Main Dialogue

Here Lies the Abyss

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The Champion of Kirkwall

The PC meets Varric atop the battlements, and Hawke joins them.

Varric: Inquisitor, meet Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall.

Hawke: Though I don’t use that title much anymore.

Varric: Hawke, the Inquisitor. I figured you might have some friendly advice about Corypheus. You and I did fight him, after all.

Hawke leans against the nearby wall.

Worldstate dependent dialogue:

Diplomatic Hawke [1]
Humorous Hawke [2]
Aggressive Hawke [3]

1 - Diplomatic Hawke:

Hawke (female): Impressive view. Reminds me of my home in Kirkwall. I had a balcony that overlooked the whole city. I loved it at first. But after a while, all I could see were the people out there depending on me.
Hawke (male): This view reminds me of my home in Kirkwall. I had a balcony that overlooked the whole city. I loved it at first. But after a while, all I could see were the people out there depending on me.

Dialogue options:

General: I know how that feels. [4]
General: I don’t dwell on it. [5]
General: I’ve seen the cost of losing. [6]

4 - General: I know how that feels.
PC: You’re lucky it was just a single city. I’ve got half of Thedas.
Hawke: You’re doing everything you can to protect them.
PC: Does it ever get any easier?
Hawke: I’ll let you know. I don’t envy you, Inquisitor. But I may be able to help you. [13]

5 - General: I don’t dwell on it.
PC: If I thought like that, I’d never get anything done.
Hawke: How do you put it out of your head?
PC: I go out into the wilderness, and find something that wants to kill me. That usually clears my mind.
Hawke: It always worked for me. And speaking of things that want to kill you… [13]

6 - General: I’ve seen the cost of losing.
PC: You heard about Haven?
Hawke: I have.
PC: That’s why we’re here now. And why I have battlements instead of balconies.
Hawke: May they serve you well. [13]

2 - Humorous Hawke:

Hawke: You’ve already dropped half a mountain on the bastard. I’m sure anything I can tell you pales in comparison.

Dialogue options:

General: People’s lives are at stake. [7]
General: I’ve heard stories about you. [8]
General: Think hard. [9]

7 - General: People’s lives are at stake.
PC: Corypheus has already killed the Divine, along with countless others… and he’ll kill a lot more unless we stop him.
Hawke: You’ve already sealed the Breach. That’s damned impressive. I could barely get my friends to stop fighting. Still, if you think I can help… [13]

8 - General: I’ve heard stories about you.
PC: Oh, I don’t know. You did save a city from a horde of rampaging Qunari.
Hawke: I don’t see how that really applies… or is there a horde of rampaging Qunari I don’t know about?
Qunari PC: I am a horde of rampaging Qunari.
Non-Qunari PC (Bull recruited): There’s a Qunari. He almost qualifies as a horde all by himself. Fortunately, he’s on our side.
Non-Qunari PC (Bull not recruited): Fortunately, that’s one problem we don’t have.
Hawke: So, then, what can I tell you? [13]

9 - General: Think hard.
PC: Whatever you know helps. Corypheus will keep killing people until he gets what he wants, and he wants to be a god.
Hawke: I suppose you’d better go stop him, then.
PC: You’re right. That does pale in comparison.
Hawke: (Sighs.) All right, all right. I’ll tell you what I know, for whatever good it does. [13]

3 - Aggressive Hawke:

Hawke: You want my advice? Did you hear what happened to Kirkwall? My advice nearly tore that city apart.

Dialogue options:

General: You tried. [10]
General: I’ll bear that in mind. [11]
General: You made the choice. [12]

10 - General: You tried.
PC: You did the best you could with an impossible situation. A lot of people were going to die either way. That’s what I’m facing now. And I could use your experience here.
Hawke: Fair enough. I’ll tell you whatever you think will help. [13]

11 - General: I’ll bear that in mind.
PC: I’m not saying I intend to follow your advice.
Hawke: I see why you stuck around.
Varric: Whatever happens, it’ll make for a great story.
Hawke (to Varric): And if it doesn’t you’ll just make up something better.
Hawke (to PC): What would you like to know? [13]

12 - General: You made the choice.
PC: Would you rather it have been someone else’s decision?
PC (Hawke sided mages): Starting the mage rebellion. Breaking the Circles.
PC (Hawke sided templars): Crushing the mages at Kirkwall. Making the other Circles rebel.
PC: Is that better on someone else’s head?
Hawke: No.
PC: That’s why I want your advice.
Hawke: Fair enough. I’ll tell you whatever you think will help. [13]

13 - End worldstate dependent dialogue.

Scene continues.

PC: Varric said that you fought Corypheus before.

Varric drinks in the background and then joins the PC and Hawke.

Hawke: Fought and killed. The Grey Wardens were holding him, and he somehow used his connection to the darkspawn to influence them.

Varric: Corypheus got into their heads. Messed with their minds. Turned them against each other.

Hawke: If the Wardens have disappeared, they could have fallen under his control again.

Dialogue options:

General: Is it reversible? [14]
General: That’s not good. [15]
General: “Could have” doesn’t cut it. [16]

14 - General: Is it reversible?
PC: If that’s what happened to the Wardens, do you think we can free them?
Hawke: It’s possible. But we need to know more first. [17]

15 - General: That’s not good.
PC: So Corypheus has the Venatori, the red templars, and now possibly the Wardens as well? Wonderful.
Hawke: I didn’t come this far just to give you bad news. [17]

16 - General: “Could have” doesn’t cut it.
PC: You’re giving me maybes. I need proof.
Hawke: Then let’s get you some. [17]

17 - Scene continues.

