Romance Quest

The Magister’s Birthright

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About This Amulet of Yours…

Runner: Message coming through, Inquisitor.

The messenger hands the PC a note.

Something for your attention, Inquisitor.

One of our soldiers spotted Dorian engaged in a , how shall I say, “heated debate” with a man outside Skyhold. I investigated, worried it might have some connection to the Venatori, but this doesn’t seem to be the case. The man is a merchant from Val Royeaux, Ponchard de Lieux; he posses an amulet which Dorian was attempting to purchase. I am uncertain why they argues, but if you wish to investigate further, I’ll leave the matter in your hands.

Leliana

The PC can ask Dorian about the amulet.

PC: I’ve been told something about an amulet…

Dorian: How did you hear that? Oh… Leliana. Of course she would find out. Don’t make an issue of it. I don’t want someone solving my personal problems for me. I’ll get the amulet back… somehow. On my own.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: What is it, exactly? [2]
General: There’s always a way. [3]
General: You haven’t got a plan, have you? [4]
General: So take it. [5]

2 - Investigate: What is it, exactly? PC: I’m not entirely certain what it is. Dorian: The Pavus birthright. The flashy thing you show peons to make them tremble at your impressive lineage. I didn’t leave Tevinter with much in the way of coin, so I sold it. Entirely forbidden, of course, and foolish, but I was desperate. I’ll figure something out.

Dialogue options:

Special: Why would you want it? [6] [Back to 1]

6 - Special: Why would you want it? PC: You don’t even like your family. Why would you want it back? Dorian: Because it’s mine, and it shouldn’t be… passed around like candy. PC: That’s the only reason? Dorian: It’s reason enough. Leave it be. [back to 1]

3 - General: There’s always a way. PC: There are plenty of ways to skin a nug, Dorian. We’ll think of something. Dorian: And I will. I’ll get it back.

4 - General: You haven’t got a plan, have you? PC: For something that seems so important, I’d have expected more than “I’ll get it somehow.” Dorian: It’s not the only thing that’s important.

5 - General: So take it. PC: If this man has something of your, take it from him. Dorian: What am I, some brigand thumping merchants when they displease me?

7 - Scene continues.

Dorian: I lost the amulet. I may not have your resources, but I can’t ask you to… You have too many people asking you for everything under the sun. I won’t be one of them.

Ponchard (Dorian not in party)

Ponchard: Inquisitor! Good, good, this is exactly what I was hoping for!

Ponchard bows.

PC: Is it now?

Ponchard: Do forgive me, Inquisitor, but when I heard of your… association with Monsieur Pavus, I could not resist.

Ponchard (asked Doran about amulet): It’s not coin I seek for the amulet, but influence. Influence you possess but which the young man does not. Ponchard (did not ask Doran about amulet): You see, the young man sold me a rather valuable amulet. Many months ago. Then he returned, asking to buy it back. Why would I simply sell it? Not only is it useful, there are others who could… offer much more.

Ponchard: Provided, of course, you… desire the amulet? For your friend?

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why is it so valuable? [2] General: What do you want? [3] General: All this for my attention? [4] General: I could simply take it. [5]

3 - Investigate: Why is it so valuable PC: Aren’t you a merchant? Why not just sell it back? Ponchard: I am not a fence, monsieur. I only bought your friend’s amulet because of what it is. I do business in the Imperium. Having a birthright, even one not your own, is most useful in… select situations. That’s why I gave the young man so much. If he relinquished it, how is that my doing? [back to 1]

3 - General: What do you want? PC: You want something from me. What would you like? [6]

4 - General: All this for my attention? PC: You refused to sell Dorian his amulet… just to get me here? Mission accomplished. Ponchard: I am not attempting to manipulate you, my lord. I only wish equitable recompense. [6]

5 - General: I could simply take it. PC: I could just take the amulet. What’s to stop me? Ponchard: Errr… One: that I presume His Worship is not a thief. Two: the amulet is not here for you to take. PC: I see. [6]

6 - Scene continues.

Ponchard: The League de Celestine is an organization of wealthy noblemen in Orlais. I would join, but I lack the lineage. If someone like you applied pressure, they would admit me. That would be worth the return of the amulet.

7 - Dialogue options:

General: I agree. [8]
Special: You want to anger me? [9]
General: Forget it. [10]

8 - General: I agree. PC: Ponchard: Much obliged, Your Worship. The moment I receive an invitation from the League, I’ll have the amulet delivered. It’s been an honor doing business with you. Scene ends.

9 - Special: You want to anger me?

PC (post-WEWH): Perhaps you haven’t heard the news from the Winter Palace or the part I played there. Ponchard: Well, yes, but— PC: I didn’t realize an Orlesian merchant could be so blasé about offending the Imperial Throne of Orlais. Ponchard: Forgive me, Your Worship. If it is your desire, I will have the amulet delivered to Skyhold immediately. Please just think of me kindly. I meant no offence. Scene ends.

