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Changes: Act of Mercy

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|act = 1
  
|act = 1
 
|icon = Quest icon DA2.png
  
|icon = Quest icon DA2.png
−
|image = Alain-ActofMercy.jpg
 +
|image = Act of mercy grace decimus.png
−
|caption = Alain, in the cave in Act of Mercy
 +
|px = 270px
 
|start = [[Gamlen's House]]
  
|start = [[Gamlen's House]]
 
|end = [[Wounded Coast Approach]]
  
|end = [[Wounded Coast Approach]]
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== Acquisition ==
  
== Acquisition ==
−
[[Hawke]] will find this quest on the [[Writing Desk]] in [[Gamlen's House]] at some point after completing the quest [[Wayward Son]]. Hawke also receive 50 {{s}} for accepting the quest.
 +
[[Hawke]] will find this quest on the [[Writing Desk]] in [[Gamlen's House]] at some point after completing the quest [[Wayward Son]].
   
 
== Walkthrough ==
  
== Walkthrough ==
Line 25: Line 25:
 
Go to the Wounded Coast Approach and talk to [[Thrask|Ser Thrask]], who informs Hawke of some [[apostate]]s hiding in the [[Runaway's Cavern]] behind him. Ser Thrask will then request help in resolving the situation peacefully, before another group of more violent [[Templar Order|templars]] arrive to kill the apostates.
  
Go to the Wounded Coast Approach and talk to [[Thrask|Ser Thrask]], who informs Hawke of some [[apostate]]s hiding in the [[Runaway's Cavern]] behind him. Ser Thrask will then request help in resolving the situation peacefully, before another group of more violent [[Templar Order|templars]] arrive to kill the apostates.
   
  ⚫
=== Runaway's Cavern ===
⚫
If you agree to help him:
  
  +
[[File:Alain-ActofMercy.jpg|thumb|right|Alain]]
⚫
* {{Approval2|Aveline|+5}}
  
  ⚫
Upon entering the Runaway's Cavern, Hawke's party will be attacked by several apostate mages and weak undead. Eventually Hawke will run into a mage, [[Alain]], who informs Hawke that the apostate leader [[Decimus]] has turned to [[blood magic]]. Alain will then appear as if he is going to join Ser Thrask at the cavern's entrance so he can return to the [[Gallows|Circle]].
⚫
* {{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  
   
  ⚫
{{Note|If Hawke heads back to check whether he's indeed with Ser Thrask, Ser Thrask will still be alone without any acknowledgment of Alain. However, upon completing the quest, Alain is present in the cutscene with [[Karras|Ser Karras]].}}
−
If you choose to belligerently ask Thrask about payment from blackmailing him before going in:
  
⚫
* {{Approval2|Varric|-10}}
  
   
  ⚫
The cave contains one standard chest and no traps. Make sure to grab the [[Raw Lyrium]] west of where you met Alain.
⚫
If you choose "Do it yourself.":
  
⚫
* {{Approval2|Anders|-5}}
  
⚫
* {{Approval2|Aveline|-5}}
  
⚫
* {{Approval2|Merrill|-10}}
  
   
  ⚫
Decimus can be found at the end of the cavern, and he will attack under the belief that Hawke is working for the templars (once combat starts, you will receive [[Codex entry: Blood Magic: The Forbidden School]], if you did not get it from your interaction with Idunna in [[Enemies Among Us]], [[Main quests (Dragon Age II)|main quest]]). This battle will include numerous undead, as well as three other apostate mages. After Decimus is defeated, [[Grace]] will approach and request that Hawke kill Ser Thrask so the surviving mages can flee to the outskirts of the [[Free Marches]].
⚫
=== [[Runaway's Cavern]] ===
  
⚫
Upon entering the Runaway's Cavern, Hawke's party will be attacked by several apostate mages and weak undead. Eventually Hawke will run into a mage, [[Alain]], who informs Hawke that the apostate leader [[Decimus]] has turned to [[blood magic]]. Choosing the last aggressive answer will result in {{Approval2|Anders|-5}}. Alain will then appear as if he is going to join Ser Thrask at the cavern's entrance so he can return to the [[Gallows|Circle]].
  