Hawke: I’ve got a friend in the Wardens. He was investigating something unrelated for me. His name is [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud]. The last time we spoke, he was worried about corruption in the Warden ranks. Since then, nothing.

Varric: Corypheus would certainly qualify as corruption in the ranks. Did your friend disappear with them?

Hawke: No. He told me he’d be hiding in an old smuggler’s cave near Crestwood.

18 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: What were you investigating? [19]
General: Thank you. [20]
General: It’s worth a shot. [21]
General: This is bad for the Wardens. [22]

19 - Investigate: What were you investigating?
PC: If you didn’t know about Corypheus, what were you doing with the Wardens?
Hawke: The templars in Kirkwall were using a strange form of lyrium. It was red. I’d hoped the Wardens could tell me more about it.
PC (allied mages): Corypheus had templars with him at Haven. They looked like they’d been exposed to the lyrium you describe.
PC (allied templars): We’ve encountered red lyrium. Corypheus was using it to corrupt the templars and turn them into his slaves.
Hawke: Hopefully my friend in the Wardens will know more.
[Back to 18]

20 - General: Thank you.
PC: I appreciate the help.
Hawke: I’m doing this as much for myself as for you. [23]

21 - General: It’s worth a shot.
PC: I’ll take any lead I can get at the moment.
Hawke: Good. I’ll do whatever I can to help. [23]

22 - General: This is bad for the Wardens.
PC: If Corypheus has corrupted the Wardens, it may be too late to save them.
Hawke: I understand. I’ll do whatever’s necessary to stop him. [23]

23 - Scene continues.

Hawke: Corypheus is my responsibility. I thought I’d killed him before. This time, I’ll make sure of it.

Optional: Talk to Hawke

Crestwood

The PC speaks to Hawke again on the battlements.

Hawke (after introduction): Let me know if you have any more questions. Otherwise, I’ll meet you at Crestwood.
Hawke (if spoken to again): We should get to Crestwood as soon as possible. My contact in the Wardens will be waiting.
Hawke (Leaving conversation): I’ll meet you at Crestwood.

The PC goes to the war room and begins the operation “Find the Warden,” then arrives in Crestwood and meets with Scout Harding.

Harding: Good to see you safe, Inquisitor. We’ve got trouble ahead.

Dialogue options:

General: We can take it. [1]
General: I bet, if you’re worried. [2]
General: What is it? [3]

1 - General: We can take it.
PC: I’m sure it’s nothing the Inquisition can’t handle.
Harding: Careful, Your Worship. That optimism might be catching.
PC: Are things that bad? [4]

2 - General: I bet, if you’re worried.
PC: If you’re on edge, I should alert the entire Inquisition.
Harding: Or increase my hazard pay. That’s an option.
PC: Are things that bad? [4]

3 - General: What is it?
PC (sided mages): Are the red templars here?
PC (sided templars): Are the Venatori causing trouble?
Harding: There’s a few up in the hills, but for once, they’re not our biggest problem.
PC: What is? [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Harding directs the PC to the cliff edge, overlooking a massive rift in the lake.

PC: Oh.

Harding: Crestwood was the site of a flood ten years ago during the Blight. It’s not the only rift in the area, but after it appeared, corpses started walking out of the lake. You’ll have to fight through them to get to the cave where Ser Hawke’s Grey Warden friend is hiding.

Dialogue options:

Flirt: We never meet anywhere nice. [5]
General: Are you safe here? [6]
General: Thanks for the warning. [7]
General: I’ll start now. [8]

5 - Flirt: We never meet anywhere nice.
PC: I wish we could get better acquainted, Harding. When the dead aren’t rising around us, perhaps?
Harding: (Chuckles.) The world would crumble to dust before you ran out of ills to fight. [9]

6 - General: Are you safe here?
PC: Have any undead attacked the camp?
Harding: We’ve had a few shamblers, but most head toward the village below. [9]

7 - General: Thanks for the warning.
PC: More walking corpses. At least they won’t be a surprise.
Harding: I nearly stepped on one in the grass the other night, before it started moaning. [9]

8 - General: I’ll start now.
PC: Best get to it, then.
Harding: Right, Your Worship. Good luck. [9]

9 - Scene continues.

Harding: Maybe someone in Crestwood can tell you how to get to the rift in the lake. Maker knows they’ll want help. Good luck, and please be safe.

Harding leaves, and the party begins making their way towards Crestwood. They come across Grey Wardens fighting undead and protecting a townsperson, who is a young elf.

Warden 1: Wardens! Fight on!

Warden 2: It’s the Inquisitor!
Warden 1: Then Andraste is with us!

They defeat the undead.

Warden 1: Are you all right?

Townsperson (Jana): Yes. Thank you.

Warden 2: I’d go back to the village, miss. These roads aren’t safe.

The PC approaches the Wardens and the elf leaves.

Warden 1: The Grey Wardens thank you for your aid, Inquisitor.

10 - Dialogue options:

General: Why are you here? [11]
General: Can you stay and help? [12]
General: Goodbye. [13]

11 - General: Why are you here?
PC: What are you doing in Crestwood?
Warden 1 (Alistair Warden): Hunting one of our own. We have orders to capture Ser Alistair of Ferelden on sight. The man’s slippery as an eel. We’ve been chasing him for weeks.
Warden 1 (Loghain Warden): Looking for another Warden. Ser Loghain. He’s wanted for questioning. If you see him, I’d keep your distance.
Warden 1 (Stroud Warden): A Warden named Stroud is wanted for questioning. We heard he’d passed through here, but the villagers knew nothing. They have troubles enough.

