Investigate

Blackwall Conversations: Investigate

Back to Blackwall Directory

What’s Wrong With You

The PC speaks to Blackwall if they have negative approval and are not romancing him.

PC: You seem to have a problem with me.

If imprisoned: Blackwall: You know I serve you and the Inquisition. You command me as you wish. But we aren’t friends—we never will be—and I believe your time is better spent elsewhere. Blackwall (previously romanced): I can’t believe I was once so enamored with you.

If freed or given to the Wardens: Blackwall: I’ll always be grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t think we’ll ever really get on as friends. Now that that’s out in the open, lets just get on with our work. There are more things at stake here than my personal opinions of you. Blackwall (previously romanced): I can’t believe I was once so enamored with you.

Pre-Revelations: Blackwall: I don’t like you. It’s as simple as that. Now that that’s out in the open, lets just get on with our work. There are more things at stake here than my personal opinions of you. Blackwall (previously romanced): I can’t believe I was once so enamored with you.

Tell Me About the Wardens

Available pre-Revelations

PC: Let’s talk about the Grey Wardens. You must know a lot about them.

Blackwall (low approval): Fine. Ask if you must. Blackwall (neutral/high approval): Ah, the Wardens? I’m afraid we’re less exciting than we seem.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate (post-IYHSB): How do you kill an Archdemon? [2]
Investigate (during HLTA): Tell me about the Calling. [3]
Investigate: What do Wardens do? [4]
Investigate: Why were you traveling alone? [5]
Investigate: Where have the Wardens gone? [6]
General: We can speak later. [7]

2 - Investigate: How do you kill an Archdemon? PC: How do the Wardens deal with Archdemons? Blackwall: Short answer? Stick it with swords until it stops moving.

Dialogue options:

General: I suppose you’d know. [8] +Blackwall slightly approves
General: It can’t be that simple. [9]
General: Fine, keep your secrets. [10] +Blackwall slightly approves

8 - General: I suppose you’d know. PC: I’ll trust that you know what you’re talking about. Blackwall: We’ll manage, if it comes to that. [back to 1] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 9 - General: It can’t be that simple. PC: Wardens are in all the stories. If it was that easy, anyone could do it. Blackwall: No, it really is that simple. Just because the Archdemon is magic doesn’t mean it can’t be killed with swords. It just… has to be a Grey Warden sword. Look, it’s not the killing blow that’s the problem. It’s getting the dragon to the point where it’s vulnerable, where it actually can be killed. There’s no short answer for that, I’m afraid. [back to 1] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 10 - General: Fine, keep your secrets. PC: This is something you can’t tell me. I get it. Blackwall: That’s just the way it is. [back to 1]

3 - Investigate: Tell me about the Calling. PC: Have you been hearing the Calling, too? Blackwall: I know what Corypheus is. He has no sway over me. [back to 1]

4 - Investigate: What do Wardens do? PC: The Blight’s been over for ten years. What do Wardens do when the world’s not ending? Blackwall: There are still darkspawn. Just because we killed so many in Ferelden doesn’t mean they’re gone. And the world is not so peaceful that there’s no use for men with swords. Sometimes you have to figure out for yourself what the pledge to protect others really means. It’s not always just Archdemons and Blights.

Dialogue options:

Investigate: Your role in the Blight? [11]
[Back to 1]

11 - Investigate: Your role in the Blight? PC: Where were you during the Blight? Blackwall: I was in Ferelden, on my own like always. Quietly killed my fair share of darkspawn, too. [back to 1]

5 - Investigate: Why were you traveling alone? PC: You haven’t had contact with other Wardens for a while. Why were you on your own? Blackwall: It’s what I’ve always done. Recruitment only requires one man. Besides, I’ve always been a loner. Works best for everyone that way. [back to 1]

6 - Investigate: Where have the Wardens gone? PC: So you have no idea where the rest of the Wardens are? Blackwall: Do you find that odd? The Blight is over. We don’t need an organized force. And orders don’t change much from day-to-day. For the last thousand years or so, it’s just been “Find darkspawn. Kill them. Repeat as necessary.” [back to 1]

7 - General: We can speak later. PC: Let’s continue this at another time. Blackwall: As you wish. I’ll be here if you need me. [back to 1]

Let’s Talk About You

PC: I want to hear more about you.