   
  ⚫
When Hawke returns to the entrance of the cave two groups of skeletons attack, unless Hawke agreed to kill Ser Thrask in which case two groups of templars will attack instead.
⚫
{{Note|If Hawke heads back to check whether he's indeed with Ser Thrask, Ser Thrask will still be alone without any acknowledgment of Alain. However, upon completing the quest, Alain is present in the cutscene with [[Ser Karras]].}}
  
  +
  ⚫
=== [[Wounded Coast Approach]] ===
  ⚫
When Hawke returns to the entrance of the cave a second group of templars, lead by Ser Karras, will have arrived and will be arguing with Ser Thrask. The dispute varies slightly depending on the previous choices made, but all quarrels seem to indicate that Ser Karras intends to simply execute the mages rather than return them to the Circle.
  +
  +
If the decision to return the mages to the Circle was made, Hawke will be given the opportunity to:
  +
* Return the mages to the Circle. Ser Thrask will promise to return them unharmed and Ser Karras implies that Ser Thrask will not survive long enough to do so.
  ⚫
* Free the mages instead, resulting in a fight with the templar reinforcements.
  +
  ⚫
If the decision was made to lie to the templars, then the party has the following options:
  ⚫
* "I killed the mages." All subsequent conversation options lead to combat with the templars.
  ⚫
* "I'm a friend of Thrask's." Leads immediately to combat.
  ⚫
* "I'm a friend of the mages." Leads immediately to combat.
  ⚫
* Defer to Varric if he is in the party. Varric will tell the templars that Hawke is a foreign templar that Knight-Commander Meredith specially requested to help investigate the situation. Alternatively if Hawke is a mage, he'll tell them you are Enchanter Hawke from Ferelden who came to root out rebel mages. He then says that some of the mages are dead and others escaped to the coast. The templars will leave and the mages can escape without any form of combat.
  ⚫
* "I'm your best friend." This option is only available to a sarcastic Hawke. Hawke will claim that Karras has been done a favor, and that some of the mages are dead but their leader fled towards the coast. The templars will leave in pursuit and the mages can then escape without a fight. There is no variation for a Hawke mage and Ser Karras appears to be unaware of the fact.
  +
  ⚫
If you choose to defer to Varric, you will have the option to tell the templars how they died.
  ⚫
* They killed each other.
  ⚫
* Their leader escaped.
  +
* We killed them.
  ⚫
Varric will explain that a couple may have fled in "back-passages" to the sea prior to Hawke's arrival. If Hawke is a mage, the templars express surprise that mages are capable of cooperating with the templars.
  +
  ⚫
Ser Thrask will always assist Hawke in the combat with the templars. If the templars are slain, they can be looted for the [[Edge of Song and Glory]] and the [[Dragon Hunter's Hauberk]]. If Varric takes care of the situation, he will automatically succeed at fooling the templars. As long as the apostates are freed, Grace will give the [[Chanters' Staff]] as a reward regardless of the action taken.
  +
  +
== Friendship/Rivalry ==
  +
  +
'''When conversing with Ser Thrask:'''
  ⚫
*Agreeing to help him
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Aveline|+5}}
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  +
*Joking response accepts the quest with no approval change
  +
  ⚫
*"Do it yourself."
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Anders|-5}}
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Aveline|-5}}
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Merrill|-10}}
  +
**{{Approval2|Varric|-10}} (PC 1.04 was not received with Merrill and Aveline in the party).
  +
  +
  +
'''When speaking with Alain (first mage encountered in caverns):'''
  +
*Choosing the last aggressive answer
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Anders|-5}}.
   
⚫
The cave contains one Standard chest and no traps. Make sure to grab the [[Raw Lyrium]] west of where you met Alain.
  
   
  +
'''When speaking with Grace:'''
⚫
Decimus can be found at the end of the cavern, and he will attack under the belief that Hawke is working for the templars. This battle will include numerous undead, as well as three other apostate mages. After Decimus is defeated, [[Grace]] will approach and request that Hawke kill Ser Thrask so the surviving mages can flee to the outskirts of the [[Free Marches]].
  
