
Blood of Dawnwalker Wiki Guide: Guides & Walkthroughs, Characters, Builds, Equipment, Crafting, Weapons, Armors, Accessories, World Map, Boss Guides, and more from the sought-after game, a first from Rebel Wolves!
Blood of Dawnwalker Gameplay Impressions
The Blood of Dawnwalker Gameplay Impressions - BEST GAME at Gamescom
Blood of Dawnwalker First Look
Blood of Dawnwalker FIRST LOOK - Upcoming ARPG From EX-WITCHER 3 Devs!
Patch Notes ♦ DLC ♦ Controls ♦ Combat ♦ FAQs
Weapons ♦ Armor ♦ Accessories ♦ Items ♦ Crafting Guide ♦ Upgrades Guide
Blood of the Dawnwalker Wiki — Your Journey as Coen Awaits
Welcome to The Blood of Dawnwalker Wiki — your ultimate compendium for guides on comprehensive data and aspects of the game, such as Controls, Combat, FAQs, Character Information, Abilities, Stats, Builds, Equipment, Magic, Weapons, Crafting, World and Map Information, Game Progress Route, Bosses Guide, and more for Blood of Dawnwalker. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, alongside Game Developer, Rebel Wolves, Blood of Dawnwalker is an open-world dark fantasy action RPG set against the haunting darkness of 14th-century Europe — a land ravaged by war, plague, and superstition surrounding vampires. You will play the role of Coen, a once-ordinary defenseless man cursed with a secret: a human by day, a monstrous vampire driven instinctively by hunger for blood, lurking in the shadows by night.


What is Blood of the Dawnwalker?
Will you embrace the dark side — or fight against it to keep things on the low?
From the director of The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt, The Blood of Dawnwalker is a dark action RPG set in a haunting 14th-century Europe, where vampires walk amongst humans in a land ravaged by war between the two worlds, the spreading plague, and various superstitions. Players take on the role of Coen, a simple, poverty-stricken man who is turned into a vampire. Unlike other vampires, Coen can associate himself with humans in broad daylight, while also unleashing his full potential as a vampire at night.

Between the two worlds, he is a dawnwalker who possesses all the strengths and weaknesses known to vampires and men. Coen must tread lightly on these wretched cities and wastelands, balancing his humane consciousness with the growing beast within. He sets out on a desperate quest to save his family and protect his home from forces that pose a threat. The Blood of Dawnwalker pits playres into making decisions that will impact and shape the fate of Coen and the world around him.
Explore ruined cities, cursed woods, and blood-soaked battlefields that reek of danger, mystery, and unveil the true story's ancient secrets, forge allies, and face enemies from the darkest corners of the myths and the game's history. Your choices will carry a weight that alters the course of the storyline and Coen's destiny, centered in vengeance, wit, sacrifice, and hunger for redemption.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Gameplay Features
- Make the Story Your Own: Experience and shape the plot the way you want. Embark on the quest to save your family, or swear revenge on your sire and destroy everyone standing in your way. Discover ancient secrets lurking in the valley. Rush in head first or risk taking time to prepare. Go alone or search for friends and forge unlikely alliances.
- Day and Night: Experience two different gameplay loops, offering distinct abilities to choose from, mysteries to uncover, and varying ways to achieve your goals. Experiment with different approaches and discover how the world reacts to your actions.
- Every Action Matters: Every action - and inaction - shapes the world around you. Your family’s days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward, compelling you closer to the end. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind. You will not have time for everyone. The world waits for no one. And neither does the villain.
- Sword, Claws, and Rage: Defy gravity, become a brutal force of nature, and use your supernatural skills as a vampire. Or raise your sword, and employ powerful magic to take on opponents as a human. Experiment and adapt as your form changes during the day and night; each has its strengths and weaknesses.
- Open World Brimming with Adventure: Venture through the hand-crafted open world and discover all it has to offer. Roam through the lush forests, the vast plains, the treacherous swamps, the steep mountaintops, and the medieval settlements. Explore forgotten ruins, find remnants of an ancient civilization, and uncover truths that should probably remain hidden.
- Becomes the Dawnwalker: Experience the beginning of a brand-new saga built with love for the role-playing genre. Immerse yourself in a visually stunning world powered by the next-gen Unreal Engine 5.
The Blood of Dawnwalker |
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| Release Date | September 3, 2026 | ||||
| Platforms | PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) | ||||
| Developer/s | Rebel Wolves | ||||
| Publisher/s | Bandai Namco Entertainment | ||||
| Genre | RPG | ||||
Blood of the Dawnwalker PC Requirements
Recommended Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10
- PROCESSOR: Intel Core i5-13600 / AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
- MEMORY: 16 GB RAM
- GRAPHICS: NVIDIA RTX 5060 / AMD RX 6800-XT
- DIRECTX: Version 12
- STORAGE: 60 GB available space
Minimum Requirements:
- OS: Windows 10
- PROCESSOR: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- MEMORY: 16 GB RAM
- GRAPHICS: NVIDIA RTX 3050 / GTX 1070 / AMD RX Vega-56 / Intel Arc A580
- DIRECTX: Version 12
- STORAGE: 60 GB available space
When is the Release Date for The Blood of Dawnwalker?
The Blood of Dawnwalker is scheduled to release on September 3, 2026.
What Platforms will Blood of the Dawnwalker be Available on?
The Blood of Dawnwalker will be available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).
Blood of Dawnwalker Wiki — Everything We Know So Far
The Blood of Dawnwalker Summer Game Fest Trailers
During the recent Summer Game Fest stream, 2 new trailers for The Blood of Dawnwalker were featured, providing more insight into the game. The Dawnwalker Saga is set in the present day, where a delivery is being made to a brick-walled apartment displaying artifacts. The trailer continues showing a man, who we can assume is Coen, sitting on an armchair across the blood-stained room. The trailer continues with a shadow figure entering his home through the large broken window.

