Distant Shadows is an optional quest in "The Blood of Dawnwalker" that sends Coen to the settlement of Tantari to investigate Ascar, a beekeeper connected to Crake and the Manumits. While the mission begins as a simple search, following Ascar reveals several optional objectives, hidden details, and dialogue choices.
Most decisions during the investigation do not significantly change the quest's main outcome. However, one choice at the end can determine whether Coen unlocks the A Closer Look quest, which is connected to Crake's romance path.
Here's a complete Distant Shadows walkthrough, including how to start the quest, every optional objective, the choices involving Ascar, and the rewards.
How to Start Distant Shadows in 'The Blood of Dawnwalker'
The Distant Shadows quest becomes available after completing What Moves the Dead. Coen must also have agreed with Crake during the final moments of What Hunts the Night.
After meeting those requirements, return to the Manumits' base in Svartrau City and speak with Crake (Marat) on the lower floor.
Select: "You wanted to discuss something with me"
This triggers the Distant Shadows quest.
Requirements for Distant Shadows
Two conditions are required:
- Complete What Moves the Dead
- Agree with Crake during What Hunts the Night
Antagonizing Crake during the latter quest prevents him from offering Distant Shadows later.
The player's Infamy level does not affect whether Distant Shadows becomes available.
Travel to Tantari During the Day
The first objective is to travel to Tantari, a settlement southeast of Svartrau City.
The quest specifically requires Coen to investigate the area during the daytime. Following the quest marker will lead to the settlement.
Once Coen reaches Tantari, the search for Ascar can begin.
Find Ascar's Hut
Ascar's hut is located toward the bottom-right portion of the search area.
Focus Mode makes finding the property easier. When Coen is close to the correct location, a pulsing effect will point toward a nearby beehive.
Following this effect leads to Ascar's property.
The beehive is an important landmark because several of the quest's optional objectives involve investigating the area around it.
Before you proceed, take a look at how the vampire system works in the game.
Check Whether Ascar Is Home
Once Coen reaches the hut, head toward the eastern side of the building. Activate Focus Mode to identify an open window that can be inspected.
Looking through it reveals three things inside:
- Ascar
- His dog
- A wooden horse carving
Inspect all three objects to complete the objective.
This section establishes that Ascar is home before Coen begins following him.
Observe Ascar Without Being Seen
The next section involves following Ascar while maintaining a safe distance.
Coen should avoid walking too close. Instead, remain several feet behind Ascar and use nearby objects for cover.
When Ascar begins working around the beehive, Coen can crouch behind the cart in front of the hut and observe him.
After some time, Ascar eventually leaves the area.
How to Avoid Being Noticed
Avoiding detection is optional, but staying at a distance makes the investigation easier.
If Coen gets too close, Ascar may ask:
"Need Something?"
Coen responds:
"Who me? No, not at all."
Moving farther away or hiding behind an object allows Ascar to continue without further interruption.
Interestingly, getting noticed does not fail the quest. Walking directly toward Ascar instead triggers the final dialogue sequence earlier.
The rewards and overall outcome remain unchanged.
Inspect Ascar's Hut and Deal With the Dog
Coen can optionally investigate the inside of Ascar's hut.
Entering through the front door and approaching the dog triggers a short sequence with two choices:
Feed the Dog
Coen gives the dog a piece of meat, keeping it distracted while he remains hidden.
Shoo the Dog Away
The dog begins barking, alerting Ascar to Coen's presence.
Ascar then enters the hut.
This does not fail Distant Shadows, but it prevents Coen from continuing to follow Ascar. The quest moves toward its final stages instead.
Inspect the Beehive and Find the Hidden Money
After leaving the hut, Ascar spends some time near a nearby beehive. Once he leaves, activate Focus Mode to locate a bee smoker.
Use the smoker on the hive to drive the bees away. Coen can then interact with the beehive and choose to look inside. Doing so reveals 25 Denarius hidden inside.