   
  +
Choice 1 ''(If Hawke is a Rogue or Warrior, skipped if Hawke is a Mage):''
⚫
Choice 1
  
 
*"I'm sorry."
  
*"I'm sorry."
−
*'''"So raise him from the dead."'''
 +
*"So raise him from the dead."
 
** {{Approval2|Merrill|-10}}
  
** {{Approval2|Merrill|-10}}
−
*'''"He was a blood mage."'''
 +
*"He was a blood mage."
 
** {{Approval2|Merrill|-25}}
  
** {{Approval2|Merrill|-25}}
   
−
Choice 2: no effect
  
   
−
Choice 3
 +
Choice 2 ''(If Hawke is a Mage)'':
  +
*Aggressive option:
  ⚫
** {{Approval2|Anders|-10}}
  +
  +
  +
Choice 2 ''(If Hawke is a Rogue or Warrior)'': no effect
  +
  ⚫
Choice 3:
 
*"I won't help you."
  
*"I won't help you."
 
**{{Approval2|Bethany|-5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Bethany|-5}}
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**{{Approval2|Anders|-10}}
  
**{{Approval2|Anders|-10}}
 
**{{Approval2|Fenris|+5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Fenris|+5}}
  +
**{{Approval2|Merril|-10}} ''(If Hawke is a Mage)''
−
*"I'll convince him you're dead."
 +
*"I'll convince him you're dead." / "Murder is going too far."
 
**{{Approval2|Aveline|+5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Aveline|+5}}
 
**{{Approval2|Varric|+10}}
  
**{{Approval2|Varric|+10}}
 
**{{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
−
**{{Approval2|Merrill|+20}}, {{Approval2|Merrill|+10}} on pc version 1.03, {{Approval2|Merrill|+20}} on pc version 1.04
 +
**{{Approval2|Merrill|+10}}
 
**{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
 
**{{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
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**{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
 
**{{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
  
**{{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
−
{{Note|{{Platforms|PS3}}The Dialogue options marked with Bold font are not available to a Mage Hawke regardless of intended dialogue path. Instead, Grace will note how Hawke attacks fellow Mages, skipping the "Choice 1" list entirely. Choosing the following aggressive choice will net {{Approval2|Anders|-10}}. Choosing "I won't Help you" after this exchange also gives {{Approval2|Merrill|-10}}.}}
  
   
⚫
When Hawke returns to the entrance of the cave two groups of skeletons attack, unless Hawke agreed to kill Ser Thrask in which case two groups of templars will attack instead.
  
   
  +
'''Outside the Cavern'''
⚫
=== [[Wounded Coast Approach]] ===
  
⚫
When Hawke returns to the entrance of the cave a second group of templars, lead by Ser Karras, will have arrived and will be arguing with Ser Thrask. The dispute varies slightly depending on the previous choices made, but all quarrels seem to indicate that Ser Karras intends to simply execute the mages rather than return them to the Circle.
  
   
−
If the decision to return the mages to the Circle was made, Hawke will be given the opportunity to:
 +
''If Hawke chose to return the mages to the Circle''
−
* Return the mages to the Circle. Ser Thrask will promise to return them unharmed and Ser Kerras implies that Ser Thrask will not survive long enough to do so.
 +
* Return the mages to the Circle
−
:*{{Approval2|Fenris|+10}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Fenris|+10}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Carver|+10}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Carver|+10}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Aveline|+5}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Aveline|+5}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Bethany|-10}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Bethany|-10}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Merrill|-10}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Merrill|-10}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Anders|-15}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Anders|-15}}
  +
* Free the Mages
⚫
* Free the mages instead, resulting in a fight with the templar reinforcements.
  
−
:*{{Approval2|Fenris|-10}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Fenris|-10}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Carver|-10}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Carver|-10}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Merrill|+10}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Merrill|+10}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Anders|+15}}
 +
**{{Approval2|Anders|+15}}
−
:*{{Approval2|Aveline|-5}} (tested on PC 1.03)
 +
**{{Approval2|Aveline|-5}}
   
⚫
If the decision was made to lie to the templars, then the party has the following options:
  
⚫
* "I killed the mages." All subsequent conversation options lead to combat with the templars.
  