Dialogue options:

Special: What do you know about him? [14]

[Back to 10]

14 - Special: What do you know about him?
PC: What have you been told about this rogue Warden?
Warden 1: Warden-Commander Clarel ordered his capture. I can say no more than that.
Warden 1 (Alistair Warden): I hope Alistair comes quietly. I’d not fight the man who helped kill that many darkspawn.
Warden 1 (Loghain Warden): Maker willing, Loghain will lay doen his arms when we meet. I’ve no wish to fight the man.
Warden 1 (Stroud Warden): I hope Ser Stroud comes with us peacefully. I trained under him for a time. He’s a good man, I’m sure of that.
[Back to 10]

12 - General: Can you stay and help?
PC: Will you stay to fight the undead here?
Warden 1: My orders forbid it. Crestwood was only a detour.
Blackwall (if present): Is that all the aid we can offer these people?
Warden 1: If the Inquisition can help, I beg you to do what you can. The villagers have already lost too many. [15]

13 - General: Goodbye.
PC: Farewell.
Warden 1: Farewell. [15]

15 - Scene continues.

The Wardens go to leave.

Warden 2: Ser, are you sure we can’t help the village?

Warden 1: Our orders are clear. If we can’t find Warden [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud], we return to the commander with all haste.

Warden 2: Still don’t feel right.

Warden 1: I know, but if I judge our orders rightly, harder decisions await.

The Wardens leave earshot.

PC: None of those Wardens mentioned a new leader. I don’t think they’re part of Corypheus’s plot to seize the Order.

Party comments:

Blackwall: I didn’t want to say much in case they were, but I think you’re right.
Varric: Or some of the best liars I’ve ever seen. Nah, you’re right. They’re probably clueless.
Cassandra: I do not think so, either. The infiltration in their ranks may be subtle.
Vivienne: Best not to mention it until we have more information ourselves.
Sera: Right. Because they would have said?
Dorian: They didn’t strike me as excellent actors, no.
Cole: They stay by oaths sworn in blood. Not theirs, then their own. They’re true.

PC: I hope Hawke’s Warden friend has answers for us.

Optional: Warden Recruit

Warden Contact

The PC finds a cave tucked away along a cliff.

Party comments:

Sera: That the cave where Hawke’s Warden friend is squatting?
Varric: Hawke and the Warden should be inside.
Cole: Hawke and the Grey Warden should be inside that cave.
Solas: Hawke’s Grey Warden ally should be inside that cave.
Blackwall: Hawke’s contact with the Wardens should be in that cave.
Dorian: Hawke’s Warden friend should be inside that cave.
Cassandra: The Warden and Hawke should be inside that cave.
Iron Bull: Hawke’s Warden pal should be inside that cave.
Vivienne: Shall we see if Hawke and this Warden ally are waiting inside the cave?

Hawke is waiting at the cave entrance.

Hawke: Glad you made it. I just got here myself. My contact with the Wardens should be at the back of the cave.

Dialogue options:

General: I saw other Wardens. [1]
General: He nearly got caught. [2]
General: Can we trust your friend? [3]

1 - General: I saw other Wardens.
PC: A group of Wardens were protecting a villager from corpses out near Crestwood.
Hawke: They were likely hunting my friend. I’m glad they didn’t come looking for people to help in here. They might well be good men, but they’ve been given bad orders. [4]

2 - General: He nearly got caught.
PC: He’s not the only Warden around here. It’s a good thing his friends didn’t find him in Crestwood.
Hawke: Yes, I saw them earlier. They’ve been told he’s a traitor and ordered to capture or kill him. How much blood is shed by good men following bad orders? [4]

3 - General: Can we trust your friend?
PC: There was a group of Wardens out there hunting a “senior Warden.” They said he was a traitor.
Hawke: Of course they did. They may have even believed it. How much blood is shed by good men following bad orders? [4

4 - Scene continues.

Hawke: Let’s go.

They travel further into the cave, and the PC opens the door to a seemingly empty room. There is the sound of a sword being drawn and the PC turns to find a Grey Warden pointing the blade at them.

Hawke: It’s just us. I brought the Inquisitor.

Worldstate dependent dialogue:

If Blackwall is in the party:
Alistair: Wait… you have a Grey Warden with you.
Blackwall: Warden Blackwall. Alistair: You’re Blackwall? Duncan—my mentor—spoke of you.
Blackwall: Duncan. Of course. Good man.
(frankly, I’m not sure how Alistair “recognizes” Blackwall as a Warden because he’s not in Warden armor and he doesn’t have the taint? It never explicitly stated in-game canon if Wardens can sense each other or not, but… oh well?)

If Blackwall is not in the party:
Alistair: I’m Alistair. It’s an honor to meet all of you. I wish it were someplace nicer.

Alistair lowers his sword.

5 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: The Alistair? [6]
General: I could use another ally. [7]
- Sera slightly disapproves
General: Help me add all this up. [8]
General: I want information. [9]

6 - Investigate: The Alistair?
PC: Are you the Alistair who fought the Archdemon with the Hero of Ferelden?
Alistair: I need to change my name. Yes, that was me. War, betrayal, darkspawn: all lots of fun and made for excellent stories, I’m sure. Nobody cares about that anymore. I answer to Warden-Commander Clarel now, like everyone else.
[Back to 5]

7 - General: I could use another ally.
PC: I’ll take all the help I can get. I know the Wardens have troubles of their own. I wonder, though. Might those troubles have anything to do with Corypheus? [10]

8 - General: Help me add all this up.
PC: Most of you Wardens disappear. Then I run into a darkspawn magister named Corypheus. Do you think that one might have something to do with the other? [10]

9 - General: I want information.
PC: I need to know why the Wardens disappeared. Could it have anything to do with Corypheus? [10]

10 - Scene continues.

