Brigmore Witches

Lore & Background

Delilah Copperspoon, a witch with ambitions beyond the shadows, executed a coup against Empress Emily Kaldwin in 1852, effectively ending her reign and forcing the Royal Protector Corvo Attano into exile. The conflict unfolds in the established timeline of 1852, where Emily is an adult ruler facing usurpation. The game's setting in Karnaca, inspired by the Cypriot city of Larnaca and other Mediterranean nations like Greece, Italy, and Spain, became the primary stage for the aftermath of this struggle. Delilah's influence extended across Dunwall, the site of the coup, while Karnaca is powered by wind turbines harnessing the natural geography of the region. The coven's presence is felt through the chaos they introduced, including the violent conflict between factions like the Howlers and Overseers in the Dust District. Their ultimate goal involves reshaping reality itself, as evidenced by the game's nonlinear gameplay where players can choose lethal or non-lethal approaches to dismantle their control.

In Their Own Story

After Empress Emily Kaldwin was deposed by Delilah Copperspoon, the player must navigate a world fractured by this magical usurpation. The narrative begins in Dunwall before moving to Karnaca, where Delilah has established her stronghold amidst dust storms and defensive Walls of Light. Whether playing as Emily or Corvo, both characters encounter supernatural abilities unique to their lineage; Corvo retains powers like Blink and Possession, while Emily commands Far Reach and Domino. The story unfolds through missions that allow for non-lethal stealth or purposeful violent conflict, reflecting the chaos system where killing sympathetic NPCs increases instability. A pivotal turning point involves the player's ability to opt out of using supernatural abilities entirely, relying instead on upgraded pistols, crossbows, and retractable blades. The narrative arc culminates in reclaiming the throne, with the outcome heavily influenced by the number of lives taken and the resulting bloodfly infestations that signal high chaos.

Reader's Guide

To defeat the Brigmore Witches in Dishonored 2, players must utilize the nonlinear mission design to approach objectives through stealth or combat. Key mechanics include using Darkness for concealment at a distance and leveraging enemy detection systems based on line-of-sight. Players can manipulate the environment by rewiring Walls of Light to kill only enemies or disabling alarms entirely. The Chaos system is critical; killing characters classified as 'sympathetic' increases chaos, leading to more enemies and darker dialog options, while eliminating 'murderous' targets has less impact. Supernatural abilities are optional but provide distinct advantages: Corvo's Blink allows time-freezing upgrades, and Emily's Domino links enemy fates. To minimize bloodfly nests, players should carry bodies away from sight or use non-lethal takedowns like choke-holds and sleep darts. Collecting runes and bone charms unlocks passive perks, though rejecting powers converts runes into coins.

Did You Know?

• The game's timeline advancement was driven by the proposal to make Emily Kaldwin, a child in the first game, a playable character.
• Voice actors for Dishonored 2 include Rosario Dawson, Sam Rockwell, Robin Lord Taylor, Jamie Hector, and Vincent D'Onofrio.
• The fictional city of Karnaca is based on the real Cypriot city of Larnaca and drew inspiration from Greece, Italy, and Spain.
• Karnaca is powered by wind turbines that harness the natural geography of the region, unlike Dunwall which relied on whale oil.