The second trailer showcases a little bit more of Coen's transformation as well as instances of the Vrakhiri. This trailer puts focus on the similarities of Coen and the Vrakhiri, as although, Coen will need to feed to keep himself sustained, he does not share the same goals with them, and wishes to save his family. Additionally, the trailer also shows some combat against different kinds of enemies. According to the Bestiary section of the Community Bulletin Board, we can see that they have shown the Blood Guards and some other enemies that were not listed in the Bestiary, such as a serpent-type enemy, undead-type enemies, and some horned enemies.

The Blood of Dawnwalker Release Date Confirmed!
During a recent online event, "Road to Launch", it was revealed that the official launch date of The Blood of Dawnwalker is on September 3, 2026, and it will be available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). The game can also be purchased in different game editions for both Digital and Physical copies. By pre-ordering the game in any edition, players will gain access to a pre-order bonus, the Sangoran Wayfarer's Armor Set
Physical Editions
Physical Editions for The Blood of Dawnwalker include the Day 1 Edition and the Collector's Edition
- Day 1 Edition: Base Game Disc that includes a steel book and a map of Vale Sangora.
- Collector's Edition: Packed in a unique Collector's Box, it comes with a 23cm height Pureharts Figurine of Coen, Game Disc with a steelbook, a 60-page Hardcover of the World Compendium, Digital Content, and a map of Vale Sangora.
Digital Editions
Digital Editions for The Blood of Dawnwalker will be available in Standard Edition and Eclipse Edition.
- Standard Edition: Includes the Base Game
- Eclipse Edition: Includes the Base Game and Digital Content such as (1) World Compendium, (2) Game Soundtrack, and (3) a Comic Book.
Collector's Edition (Click on the image to enlarge it)
Game Editions Comparison Table
| INCLUSIONS | DIGITAL EDITION | PHYSICAL EDITION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Game Editions |
Standard | Eclipise | Day 1 | Collector's |
Base Game |
YES | YES | YES | YES |
World Compendium (Digital Content) |
NO | YES | NO | YES |
Comic Book (Digital Content) |
NO | YES | NO | YES |
Game Soundtrack (Digital Content) |
NO | YES | NO | YES |
Steelbook |
NO | NO | YES | YES |
World Map |
NO | NO | YES | YES |
World Compendium |
NO | NO | NO | YES |
Coen's Figurine (23 cm / 9") |
NO | NO | NO | YES |
Blood of Dawnwalker Release Date Details
The developers of Blood of Dawnwalker, Rebel Wolves, reveal details about the upcoming ARPG. They will host a "Road to Launch Event" on April 28, 2026, lasting approximately 45 minutes, featuring information on gameplay, a new story trailer, an overview of different game editions, and the much-anticipated release date for The Blood of Dawnwalker.