Alistair: I think so. When Hawke killed Corypheus, the Wardens thought the matter resolved. But Archdemons don’t die from simply injury. I feared Corypheus might have the same power, so I started to investigate. I found hints but no proof. And then, not long after, every Warden in Orlais began to hear the Calling.

Diplomatic Hawke: Maker, why didn’t you tell me?
Humorous Hawke: I recall that being a bad thing. But I don’t recall you telling me about all this.
Aggressive Hawke: You never told me.

Alistair: It was a secret. A very dangerous one. I try to actually keep a few of my oaths to the Wardens.

Dialogue options:

General: What is the Calling? [11]
- Solas slightly approves
General: The Calling controls them? [12]
- Iron Bull slightly approves
General: This is irrelevant. [13]
- Sera slightly approves

11 - General: What is the Calling?
PC: is the Calling some sort of Grey Warden ritual?
Alistair: Well… Wardens are tied to the darkspawn. We’re connected somehow… and eventually that connection poisons you. You get bad dreams, and then you start to hear the music. It calls to you. Quiet at first, and then so loud you can’t bear it. At that point, you say farewell and go into the Deep Roads to die fighting. “In death, sacrifice.” [14]

12 - General: The Calling controls them?
PC: You think Corypheus is using the “Calling” to control the Grey Wardens?
Alistair: Not precisely. When a Warden hears the Calling, it means the corruption inside us will soon kill him. [14]

13 - General: This is irrelevant.
PC: I came here for information about Corypheus. The Calling doesn’t concern me.
Alistair: I’m afraid it does. When a Warden hears the Calling, it means the corruption inside us will soon kill him. [14]

14 - Scene continues.

Hawke: And every Grey Warden in Orlais is hearing that right now? They think they’re dying?

Alistair: Yes. I think Corypheus caused this, somehow. If all the Wardens die, who will stop the next Blight? That’s what has them so terrified.

Diplomatic Hawke: So Corypheus isn’t controlling them. He’s bluffing them with this Calling, and they’re falling for it.
Humorous Hawke: And then they do something desperate… which is of course what Corypheus wants.
Aggressive Hawke: Thanks to the Calling, Corypheus has them scared… and they’re playing right into his hands.

15 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Can Corypheus really do that? [16]
- Iron Bull slightly approves
Investigate: Are you affected? [17]
Investigate: How is this possible? [18]
General: The Wardens are desperate. [19]
- Iron Bull slightly approves
General: The Wardens are scared. [20]
- Cassandra slightly approves
- Cole slightly approves
General: The Wardens are foolish. [21]
- Sera slightly approves
- Solas slightly approves

16 - Investigate: Can Corypheus really do that?
PC: Is the Calling they’re hearing real, or is Corypheus mimicking it somehow?
Alistair: I have no idea. Before all this, I’d barely heard of Corypheus. I didn’t even know he was supposed to be a magister until I started digging around. Right now, all that matters is the Wardens are acting like they’re all going to die.
[Back to 15]

17 - Investigate: Are you affected?
PC: You said all the Wardens are hearing the Calling. Does that include you?
PC (if Blackwall is in party): And also you, Blackwall?
Alistair: Unfortunately, yes. When I’m talking or fighting, I can almost ignore it. But whenever things are quiet, I can hear it. It’s like a song you can’t get out of your head. Damned annoying, frankly.
Blackwall: I do not fear the Calling, and worrying about it only gives it power. Anything Corypheus does will only strengthen my resolve.
[Back to 15]

18 - Investigate: How is this possible?
PC: How can Corypheus make all these Wardens hear the Calling?
Alistair: I have no idea. I suppose it’s part of what he is. Corypheus is tied to the blight, and not just a product of it like most darkspawn. Wardens are connected to the darkspawn, too. That’s how he seems able to control Wardens who get too close to him. And that’s likely what he’s doing here as well… somehow.
[Back to 15]

19 - General: The Wardens are desperate.
PC: So the Wardens are making some last, desperate attack on the darkspawn? [22]

20 - General: The Wardens are scared.
PC: So the Wardens think they’re dying and have stopped thinking clearly? That won’t go well. [22]

21 - General: The Wardens are foolish.
PC: We need the Wardens’ help! This is the worst possible time for such lunacy. [22]

22 - Scene continues.

Alistair: I saw what a Blight did to Ferelden. If Wardens hadn’t stopped it, there’d be no more Thedas. Warden-Commander Clarel proposed some drastic things—blood magic and such—to prevent further Blights before we die. I protested, maybe too loudly, and Clarel sent guards, and… well here I am.

Alistair gestures at a map on the nearby table.

Alistair: Wardens were gathering here, in the Western Approach.

He walks towards the door.

Alistair: It’s an old Tevinter ritual tower. I’m going to investigate. I could use some help.

Alistair leaves.

The PC talks to Hawke.

Hawke: I heard what he said. Hopefully we’ll find some answers in the Western Approach. Though I fear what those answers will be. I’ve seen too much blood magic to ever trust where it leads.

To the Western Approach

The PC speaks with Hawke again back at Skyhold.

Hawke: Whenever you’re ready, the Warden and I will meet you the Western Approach. I suggest we hurry. I’ve seen enough blood magic for one lifetime.

Hawke (leaving conversation): I’ll meet you at the Western Approach.

The PC speaks with the Warden at Skyhold.

Alistair: We should get to that ritual tower in the Western Approach. Ideally before it lives up to its name.