⚫
* "I'm a friend of Thrask's." Leads immediately to combat.
  
⚫
* "I'm a friend of the mages." Leads immediately to combat.
  
⚫
:*{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
  
⚫
:*{{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  
−
:* {{Approval2|Varric|+5}} (with "I'm sorry Ser Thrask")
  
⚫
* Defer to Varric if he is in the party. Varric will tell the templars that Hawke is a foreign templar that Knight-Commander Meredith specially requested to help investigate the situation. Alternatively if Hawke is a mage, he'll tell them you are Enchanter Hawke from Ferelden who came to root out rebel mages. He then says that some of the mages are dead and others escaped to the coast. The templars will leave and the mages can escape without any form of combat.
  
⚫
:* {{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
  
⚫
:* {{Approval2|Varric|+5}}
  
⚫
:* {{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
  
⚫
:* {{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  
⚫
* "I'm your best friend." This option is only available to a sarcastic Hawke. Hawke will claim that Kerras has been done a favor, and that some of the mages are dead but their leader fled towards the coast. The templars will leave in pursuit and the mages can then escape without a fight. There is no variation for a Hawke mage and Ser Karras ignores the fact.
 
⚫
:* {{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
  
⚫
:* {{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
  
⚫
:* {{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  
   
  +
''If Hawke chose to lie to the Templars''
⚫
If you choose to defer to Varric, you will have the option to tell the templars how they died.
  
−
* They killed each other.
 +
* "I killed the mages."
  +
* "I'm a friend of Thrask's."
⚫
* Their leader escaped.
  
  +
* "I'm a friend of the mages."
⚫
* We killed them.
  
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
⚫
Varric will explain that a couple may have fled in "back-passages" to the sea prior to Hawke's arrival. If Hawke is a mage, the templars express surprise that mages are capable of cooperating with the templars.
  
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  +
* Letting Varric speak
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Varric|+5}}
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
  +
* "I'm your best friend." ''Only available to a sarcastic Hawke''
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Fenris|-5}}
  ⚫
**{{Approval2|Isabela|+5}}
  +
**{{Approval2|Anders|+5}}
   
  +
* "I'm sorry Ser Thrask" ''After combat''
⚫
Ser Thrask will always assist Hawke in the combat with the templars. If the templars are slain, they can be looted for the [[Edge of Song and Glory]] and the [[Dragon Hunter's Hauberk]]. If Varric takes care of the situation, he will automatically succeed at fooling the templars. As long as the apostates are freed, Grace will give the [[Chanters' Staff]] as a reward regardless of the action taken.
  
  +
** {{Approval2|Varric|+5}} (''if "I'm a friend of Thrask's." or "I'm a friend of the mages." was chosen'')
   
  +
'''Max possible approval changes:'''
−
== Notable items ==
  
  +
*Between {{Approval2|Anders|-40}} and {{Approval2|Anders|+15}}
−
Looted from Decimus' body:
  
  +
*Between {{Approval2|Aveline|-15}} and {{Approval2|Aveline|+20}}
⚫
{{:The Hypnotist's Staff|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  
  +
*Up to {{Approval2|Bethany|-15}}
  +
*Between {{Approval2|Carver|-10}} and {{Approval2|Carver|+20}}
  +
*Between {{Approval2|Fenris|-10}} and {{Approval2|Fenris|+15}}
  +
*Up to {{Approval2|Isabela|+10}}
  +
*Between {{Approval2|Merril|-35}} and {{Approval2|Merril|+20}}
  +
*Between {{Approval2|Varric|-15}} and {{Approval2|Varric|+20}}
   
  ⚫
== Rewards summary ==
−
If the templars are killed:
  