Blackwall (low approval): Where I’m from, talking about yourself with strangers is considered rude. I’ll have to decline. Scene ends.

Blackwall: Compared to yours, my life will seem dull indeed.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Where are you from? [2]
Investigate: You weren’t always a Warden. [3]
Investigate: Why’d you become a Warden? [4]
General: Never mind. [5]

2 - Investigate: Where are you from? PC: Your name, “Blackwall,” doesn’t sound Orlesian. Marcher, then? Fereldan? Blackwall: I was from the Free Marches, originally. Markham. That was a long time ago. Another life.

Dialogue options:

Special: So you have a past. [6]
[Back to 1]

6 - Special: So you have a past. PC: I hear that many Wardens were once criminals. Blackwall (dwarf PC): Not just Wardens, it seems. Your own past isn’t spotless. I’m sure you’d rather leave it behind you. As would I.
Blackwall (non-dwarf PC): You’re right. And when you join, your past is forgotten, so let’s leave it that way. [back to 1]

3 - Investigate: You weren’t always a Warden. PC: What did you do before you became a Warden? Blackwall: I was… a soldier, a nobody trained to wield a sword and follow orders. I grew weary of fighting other men’s wars. PC: So you became a Warden. Blackwall: More or less. Becoming a Grey Warden… it was the first time I felt like I mattered. The life I led before seems hollow in comparison. Perhaps one day it will fade away. [back to 1]

4 - Investigate: Why’d you become a Warden? PC: Why did you join the Wardens? Blackwall: Because they remember honor and sacrifice, words that have little meaning to the rest of us. Because they lay down their lives for those they have sworn to protect. We all need to believe there are such men in the world. I needed to believe I could be one of them. [back to 1]

5 - General: Never mind. PC: We can continue this discussion at another time. Blackwall: Very well. Scene ends.

Know Much About Corypheus?

PC: How much do you know about Corypheus?

Blackwall: Not much. I always thought the stories of magisters corrupting the Golden City were just that: stories. I didn’t expect them to be true, and I certainly didn’t expect to find one of them still alive.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why didn’t you know? [2]
Investigate: It’s odd that Corypheus lives? [3]
Investigate: Are there more like Corypheus? [4]
General: Enough about this. [5]

2 - Investigate: Why didn’t you know? PC: Don’t the Grey Wardens know everything about darkspawn? Blackwall: You don’t have to know how a darkspawn came to be in order to kill it. We’re soldiers, not historians. And the world would be better off if people focused on defeating evil—rather than explaining how it came to be. [back to 1]

3 - Investigate: It’s odd that Corypheus lives? PC: Corypheus stopped being human a long time ago. Darkspawn don’t have human lifespans, do they? Blackwall: No, I suppose they don’t. They’re unnatural and sustained by… evil. It’s been thousands of years. You’d think the Wardens would have managed to kill the first darkspawn by now. [back to 1]

4 - Investigate: Are there more like Corypheus? PC: Do you know if there are more darkspawn like Corypheus? Blackwall: I don’t know. I’m not sure any Warden knows. [back to 1]

5 - General: Enough about this. PC: Let’s discuss something else.

Thoughts on the Inquisition?

PC: What do you think of the Inquisition?

Location dependent dialogue:

Haven, first time asking [1]
Skyhold/Haven [2]

1 - Haven, first time asking Blackwall (low approval): I’m not very impressed by its leadership. Blackwall (neutral/high approval): I expected more. More men, better equipment… You may have Andraste’s favor, but wars are won by men. Soldiers.

Dialogue options:

General: Why war at all? [3] +Blackwall slightly approves
General: Wars are won in many ways. [4] +Blackwall slightly approves
General: That’s obvious. [5] -Blackwall slightly disapproves

3 - General: Why war at all? PC: Avoiding war altogether would be ideal. Blackwall: (Chuckles.) True enough. Still, it never hurts to be prepared. One thing I will say about your men: they’re passionate. Devoted. You inspire them. Build on that foundation, and you will have an army that makes nations tremble. [6]

4 - General: Wars are won in many ways. PC: Brute force is not always the answer. There are plenty of other paths to victory. Blackwall: (Chuckles.) True enough. Still, it never hurts to be prepared. One thing I will say about your men: they’re passionate. Devoted. You inspire them. Build on that foundation, and you will have an army that makes nations tremble. [6]

5 - General: That’s obvious. PC: I don’t need you to tell me what I already know. Blackwall: You asked for my opinion. That was my opinion. [6]

2 - Skyhold/Haven

Blackwall (if asked before while still in Haven): You already know what I think of your forces. I’m not sure what else there is to say.