Optional: Talk to Alistair

The PC gathers their party and leaves for the Western Approach.

Harding: Inquisitor! Welcome to the Western Approach.

Harding (if completed WEWH): You’re a long way from the Winter Palace now.
Harding: We’ve sighted Warden activity to the southwest, but no one’s been close enough to figure out what they’re doing.

Harding: Between the sandstorms and the vicious wildlife, we haven’t made it far out here. One of my men got too close to a poison hot spring and gave me a slightly delirious report of a high dragon flying overhead. In short: this might just be the worst place in the entire world. Be careful out there.

Dialogue options:

Flirt: It’s sweet of you to worry. [1]
General: That’s not much of a report. [2]
General: Thanks for the warning. [3]

1 - Flirt: It’s sweet of you to worry.
PC: Are you worried about me?
Harding: Someone has to be. Try not to die. I don’t want to deliver that report to Skyhold. [4]

2 - General: That’s not much of a report.
PC: Awfully vague for a scout’s report.
Harding: Apologies, Inquisitor. I’ll try to get a better survey of the area once we’ve established a forward camp. [4]

3 - General: Thanks for the warning.
PC: Well, it’s good to know what I’m in for.
Harding: Sorry I don’t have more for you. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Harding: We intercepted a Venatori messenger and “persuaded” him to give up the orders he was carrying. We have them here. This entire place… it just feels like something’s not right. Be careful.

The PC travels through the region until they finally arrive at the ritual tower. Hawke and the Warden are waiting for them.

Alistair: Glad you could make it. We’ve seen lights coming from the tower.

Diplomatic Hawke: It has to be blood magic. I hope we can stop them before more people get hurt.
Humorous Hawke: Blood magic, I’d wager. You can smell it… or see the corpses.
Aggressive Hawke: It has to be blood magic. Steel yourselves. Whatever lies inside won’t be pretty.

Hawke: You take point. I’ll guard your backs.

The PC makes their way towards the tower, they find a pile of dead bodies and Wardens surrounding another, demons around them.

Warden 1: Wait… no.

A magister stands at the top of the stairs, watching.

Erimond: Warden-Commander Clarel’s orders were clear.

Warden 1: This is wrong!

Erimond: Remember your oath: In war, victory. In peace, vigilance. In death…

Warden 2: I’m sorry.

The second Warden moves behind the first and kills him.

Erimond: …sacrifice.

A demon appears as the body drops.

Erimond: Good. Now bind it, just as I showed you.

The second Warden does as he is told and his eyes glow red like the other remaining Wardens. The PC approaches, and the magister bows.

Erimond: Inquisitor. What an unexpected pleasure. Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium, at your service.

Alistair: I’m guessing you’re not a Warden.

Erimond: But you are. (Sighs.) The one Clarel let slip. And you found the Inquisitor and came to stop me. Shall we see how that goes?

Dialogue options:

General: Wardens, he is deceiving you! [5]
General: I’ve already got a head start. [6]
General: Your allies don’t scare me. [7]
- Blackwall disapproves

5 - General: Wardens, he is deceiving you!
PC: Wardens! This man is lying to you. He serves an ancient Tevinter magister who wants to unleash a Blight.
Erimond: That’s a very serious accusation. Let’s see what the Wardens think. [8]

6 - General: I’ve already got a head start.
PC: It looks like you’ve already done some of my work for me.
Erimond: What, him? We simply needed his blood. Oh, were you hoping to garner sympathy? Maybe make the Wardens feel a bit of remorse? [8]

7 - General: Your allies don’t scare me.
PC: I’ve killed demons before. If I have to kill a few Warden mages as well, so be it.
Erimond: You may have to kill a few, yes. [8]

8 - Scene continues.

Erimond: Wardens, hands up.

Erimond puts a hand up, and the Wardens follow suit.

Erimond: Hands down.

The Wardens drop their hands and Erimond does.

Alistair: Corypheus has enslaved them.

Erimond: They did this to themselves. You see, the Calling had the Wardens terrified. They looked everywhere for help.

Alistair: Including Tevinter.
Loghain: In desperation, they turned to the Imperium.
Stroud: Even Tevinter.

Erimond: Yes. And since it was my master who put the Calling into their little heads, we in the Venatori were prepared. I went to Clarel full of sympathy, and together, we came up with a plan… Raise a demon army, march into the Deep Roads, and kill the Old Gods before they wake.

Dialogue options:

General (sided mages): I saw this at Redcliffe. [9]
General (sided templars): The envy demon showed me this. [10]
General: Oh, that demon army. [11]
- Solas slightly approves
- Varric slightly approves
General: You tricked them. [12]

9 - General: I saw this at Redcliffe.
PC: Corypheus marching across Orlais with an army of demons? That was in the future I saw at Redcliffe.
Erimond: And now you know how it begins. [13]

10 - General: The envy demon showed me this.
PC: Corypheus marching across Orlais with an army of demons? I was shown that back at the Seeker fortress.
Erimond: And now you know how it begins. [13]

11 - General: Oh, that demon army.
PC: Ah. I was wondering when the demon army would show up.
Erimond: You knew about it, did you? Well, then, here you are. [13]

12 - General: You tricked them.
PC: So you manipulated the Wardens to build an army of demons for Corypheus.
Erimond: Just so. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Erimond: Sadly for the Wardens, the binding ritual I taught their mages has a side effect. They’re now my master’s slaves. This was a test. Once the rest of the Wardens complete the ritual, the army will conquer Thedas.

