Completing all objectives within The Blood of Dawnwalker's prologue is a challenge due to its time-sensitive quests. Many objectives are marked with a clock icon 🕑, and certain actions consume multiple time segments indicated by an hourglass symbol ⏳. The prologue features eight time segments per day and night cycle. Be mindful that actions like getting caught stealing can consume four segments, and some shrine skill unlocks also use valuable time.
The initial choice regarding Coen forcing his mother Esme to take medicine has no lasting impact, but the prologue's main questing begins thereafter. Time management becomes crucial from this point forward.
Prologue Quest Breakdown and Recommended Order
Morning
Begin by accepting the "Live Bait" quest from Yanna, who is with Lunka and Mirto near Coen's house. Agree to help them fish, and proceed directly to gathering the four fishing rods northwest of Yanna's location. Place the rods along the riverbank, selecting dialogue options that foster sibling connection. When Yanna asks about their father's thoughts on their fishing, respond with "I've got time. I'll help you." For the subsequent conversations, aim for dialogue that reinforces familial bonds, such as telling Mirto "I'll take care of you."
After fishing, collect additional quests in Laslea village: "Disturbed" from Crina in the graveyard, "Blasphemy" from Gremla near the keep, and "Deep Down" from Gavril in the fields. Avoid pursuing Vasil's quest, "Someone Needs A Lesson," as it is time-consuming and not critical to the main plot.
Next, head to the outcast's graveyard east of Coen's house to complete the "Dead Drop" quest. Looting a cave behind trees in the north corner yields gold and a regenerative salve. Inspecting a grave in the south corner initiates "Dead Drop." Follow the trail using Coen's focus to find a dead drop in the woods containing a letter, a Ring of Purging, and experience points.
Proceed to Anca's house via a western path for the "Withering Away" quest. When approaching Anca, choose to "keep on looking" to notice her backstory details. Opt to pay Anca the requested double rate for the herbs. If romancing Anca is of interest, select "Gladly – I've missed it too" to engage in the "Page-Turner" quest, which takes one additional time slot.
Midday Activities
If undertaking "Page-Turner," spend the extra time with Anca. Engage in dialogue about reading, choosing the red-covered book and insisting on "This Catullus sounds more interesting." Follow the prompts to complete the reading. Assist Anca in saving the herbs in her shed, collecting 11 dried herbs to reach a total of 12. Dialogue choices regarding Anca's wound do not significantly alter the outcome.
Return to Coen's house to complete the second part of "Withering Away" by brewing the herbs for Esme using hot water and three spoonfuls. Afterward, Coen can discuss training plans with Pieter, but avoid joining him immediately as Pieter will wait until the end of the day.
Travel north across the bridge into the forest to find an abandoned house for the "Enter Not" quest. Inside, loot a corpse for "Last Confession" and a "Figurine of St. Jude," and a chest for gold and orders. Continue north to the Blackwater Hollow shrine. Inspect an abandoned wagon for clues about Lazar and loot a chest near an abandoned house north of the shrine for a weapon upgrade.
Near the Northern Foothills shrine, find a fallen tree with a body to initiate "If A Tree Falls." Follow the trail of the dead body to collect "Orders: Patrol." If combat is desired, detour to the east side of the bog to fight a bear in its den for loot, including Tall Boots and the Claw Art ability. Completing "Into The Den" can be done by looting a hut at the logging site if extra time was not spent with Anca; this quest is necessary for selling silver later.
Return to Blackwater Hollow to track Lazar's trail west, eliminating wolves guarding a clearing. Drop into a hole to find Lazar alive, completing the "Deep Down" quest. During the conversation, select options that acknowledge his concerns. In the subsequent ruins, examine murals for lore, open a sarcophagus for Mireleaf Bracers and the Claw Art ability, and defeat The Forgotten Guardian. Equip the Undead Warrior's Sword looted from the guardian and any valuables found in the chests.
Afternoon Errands
Back in Laslea, report to the elder Zdislav to complete "If A Tree Falls" and report on the haunted ruins. Visit Mircea the blacksmith to sell looted items and purchase gear upgrades. Use the Laslea Center shrine for perk point allocation, ensuring no time-consuming perks are selected.
To complete "Blasphemy," return to Gremla's house and use Coen's focus to find clues leading to Premysl. Confront Premysl and convince him to return the banner by choosing "Angering Brencis will put my family at risk" or "This is just an empty gesture." Return to Gremla to finalize the quest.
Evening Activities
In the graveyard, investigate Kvet's grave for "Disturbed." Follow the footprints using Coen's focus to Kostel's shed. Inside, confront Kostel and Vladimir via a trap door. Offer to keep the situation between them by choosing "I'll keep this between us," to avoid informing Crina of the theft. Alternatively, retrieve the cross for Crina. If time is pressing, select "I really need to go" to prioritize training with Pieter.
Before training, complete "Enter Not" by handing the Figurine of St. Jude to Father Florin in the keep and church. Finally, follow Pieter to train for "Like Father, Son." The dialogue choices here are for roleplaying purposes, as Pieter's involvement in the rebellion is predetermined.
Mass and Conclusion
During Mass, if the recommended quest order is followed, Gremla's banner will be present but she will not face dire consequences. Vladimir will inquire about Pieter's involvement, Anca will check on Esme, Lazar will be present and grateful, Crina will sense peace for Kvet, and Esme will survive due to the correctly brewed medicine. Coen will have opportunities to speak out or remain silent during timed choices.
Regardless of the proceedings, Pieter will initiate a plan to raid silver mines with Vladimir's crew, which is not expected to succeed. The prologue concludes with this event.