Romance plays a significant role in The Blood of Dawnwalker, offering players opportunities to pursue relationships with three distinct characters: Anca, Lacra, and Crake. Successful pursuit of these relationships involves completing specific questlines and making careful dialogue choices, with little risk of permanently sabotaging a romance unless the game is rushed or critical decisions are missed.
Anca
Anca, a human herbalist from Laslea Glen, is encountered during the game's prologue. The initial flirtations can begin during the "Withering Away" quest when she suggests a Latin reading session; accepting this proposal initiates the "Page-Turner" quest. Insisting on reading the book with the red cover further encourages the budding romance. While missing this early opportunity is not fatal, maintaining Anca's affection requires caution, particularly due to her human nature. Interacting with her in vampire form while Coen is low on health, specifically with less than one chunk of HP remaining, will result in her death and end the romance.
To fully romance Anca, players should complete the "Echoes of Silenced Bells," "Between the Words," "Where Old Devils Lie," and "Stronger Than Achilles" quests. During "Between the Words," offering to make tea and later expressing that it's "my pleasure" are key. When inspecting the book, choosing "Always? What do you mean?" followed by "Your feelings toward me" deepens the connection. In "Where Old Devils Lie," selecting "Thank you for trying to help me" and then "That's what you see me as — a friend?" opens further dialogue. Expressing affection while gazing at the lake during the ancient temple search, with lines like "Who knows what else I have in store for you," is also beneficial. In "Stronger Than Achilles," ensuring all monsters are defeated if Coen leaves Anca at the temple is advised. Allowing Anca to use the Font of Life at the end of the quest yields the happiest outcome, though confessing love with "I'd do anything for you," and "I love you" at the Font is possible even if Coen claims it. If Coen does not insert his hand into the idol's mouth three times, specific dialogue choices back at the old inn are required to unlock the romance scene: "I beg to differ," or "I meant what I said," followed by "Let's do something fun for once," and finally, "Screw decency. I want you, too."
Lacra
Lacra, a vampire on a revenge mission, can be found in the northeast alley of Svartrau City, near the Svartrau Cathedral's courtyard, shortly after the prologue. This location initiates the quest "A Friend Like This." Unlike Anca, there is no risk of accidentally killing Lacra. However, a critical point of no return exists after completing "Our Rotten Roots." Players must wait one day and speak with Lacra again to receive two quests: "The Night of Horrors" and "Midnight Reckoning." It is imperative to complete "The Night of Horrors" first, as failing to do so will lock players out of the romance.
For Lacra's romance, players should undertake "A Friend Like This," where sparing the Uriashi is an option. In "Song of the Mountain," agreeing to feed on the human together does not advance the romance, and opposing Lacra in the Uriashi village is possible. The "Hive and Seek" quest can be completed in any manner. During "Our Rotten Roots," if Lacra wishes to go right, players can agree or go left to learn more about her past, though this may anger her temporarily. She will forgive an apology in the subsequent conversation. The crucial dialogue choices occur at the end of "The Night of Horrors." After finding the mandrake, players should eat it, follow Lacra, drink from her wrist, and finally, kiss her.
Crake
Crake, also known as Marat, is the human leader of the Manumits rebellion. To meet him, players must first complete "The Firebrand" and "Shadows in the Woods" quests, which can be initiated by inspecting Vlad's house in Laslea Glen and visiting Mert's Mill. Crake requires the player to achieve an infamy level of 4 or higher within the court system before he will appear again. Once this notoriety is met, the Manumits will send a message, commencing Crake's questline. Similar to Anca, Crake is human, so players must take care not to harm him, especially in vampire form when low on blood.
A critical point of no return exists before starting "Rise at Dawn." Players must complete "Distant Shadows" before initiating "Rise at Dawn" to avoid locking out Crake's romance. The quests "Who Pulls the Strings" and "Rise at Dawn" are not required for the romance itself and can be completed afterward. The questline for Crake includes "Where Loyalty Lies," where following his instructions is key. In "What Hunts the Night," ensuring Crake escapes the Middens is vital. During an intimate conversation while hiding, dialogue choices such as "Don't you want to talk about Sara?" followed by "You sure? You look upset" and "I know what it's like to lose someone," then "Maybe we could talk about them, instead," and finally the white line "Just one more thing — you can count on me," will progress the romance. In "What Moves the Dead," choosing "First, I'll walk you back to the hideout" allows for an intimate moment of dressing his wound, though this is optional for the romance but offers additional flirting. "Distant Shadows" must be found in the Manumit hideout in Svartrau City after "What Moves the Dead." If Drogos approaches the player, selecting "I'll go talk to him" is necessary to obtain the subsequent quest. The final romance opportunity arises during the timed quest "A Closer Look," located near the cliff south of Svartrau City. Players must choose dialogue options like "You're hiding something" or "I'm worried about you," followed by "I came here because I care for you," "I know what this is about," or "Please, just tell me the truth." The interaction concludes with "Hey. Nothing you say can change the way I see you," and kissing him back.