14 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Corypheus made them do this? [15]
Investigate: Why kill the Old Gods? [16]
- Solas slightly approves
Investigate: Why risk using demons? [17]
- Iron Bull slightly approves
- Vivienne slightly approves
Investigate: What’s in it for you? [18]
- Vivienne slightly approves
- Varric slightly approves
General: Let the Wardens go. [19]
- Cassandra slightly approves
- Cole slightly approves
- Sera slightly approves
- Varric slightly approves
General: I’ve seen worse. [20]
- Dorian slightly approves,
- Vivienne slightly approves
- Sera slightly disapproves
General: You’re dead. (Attack Erimond.) [21]
- Sera slightly approves
- Vivienne slightly approves

15 - Investigate: Corypheus made them do this?
PC: So Corypheus influenced the Wardens and made them do this ritual?
Erimond: Ha! Made them? No. Everything you see here? The blood sacrifices to bind the demons? The Wardens did it of their own free will. Fear is a very good motivator, and they were very afraid.

Blackwall (if present): That’s a lie! The Grey Wardens are heroes! They would never do this willingly!
Erimond: The Grey Wardens care about nothing save stopping Blights. They will do anything to accomplish that. You should have seen Clarel agonize over the decision. Burdens of command, I suppose.

Erimond (Blackwall not present): You should have seen Clarel agonize over the decision. Burdens of command, I suppose.
[Back to 14]

16 - Investigate: Why kill the Old Gods?
PC: Why would the Wardens try to kill the Old Gods?
Erimond: A Blight happens when darkspawn find an Old God and corrupt it into an Archdemon. If someone fought through the Deep Roads and killed the Old Gods before they could be corrupted… poof! No more Blights. Ever. The Wardens sacrifice their lives and save the world.

Solas (if present): That’s madness! For all we know, killing the Old Gods could make things even worse!
Erimond: Well, then, it’s a good thing I’m taking this demon army off their hands.

Erimond (Solas not present): Although I fear history will remember them a little differently now.
[Back to 14]

17 - Investigate: Why risk using demons?
PC: Why would Clarel risk using demons?
Erimond: Demons need no food, no rest, no healing. Once bound, they will never retreat, never question orders. They are the perfect army to fight through the Deep Roads. Or across Orlais, now that they are bound to my master.
[Back to 14]

18 - Investigate: What’s in it for you?
PC: Do you really want to see the world fall to the Blight? What do you get out of this?
Erimond: The Elder One commands the blight. He is not commanded by it, like the mindless darkspawn. The blight is not unstoppable or uncontrollable. It is simply a tool.

Dorian: No, Livius. You’re the tool.
Varric: Somebody’s certainly a tool.
Sera: He’s a tool.

Erimond: As for me: while the Elder One rules from the Golden City, we, the Venatori, will be his god-kings here in the world.
[Back to 14]

19 - General: Let the Wardens go.
PC: Release the Wardens from the binding and surrender. I won’t ask twice.
Erimond: No. You won’t. [22]

20 - General: I’ve seen worse.
PC: You think you can stand against me with just demons and a Fade rift? Did Corypheus not mention what I did to the Breach?
Erimond: He did. He also noted what he did to you at Haven. [22]

21 - General: You’re dead.
PC: That’s all I needed to know.
Erimond: Oh, please. [22]

22 - Scene continues.

Erimond: The Elder One showed me how to deal with you, in the event you were foolish enough to interfere again. That mark you bear? The Anchor that lets you pass safely through the Veil?

Erimond uses magic to cause the anchor to flare, and the PC to drop in pain.

Erimond: You stole that from my master. He’s been forced to seek other ways to access the Fade.

Erimond: When I bring him your head, his gratitude will be—(Cries out in surprise.)

The PC causes a rift to explode, knocking Erimond back.

Erimond: Kill them!

The Wardens attack and Erimond escapes.

Blood Magic

The party defeats the controlled mages.

Diplomatic Hawke: They refused to listen to reason.
Humorous Hawke: So… that went well.
Aggressive Hawke: Blood magic.

Alistair: You were right. Thanks to the ritual, the Warden mages are enslaved to Corypheus.

Loghain: As you feared, the mages who completed the ritual are under the thrall of Corypheus.

Stroud: You were correct. Through their ritual, the mages are slaves to Corypheus.

Hawke: And the Warden warriors?

Diplomatic Hawke: Of course. Sacrificed in the ritual. What a waste.
Humorous Hawke: Oh, of course. It’s not real blood magic until someone gets sacrificed.
Aggressive Hawke: Sacrificed? I knew the Wardens would go too far.

Dialogue options:

General: They were misled. [1]
- Blackwall slightly approves
- Dorian slightly approves
- Solas slightly disapproves
General: How could they do this? [2]
- Dorian approves
- Cassandra slightly approves
- Sera slightly approves
- Iron Bull slightly approves
- Cole slightly approves
- Vivienne slightly approves
General: They’ve gone too far. [3]
- Sera slightly approves
- Iron Bull slightly approves
- Cole slightly approves

1 - General: They were misled.
PC: Erimond lied to the Wardens. They were trying to prevent future Blights.
Hawke: With blood magic and human sacrifice. [4]

2 - General: How could they do this?
PC: Human sacrifice, demon summoning… Who looks at this and thinks it’s a good idea?
Hawke: The fearful and foolish. [4]

3 - General: They’ve gone too far.
PC: The mages killed their fellow Wardens. Nothing can justify that.
Hawke: I don’t care about justifications. It’s past time to take arms against the Wardens and stop this madness. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Alistair: Hawke, they made a mistake, but they thought it was necessary.
Loghain: Despite their lack of wisdom, they acted out of necessity.
Stroud: The Wardens were wrong, Hawke, but they had their reasons.