The Road to Launch event is expected to present new gameplay footage highlighting the open-world design and the gameplay changes implemented over the past months, as confirmed by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the Game Director for The Blood of Dawnwalker. The game will be available this year on all major platforms, including PC/Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The official release date for The Blood of Dawnwalker will be revealed at the event.

In a news article written by the PR team for Bandai Namco Entertainment, they posted a statement from the game director confirming that they are getting closer to the release of The Blood of Dawnwalker. The statement reads:
"We are getting closer and closer to the most important milestone in our four-year development journey – the release of The Blood of Dawnwalker, the first chapter of our original dark fantasy saga. On behalf of the entire Rebel Wolves studio, I would like to invite all players to the upcoming stream, during which you will not only get the start date of your adventure in Vale Sangora, but also see the gameplay changes we have implemented over the past months, with a particular focus on activities tied to the game’s open world".
- The 45-minute Road to Launch Event will begin on April 28, 2026, at 6 PM CEST/ 9 AM PDT/ 5 PM BST.
- The stream will be hosted in English, and will be available to watch on YouTube and
. Multiple subtitle options will be available on the YouTube site.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Game Mechanics
The Blood of Dawnwalker - Branching Paths
Every playthrough for The Blood of Dawnwalker can be unique and different. The availability of the quests and their outcomes will depend on the choices you make. There will be a variety of options and paths to take that will alter the events that follow. The political sphere and personal relationships can also be affected by your actions as well as inactions, granting you a different set of outcomes for the world around you, the characters, and the ending.
Blood of Dawnwalker at Gamescom
The Blood of Dawnwalker is one of the games showcased at Gamescom 2025, with pre-beta gameplay and presentation. Attendees were able to get their hands on a playable version of the game, which let them try out the game mechanics. Blood of Dawnwalker tells the story of Coen, a half-human, half-vampire, on a mission to save his family from a seemingly powerful faction. It also offers players a wide range of ways to complete quests, and an open world to explore settlements brimming with secrets.
Although the game offers a singular goal, players can be creative by making use of the "Day and Night" feature when completing quests. As one who can walk among humans in broad daylight, use this to your advantage to blend in and gather resources that may not be available at night, which can be beneficial later on. Or wait for night to fully embrace your vampiric powers to maneuver the shadows and eliminate anyone or anything that stands in your way.
The Blood of Dawnwalker: Day and Night Cycle
The passage of time is a feature in Blood of Dawnwalker that directly affects gameplay and how the world reacts to your actions. Various aspects change depending on the time of day; at night, the world will look more different. Some mechanics will be locked, such as the merchants and stalls closing down, NPCs will be sleeping, special events may happen during the night, Coen can use his vampiric abilities at night, NPC interactions differ, combat changes depending on the time of day, and many more. Every action and experience matters as the world around you changes as you naturally play through the game.
The Setting of Blood of Dawnwalker
14th-century Europe. Bloody conflicts sweep the lands, and the Black Death comes for the survivors. It's a moment of weakness - and that's all they needed. Vampires seize their opportunity to walk out of the shadows and claim what they've been denied for centuries: freedom, and the power that comes with it. Other creatures of the night follow their lead. Legends turn into reality, and history as we know it will never be the same.
You play as Coen, a young man turned into a Dawnwalker, forever treading the line between the world of day and the realm of night of Vale Sangora. Fight for your humanity or embrace the cursed powers to save your family. Whatever your choice, the question stands: Is your soul worth the lives of those you love?
Time Progression in The Blood of Dawnwalker
The world will not wait for Coen to save his family, and as time runs out, players will be pushed with a sense of urgency to make things right. The Time Progression in The Blood of Dawnwalker is a mechanic where players will need to complete Coen's main goal of saving his family. However, it's important to consider that not all actions will push the time forward. Quests and a few other actions, such as specific dialogue options (indicated by an hourglass icon), will have their own time cost while exploration and combat won't. Aside from the timeframe of saving Coen's family, the game does not end after the 30 days and 30 nights have passed.
Blood of Dawnwalker Prominent Vampiric Figures
AD 1347, deep within the Carpathian Mountains, an iron-fueled wind of change is rising above Vale Sangora. As Skender Dragosti, former lord of the valley, goes missing during a manhunt, a new leader emerges from the darkness and with him, a whole clique of terrifying lieutenants. In the past, lurking in the shadows, now sitting at the top of human society, the vrakhiri are the undisputed masters of the valley, with each vampire reigning over their own area, control, and influence. Let's have a look at the foes that Coen will encounter in The Blood of Dawnwalker.

