After surviving through Brencis’s monstrous second phase in the crimson sands of Anachora, the tyrant of Vale Sangora ends up crawling at your feet. You might expect a simple execution cutscene, but the battle’s ending dialogue has one of the weirdest secret choices in The Blood of Dawnwalker: you can tell the Vampire Lord to dissolve into dust, or you can invite his soul into Coen’s head, just like you did in similar choices against Ambrus, Bakir, and Xanther.
The main ending state of the valley will remain the same either way, but letting Brencis live in your skull turns the post-game epilogue into a much more entertaining ride.
What Happens If You Let Brencis Perish?
When you cut him off with “Perish, then“, Brencis will accept defeat with a bitter smirk, boast that he’ll get the last laugh beyond the grave, turn to ash, and you will return to the valley realm. After that, Coen will proceed to the Laslea Glen epilogue without any lingering supernatural baggage.
What Happens If You Invite Brencis In?
Inviting Brencis in binds what remains of the Roman general’s soul to Coen’s mind. Instead of fading out into oblivion, his essence will transfer into your consciousness—maybe because you wanted his power, want to deny him an easy out, or just thought trapping him in your head so he has to watch you tear apart his life’s work is the serious punishment.
This will not corrupt Coen or make him a villain, but it does turn the free-roam epilogue in Laslea into an eccentric buddy comedy. As you wander around for errands, checking on villagers, and visiting grave sites, Brencis will keep piping up inside your head with rough commentary on everything from peasant squalor to the freezing winter weather, questioning why you even bother helping mortal sheep. If you’re into cynical banter between a weary protagonist and an ancient vampire passenger, keeping him around is a welcome flavor for the post-game.
How to Unlock the Brencis Invite Choice
After defeating Brencis in Anachora, listen to his grievance about his ruined grand design. When the dialogue prompt appears, ignore “Perish, then.” and choose “Oh, but I’m not done with you.” (or “I’m not done talking to you” if you managed to beat him during the prologue encounter).
Brencis will mock Coen’s thirst for vengeance and tell you to speak your mind (or say your piece). Pick whichever grievance you prefer regarding your mother or his murders. When Brencis retorts by claiming he did you a favor by making you a vampire, “Admit it, Coen of Laslea. I freed you,” concede the point with the “I guess you did.” line.
This reply will catch Brencis off guard and unlock the prompt: “Come with me. I invite you.” Once you pick it, you can select any rationale you want for the possession—promising to punish him, steal his strength, or keep him from rotting—and Brencis will seep into your arm.
Should You Invite Brencis In or Not in Blood of Dawnwalker?
You should invite Brencis in. Since Vale Sangora’s political outcome and the fate of your family are already decided by your previous faction alliances anyway, Brencis’ presence in your head is just part of the story.
Leaving him to perish cuts off a handful of unique conversations where his towering ego gets to bounce off Coen one last time during the epilogue, whereas letting Vrakhir hitch a ride will reward you with clever dialogue and an entertaining dynamic that’ll make the valley’s journey far more interesting. Unless you cannot stomach the thought of sharing mind with a sworn enemy, let the old tyrant move in.
