A Study in Crimson Side quest
- Location
- Altenmarkt
- Region
- Svartrau City
- Missable
- Yes
- Methodology
- Data Methodology
- Author
- Dakota Chinnick
There is a particular shop in Svartrau that people like to gossip about – it's said to be full of weird baubles and peculiar items. I decided to see it for myself – if only to satiate my own curiosity. Little did I know that it would make me a part of a long and bloody investigation...
- Type
- Side quest
- Starts
- Altenmarkt
- Time cost
- 4 time units
- Time of day
- Night
- Reward
- Mercenary's Amulet
- Steps
- 31 steps, 16 on the map
A Study in Crimson runs at night: Vicho is a vrakhir and waits in his Emporium for you to come back after sunset (step 6). The investigation itself has one conclusion — the killer is Doctor Simeon, turned Murohn, dead in his warehouse. The choice everyone searches for comes later, after The Good Samaritan: when Vicho realises he was the killer all along, only offering to keep him supplied with blood stops him walking into the sunrise.
Show the steps on the mapJump to the endingsSchedule A Study in Crimson in the 30-Day Planner
A Study in Crimson Walkthrough
16 of the 31 objectives for A Study in Crimson are pinned on the map below, 1 of them optional. The numbers on the map match the numbered steps.
How to start A Study in Crimson
- StartsBegins in Altenmarkt.
- Time cost4 time units
- Time of dayNight only
- Can be failedYes — it has a failure ending, so the coronation deadline can take it from you.
A Study in Crimson step by step
One marker covers an area to search rather than an exact spot.
- Visit Vicho's EmporiumNight
While in Svartrau, I should visit Vicho's shop. Who knows, maybe I'll find something helpful inside.
Search area on the map - Find VichoNight
I found the shop – now to find its owner.
Search area on the map — pin 1 - Find the shop's ownerNight
I found the shop – now to find its owner.
Search area on the map — pin 1 - Find the source of the noiseNight
I've heard something while looking around the shop. Better check what made that noise.
- Return to Vicho when readyNight
Vicho asked me for help, but for now I told him it was not a good time. He'll be waiting in his shop in case I change my mind.
- Return to Vicho after sunsetNight
Vicho asked me for help, but as a vrakhir he can't do much during the day. He'll be waiting in his shop for my return after sunset.
Stuck here? Nothing happens by dayVicho cannot act in daylight. Come back to the Emporium after sunset with enough of the night left, and the rooftop trip to the jeweller's house begins. Every later step of the investigation is at night too.
- Follow Vicho across the rooftopsNight
Vicho and I have to travel to the house of the murdered couple. The vrakhir decided that it'll be quickest – and safest – to go across the rooftops.
- Enter the jeweller's houseNight
We need to find out what really happened to Eli and Devora – to do so, we must investigate the murder scene.
Pinned on the map - Search the jeweller's house for cluesOptionalNight
While investigating the murder scene, I could spare some time and look for additional clues to better understand the situation.
Pinned on the map — pin 8 - Find out how Devora diedNight
The jeweller's wife, Devora, was also killed – I must find out what happened.
Pinned on the map — pin 8 - Find out how Eli diedNight
Eli the jeweller was murdered and now it's up to me to find out what happened.
Pinned on the map — pin 8 - Find out what Eli's key opensNight
I found a small key on Eli's body. But what does it open?
Pinned on the map — pin 8 - Share your findings with VichoNight
Investigating a murder scene was not a pleasant experience... but at least now I can tell Vicho about my findings.
- Follow VichoNight
With the guards gone, it's better if we disappear from the streets.
- Talk to VichoNight
Time to talk to Vicho – and decide the next step in our investigation.
- Follow Vicho to the doctor's houseNight
Was Doctor Simeon somehow involved in Eli and Devorah's deaths? Only one way to find out.
Pinned on the map - Talk to VichoNight
Was Doctor Simeon somehow involved in Eli and Devorah's deaths? Only one way to find out.
- Approach Doctor Simeon's houseNight
Doctor Simeon seems to be out. We have to look around and see if he left any clues behind.