  +
* 400 XP (Quest) + 318 XP (Combat) If the Templars were killed: Up to 718 XP
⚫
{{:Edge of Song and Glory|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  
  +
* 2{{g}} 0{{s}} 0{{c}}
⚫
{{:Dragon Hunter's Hauberk|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  
  +
* Random [[Currency|coins]], [[Junk|junk]], [[:Category:Dragon Age II potions|potions]], [[:Category:Dragon Age II equipment|equipment]]
  +
* '''Unique items:'''
  ⚫
*{{:The Hypnotist's Staff|style=iconmini}} from [[Decimus]]{{clear}}
  ⚫
*{{:Edge of Song and Glory|style=iconmini}} from the [[Templar Order|Templars]], if they are killed{{clear}}
  ⚫
*{{:Dragon Hunter's Hauberk|style=iconmini}} from the [[Templar Order|Templars]], if they are killed{{clear}}
  ⚫
*{{:Chanters' Staff|style=iconmini}} rewarded by [[Grace]], if the mages are freed{{clear}}
  +
* '''Crafting materials:'''
  +
**[[Raw Lyrium]] from the [[Runaway's Cavern]]
   
  +
== Consequences ==
−
If you are seeking the [[Supplier]] [[achievements (Dragon Age II)|achievement]], be sure to grab the [[Raw Lyrium]] in the Runaways' Cavern.
  
  +
If the templars were killed, a group of their order will seek revenge against Hawke in the Act 2 [[Side quests (Dragon Age II)|side quest]], [[The Midnight Meeting]]. Also in Act 2, Hawke will have the option of further helping the templars ([[Side quests (Dragon Age II)|Side quest]]: [[Bounty Hunter (quest)|Bounty Hunter]]) or mages ([[Side quests (Dragon Age II)|Side quest]]: [[The Underground Railroad]]) depending on whose side Hawke chose in the quest.
   
  +
If the mages are returned to the Circle, Hawke can talk to Thrask in Act 1 in the Gallows courtyard to learn that Meredith ordered three Starkhaven mages executed at random.
⚫
== Rewards ==
  
⚫
{{:Chanters' Staff|style=iconmini}}, if the apostates are freed.{{clrl}}
  
   
  +
If the mages are allowed to escape and are not sent back to the Circle, they will eventually be caught and returned to the Circle in the next three years. Also, If Karras is alive and spoken to in Act 2, he will tell Hawke that he knows he lied about the mages, but he caught them anyways.
−
== Result ==
  
−
The decision of how to deal with the mages determines which of two quests will be available in Act 2. If the mages went to the Circle, [[Bounty Hunter (quest)|Bounty Hunter]] will be available. If you fight the templars which leads to Karras's death, it will be [[The Midnight Meeting]]. Letting Grace go opens up the quest [[The Underground Railroad]] in Act 2.
  
   
  +
Regardless of Hawke's decision in this quest, in Act 3 Grace will team up with Ser Thrask to rebel against Knight-Commander Meredith. She will, however, kill Thrask with blood magic when Hawke comes to intervene.
−
{{SpoilerDA2|
  
  +
[[Category:Dragon Age II main quests]]
−
If the mages are returned to the Circle, Hawke can talk to Thrask in Act 1 in the Gallows courtyard to learn that Meredith ordered three Starkhaven mages executed at random. If Grace is allowed to escape and is not sent back to the Circle, she will eventually be caught and returned to the Circle in the next three years. Regardless of Hawke's decision in this quest, in Act 3 she will team up with Ser Thrask to rebel against Knight-Commander Meredith. She will, however, kill Thrask with blood magic when Hawke comes to intervene.
  
−
}}
  
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
−
* Fighting the templars yields 318 XP on top of the 400 XP for completing the quest, while lying results in no additional experience.
  
 
* Due to the way in which the quest progresses, you will be unable to change party members between the two largest friendship/rivalry gains, which are speaking to Grace and making your final decision. Therefore, certain party members such as Carver, Anders, and Fenris will be subject to a double-check no matter what and must either add to their gains or have them reduced. In Carver's case, for example, the {{Approval2|10}} from refusing to kill Thrask is negated by {{Approval2|-10}} if you decide to let the mages go. In short, between these two scenarios and despite your dialogue choices he may only gain +20 Friendship, +10 Rivalry, or no change at all. There is no way around this.
  
