Brencis Parley – What to Choose at Shrike's Crag
Quick answer: the parley is the gateway to the finale. Hear Brencis out to unlock the deal outcomes; attack him there and you skip the finale quest entirely — with the worst result for your family.
How the parley triggers
- Defeat the three vrakhiri vassals — Ambrus, Bakir and Xanthe — inside the 30-day window.
- Reach maximum Infamy; the next-day Infamy Edicts scene plays.
- Brencis sends an invitation to a parley. Travel to Shrike's Crag, west of Svartrau, after sunset.
- The scene at the crag includes your father Pieter — Brencis brings him.
What the parley actually is
Launch-build quest text frames it as the meeting where Brencis offers terms: "A trap? Maybe. But it could be an opportunity to save my family." Following him deeper into Shrike's Crag lets you hear the deal out — the quest A Deal with the Devil — which opens the finale branch choices.
Your options (and what each leads to)
| Choice | What happens | Ending path |
|---|---|---|
| Hear the terms and take the deal | The deal dialogue opens; your family is the price/prize of the bargain | The Turncoat |
| Hear the terms and refuse to deal | The story moves to the final confrontation without the bargain | The Folk Hero (alone) or the ally routes |
| Attack Brencis at the parley | Skips the finale quest and starts the end battle directly; launch-build ending reporting describes the family dying as a result | Darkest outcome (Needs verification for exact naming across guides) |
Before you go
- Save first: create a manual save when A Deal with the Devil enters your journal — this is the standard reload point for all four full endings.
- Finish ally lines: Lacra's and Crake's questlines must be complete before the finale to open The Patricide and The Knyazmaker.
- Clean up: there is no normal free-roam cleanup after the ending routine.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
Should you parley with Brencis?
Yes, if you want any of the full ending branches — hearing the terms opens A Deal with the Devil. Attacking at the parley skips the finale quest and has the darkest result.
How do I get invited to Shrike's Crag?
Defeat all three vassals within 30 days and reach maximum Infamy; after the next-day Edicts scene, the invitation appears and sends you to Shrike's Crag after sunset.
Is the parley a trap?
The game itself frames it as possibly one — quest text says so. Either way it is the road to the deal outcomes; your choice at the final dialogue decides the ending.
Can I kill Brencis at the parley?
Attacking there starts the end battle early and, per launch-build ending reporting, your family dies as a result. Treat it as the darkest branch.