Pinned on the map — pin 16 - Check the front door of the houseNight
Was Doctor Simeon somehow involved in Eli and Devorah's deaths? Only one way to find out.
Pinned on the map - Investigate the doctor's shed using Focus ModeNight
Doctor Simeon seems to be out. We have to look around and see if he left any clues behind.
Pinned on the map — pin 16Stuck here? The doctor's locked houseDoctor Simeon is out. The key to his front door is in the shed (step 21); once inside, the Property Deed on the upstairs table (step 23) names the warehouse he bought — that is where the trail goes next (step 24).
- See if the key opens the doorNight
We found a key in the doctor's shed. Maybe it opens the front door to his house?
Pinned on the map — pin 16 - Search for clues using Focus ModeNight
Doctor Simeon seems to be out. We have to look around and see if he left any clues behind.
Pinned on the map — pin 16 - Show the property deed to VichoNight
Looks like the doctor bought a property recently – a warehouse. Maybe Vicho knows more about this place?
- Talk to Vicho when you're ready to leaveNight
We know our next stop – the mysterious warehouse the doctor bought recently. I should tell Vicho when I'm ready to go there.
Stuck here? The warehouseWhat waits inside is Simeon, no longer human — a Murohn — and killing him with Vicho at your side closes the investigation. The journal records this as its fourth ending and pays Vicho's Cross for it.
- Find Doctor SimeonNight
We didn't meet the doctor at his house, but perhaps we'll have better luck in the warehouse he bought recently.
Pinned on the map — pin 19 - Follow Vicho to the warehouseNight
The warehouse was close to the doctor's house – we decided to go there on foot.
- Find another way into the warehouseNight
Doctor Simeon's warehouse might offer some clues to what really happened.
Pinned on the map — pin 19 - Defeat Doctor SimeonNight
We came too late – as it turns out, Doctor Simeon changed himself into a monster. Only thing to do is put him out of his misery.
- Help Vicho with his investigation4 time unitsTime-sensitiveNight
Vicho told me that his friends were brutally murdered – and asked me to help him find out why this crime was committed.
- Resume investigationNight
Vicho told me that his friends were brutally murdered – and asked me to help him find out why this crime was committed. I should return to him when ready.
- Confront VichoNight
So Vicho is the murderer after all... I need to go to his shop and talk to him.
Night A Study in Crimson takes place during Night.
A Study in Crimson rewards
On completion
- Mercenary's Amulet ×1
- 250 XP
- 1 skill point(s)
- Vicho's Cross ×1
Picked up along the way
- Jeweller's Key ×1
Show the 7 endings — spoilers
Every way A Study in Crimson can end, in the game's own words. Read on only if you want it spoiled.
Which ending you get, and how
The investigation ends one way — Simeon dead — but the journal keeps writing afterwards: The Good Samaritan shows you who the real killer was, and what you then say to Vicho decides whether he lives.
- Ending 1
However, later on I discovered that it was in fact Vicho who murdered all those innocent people after all - but pushed it deep down his memory, not wanting to face the truth. After I confronted him, he agreed to keep on living. And I agreed to provide him with human blood so he would not lose control again.
Rewards: Mercenary's Amulet ×1, 250 XP, 1 skill point(s)
How to get it: After The Good Samaritan, confront Vicho with the truth and talk him out of the sunrise: tell him not to do it, offer to supply him with blood — from the blood transports — and tell him he is no monster. He lives, and keeping him supplied becomes your job. This is the ending that pays the Mercenary's Amulet.
Pick this if: Keeping Vicho in the game. Sympathy alone does not hold him; the offer of blood is what does.
- Ending 2
However, later on I discovered that it was in fact Vicho who murdered all those innocent people after all - but pushed it deep down his memory, not wanting to face the truth. After I confronted him, he decided that the only option left to him was to let the morning sun burn his sins away. I stood beside Vicho in those last moments of his very long life, not wanting him to be alone.
How to get it: Confront him without offering blood: he chooses the morning sun, and you stay beside him until the end.