PC (Qunari PC): Perhaps you should take a moment to think about your position. Ponchard: Forgive me, Your Worship. If it is your desire, I will have the amulet delivered to Skyhold immediately. Please just think of me kindly. I meant no offence. Scene ends.

PC (non-mage human PC): You must not know who I am, even beyond being the Inquisitor. Ponchard: You are a Trevelyan, monsieur. A man of noble blood, a man of honor… PC: A man who could destroy your hopes of social climbing. Ponchard: Forgive me, Your Worship. If it is your desire, I will have the amulet delivered to Skyhold immediately. Please just think of me kindly. I meant no offence. Scene ends.

PC (none of the above): Are you certain you want to risk angering me? The Herald of Andraste? Ponchard: I… monsieur, I only seek— PC: I’m well aware of what you seek. Ponchard: Then you must know I am within my rights. You are not the kind of man to disregard them.

Dialogue options:

Combat: You’re wrong. (Kill him, even if it means you don’t get the amulet.) [11]
[Back to 7]

11 - Combat: You’re wrong.
PC: You’re wrong about that. The PC stabs him. Ponchard: (Shouts.) Scene ends.

10 - General: Forget it. PC: I’m not going to help you. Ponchard: As you wish. Should you change your mind, you know the price. Good day, Your Worship. Scene ends.

Ponchard (Dorian in party)

Ponchard: Inquisitor! Good, good, this is exactly what I was hoping for!

Ponchard bows.

Dorian: What? Is that why we’re here?

Dorian (asked Dorian about amulet): I said I wanted to do this myself. I don’t want to be indebted to anyone, least of all you. Dorian (did not ask Dorian about amulet): How do you even know about the amulet? I hope you aren’t intending to help me get it back. I can do this myself.

Ponchard: I apologize, but that won’t be possible.

Ponchard (asked Dorian about amulet): It’s not coin I seek for the amulet, but influence. Influence you possess but which the young man does not.

Ponchard (did not ask Dorian about amulet): You see, the young man sold me a rather valuable amulet. Many months ago. Then he returned, asking to buy it back. Why would I simply sell it? Not only is it useful, there are others who could… offer much more. Dorian: You loathsome little cretin. That’s why you were so stubborn! Ponchard: There is no need for insults, monsieur. I am interested only in doing good business.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why is it so valuable? [2]
General: What do you want? [3]
General: All this for my attention? [4]
General: I could simply take it. [5]

2 - Investigate: Why is it so valuable PC: Aren’t you a merchant? Why not just sell it back? Ponchard: I am not a fence, monsieur. I only bought your friend’s amulet because of what it is. I do business in the Imperium. Having a birthright, even one not your own, is most useful in… select situations. Dorian: Hmph. He’s got the right of it there. Ponchard: That’s why I gave the young man so much. If he relinquished it, how is that my doing? [back to 1]

3 - General: What do you want? PC: You want something from me. What would you like? [6]

6 - Scene continues.

7 - Dialogue options:

Special: Dorian, your opinion? [8] General: I agree. [9] General (after asking Dorian’s opinion): I agree to your terms. [9] Special: You want to anger me? [10] General: Forget it. [11]

8 - Special: Dorian, your opinion? PC: What do you think, Dorian? Dorian: Leave the man be. I got myself into this. I should get myself out of it. Ponchard: Perhaps you should accept your friend’s help, monsieur. Dorian: Kaffas! I know what you think, and he’s not my friend. He’s… He pauses. Dorian: Never mind what he is. Ponchard: As you desire. Even so, that is the price. I shall accept no other. [back to 7]

9 - General: I agree./I agree to your terms. Inquisitor: Very well. I’ll do as you ask. Dorian: What? You’re going to give in to this cretin? PC: Do you want your amulet back? Dorian: I… yes, I do. I simply– Ponchard: Much obliged, Your Worship. The moment I receive an invitation from the League, I’ll have the amulet delivered. Ponchard: It’s been an honor doing business with you. Ponchard bows, and Dorian and the PC walk away. Dorian: Influence-mongering. I don’t want to be in your debt. I don’t want to be in anyone’s debt. PC: You don’t think… ? Dorian: I don’t want to discuss it. Scene ends.

10 - Special: You want to anger me?

PC (non of the above): Are you certain you want to risk angering me? The Herald of Andraste? Ponchard: I… monsieur, I only seek— PC: I’m well aware of what you seek. Ponchard: Then you must know I am within my rights. You are not the kind of man to disregard them.

Dialogue options:

Combat: You’re wrong. (Kill him, even if it means you don’t get the amulet.) [12] -Dorian greatly disapproves
[Back to 7]

12 - Combat: You’re wrong.
PC: You’re wrong about that. The PC stabs him. Ponchard: (Shouts.) Dorian: What? You… you stabbed him! In his own shop! PC: I did. Dorian: To serve your own thuggish needs. Lovely. Thank you for all your help. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. Scene ends.