Hawke: All blood mages do. Everyone has a story they tell themselves to justify bad decisions… and it never matters. In the end, you are always alone with your actions.

Alistair: I may know where the Wardens are. Erimond fled that way… There’s an abandoned Warden fortress in that direction. Adamant.

Loghain: In the direction Erimond fled, the only structure of note is an abandoned Warden fortress. Adamant. I suspect we’ll find the Wardens there. I suppose it’s fortunate a friend once gave me some old maps.

Stroud: I believe I know where the Wardens are, Your Worship. Erimond fled in that direction. There’s an abandoned Warden fortress that way. Adamant.

The Warden points away from the party.

Dialogue options:

**General: Excellent work.
**PC: Good thinking.
**General: That makes sense.
**PC: I guess they didn’t want to summon a demon army out in public.
**General: Find them.
**PC: I want these Wardens. We cannot let Corypheus gain an army of demons.

Hawke: The Warden and I will scout out Adamant and confirm that the other Wardens are there. We’ll meet you back at Skyhold.

Hawke and the Warden leave.

Plan of Attack

The PC speaks to Hawke.

Hawke: I’m ready to strike at Adamant whenever you are.

Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why do you hate blood magic?

Investigate: Why do you hate blood magic?
PC: At the Western Approach, you had strong feelings about blood magic.
Hawke: Blood magic has always been contentious. I had friends who thought it was monstrous, and others who found it no different from any other magic.
Hawke (sided mages): But after watching First Enchanter Orsino destroy himself, after I defended him, after what happened to my own mother… It is too dangerous. Any mage who justifies its use eventually goes too far.
Hawke (sided templars): But after watching the mages tear Kirkwall apart, after what happened to my own mother… It is too dangerous. Any mage who justifies its use eventually goes too far.

Scene continues.

The PC talks to the Warden.

Alistair: I can’t stand this. How many Grey Wardens died here? And for what? Erimond and the Wardens are definitely holed up at Adamant Fortress, by the way. Don’t know if Hawke told you.

Loghain: Did Hawke tell you? We tracked Erimond to Adamant Fortress. Idiots. So devoted to their cause that they abandoned all common sense.

Stroud: We tracked Erimond to Adamant Fortress. Hopefully we can stop this madness before it goes any further.

Hawke and Varric are talking in the hallway outside of the war room as the PC makes their way to plan with the Advisors.

Hawke: I tracked that Venatori mage back to Adamant Fortress. They’re looking at assault options now in the war room.

Varric: Thanks for coming.

Hawke: You did well, Varric. The Inquisitor is… just who we need.

Varric: Oh, it’s been great. Murderous Wardens, Archdemons attacks, plenty of blood mages, and crazy templars. Just like home.

Hawke: I know how much you hated leaving Kirkwall.

Varric: This is the ass end of Thedas. You know they eat snails out here? Still, I think… I need to finish this out. If it weren’t for me and Bartrand, none of this would have happened. So much for changing our lives.

Hawke: That’s what happens when you try to change things. Things change. You can’t always control how.

The PC heads into the war room, where the advisors are waiting.

Leliana: Adamant Fortress has stood against the darkspawn since the time of the Second Blight.

Cullen: Fortunately for us, that means it was built before the age of modern siege equipment. A good trebuchet will do major damage to those ancient walls. And thanks to our lady ambassador…

Josephine: Lady Seryl of Jader was pleased to lend the Inquisition her sappers. They’ve already delivered the trebuchets.

Leliana: That is the good news.

Dialogue options:

General: I’m listening. [1]
General: Yes, but what about demons? [2]
General: We’ll destroy them. [3]

1 - General: I’m listening.
PC: And the bad news?
Leliana: Erimond called the ritual at the Western Approach a test. He may already be raising his army of demons in the fortress. [4]

2 - General: Yes, but what about demons?
PC: None of that accounts for the Wardens summoning a giant demon army.
Leliana: That is the bad news. [4]

3 - General: We’ll destroy them.
PC: If the fortress is vulnerable, let’s just pound it to rubble.
Leliana: Even with the trebuchets, that would take months. That gives Erimond more than enough time to summon his demon army. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cullen: The Inquisition forces can breach the gate, but if the Wardens already have their demons…

Leliana: I found records of Adamant’s construction. There are choke points we can use to limit the field of battle.

Cullen: That’s good. We may not be able to defeat them outright…But if we cut off reinforcements, we can carve you a path to Warden-Commander Clarel.

Dialogue options:

General: This will be bloody. [5]
General: There’s no other way? [6]
General: Let’s do it. [7]

5 - General: This will be bloody.
PC: Taking this fortress is going to get a lot of good soldiers killed.
Josephine: Our soldiers know the risks, Inquisitor. And they know what they’re fighting for. [8]

6 - General: There’s no other way?
PC: So our plan is to lay siege to a legendary fortress filled with demons? [8]

7 - General: Let’s do it.
PC: It sounds like our best option. [8]

8 - Scene continues.

Cullen: It’ll be hard-fought, no way around it. But we’ll get that gate open.

Josephine: It’s also possible that some Wardens may be sympathetic to our cause.

Leliana: The warriors may be willing to listen to reason, though I doubt they will turn against Clarel directly. The mages, however, are slaves to Corypheus. They will fight to the death.

If the PC has enough power to begin Adamant:
Cullen: We’ve built the siege engines and readied our forces, Inquisitor. Give the word, and we march on Adamant.

If the PC does not have enough power to begin Adamant:
Cullen: We’re working hard on the siege engines, but they will take some time to finish. In the meantime, I suggest we bolster our military strength.