Brencis
The leader of the Vrakhiri, Brencis is born to rule and is hungry for power. His own story is made of unaccomplished desires that he now strives to fulfill. Born in the Roman Empire under the name Caeso Burrienus Laurentius, AD 131, to a noble family that owned massive latifundia, Brencis was destined for greatness. He joined the ranks of Senators and quickly rose to the top of Roman officialdom, with ambitions to become the next consul. He was on the right track to make it happen... if only he had not been turned into a vampire.
Xanthe
Xanthe is the oldest vampire of the group, older than what seems possible. Her story goes back to Ancient Greece, where she was a priestess, her own name forgotten through passing centuries. Her body bears witness to the ravages of time, as does her mind. Hearing voices from beyond the pale, muttering under her breath, at first glance, she might seem insane. The truth couldn’t be more different. She understands the true nature of the world better than anyone. And deep down, she’s terrified. Xanthe is an entity of few words, but each of them conveys the wisdom of a very ancient being.
Ambrus
Ambrus is the youngest vampire of the pack, and therefore, he has something to prove to his peers. He once sought these vampiric powers to reach new heights. There is nothing he'll shy away from, no red line he won’t cross. His gleaming armor and perfectly coiffed hair make Ambrus look like a nobleman, but his origins couldn’t be humbler. His life as a human was hard, filled with pain and humiliation. Now, he’s more than ready to settle the score with the world and all who spurned him. Charming, deceiving, dangerous. Be aware that every word may only be spoken to serve his own purpose.
Bakir
Bakir is one of Brencis' most powerful lieutenants. Warmonger, cruel, bloodthirsty, he is one of these men who just want to see the world burn. As a human, he spent decades galloping across the dry steppes of Central Asia, burning, trampling, and pillaging as he went. He thirsted for blood even before he was turned. For centuries, he hid in the shadows – and resented it. Bakir likes being the center of attention. He wants people to know his name – and tremble as they hear it.
What's the Combat Style in Blood of Dawnwalker
Blood of Dawnwalker features a 3rd-person perspective that gives the player a full view of their surroundings. When in Combat, the camera shifts Coen to the left, while the active target remains in the center. There is a lock-on ability that tracks the target's movements and displays the Weapon or Attack icon, including the Shield or Guard icon. Based on gameplay previews, sword and hand-to-hand combat center on directional attacks. The directional attack also changes the move Coen will make as he adapts to either striking, parrying, or defending against incoming attacks.
There is also a skill dial that looks similar to the Witcher 3, where the player will press a button for a selection of abilities that will pop up on the screen. This will allow the player to cycle through the skills and use them in combat. As Coen increases his level, he can learn new abilities that can complement his sword-fighting skills or vampiric prowess. Additionally, Magic will also be available in The Blood of Dawnwalker. Coen will be able to use magic only during the day and use his vampiric abilities at night.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Customization System
As the story progresses, Coen will get stronger. Players will be able to get their hands on new equipment and weapons throughout the game, as well as learn new abilities and upgrade skills to get them through. Players will also be able to learn Magic, such as the Boiling Blood and Feral Mind. These spells can be learned by acquiring magic scrolls located throughout the world and then unlocking them using skill points. (Magic can only be used during the day.) Additionally, players can respec and reset their skills to experiment with their builds. There will be no limit on this and players can reset multiple times with the help of a medic.
Secrets of Vale Sangora in Blood of Dawnwalker
NPCs in the Blood of Dawnwalker
In Vale Sangora, you will encounter various NPCs that will shape your journey. You can make connections with different NPCs to play out different scenarios and open new paths, this enhances the replayability of the game. Each companion can assist Coen to reaching his goal to save his family in different branching paths. While some can turn to allies, some may turn to enemies.
Marat

