Spoiler warning: This guide covers the opening prologue of The Blood of Dawnwalker, including its major dialogue choices, the herb recipe for Esme and the combat tutorial that ends the quest.
“Withering Away” begins after Coen wakes from a nightmare and chops wood for the fire. It makes up the first substantial quest in the prologue, introducing Anca, Esme’s illness and the game’s choice-driven approach to storytelling.
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Withering Away choices at a glance
The quest lasts through the first half of the prologue. You will need to find Anca and help Coen’s mother, Esme, while making several decisions along the way:
- Choose whether to force-feed Esme at dinner.
- Decide whether to call out to Anca or observe her quietly.
- Choose whether to pay full price, half price or admit that you cannot afford the herbs.
- Decide whether to practise Latin with Anca.
- Prepare the herbal drink for Esme.
Should you force-feed Esme?
At dinner, Coen can try to make Esme eat. If you select the force-feeding option, Esme knocks the spoon away. If you leave her alone, Pieter reacts negatively at first but ultimately understands.
This decision has no known immediate or lasting consequences, so choose whichever response best fits your version of Coen.
Should you speak to Anca or watch from a distance?
When Coen discovers Anca beside the stream, you can announce yourself or continue watching her. Speaking up startles her because she did not expect to be found there.
Remaining quiet makes Coen approach slowly. The camera then focuses on red marks on Anca’s arm, revealing details that you would otherwise not notice until the later “Page-Turner” quest.
During the following conversation, select “Hope I’m not interrupting anything…?” first to unlock the option to ask about Anca’s scars. She responds unfavourably, but the question does not create any lasting consequences.
How should you pay for Anca’s herbs?
Anca offers three payment choices when Coen obtains the herbs: pay the full amount, pay half or say that he cannot afford them.
Despite appearances, admitting that you cannot pay is the most economical option. Anca lets Coen settle the debt later, and he still receives the ingredients for Esme. Paying half or full price also provides the herbs, but reduces your funds.
You can return to Anca later and repay her. Based on the available outcomes, doing so does not appear to provide any additional benefit.
Should you practise Latin with Anca?
After the herb conversation, Anca asks whether Coen wants to practise Latin. Agreeing begins the “Page-Turner” quest, which includes the first potentially flirtatious scene between Coen and Anca.
Declining by saying that you have to leave simply saves time for another quest. There is no requirement to choose the Latin option here.
Herb recipe for Esme
Anca explains how to prepare the medicine and gives Coen a physical recipe that can be easy to overlook in the inventory. The correct sequence is:
- Choose hot water.
- Add three spoonfuls of herbs.
Getting the preparation wrong does not appear to cause a major penalty. Esme drinks the mixture regardless, and she is present later when Coen attends mass. You can tell Anca that the dose was incorrect, but she says there is nothing she can do because there is no time.
At this stage, the mistake does not seem to create lasting effects beyond Esme’s usual ailments.
How “Withering Away” ends
Once Esme has received the herbs, Coen must duel Pieter as part of another combat tutorial. Refusing does not avoid the fight, and the result does not change the outcome: winning and losing both lead to the same following cutscene.
That scene concludes “Withering Away” and the relevant part of the prologue. If you are setting up a gaming space for narrative adventures, you can compare full-size arcade machines with compact bartop arcades, or browse the arcade machine buying guide before choosing a cabinet.
The Blood of Dawnwalker is a time-sensitive, narrative RPG in which decisions matter. After the prologue, Coen can explore Vale Sangora and confront Brencis’ boyars more freely, although the number of available options can feel overwhelming.
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