* Due to the way in which the quest progresses, you will be unable to change party members between the two largest friendship/rivalry gains, which are speaking to Grace and making your final decision. Therefore, certain party members such as Carver, Anders, and Fenris will be subject to a double-check no matter what and must either add to their gains or have them reduced. In Carver's case, for example, the {{Approval2|10}} from refusing to kill Thrask is negated by {{Approval2|-10}} if you decide to let the mages go. In short, between these two scenarios and despite your dialogue choices he may only gain +20 Friendship, +10 Rivalry, or no change at all. There is no way around this.
−
* During the quest Hawke has the option to ask who Knight-Commander Meredith or what a phylactery is, despite knowing enough speaking about it to both Emeric and Cullen before this mission.
  
   
 
== Bugs ==
  
== Bugs ==
 
* In some cases, the rumor about this quest may remain in the quests list. This seems to happen if Act of Mercy is accepted before completing [[A Business Discussion]]. To fix this you can use gffeditor -> SAVEGAME_CAMPAIGN -> SAVEGAME_JORNAL -> SAVEGAME_JORNAL_ACTIVE_LIST -> 0 -> rumors_act_of_mercy. If you find it, you can right click on full tree of 0 -> delete. You can then add your save back to your savegame folder.
  
* In some cases, the rumor about this quest may remain in the quests list. This seems to happen if Act of Mercy is accepted before completing [[A Business Discussion]]. To fix this you can use gffeditor -> SAVEGAME_CAMPAIGN -> SAVEGAME_JORNAL -> SAVEGAME_JORNAL_ACTIVE_LIST -> 0 -> rumors_act_of_mercy. If you find it, you can right click on full tree of 0 -> delete. You can then add your save back to your savegame folder.
  +
* For Xbox 360 the rumor of this quest may remain in the quest list. If so then select as your active quest and return the Gamlen's house, you may be able to reselect this quest from the message board there.
 
[[Category:Dragon Age II main quests]]
  
[[Category:Dragon Age II main quests]]

Revision as of 09:22, 18 November 2014

Act of Mercy is an Act 1 main quest in Dragon Age II.

Acquisition

Hawke will find this quest on the Writing Desk in Gamlen's House at some point after completing the quest Wayward Son.

Walkthrough

Wounded Coast Approach

Go to the Wounded Coast Approach and talk to Ser Thrask, who informs Hawke of some apostates hiding in the Runaway's Cavern behind him. Ser Thrask will then request help in resolving the situation peacefully, before another group of more violent templars arrive to kill the apostates.

Runaway's Cavern

Alain-ActofMercy

Alain

Upon entering the Runaway's Cavern, Hawke's party will be attacked by several apostate mages and weak undead. Eventually Hawke will run into a mage, Alain, who informs Hawke that the apostate leader Decimus has turned to blood magic. Alain will then appear as if he is going to join Ser Thrask at the cavern's entrance so he can return to the Circle.

Note: If Hawke heads back to check whether he's indeed with Ser Thrask, Ser Thrask will still be alone without any acknowledgment of Alain. However, upon completing the quest, Alain is present in the cutscene with Ser Karras.

The cave contains one standard chest and no traps. Make sure to grab the Raw Lyrium west of where you met Alain.

Decimus can be found at the end of the cavern, and he will attack under the belief that Hawke is working for the templars (once combat starts, you will receive Codex entry: Blood Magic: The Forbidden School, if you did not get it from your interaction with Idunna in Enemies Among Us, main quest). This battle will include numerous undead, as well as three other apostate mages. After Decimus is defeated, Grace will approach and request that Hawke kill Ser Thrask so the surviving mages can flee to the outskirts of the Free Marches.

When Hawke returns to the entrance of the cave two groups of skeletons attack, unless Hawke agreed to kill Ser Thrask in which case two groups of templars will attack instead.

Wounded Coast Approach

When Hawke returns to the entrance of the cave a second group of templars, lead by Ser Karras, will have arrived and will be arguing with Ser Thrask. The dispute varies slightly depending on the previous choices made, but all quarrels seem to indicate that Ser Karras intends to simply execute the mages rather than return them to the Circle.