Marat is the leader of a rebellion group that opposes the Vrakhiri. He is courageous and charismatic, and while his loyalty inspires those around him, he only trusts a few. To be on his good side, you will need to prove your worth to saving your family.
Lacra

Lacra is secretive with her motives and goals, but one thing is known, is that she is driven by vengeance. You will need to slowly gain her trust if you want to learn about her background, though gaining information will always come at a cost.
Anca

Anca is the most patient one out of the three as she takes her time to guide Coen and teach him to read. Though, she keeps a secret near and dear to her. To learn her secret, you will need to gain her trust and get closer with her.
Enemy types in the Blood of Dawnwalker
In the recent Bestiary Community Bulletin Board #7 - Beasts & Monstrosities, Illustrated, we can find some illustrations of enemies that can be found in different environments all within Vale Sangora. You can find 4 types of enemies, their types, habitats and their diets.
Blood Guards

These Blood Guards show their devotion for the Vrakhiri and have become one of the most feared servants. They bind their bodies and mind to the dark rites of the blood-bound oaths.
- Type: Human under the influence of Vrakhiri blood
- Habitat: In the vicinity of Xanthe
- Diet: Regular human diet with a lot of meat
Kobold

Although they look small and frail, Kobolds can be patient with their prey and they attack you in groups, especially if you are not paying attention to your surroundings.
- Type: Sentient, mostly subterranean monster
- Habitat: Mainly caves
- Diet: Carnivores - rotting meat (especially human), fish, insects
Ancient Undead

Within the ancient ruins of Vale Sangora, you can find the Ancient Undead. In many myths, servants are buried alongisde their masters to attend to them, even in death.
- Type: Animated human corpse
- Habitat: Sealed tombs and ruins
- Diet: No stomach = no food
Psoglav

Psoglavs are infected wolves who crave fresh blood and roam around the ruins of Vale Sangora. To transform a wolf into a Psoglav, a Vrakhiri fang must be lodged in the body.
- Type: Canine, turned after a Vrikhir tooth lodged in its body
- Habitat: Lairs - ruined buildings, caves, dens
- Diet: Fresh blood
Svartrau
Svartrau is the capital of Vale Sangora, a city that rose to staggering wealth through the silver trade. And as the saying goes, where there is wealth, there are thieves. The city guard pursues them with unwavering determination, yet the ne’er-do-wells somehow always manage to evade capture. This may be due to what lies beneath the city itself, a vast network of musty cellars, damp caves, and ancient, timeless ruins. Within these underground corridors, one can just as easily evade old enemies as encounter new ones. Though old, the passages are far from empty.

If one stands still and listens carefully, they may hear the faint squeaking of rats, the flutter of leathery bat wings… and then, something deeper, a low, reverberating growl. For this reason, it is often advised to remain on the surface, under the sun’s warm gaze, and to keep away from the darkness and all the horrors it conceals
Howling Keep
People of Vale Sangora are not quick to speak with outsiders, but a drink or two is often enough to loosen their tongues. In time, they may share tales of horned mountain folk, haunted mines, or a mysterious estate known as the Howling Keep. According to local accounts, the mansion lies deep within the Tantari Woods, a forest regarded as especially dark and foreboding, even by regional standards. On certain days, the keep can be seen from a distance, looming above the treetops. On others, it is nowhere to be found, as though it had simply vanished into thin air.

