating a fallen tree and a campsite in the Northern Foothills, reporting findings to Zdislav. The "Disturbed" quest, costing one time segment, involves investigating a defiled grave, tracking the robber, and confronting Vladimir, who confesses to the crime. Players can choose to return Kvet's cross to Crina, with dialogue options affecting how the situation is handled.
The Mass Ceremony and Its Aftermath
The "Sacred Covenant" quest, spanning three time segments at night, leads into the mass ceremony. During this event, Coen's mother, Esme, will be called to the altar. If she received the correct medicine, she will survive. The quest concludes with Coen returning home, followed by his father's decision to infiltrate silver mines.
The "Bad Blood" quest, consuming five time segments at night, begins with Coen and Vladimir venturing into the mines. Players will encounter hallucinations, discover corpses, and eventually confront Kostel, leading to Coen's transformation and need to use new abilities like Shadowstep and Voracious Bite for healing. The quest involves escaping the caves and confronting Brencis' men. An optional objective allows players to find Vladimir, trapped in a burning building, requiring careful dialogue to avoid killing him.
The prologue culminates with a scripted fight against Brencis, where Coen is intended to lose. Dawn approaches, and Brencis leaves Coen for dead. By following this walkthrough, players will miss out on the "Page Turner," "Someone Needs A Lesson," and "On The Run" quests. The guide notes that Esme and Gremla's fate during mass depends on the correct medicine and the resolution of the "Blasphemy" quest, respectively. Similarly, completing "Deep Down" later in the day impacts Lazar's survival.