Factions

Faction system

Vale Sangora is not a place with clear heroes and villains. Multiple factions exist in the valley, each with their own goals, and Coen can choose to ally with, oppose, or ignore any of them. The game director has stated that you can finish the entire game without ever meeting the human rebellion. You can also "try" siding with the vampire rulers. The developers declined to spoil specifics of how far that option goes.

The Vrakhiri

The valley is divided among the four Vrakhiri the ancient vampire lords who rule under Brencis's leadership. Each Vrakhiri controls their own territory with their own style of governance. Bakir rules through fear and force. Ambrus uses charm and manipulation. Xanthe holds mysteries that the others don't understand. The political dynamics between these four are themselves a faction system, their tensions can be exploited.

The developers have noted that the Vrakhiri are not automatically hostile. Some can potentially become allies depending on player choices. The vampire power structure is not monolithic. There are cracks, and a smart player can widen them.

The human rebellion

An organized resistance movement fighting against vampire rule. They operate in secret because open defiance means death. The rebellion is optional content. You can complete the game without meeting them, which means they're one path among many rather than the mandatory backbone of the story.

Vampire loyalists

Many humans in Vale Sangora genuinely support vampire rule because Brencis cured the plague. These loyalists view the vampires as protectors and the rebellion as a destabilizing threat. They pay the blood tax willingly. For Coen, they represent an obstacle. Human allies of his enemies who believe they're on the right side.

Independent groups

Beyond the vampire/human binary, other factions pursue their own agendas. These groups don't fit neatly into either camp and might cooperate with vampires on one issue and humans on another, depending on what benefits them.

Reactive world

Faction relationships are not static. Undermining Brencis's operations triggers escalation, increased soldier patrols, city lockdowns that restrict movement, and more aggressive responses to Coen's presence. The world pushes back against what you do, and the 30-day clock means you can't just wait out the consequences.

Helping one faction takes time from the 30-day cycle. Every alliance built is time not spent on something else. A faction you ignored early on might refuse to help when you need them later. A faction you betrayed might actively work against your rescue plan.