The Blood of Dawnwalker: ‘Our Rotten Roots’ Quest Walkthrough

The “Our Rotten Roots” mission in The Blood of Dawnwalker serves as an exceptional bonding arc alongside Lacra, though complications inevitably arise when she attempts to deter you from witnessing a deeply guarded memory. As if that moral dilemma isn’t heavy enough, the conclusion of the storyline forces you to arbitrate Isbrand’s ultimate destiny.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the consequences regarding Lacra’s concealed memory within The Blood of Dawnwalker, coupled with the systemic outcomes of offering Isbrand refuge within your consciousness.

‘Our Rotten Roots’ quest walkthrough in The Blood of Dawnwalker

The “Our Rotten Roots” assignment unlocks immediately after you finalize the preliminary chapters of Lacra’s personal questline, encompassing “A Friend Like This,” “Song of the Mountain,” and “Hive and Seek.” To initiate this sequence, navigate to Svartrau City and inspect the northeastern alleyway.

Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source images: Rebel Wolves/Bandai Namco Entertainment

Subsequent to “Hive and Seek,” allow at least a full day to pass before rendezvousing with Lacra at the Westridge Outpost. True to form, Lacra’s excursions are strictly nocturnal affairs. Accept her proposition to journey toward Anachora to officially trigger “Our Rotten Roots.” From this juncture onward, you must navigate the following operational steps:

1. Locate Isbrand’s fragmented memories.
2. Navigate the structural fork in the road by choosing either the left or right path.
3. Engage and vanquish Isbrand in combat.
4. Determine whether to assimilate Isbrand’s consciousness into your mind.

Keep in mind that this enterprise consumes four distinct time segments. Expect heavy resistance along the way, so ensure your arsenal and abilities are properly upgraded prior to your departure.

Find Isbrand’s memories in ‘Our Rotten Roots’

Upon setting foot inside Anachora, leverage your Shadowstep capability to traverse the terrain. Leap seamlessly from surface to surface while bypassing the crimson spectral shades (refer to the visual reference below). Exercise caution, as these ruby apparitions will periodically manifest into hostile undead infantry units.

Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source images: Rebel Wolves/Bandai Namco Entertainment

Continue pressing forward along the linear corridor for the time being.

Go left or right in ‘Our Rotten Roots’

Immediately after viewing Isbrand’s second memory by braving the localized sandstorm, the trajectory diverges. Lacra will strongly encourage you to bear right toward the Svartrau projection. However, you retain the agency to disregard her counsel and choose the left passage instead. Should you prefer to investigate the alternative memory on the left, adhere to this specific direction:

Graphic: Marloes Valentina Stella/Polygon | Source images: Rebel Wolves/Bandai Namco Entertainment

Lacra will issue multiple warnings to halt your advance, ultimately declaring that “you’re on your own” before departing if you persist. The ramifications of this bifurcation manifest as follows:

• Opting for the left path into the sandstorm: You uncover a forgotten memory concerning Lacra. While it illuminates her deep-seated animosity toward Isbrand and Brencis, it yields no tactical benefit for your current objective. Upon regrouping later, Lacra will display initial displeasure before eventually forgiving your insubordination. Mechanically, choosing this route forces you to clear out extra adversaries, extending the duration required to wrap up “Our Rotten Roots.”
• Opting for the right path toward Svartrau: You bypass Lacra’s sensitive memory entirely, earning her gratitude for your discretion. You retain the option to prompt Lacra for a verbal recounting of the events later. Practically speaking, this route spares you from unnecessary combat encounters, granting immediate access to Isbrand’s final memory.

Rest assured, exploring the left pathway will not jeopardize your prospects of pursuing a romance with Lacra down the line.

Should you spare Isbrand in ‘Our Rotten Roots?’

Regardless of your directional choice at the split, resume following the linear path toward the crimson throne, which automatically teleports Coen and Lacra to Isbrand’s concluding memory. Absorb the cinematic sequence before bracing yourself for an immediate confrontation with the Isbrand, The Broken Shade boss encounter. Be advised that utilizing Voracious Bite against Isbrand is ineffective, so conserve your action points accordingly.

Following Isbrand’s defeat, Lacra vocalizes her refusal to extend an invitation to him. Prompting her for clarification reveals that Isbrand is otherwise condemned to eternal assimilation within Anachora unless someone “invites him in”—meaning housing his soul within your mental landscape to echo indefinitely. Because Isbrand clearly yearns for this salvation, granting refuge is the sole method to spare his existence.

Image: Rebel Wolves/Bandai Namco Entertainment

The operational mechanics of inviting Isbrand in, alongside the consequences of each choice, include:

• To invite Isbrand in: Respond with “Can I do it instead?” followed by “I’ll do it.” This action effectively saves Isbrand—albeit in a compromised state. He will reside permanently inside Coen’s consciousness, occasionally chiming in during subsequent events, though he proves considerably less conversational than alternative vampires you might choose to harbor.
• To deny Isbrand entry: Remain silent or select, “I’m sorry. You’ll stay here, forever.” This option seals Isbrand’s demise, leaving his consciousness to slowly disintegrate within Anachora’s harsh expanse. You will likely never hear from him again.

Regardless of your final verdict, concluding “Our Rotten Roots” in The Blood of Dawnwalker yields the Piercing Shriek vampiric power as your compensation.

The Blood of Dawnwalker functions as a time-critical narrative RPG where every choice heavily impacts the overarching plot. If you are just beginning your journey, consult our introductory manual and our recommended priority assignments. Once the prologue concludes, you enjoy total freedom to explore Vale Sangora and confront Brencis’ boyars on your own terms—though this vast openness can occasionally feel daunting. To streamline your progression, take a look at our curated recommendations for post-prologue activities.

Source: Polygon