The Blood of Dawnwalker's story really picks up steam when you finally get to Swartrau and start exploring Vale Sangora's main city. You can link up with the Manumits, explore various curious houses, and much more. However, one of the more elusive questlines is Vicho's questline.
This is because it's a nightmare to try and find the guy's home. But we can help with that, along with guiding you through his quest 'A Study in Crimson'. Allowing you to figure out what happened to Eli and Denora.
Where Is Vicho's Emporium?
Vicho's Shop location shown on map
The hardest part of this quest is honestly where to find Vicho to make a start. You'll be given a rough area of Swartrau where his shop could be, but finding it is a little tricky. However, the real clue here is that you can only access the area at night.
This means that you need to be able to use your Vampire Powers to get into his house, which is accessed via the second-floor balcony.
Check this area on the map above, and stick to the rooftops. You should find an entrance, and after investigating the upper floor, you can head downstairs, open the door, and this will begin your encounter with Vicho.
It's a pointless choice, so don't stress over it
As it turns out, Vicho is a Vhakkir, and he's not exactly in control of his compulsions for blood. Immediately during this encounter, you will be presented with a choice with a timer. To put your mind at ease, it doesn't matter whatsoever what you choose during this portion.
You can then get to talking with the owner of this curiosity shop, and he'll ask for help with a little issue involving the death of his friends. Deaths that he fears he played a part in. From here, you can take to the rooftops and follow him to the murder scene.
Searching the Murder Scene
Rooftop hopping with Vicho
This portion of the quest will see you explore Eli and Denora's home, investigating to find out what happened to them. You'll have the option to thoroughly explore, but the only things you need to check are the two bodies, one upstairs, and one downstairs.
Note: During the initial conversation with Vicho here. If you answer 'No, I won't help you'. The quest will immediately fail.
After you check one and return to the entrance where Vicho is, he will step out to get away from the stench of blood.
Before investigating the murder scene
The only optional thing worth investigating is downstairs with Eli. You will find a key in his hand, which opens a lockbox under the stairs in the same room. Use this, and you'll find a few pieces of silver, which can be sold to a specialist merchant in the city if you choose.
The Jewelry box hidden under the stairs
You can then return to Vicho outside, but you'll be confronted by a few guards, so be ready for a fight.
After these are taken care of, follow Vicho up to the rooftops, and you can discuss what you found. All signs point toward a Vhakkir, but there is still one loose end. Simeon the doctor. So you'll want to pay him a visit next.
Paying The Doctor A Visit
Exploring the doctor's home
Follow Vicho along the rooftops again, and you'll eventually come to the doctor's home. There will be a patrol that interrupts your discussion below. You can drop down and kill them if you choose, but it is of absolutely no consequence, just set dressing.
Let them pass, and you can then drop down to knock on the door and see if the doctor is there, which he's not. So, use the spare key provided by Vicho to explore his shed to the right. Investigate the table, and you'll find a key hidden away to his main home.
Enter the home, and you'll find all sorts of clues to his whereabouts. But the one you want to focus on is the one on the table upstairs. The property deed, as this is the best lead to follow.
After you do this, speak to Vicho to let him know you're ready to leave, and then head out on foot to the warehouse just around the corner.
Heading To The Warehouse
The entrance to the warehouse
To access the warehouse, you'll need to head around the back and use your Shadowstep power to access the balcony.
When you arrive inside, you'll find all sorts of disturbing things related to Vhakkir. It seems that Simeon was experimenting and attempting to use Vicho's teeth to become a vampire himself. Something that you'll find out firsthand when you head to the bottom floor.
As it turns out, Simeon has become a Murohn, and this discovery leads to a boss battle. This fight is no different from a standard Murohn fight. Just try to use your Shadowstep abilities to get behind them, avoid their red skull attacks, and you should be completely fine.
A fight with Simeon, The Good Doctor
Winning this fight will lead to a final discussion with Vicho where he laments giving Simeon so much access to his knowledge of what it's like being a Vhakkiri, and regrets not seeing his obsession for immortality coming after their arguments.
But he is relieved that all signs would point to Simeon being the murderer of Eli and Denora.
Completing Vicho's Questline
A Study In Crimson Quest Rewards
For completing this quest, you'll receive the intel you were seeking from Vicho. The info is that there is a vampire plotting against Brencis in the city, much like yourself. Her name is Lacta, and he gives you some info on how to locate her.
Alongside this, you'll also gain Simeon's Key, which can be used to get the Plate Reinforced Trousers and Recipe for Mortal's Blood Infusion in the chest upstairs.
Plus, you'll also get the Mercenary's Amulet, 250XP for finishing the quest, and be able to loot the Ring of the Stalwart Warrior from Simeon.
However, this is actually not the end of this questline, despite the pop-up that says 'quest ended'.
The location of the farm marked on the in-game map
To earn the achievement 'The unquenchable thirst', which signals the end of Vicho's questline, you will need to head to a small farmstead outside the city.
Here, you will come across yet another murder scene, and by using focus mode, you'll eventually come across a corpse with a note. A note that confirms that Vicho was the murderer all along, not Simeon.
After this, you can then head back to Vicho's Emporium and confront him, and you can either choose to have him kill himself as penance for his actions. Or you can agree to help him gather blood from blood transports to sate his bloodlust, which begins the questline 'An Unquenchable Thirst'
Confronting Vicho after finding the letter
For doing this, you will receive additional rewards, most notably Vicho's Cross. A legendary amulet well worth getting. So, probably best to agree to help him rather than encouraging him to kick the bucket.