If the decision to return the mages to the Circle was made, Hawke will be given the opportunity to:

  • Return the mages to the Circle. Ser Thrask will promise to return them unharmed and Ser Karras implies that Ser Thrask will not survive long enough to do so.
  • Free the mages instead, resulting in a fight with the templar reinforcements.

If the decision was made to lie to the templars, then the party has the following options:

  • "I killed the mages." All subsequent conversation options lead to combat with the templars.
  • "I'm a friend of Thrask's." Leads immediately to combat.
  • "I'm a friend of the mages." Leads immediately to combat.
  • Defer to Varric if he is in the party. Varric will tell the templars that Hawke is a foreign templar that Knight-Commander Meredith specially requested to help investigate the situation. Alternatively if Hawke is a mage, he'll tell them you are Enchanter Hawke from Ferelden who came to root out rebel mages. He then says that some of the mages are dead and others escaped to the coast. The templars will leave and the mages can escape without any form of combat.
  • "I'm your best friend." This option is only available to a sarcastic Hawke. Hawke will claim that Karras has been done a favor, and that some of the mages are dead but their leader fled towards the coast. The templars will leave in pursuit and the mages can then escape without a fight. There is no variation for a Hawke mage and Ser Karras appears to be unaware of the fact.

If you choose to defer to Varric, you will have the option to tell the templars how they died.

  • They killed each other.
  • Their leader escaped.
  • We killed them.

Varric will explain that a couple may have fled in "back-passages" to the sea prior to Hawke's arrival. If Hawke is a mage, the templars express surprise that mages are capable of cooperating with the templars.

Ser Thrask will always assist Hawke in the combat with the templars. If the templars are slain, they can be looted for the Edge of Song and Glory and the Dragon Hunter's Hauberk. If Varric takes care of the situation, he will automatically succeed at fooling the templars. As long as the apostates are freed, Grace will give the Chanters' Staff as a reward regardless of the action taken.

Friendship/Rivalry

When conversing with Ser Thrask:

  • Agreeing to help him
    • Friendship Aveline: friendship (+5)
    • Friendship Anders: friendship (+5)
  • Joking response accepts the quest with no approval change
  • "Do it yourself."
    • Rivalry Anders: rivalry (+5)
    • Rivalry Aveline: rivalry (+5)
    • Rivalry Merrill: rivalry (+10)
    • Rivalry Varric: rivalry (+10) (PC 1.04 was not received with Merrill and Aveline in the party).


When speaking with Alain (first mage encountered in caverns):

  • Choosing the last aggressive answer
    • Rivalry Anders: rivalry (+5).


When speaking with Grace:

Choice 1 (If Hawke is a Rogue or Warrior, skipped if Hawke is a Mage):

  • "I'm sorry."
  • "So raise him from the dead."
    • Rivalry Merrill: rivalry (+10)
  • "He was a blood mage."
    • Rivalry Merrill: rivalry (+25)


Choice 2 (If Hawke is a Mage):

  • Aggressive option:
    • Rivalry Anders: rivalry (+10)


Choice 2 (If Hawke is a Rogue or Warrior): no effect

Choice 3:

  • "I won't help you."
    • Rivalry Bethany: rivalry (+5)
    • Friendship Carver: friendship (+10)
    • Friendship Aveline: friendship (+10)
    • Rivalry Anders: rivalry (+10)
    • Friendship Fenris: friendship (+5)
    • Rivalry Merril: rivalry (+10) (If Hawke is a Mage)
  • "I'll convince him you're dead." / "Murder is going too far."
    • Friendship Aveline: friendship (+5)
    • Friendship Varric: friendship (+10)
    • Friendship Anders: friendship (+5)
    • Friendship Merrill: friendship (+10)
    • Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+5)
    • Friendship Isabela: friendship (+5)
  • "I will kill Thrask."
    • Rivalry Aveline: rivalry (+15)
    • Rivalry Carver: rivalry (+10)
    • Rivalry Varric: rivalry (+5)
    • Friendship Anders: friendship (+5)
    • Friendship Merrill: friendship (+10)
    • Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+5)
    • Friendship Isabela: friendship (+5)