Locals whisper that the mistress of the keep, an ominous woman clad in black mourning attire, can conceal or reveal the estate at will, depending on who approaches and with what intent. Those who mean her harm are said to never find the path to its gates. Lost travelers and runaway children, however, often arrive at its doorstep without ever seeking it. And once they cross its threshold, their fate is said to be sealed.
Shrike's Crag
The old knyaz of Vale Sangora, Skender Dragosti, held the common folk in deep disdain, never missing an opportunity to make his contempt known. It was perhaps inevitable that the peasants would one day answer in kind. Driven to despair, they rose in revolt, determined to rid Vale Sangora of its cruel nobility and clergy once and for all.

Yet scythes and pitchforks were no match for swords and pikes. The uprising was soon crushed, and the surviving rebels were driven into a corner at an old quarry known as Shrike’s Crag. There, they pleaded for mercy, but none was given. Skender chose instead to make an example of them, one that would be remembered. So much blood seeped into the gravel of Shrike’s Crag, so many screams echoed off its cliffs, that even now, most locals refuse to go near the place. And those few who do wander in are never seen again.
Meet the Protagonist, Coen
Coen |
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| Character | Protagonist |
| Race | Daywalker, Former Human |
| Siblings | Lunka, and 2 unidentified siblings |
| Portrayed by | Will de Renzy-Martin |
Who is Coen in Blood of the Dawnwalker?
Born to a peasant family as the oldest of four siblings, Coen’s childhood was not easy. He started working in the silver mines, alongside his father, when he was still a kid. As an intelligent and curious child, he dreamt of adventure and travelling out of the valley, away from his chores and family obligations. He never did – he knows his family needs him to survive, and he cannot abandon them. Gaining vampiric powers turns his life upside down and terrifies him, but... it also gives him the means to become free from the constraints and duties placed upon him.
— Character Introduction of Coen
Character Strengths
- Daywalker. Able to walk among humans in broad daylight.
- Swordsman. Coen can handle his own as he wields a sword in combat.
- Conjure Hexes. Coen can use his vampiric hexes in daylight to turn the tides of battle to his favor.
- Various Skills. There are three Skill Trees that Coen can utilize to unlock skills that focus on human perks, vampiric perks, and one that is shared between the two.
Blood of Dawnwalker Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs showcased on the official X account of The Blood of Dawnwalker.
Selected questions from the community that are answered by the devs.
Will there be any Crafting?
- Question by: Magdalena.
- Answer: Yes, crafting will be focused around making consumables — various tinctures and concoctions useful in and out of combat.
Can you be blood-starved, and if so, will you attack Humans?
- Question by: Hunts
- Answer: Yes, there is a game mechanic called Blood Hunger that activates at night. If Coen doesn't drink enough blood, he might lose control over his body and attack NPCs to drain their blood.
Is the Game Open World?
- Question by: RMprowler
- Answer: Yes, it's an open-world game with a variety of biomes, such as mountains, meadows, peatbogs, swamps, forests, caves, etc., as well as a variety of NPCs and points of interest: shrines, ruins, bandit camps, monster nests, treasures, and much more. We'll be showing you more of it later this year!
How Viable is the Game in Terms of Replayability?
- Question by: Mataniel
- Answer: The game is designed in a way that makes replaying it enjoyable. There will be a variety of choices to make and paths to follow, and of course, consequences of those choices — which will significantly affect the plot, the characters, and the ending.
How Does the Time Passing Mechanic Work in Game?
- Question by: Supoer Sonic Acrobatic
- Answer: Story-wise, Coen has 30 days and 30 nights to complete his main goal, which is to save his family. The game doesn't end after that time passes; however, Coen's family.„ might suffer the consequences. The game doesn't have a regular clock — time doesn't continuously pass by, so you don't have to worry about it while exploring the world. Exploration, combat, etc. don't push time forward at all. Only finishing quests and some other actions (such as some specific dialogue options) affects time — they all have a specific "time cost", which means that if you complete them, a certain amount of time will pass (you'll always know how much beforehand, as indicated by a small hourglass icon).
Blood of Dawnwalker Lore: Secret History of Vale Sangora