Blackwall (secrets perks highest): I think the entire world is looking over its shoulder, wondering if the Inquisition’s watching. Blackwall (connections perks highest): This Inquisition is everyone’s best friend. How Josephine managed to pull that off is beyond me. Blackwall (forces perks highest): If we mobilized all the Inquisition’s forces, Thedas itself would shake beneath our feet. Blackwall (all perks equal/Inquisition perks highest): I just know that you could shake this world to its foundations if you willed it. Blackwall (high approval): You’ve built up this Inquisition from nothing. I’m eager to see where we go next. Blackwall (low approval): You are growing in power, and I fear what you may do with it.

6 - Dialogue options:

Investigate (Haven only): Your thoughts on the war? [7]
Investigate (Haven only): What about Haven? [8]
Investigate: Thoughts on my advisors? [9]
Investigate: Thoughts on my inner circle? [10]
Investigate: What about our cause? [11]
That’s enough talk. [12]

7 - Investigate: Your thoughts on the war? PC: What do you think about all this trouble between the mages and templars? Blackwall: Looking at it from where we stand, it seemed inevitable, but that could be hindsight. How many of us actually saw it coming? Either way, I don’t think the Chantry will ever recover. [back to 6]

8 - Investigate: What about Haven? PC: What do you think of Haven? Blackwall: It’s a war camp that was once a pilgrim’s refuge.

Blackwall ( low approval): What else is there to say about it? [back to 6]

Blackwall: It’s the state of the world, though, isn’t it? Holy ground turned into a battlefield. Pity about that temple. Would’ve been nice to see it. [back to 6]

9 - Investigate: Thoughts on my advisors? PC: What do you think of my advisors?

Blackwall (low approval): I respect them enough not to speak behind their backs. [back to 6]

Neutral/high approval:

Cullen [13]
Leliana [14]
Josephine [15]

13 - Cullen

Blackwall: Cullen? He’s got the look of a man who’s been through too much. He’s seen the best and the worst of humanity, and I think he still struggles with where that leaves him. Still, I’d trust him to watch my back. [back to 6]
I have nothing but respect for Cullen, but I’m certain he no longer wants anything to do with me. Maybe one day he’ll learn to trust me again, but I’m not holing out much hope. [back to 6]

14 - Leliana Blackwall (neutral approval): Leliana seems… nice. Also a little frightening. But mostly nice.

Dialogue options (first time only):

General: You’re afraid of her! [16]
General: No one’s watching. [17]
General: Spymasters aren’t “nice.” [18]

16 - General: You’re afraid of her! PC: Does Leliana frighten you? Has she said anything to you? Blackwall: No, she hasn’t said anything. I’d just rather not offend her. [19] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 17 - General: No one’s watching. PC: You’re not saying that for my benefit, are you? Are you so certain you’re being watched? Blackwall: Are you so certain we aren’t? [19] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 18 - General: Spymasters aren’t “nice.” PC: “Nice” doesn’t make you spymaster. [19] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 19 - Scene continues ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ Blackwall: Yes, but why offend the lady? Let’s just go with “nice.” I don’t want to wake up with a blade in my kidneys if I can help it. [back to 6]

Blackwall (high approval): Leliana is lonely. That’s really all I see. All she has is her work. I pity her sometimes, as odd as that may seem.

15 - Josephine

Blackwall: Josephine’s lovely… and craftier than you’d expect. The Inquisition could not have picked a better ambassador. [back to 6]

10 - Investigate: Thoughts on my inner circle? PC: You must have some feelings about our friends.

Blackwall (low approval): I’m sure I do. I’m also sure it’s none of your business. Scene ends.

Neutral/high approval:

Cassandra [20]
Cole [21]
Dorian [22]
Sera [23]
Solas [24]
Varric [25]
Vivienne [26]

20 - Cassandra

Blackwall (first time asking after starting Cassandra romance): You’re eyeing the lady Seeker, aren’t you? I can see why, she’s definitely… striking. A little stern, though.