The bee smoker is not strictly required. Coen can inspect the hive without using it, but doing so causes a small amount of damage from bee stings.
The money can still be retrieved.
Listen to Ascar's Conversation With a Woman
Coen can continue following Ascar as he travels along the road.
Eventually, Ascar stops to speak with a woman. Coen can hide behind the highlighted barrels nearby and listen to their conversation.
Ascar gives the woman something before continuing on his way. Coen can then speak with her.
What Should Coen Say to the Woman?
There are three initial dialogue choices:
- "I can make it worth your while."
- "I am with the manumits. You can trust me."
- "Sorry for the bother."
Choosing the last option ends the conversation.
Either of the first two choices leads to another decision:
- "Spare me the empty threats. What did Ascar give you?"
- "Right. I'd better go then."
If Coen presses her for information, the woman reveals that Ascar gave her a jar of honey for her children.
This provides additional context about Ascar's actions but does not substantially change the quest's outcome.
Follow Ascar's Snares Into the Woods
Continue following Ascar after the conversation. He eventually enters the woods, where several snares have been placed.
The snares do not contain anything. Instead, they act as useful markers showing the direction Ascar is taking.
Coen should continue following him until the quest objective changes.
Find a Place to Hide
Ascar eventually enters a large clearing. The objective changes to "Find a spot to hide." Activate Focus Mode and look around the edge of the clearing for a tree highlighted in gold.
Approaching the tree triggers the next sequence and reveals what Ascar has been hiding.
This is also where the quest's most significant set of timed choices appears.
Should Coen Stop the Soldiers Attacking Ascar?
Ascar is confronted by several of Brencis's soldiers, who accuse him of giving honey to his neighbors instead of providing it as tribute.
The soldiers beat Ascar while demanding a payout.
Coen gets four separate opportunities to intervene.
Each timed decision offers two choices:
- Intervene and stop the soldiers
- Stay hidden
What Happens If Coen Intervenes?
Stopping the soldiers causes Ascar to show some gratitude, but it also forces Coen into a conversation with him.
Coen can explain his connection to the Manumits, mention Marat/Crake, or remain mysterious.
Telling Ascar about Marat makes him angry and ends the conversation. Mentioning the Manumits produces a less hostile response, while remaining mysterious avoids revealing much about Coen's involvement.
What Happens If Coen Stays Hidden?
If Coen remains hidden throughout the encounter, the soldiers eventually leave on their own.
Ascar remains in the clearing afterward.
Coen can either approach him or leave without revealing his presence.
Importantly, these choices do not produce a major change in the quest's overall outcome.
Return to Marat and Finish Distant Shadows
After the investigation is complete, return to the Manumits' hideout in Svartrau City and speak with Marat/Crake.
If Coen spoke with Ascar during the mission, Crake becomes angry about it. However, there are no major additional consequences.
If Coen never spoke with Ascar, Crake simply receives the information about his whereabouts.
Either way, Coen gets an opportunity to ask Crake about his relationship with Ascar.
Crake then leaves.
How to Unlock the A Closer Look Quest
After Crake leaves, Drogos approaches Coen.
He explains that Crake often visits a particular location outside Svartrau City when he needs to clear his head.
Coen gets two choices:
- "I'll go talk to him."
- "I'll leave him be."
Choosing "I'll go talk to him" automatically starts A Closer Look, the Crake romance quest.
Choosing "I'll leave him be" prevents A Closer Look from becoming available for the remainder of that playthrough.
For players interested in the Crake romance path, this is the most important choice in Distant Shadows.
Distant Shadows Rewards
Completing the quest provides:
- 500 XP
- 1 Skill Point
Most of the optional objectives provide additional story context rather than changing the main reward.
The investigation also gives players more information about Ascar, his relationship with the surrounding community, and Crake's connection to him.
For more guides like this, read our previous walkthrough about staying or studying Latin with Anca.