The Secret History of Vale Sangora I: May the One and True God, in His all-encompassing mercy, steady my hand and guide my quill, for the things I am about to commit to these pages are hard to comprehend and even harder to describe. May He guard my soul, as I write of Devil's doings. May He prevail in His struggles with the Darkness, for I saw it seeping into His Creation and twist it beyond recognition. My name is Albertus Taurinus, native of Turin, Italia. I came to Vale Sangora when I was fifty-one years of age, called upon by the valley's senior, knyaz Skender Dragosti, who sought a man of letters to chronicle his valiant deeds...
The Secret History of Vale Sangora II: Despite years of learning, when I first heard of Vale Sangora, I could not even place it on the map. And no wonder, for it is remote and hard to reach. Encompassed on all sides by the mighty Carpathians, it is accessible solely through narrow gorges and only in the summer months. But, as I was to learn, these passages were dangerous to travel even then. I set out towards Vale Sangora with my prior's blessings and in high spirits, accompanied by armed guards and servants. Our journey from Italia was to take two months. It lasted twice as long — and most of our party did not survive it.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora III: As a native of Turin, I was no stranger to mountains and their many dangers, and so, in my arrogance, I thought myself well-prepared for crossing the Carpathians. God saw it proper to punish me for this hubris. Throughout our passage, we were followed by packs of wolves, as hungry as they were cunning, and plagued by avalanches. Our guide, a rugged man named Gheorghe, insisted on making an offering to "the mountain folk', who, he claimed, were behind our misfortunes. I laughed off what I saw as pagan superstitions. Knowing what I know today, I would have behaved differently.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora IV: For most of our journey, we saw few traces of civilization: shepherds' lean-tos, roadside shrines. One day, though, as we were nearing Vale Sangora, I noticed a huge stone block among the dwarf pines, expertly hewn and stained with flaking paint. It must have been a part of a monumental structure, rivalling the ancient wonders described by Antipater of Sidon. Amazed, I asked our guide where the block came from. In response, he just looked at me darkly. I offered to double his pay if he told me what he knew, but Gheorghe refused. The people of the Carpathians do not like to discuss their secrets.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora V: Having arrived in Svartrau, the capital of Vale Sangora, I gazed at its imposing cathedral and the mighty Greifberg castle, looming on the crags up above. They seemed out of place here, at the edge of the world, miles away from the nearest town. Why would anyone settle here? The answer was simple: silver. The surrounding mountains were rich with it, and its cold gleam lured men like moths to a fire. The rocky slopes were pockmarked with mines' entrances, and the pickaxes' steady knocking echoed through the valley all day long, resembling a prisoner's rapping against the walls of his cell...
The Secret History of Vale Sangora VI: Another thing which surprised me during my first days in Svartrau was the variety of languages I heard on its cobbled streets. Romanian, German, Hungarian, Hebrew — and seemingly innumerable Slavonic dialects I could hardly tell apart. Jewish traders struck deals with Tatar shepherds, Serb mercenaries drank beer with Czech miners. A veritable Tower of Babel, I thought to myself, with a smile. But then I recalled how that story ended, and my mood soured. While God, in his love, may grant us prosperity, He hates greed. What fate awaits this rich city, I wondered. What punishment?
The Secret History of Vale Sangora VII: The man who called for me, knyaz Skender Dragosti, made a striking impression. Tall, handsome, and always richly dressed, he looked like the epitome of nobility. But, as is often the case, appearances were misleading. I quickly discovered that knyaz Skender was a cruel ruler who knew no mercy when displeased. While a different seigneur might have used the proceeds from the mines to fund a cloister or a convent, knyaz Skender used them to expand the dungeons beneath the mighty Greifberg castle. I saw these dark, damp cells with my very eyes — their walls stained with blood.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora VIII: I spent most of my time in the archives of the Svartrau cathedral. Right from the start, I did not like this building — though undoubtedly grand, it seemed dark and foreboding. Rather than representing God's boundless love, it seemed to embody the wrath He displayed towards sinners. I was not surprised to learn that the cathedral was reputed to be haunted, and few would dare walk its long naves after dark. Reading dusty chronicles lit by flickering candles l, too, felt a deep sense of unease. I always felt watched there, and not from the Heavens up above, but from the untold Depths below.