Dialogue options:

General: Any advice? [27]
General: A little? [28]
General: Don’t gossip. [29]

27 - General: Any advice? PC: You’re experienced, I assume. Got any tips? Blackwall: If I say the wrong thing, she’ll probably have my head. Cassandra is a warrior. That’s all she’s ever known, but that’s not all there is to life. Show her that. [back to 6] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 28 - General: A little? PC: I’d say she’s a lot stern. Blackwall: She’s a warrior. That’s all she knows, and it’s suited her thus far. [back to 6] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 29 - General: Don’t gossip. PC: Don’t talk about Cassandra behind her back. Blackwall: Maker, you asked! That’ll teach me to open my mouth. [back to 6]

Blackwall: I have to say, you and Cassandra make an adorable couple. Huh. Never thought I’d use the words “adorable” and “Cassandra” in the same sentence. [back to 6]
Blackwall: Cassandra hasn’t forgiven me for the lie. I think the worst of the anger has passed. It’s just disappointment now, and that’s worse. [back to 6]
Blackwall: I fear for Cassandra sometimes, the way she throws herself into battle. I’ve never known a warrior like her. [back to 6]

21 - Cole

Blackwall: Cole’s dangerous. Unpredictable. We aren’t even sure what he is. Don’t know what he might do. I wouldn’t turn my back on him. [back to 6]
Blackwall (Cole’s personal quest completed): I’ve been too hard on Cole. He’s odd, and often confounding, but there may be some good in him after all. The least I can do is support him while he sorts himself out. [back to 6]
Blackwall: The less I think about Dorian, the better. [back to 6]
Blackwall: Dorian? He’s arrogant. He preens himself. But you already know that. He doesn’t even hide it. [back to 6]

22 - Sera

Blackwall: Sera doesn’t know who she is or what she wants–and doesn’t even care. [back to 6]
Blackwall: Last time we dined, Sera put away twelve potatoes, an entire roast duck, and four different tarts. I’m not sure where any of it goes. [back to 6]
Blackwall: Of all of them, I’m most glad for Sera. She’s been a friend. Blackwall (PC romancing Sera): You take care of her. [back to 6]

23 - Solas

Blackwall: Talked with Solas the other day. That man knows all there is to know about everything. [back to 6]
Blackwall: Don’t play Diamondback with Solas. You’ve been warned. Taught him the game last night. He turned around and beat me at it. Lost everything. Had to walk back to my quarters with only a bucket for my bits. [back to 6]

24 - Varric

Blackwall: Have you seen the stories Varric’s been writing? His descriptions of me are… colorful, to say the least. [back to 6]
Blackwall: Varric’s amused at what’s happened. He seems to think I’d make a good storyteller myself. [back to 6]

25 - Vivienne

Blackwall: Madame Vivienne only allied with the Inquisition because she knows it will bring her power. The most poisonous snakes are often the most beautiful. [back to 6]

11 - Investigate: What about our cause? PC: What do you think of the Inquisition’s cause? Blackwall: Restoring order is a goal I support wholeheartedly.

Blackwall (in Haven): But that’s not the end of it, is it? Not by a half. The lady Seeker believes we are restoring the Chantry. Others say it needs reform. I don’t know where you stand on the matter, and I’ll admit I haven’t made up my mind either. [back to 6]

Blackwall (low approval): Supporting you, however, is another matter. [back to 6] Blackwall (neutral/high approval): You can count on my aid for as long as you need it. [back to 6] Blackwall (romanced): And I’m also here for you. [back to 6]

12 - That’s enough talk. PC: We should return to our duties. Blackwall: As you wish. You are, after all, in charge.

Sweet on Josephine, Eh?

Investigate: Sweet on Josephine, eh?

PC: So I hear you’re smitten with our lovely ambassador.

Blackwall (low approval): And I hear that’s none of your business. Scene ends.

Blackwall: Really? you too? Who put you up to this? Josephine is brilliant, graceful, witty. Yes, I admire her. As we all should.

PC: Dodging the question.

Blackwall: (Sighs.) Does it even matter? Nothing will ever come of it. Though I would appreciate it if you and the others would not speak quite so loudly about it. I think the spymaster suspects. She’s been glaring at me like she wants me on her mantel.