The vrakhiri boyars aren’t the best of friends, covertly scheming against each other behind 
Brencis’s back, as discovered in [another Draining Dungeon quest], but even when they’re not backstabbing each other, nothing says their minions - weak, fallible mortals that they are - are above such pettiness. Alas, their cattle suffer from the same plague, and while others bravely fight to bring down the Vrakhiri rule, others are content to live a slightly easier life as pampered cattle rather than risk their necks as free men… even if it means betraying those who fight for mutual liberation. This page will cover the Draining Dungeon quest Judge and Executioner, with info on whether you should free Branko or let him go, and the outcomes of each choice in 
The Blood of Dawnwalker.
Page Breakdown¶
Judge and Executioner Info¶
| Quest | Time | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Judge and Executioner | 3 | 250 XP, Skill Point x1 |
Judge and Executioner Walkthrough¶
To start this quest you’ll need to head a fair ways south, to 
St. Tyna’s Grove, which is just east of 
Svartrau City. In the depths of the words you’ll find a crumbling fort, crawling with guards. There are two patrolling the road to the north, two guarding the gate and another seven inside the walls. If you want to be a bit sneaky you can Shadowstep through some of the windows on the side of the structure (assuming it’s night, of course) and if you’re quick you may even be able to pick off a straggler. Still, more than likely you’re in for a fairly large fight, so come prepared - fully healed, and at the correct time of day to match your strengths.
Once you’re victorious, take the 
Keeper’s Keys from the body of one of your foes, then search the camp for goodies. You’ll be tasked with freeing the prisoners now, but before you do that, head uphill opposite the door you (may have) entered through to find a tent. Search a table inside the tent to find a 
Ledger of Prisoners, which will incriminate one “Branko of Maragir”. Good to know.
Choice - Free Branko or Leave Him Imprisoned?¶
Now it’s time to finish this quest, but doing so can be a bit more involved than other Draining Dungeons have been. Interact with the prisoners locked behind a cage door and one will incriminate the other, a lad named Branko. After they’re done arguing you’ll have several options… Ignoring the two that don’t advance the quest, of course:
-
”I’m setting both of you free.”: Does what it says on the tin - both captives will be freed and Branko will ask you to visit him at the woodcutter’s camp later on.
-
”Branko - you’re staying where you are.”: The other prisoner will be freed, but Branko, despite his protests, stays interred. The freed prisoner will invite you to the lumber camp instead of Branko.
-
[give into the hunger]: Coen will murder both prisoners and you’ll gain some Corruption. The quest will end, earning you the standard 250 EXP and 1x Skill Point, which will happen immediately after the dialog is over. This is the only way to immediately end the quest, but also perhaps the least lucrative way, as well.
All the options listed above will consume 3 TIME, and while the quest will be listed as complete in the “Court” menu, if you freed one or both of the prisoners, you won’t get an immediate reward, instead being invited to a lumber camp a far ways to the west, on the opposite end of Vallis Sangora. You will need to wait one day (16 time ticks) before this objective will appear, however, so burn some time doing other things.
Once the lumber camp is marked, look for the 
Rockfalls text on your map - it’ll be a fair ways west of Svartrau City. Specifically you’ll want to head to the [Rocky Glade shrine], as it’s quite near your destination. Once there, head northeast a short distance to find a hut with some guards out front. Not only are these guards hostile, but they’re high-level enemies, as befitting the region they’re in - not the quest that spawned them. If you’re relatively fresh (Lv15 or under) they’ll have a red skull, making them very dangerous on any difficulty about Story. If you can’t handle them yet, you’ll just have to put a cork in this quest for now until you’re stronger… or do some getting gud. Despite being overleveled, there’s only three of them and if you block well and spam abilities every chance you get, you may be able bring them down, skull be damned.
(1 of 3) Alternatively, keep Branko locked up and the other prisoner will invite you to the logging camp/
Defeat the guards, loot one of them for the 
Report: Prison Break, the contents of which will change somewhat depending on your actions. If you freed Branko, the letter will mention that he’s gone missing since the escape, while if you didn’t free Branko you’ll discover that he perished from natural causes - thirst, hunger or exposure. Bro, it’s only been one day! Oh well. Head inside the hut and if you free Branko you’ll find the woodcutters lying butchered on the floor. Examine them to complete the quest. If you did not free Branko, however, you won’t find any bodies. Instead there will be a sack on the bed which you can loot for some items, including a 
Thank-You Note and the 
Duelist’s Pendant. The quest will end when you empty the contents of this sack.
Either way, you’ll earn 250 EXP and 1x Skill Points, but the extra loot in the sack makes keeping Branko locked up the most lucrative option.
Nathan has been working at Gamer Guides since 2014 where he started as a contributor. He came on as an editor in 2020 where he continues to put his excellent knowledge of most things RPG to use. More about Nathan Garvin
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