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora IX: Though through most of its history Vale Sangora was sparsely populated, it boasted two saints: St. Mihai and St. Tyna. The former lived many centuries ago and was born a pagan. According to the early chroniclers, he was a fearless knight who died fighting a horrible monster. One day, I made a pilgrimage to the site of St. Mihai's demise, to light a candle at his shrine. As I was praying, I suddenly heard a blood-curdling howl. I told myself it must have been a wolf... Even though deep down, I knew that the truth was different.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora X: The second of the Valley's saints, St. Tyna, was a simple shepherdess turned miracle worker. According to the legends, there was no illness she could not cure, no festering wound she could not clean. Even today, people flock to the convent she established to pray at her sarcophagus, and many come back healed. I visited the convent, too, and its prioress, mother Bernice, agreed to lift the lid of the sarcophagus to show me the holy remains. The first thing I noticed was a gleaming medallion resting on the saint's sunken chest. I resisted the urge to reach for it — with utmost difficulty.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora XI: At first, the people of Vale Sangora struck me as deeply superstitious. Shepherds would warn me to stay away from certain slopes and ravines, miners spoke of terrors dwelling in abandoned shafts, and everyone had a deep, almost primeval, fear of the dark. As soon as the setting sun grazed the mountain tops, I would hear the clacking of the shutters and the metallic clang of padlocks — and then, deafening silence. What did they fear so, I wondered? Then, walking the streets of Svartrau one early morn, I stumbled upon a body mangled so badly it was barely recognizable as human...
The Secret History of Vale Sangora XII: I wrote of knyaz Skender's deeds, as instructed, extolling his supposed virtues and omitting his many sins. But what truly interested me was the history of the valley itself. It was unlike any other place I have ever been to. It seemed to thrum with a dark energy, which tangled my thoughts and seeped into my dreams. It felt unreal, like a place from a folk tale — or rather, some cautionary tale. Even now, writing down what I found out, I fear no one will believe me. That future readers will judge this book a figment of a feverish mind, that Vale Sangora did not exist at all.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora XIII: The locals were suspicious of me. Hearing my questions, they would wince, as if I had just touched a sore spot. Desperate to learn their secrets, I tried everything to make them speak, but to no avail. Until, one day, I travelled to the village of Laslea. There, seated in the shade of a sprawling beech, I saw a wizened old man. His name was Zdislav and he was the hamlet's elder. As I introduced myself and my project, his sunken eyes lit up with curiosity. He motioned me to his hut. "Trees have ears", he whispered, as he shut the doors behind him.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora XIV: I visited Zdislav of Laslea many times. Wrapped in greasy sheepskins, lit by glowing embers, and screened by wisps of smoke, he shared his stories. They spoke of fearsome warriors from ages past, decked in gold and colored plumes, fighting pale wraiths among the moon-lit peaks, of tiny forest folks with cats' eyes, forked tongues, and teeth like needles, of ancient ruins filled with bubbling blood. They warned of horned mountain beasts and lizards the size of horses burrowing in the peat bogs. I listened to Zdislav for hours, my quill dancing on the parchment to the tune of his rasp voice.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora XV: Once, I asked Zdislav if he believed his stories to be true. Are Vale Sangora's dark woods truly the home of mischievous fairies? Were its winding paths really once trodden by proud heroes and mysterious warlocks? Should we all fear blood-craving likhos, emerging from the shadows at sunset to feed on our blood? For a moment, he said nothing, seemingly lost in thought. But then, he unbuttoned his woollen kaftan and showed me his neck. I noticed two small, round scars — right over one of the veins. And so, all my questions were answered, all my doubts resolved.
The Secret History of Vale Sangora XVI: Secluded as Vale Sangora is, it is not cut off from the world com- pletely. A trader from Constanta arrived yesterday — his clothing in tatters, his voice shaking with fear. He spoke of a plague, spreading like a forest fire through his city. Of people dying in the streets, of bodies spilling from overfilled mass graves. Knyaz Skender ordered a vigil in Svartrau's cathedral. Led by his personal confessor, father Florin, all the valley's priests are to pray day and night, begging the Heavens to spare us from the plague. And so, I need to take a break from writing this book — hopefully, for just a few weeks. May God protect us all.
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