Svartrau, the capital of Vale Sangora, grew staggeringly rich on the silver trade. And as they say, where there’s riches, there’s thieves. The city guard pursues them with utmost determination… And yet, somehow, the ne’er-do-wells always manage to evade them.

This might have something to do with the fact that deep underneath Svartrau lies a maze of musty cellars, damp caves, and timeless ruins. Inside, one can easily evade old enemies…

…or find new ones. The underground corridors may be old, but they’re not empty. Stay still, listen closely, and you will hear the squeaking of rats, fluttering of bats’ leathery wings… And then, a low, reverberating growl.

Best stay on the surface, then, under the sun’s warm gaze, and keep away from the darkness - and all the horrors that it conceals.

People of Vale Sangora don’t readily talk to outsiders. But buy them a drink or two, and it may loosen their tongues. Then, they might treat you to stories of horned mountain folk, haunted mines… Or a mysterious mansion called the Howling Keep.

According to the story I’ve heard, this mansion lies deep in the Tantari Woods — a particularly dark and foreboding forest, even by the local standards. On some days, one sees the famed keep from afar, looming over the treetops… But on others, it’s nowhere to be found, as if it dissolved into thin air.

Locals claim that the lady of the keep — an ominous woman clad in black, forever in mourning — can hide and then unveil her mansion at will, depending on who’s coming her way… And with what intent.

Those who mean the lady harm never find their path to the gates. Lost travelers, though, or runaway children, end up at the mansion’s doorstep without ever meaning to find it. And should they cross it… Their fates are sealed.

The old knyaz of Vale Sangora, Skender Dragosti, held the common folk in deep disdain. He wasted no opportunity to show his scorn. “The swinish masses understand nought by force and fear”, he used to say.

Little wonder, then, that the peasants finally responded in kind. Despondent, they rose in their masses, keen to rid Vale Sangora of the cruel nobles and clergy once and for all.

But scythes and pitchforks were no match for swords and pikes. Soon, the peasant rebellion was all but quelled. The surviving rebels were cornered at the old quarry, known as Shrike’s Crag. They begged the knyaz for mercy… But to no avail.

Skender decided to teach his subjects a lesson — one they’d never forget. So much blood seeped into the gravel of Shrike’s Crag, so many cries of pain echoed off its cliffs, that even today most locals keep their distance from this cursed place. And the few who wander in? They’re never heard of again.

These are not fairy tales, but the remnants of centuries of history, upheaval, and loss that shaped Vale Sangora into such a singular place. And for that very reason, it attracts curious travelers and peculiar individuals alike.

Peculiar individual is the right name for such a man as Vicho. He is a hoarder of curiosities, strange items that most common folk would find worthless. But Vicho is different. He possesses the experience and the knowledge required to understand and handle them.

One day, he met a shepherd who had stumbled upon a strange ivory figurine, bleeding from countless wounds. Possessed? Cursed? Ominous? The story of this discovery is recorded in Vicho’s diary, and you can read the full account on Dawnwalker’s social media[www.instagram.com].

These are but fragments of the hidden secrets scattered throughout Vale Sangora, a land of mysteries that Coen will be exploring in his quest to save his family.

To close this month’s Community Bulletin Board, here’s a question from our Discord[discord.gg]:

Will there be other types of mythical creatures common in gothic horror, such as lycanthropes?

- There are many different creatures and monsters you will find in the game apart from vampires - undead hiding in the ancient ruins, murohni who are the "failed" vampires, kobolds living in underground mines, a mountain folk called uriashi, likhos, psoglavs, and more! We will disclose more and more bits of the bestiary in the upcoming months!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3751260/The_Blood_of_Dawnwalker/

This new key visual is fundamentally about Coen and his identity as a Dawnwalker. His right arm is holding firmly a sword that reads “Peregrini Aurorae”, the Dawn’s Pilgrim, a fateful omen paired with a balance, symbol of equilibrium and justice. His left arm, scarred with magical runes, defies the laws of nature and leads into a forbidden realm.

However, the starting point of this artwork was actually different – it began with Vale Sangora, a place nestled within the Carpathian Mountains. Its panorama, in a palette of warm oranges and with a striking eclipse – a symbol of Coen’s duality, the clash between his human and vampiric side – became the background for Coen and set the tone for the entire piece.

Concept art by Damian Bajowski

Taking a closer look at the background, you can spot details such as the Svartrau Castle and the Cathedral, two important locations that the players will discover in Vale Sangora. For a sneak peek into the cathedral, make sure to watch the Gameplay Overview Part 2 video from last year, where you can see these high towers and grand stained glass windows from up close!

With the Vale Sangora vista ready, the focus shifted to Coen. His journey is shaped by his actions – by your actions as a player – so it was crucial to choose the right pose. “I wanted something dynamic, natural, and exciting, while subtly showcasing Coen’s vampiric nature through the silhouette,” said artist & designer Wojtek Fus.

Before sketching, Wojtek explored a variety of dynamic poses and action references to define what would feel the most believable and expressive. “I did a simple and slightly funny photoshoot of myself, acting out different movements and gestures. Feeling the motion in my own body helped me see how weight shifts and tension naturally appear mid-action, which was crucial for avoiding stiffness and finding poses that felt alive and natural.”

Final cover – made by Wojtek Fus, in cooperation with Bartłomiej Gaweł (art direction), Ricky Ho (background), and Mateusz Ferenc (graphic design)

After many iterations, first in 2D and then 3D, and extensive work on detailing and polishing, it was time for the final stage: focusing on the expression and storytelling. “Coen is captured mid-fight, focused and determined, with his iconic vampiric eye glow pushing the intensity,” adds Wojtek Fus. But that’s not all you can notice in Coen’s gaze – there’s also doubt, hesitation, and uncertainty about who he is and what he can become…

To close this month’s Community Bulletin Board, here’s a question from our Discord[discord.gg]:

What are the tattoos/runes on Coen's arm? Some form of a magical leash or a conduit to cast spells?

- A conduit is a good way to call it. To cast magic spells in this world, you must carve runes into your body to allow the magic to "flow through". Their uses vary from offensive, defensive, or even investigative, such as the Compel Soul spell we unveiled in Gameplay Overview Part 2.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3751260/The_Blood_of_Dawnwalker/