11 - General: Forget it. PC: I’m not going to help you. Ponchard: As you wish. Should you change your mind, you know the price. Dorian: So you’ll still cling to my amulet even if you can’t wring anything out of the Inquisitor? Ponchard: As I told you before, monsieur: it is not for sale. Perhaps you should not have let it go. Dorian: Yes. Perhaps. Ponchard: Good day, Your Worship. Ponchard bows. Dorian: (Sighs.) So much for that. Thank you for trying. Scene ends.

In Your Debt

The the PC killed Ponchard: Dorian: I can’t believe you killed that fool merchant. I sold him the birthright. It was his to do with as he pleased, and my responsibility. Now there’s no chance of me getting it back, not unless…. I don’t know what. Vishante kaffas! What a mess. The relationship ends.

—

If the PC obtained the amulet:

General: I have your amulet. PC: I have something for you.

PC: Here it is.

The PC hands him the amulet.

Dorian (asked Dorian about the amulet/Dorian was brought to Val Royeaux): Now I’m indebted to you. I never wanted this, I told you.

Dorian (did not ask Dorian about the amulet and did not take him to Val Royeaux): It’s… the Pavus birthright. How did you… ? Why? I got myself into this. I sold it because I was desperate. I wanted to get it back on my own. What I didn’t want is to be indebted to you or anyone. Now I am.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Tell me why you wanted it. [2]
General: I did this for you. [3]
General (agreed to Ponchard’s terms): I could afford it. [4]
General (intimidated Ponchard): It didn’t cost me anything. [5]
General: No “thank you”? [6]

2 - Investigate: Tell me why you wanted it. PC: Why were you even trying to get it back?

Dorian paces.

Dorian (if asked about amulet before): You already asked me that. PC: And you didn’t give me a straight answer.

Dorian (if PC did not ask about the amulet): (Sighs.) When I left home, I wanted nothing so much as to divest myself of anything belonging to my family.

Dorian (reconciled with his father): But when I spoke to my father, he noticed it was gone. He asked about it. Dorian (did not speak with his father): But seeing my father… I felt its absence so keenly.

Dorian: It was childish to sell it. I love my country, and this… it’s a symbol. It means I’m part of it. You must think I’m foolish and sentimental.

Dialogue options:

General: Not at all. PC: The amulet’s important to you. Why would wanting it be foolish?
General: Aren’t we all? PC: We’re all a little foolish and sentimental. There are worse things to be.
General: My opinion doesn’t matter. PC: What does it matter what I think? It’s your amulet.

Dorian: And you went and retrieved it for me. Now I’m in your debt. [Back to 1]

3 - General: I did this for you. PC: I didn’t do this so you would be indebted to me, Dorian. I did it for you. Dorian: (Sighs.) That’s the problem. PC: How is that a problem? [7]

4 - General: I could afford it. PC: Why should there be a debt? It’s not as if using my influence cost so much. Dorian: Of course you have the influence. You’re the Inquisitor! [7]

5 - General: It didn’t cost me anything. PC: Why should there be a debt? I only had to glare at the man, after all. Dorian: Of course you did. The Inquisitor snaps his fingers, and people tremble! PC: Now you’re just being difficult. [7]

6 - General: No “thank you”? PC: What’s this? Not even a “thank you”? Dorian: You are such a frustrating man. PC: Explain it to me slowly, then. [7]

7 - Scene continues.

Dorian continues pacing.

Dorian: Someone intelligent would cozy up to the Inquisitor if they could. It’d be foolish not to. He can open doors, get you whatever you want, shower you with gifts and power. That’s what they’ll say. I’m the magister who’s using you.

Dialogue options:

General: I didn’t know you worried. [8]
General: Use me, I don’t mind. [9]
General: Let them. [10]

8 - General: I didn’t know you worried. PC: I… had no idea you were concerned about that. Dorian: I don’t care what they think about me. I care what they think about us. [11]

9 - General: Use me, I don’t mind. PC: Is that all? Go ahead and use me, Dorian. Or are you all talk? Dorian: (Laughs.) Oh, you are glorious. [11]

10 - General: Let them. PC: Let them say whatever they want. I don’t care about them. Dorian: Naïve, but adorable. [11]

11 - Scene continues.

Dorian (went to Val Royeaux): I… was an ass earlier at the merchant’s. It’s my specialty. Dorian (was not taken): I… am apparently an incredible ass at accepting gifts.

He bows slightly.

Dorian: I apologize. And thank you.

They kiss.

Dorian: I’m going to stop before I say something syrupy, but I won’t forget this… and I will repay you. Count on it.

If the PC speaks to Dorian again: Dorian: I must admit, it does feel good to have my amulet back. I’m not above a bit of attachment, apparently.