Outside the Cavern

If Hawke chose to return the mages to the Circle

  • Return the mages to the Circle
    • Friendship Fenris: friendship (+10)
    • Friendship Carver: friendship (+10)
    • Friendship Aveline: friendship (+5)
    • Rivalry Bethany: rivalry (+10)
    • Rivalry Merrill: rivalry (+10)
    • Rivalry Anders: rivalry (+15)
  • Free the Mages
    • Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+10)
    • Rivalry Carver: rivalry (+10)
    • Friendship Merrill: friendship (+10)
    • Friendship Anders: friendship (+15)
    • Rivalry Aveline: rivalry (+5)


If Hawke chose to lie to the Templars

  • "I killed the mages."
  • "I'm a friend of Thrask's."
  • "I'm a friend of the mages."
    • Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+5)
    • Friendship Anders: friendship (+5)
  • Letting Varric speak
    • Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+5)
    • Friendship Varric: friendship (+5)
    • Friendship Isabela: friendship (+5)
    • Friendship Anders: friendship (+5)
  • "I'm your best friend." Only available to a sarcastic Hawke
    • Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+5)
    • Friendship Isabela: friendship (+5)
    • Friendship Anders: friendship (+5)
  • "I'm sorry Ser Thrask" After combat
    • Friendship Varric: friendship (+5) (if "I'm a friend of Thrask's." or "I'm a friend of the mages." was chosen)

Max possible approval changes:

  • Between Rivalry Anders: rivalry (+40) and Friendship Anders: friendship (+15)
  • Between Rivalry Aveline: rivalry (+15) and Friendship Aveline: friendship (+20)
  • Up to Rivalry Bethany: rivalry (+15)
  • Between Rivalry Carver: rivalry (+10) and Friendship Carver: friendship (+20)
  • Between Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+10) and Friendship Fenris: friendship (+15)
  • Up to Friendship Isabela: friendship (+10)
  • Between Rivalry Merril: rivalry (+35) and Friendship Merril: friendship (+20)
  • Between Rivalry Varric: rivalry (+15) and Friendship Varric: friendship (+20)

Rewards summary

Consequences

If the templars were killed, a group of their order will seek revenge against Hawke in the Act 2 side quest, The Midnight Meeting. Also in Act 2, Hawke will have the option of further helping the templars (Side quest: Bounty Hunter) or mages (Side quest: The Underground Railroad) depending on whose side Hawke chose in the quest.

If the mages are returned to the Circle, Hawke can talk to Thrask in Act 1 in the Gallows courtyard to learn that Meredith ordered three Starkhaven mages executed at random.

If the mages are allowed to escape and are not sent back to the Circle, they will eventually be caught and returned to the Circle in the next three years. Also, If Karras is alive and spoken to in Act 2, he will tell Hawke that he knows he lied about the mages, but he caught them anyways.

Regardless of Hawke's decision in this quest, in Act 3 Grace will team up with Ser Thrask to rebel against Knight-Commander Meredith. She will, however, kill Thrask with blood magic when Hawke comes to intervene.

Notes

  • Due to the way in which the quest progresses, you will be unable to change party members between the two largest friendship/rivalry gains, which are speaking to Grace and making your final decision. Therefore, certain party members such as Carver, Anders, and Fenris will be subject to a double-check no matter what and must either add to their gains or have them reduced. In Carver's case, for example, the Friendship (+10) from refusing to kill Thrask is negated by Rivalry (+10) if you decide to let the mages go. In short, between these two scenarios and despite your dialogue choices he may only gain +20 Friendship, +10 Rivalry, or no change at all. There is no way around this.

Bugs

  • In some cases, the rumor about this quest may remain in the quests list. This seems to happen if Act of Mercy is accepted before completing A Business Discussion. To fix this you can use gffeditor -> SAVEGAME_CAMPAIGN -> SAVEGAME_JORNAL -> SAVEGAME_JORNAL_ACTIVE_LIST -> 0 -> rumors_act_of_mercy. If you find it, you can right click on full tree of 0 -> delete. You can then add your save back to your savegame folder.
  • For Xbox 360 the rumor of this quest may remain in the quest list. If so then select as your active quest and return the Gamlen's house, you may be able to reselect this quest from the message board there.
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