- Ending 3Failure
However, later on I discovered that it was in fact Vicho who murdered all those innocent people after all - but pushed it deep down his memory, not wanting to face the truth. After I confronted him, he decided that the only option left to him was to let the morning sun burn his sins away. I walked away before that happened, not wanting to witness the last moments of his very long life.
How to get it: As above, but you walk away before it happens. The journal files this one as a failure.
- Ending 4
Vicho and I were able to find out who the murderer was – it turned out that his friend, Doctor Simeon, experimented with vrakhiri teeth and turned himself into a murohn. Unfortunately, we had to kill him.
Rewards: Vicho's Cross ×1
How to get it: Solve the murders with Vicho: the jeweller's house, the doctor's house and its deed, the warehouse, Simeon. Every route reaches this first.
- Ending 5
When Vicho revealed to me that he might have been the murderer, I decided to stop helping him.
How to get it: Stop helping him the moment he suspects himself.
- Ending 6
In the end, I was never able to follow up on this since there were more pressing matters at hand.
How to get it: Run out of days before following the story up.
- Ending 7
However, later on I discovered that it was in fact Vicho who murdered all those innocent people after all - but pushed it deep down his memory, not wanting to face the truth. Should I have told him and shattered his newfound peace? Maybe, but I didn't have the heart.
How to get it: Never tell him what you found. He keeps his new peace and never learns.
Choices and outcomes checked against the game files and published walkthroughs on September 6, 2026.
Where A Study in Crimson takes place
Characters involved
A Study in Crimson is a Side quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker with 1 playable version(s). A Study in Crimson takes place around Altenmarkt. A Study in Crimson has 31 objectives, 1 of them optional. 16 of the objectives in A Study in Crimson are pinned on the world map, so you can see where each step happens. A Study in Crimson has 7 possible endings.
See Also
Your Dawnwalker Guide, In-Game
The map, the quests, the skills and the 30-day clock in an overlay — look anything up without alt-tabbing out of Vale Sangora. Free on your PC.
- In-game overlays
- Automatic match tracking
- Desktop-exclusive tools
Help us maintain accuracy! If you notice incorrect stats, missing data, or any issues, your feedback directly improves the quality of our data for the entire community.
A Study in Crimson FAQ
How do you keep Vicho alive in A Study in Crimson?
After The Good Samaritan, when he decides to end his life, tell him not to, offer to supply him with blood from the blood transports and tell him he is not a monster. Any answer short of the blood offer lets him die.
Why can't I progress A Study in Crimson?
It is a night quest. Vicho only acts after sunset, so return to his Emporium at night with enough of the night left.
Where is the property deed in A Study in Crimson?
On the upstairs table in Doctor Simeon's house. The house key is in his shed. The deed points you to the warehouse.
How do you complete A Study in Crimson?
A Study in Crimson runs at night: Vicho is a vrakhir and waits in his Emporium for you to come back after sunset (step 6). The investigation itself has one conclusion — the killer is Doctor Simeon, turned Murohn, dead in his warehouse. The choice everyone searches for comes later, after The Good Samaritan: when Vicho realises he was the killer all along, only offering to keep him supplied with blood stops him walking into the sunrise.
How long does A Study in Crimson take?
A Study in Crimson spends 4 time units off the story clock across its 31 objectives.
Should I do A Study in Crimson by day or by night?
A Study in Crimson is only available during Night.
How do I start A Study in Crimson?
A Study in Crimson begins around Altenmarkt — start from the first objective in the walkthrough above.
Where do the objectives of A Study in Crimson take place?
16 of the 31 objectives in A Study in Crimson have a marked location, in and around Svartrau City. The numbered map above matches the objective list.
What are the rewards for A Study in Crimson?
Completing A Study in Crimson rewards Mercenary's Amulet ×1, 250 XP, 1 skill point(s), Vicho's Cross ×1.
How many endings does A Study in Crimson have?
The investigation ends one way — Simeon dead — but the journal keeps writing afterwards: The Good Samaritan shows you who the real killer was, and what you then say to Vicho decides whether he lives.
Is A Study in Crimson missable?
Missable: Yes. On the 30-day clock most quests can time out; the start block of the walkthrough above says whether this one has a failure ending.