The Siege of Adamant

The PC enters the fortress.

Warden 1: For the Wardens!

There is a short fight between the PC’s party and some Wardens.

Warden 2: Pull back! They’re through!

Cullen approaches the PC after the fight.

Cullen: All right, Inquisitor. You have your way in. Best make use of it. We’ll keep the main host of demons occupied for as long as we can.

Dialogue options:

General: Don’t take risks. [1]
- Sera slightly approves
- Blackwall slightly approves
General: As long as you can? [2]
General: Get it done. [3]

1 - General: Don’t take risks.
PC: I’ll be fine. Just keep the men safe.
Cullen: We’ll do what we have to, Inquisitor. [4]

2 - General: As long as you can?
PC: That’s a worrying lack of specificity, there, Commander.
Cullen: There are more of them than I was hoping, Inquisitor.
PC: You don’t say. [4]

3 - General: Get it done.
PC: Whatever it takes, Cullen. If we lose here, we lose everything.
Cullen: Understood, Inquisitor. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cullen: Warden (Stroud/Alistair/Loghain) will guard your back. Hawke is with our soldiers on the battlements. [They’re] assisting them until you arrive.

An Inquisition soldier is thrown from the battlements.

Cullen: There’s too much resistance on the walls. Our men on the ladders can’t get a foothold. If you can clear out the enemies on the battlements, we’ll cover your advance.

Cullen leaves, and the PC continues.

Soldier: Seal the exits!
Soldier: Take a team below! Make sure there’s no one hiding in the dungeons!
Soldier: Archers overhead! Take them out!
Soldier (sided templars): Templars, take point. Control and contain the mages. Eliminate the demons.
Soldier (sided mages): Mages, fan out. Be weary of demons.

Warden: Fall back! Fall Back!
Warden: Pull in! The fortress doesn’t matter. We must protect Clarel!
Warden: (Screams.)
Warden: Hold the line!

The PC continues to fight their way through the fortress and comes across more mage Wardens and demons.

Warden 1: Stay back! We will not be sacrificed for some insane ritual!

Warden 2: Brothers, can’t you see this is madness?

Alistair: They’re bound to the demons!
Loghain: It’s no use! They are enslaved!
Stroud: It’s no use! Their minds are not their own!

Alistair: I’m on your side!
Loghain: I’m with you!
Stroud: I have your back!

Warden: Everyone just stay back!

The fight concludes.

Warden: Keep your distance!

Alistair: Chernoff, I just helped save you.
Warden: Why should I trust you, Alistair? You’re a traitor to the Wardens. Clarel called for your death!
Alistair (Blackwall not in party): Clarel has gone mad.

Loghain: Don’t be a fool, Chernoff. I just saved your life.
Warden: Why should I trust you, Loghain? You’re a traitor to the Wardens. Clarel called for your death!
Loghain (Blackwall not in party): And she’ll call for yours, considering what you’ve done here.

Stroud: Warden Chernoff, we are not enemies.
Warden: Why should I trust you, Stroud? You’re a traitor to the Wardens. Clarel called for your death!
Stroud (Blackwall not in party): Clarel has lost her way.

Blackwall (if in party): Don’t be a fool! Do you think [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] and I would join the Inquisition if it hated all Wardens? We’re not demanding your surrender. Just fall back and let us deal with Clarel.

Warden: You expect me to turn on my fellow Wardens, like you did?

Dialogue options:

General: [Say nothing.] [5]
General: Surrender. [6]
General: Just fall back to safety. [7]

5 - General: [Say nothing.]
Alistair: I’m trying to save the Wardens!
Loghain: I expect you to stop and think!
Stroud: Do not be a fool, Chernoff!
Warden: No. You’re lying. You’re all lying! Wardens, attack!
The Wardens attack, and the PC is forced to fight.
Alistair: Damn you, Chernoff!
Loghain: You’re a fool, Chernoff!
Stroud: Maker take you, Chernoff! [8]

6 - General: Surrender.
PC: Lay down your weapons and surrender.
Warden: Never! Wardens, attack!
The Wardens attack, and the PC is forced to fight.
Alistair: Damn it. What a waste.
Loghain: Damned fools never listen.
Stroud: What a waste. [8]

7 - General: Just fall back to safety.
PC: The Inquisition is here to stop Clarel, not to kill Wardens. If you fall back, you won’t be harmed.
Warden: All right. My men will stay back. We want to part of this.
The Wardens fall back.
Alistair: Nicely done. I’m glad some of them could be reasoned with.
Loghain: Well spoken. I did not look forward to killing more Wardens.
Stroud: Well said. I had hoped some of the Wardens would listen to reason. [8]

8 - Scene continues.

The party continues through the fortress fighting both demons and Wardens. They eventually reach the battlements and join the fighting.

Party comments (approaching siege points):

Blackwall: Clear the area around the ladder!
Iron Bull: Push the Wardens back from the ladder!
Cassandra: Clear the ladder! Our forces need a way up!
Sera: They’re all going down. Probably need our help over there, right?
Cole: We need to help our soldiers up the ladder!
Varric: We need to clear a path for our guys!

Party comments (clearing siege points):

Cassandra: Clear!
Iron Bull: All clear!
Blackwall: We’re clear!
Varric: Alright, this one’s clear!
Cole: They can come up safely now!
Sera: Another one clear!

Party comments (leaving siege points):

Varric: Let’s get to the next one!
Cole: Soldiers are dying by the other ladders, though!
Sera: On to the next one!
Solas: We must hurry! Our forces cannot stand against the demons for long!
Dorian: I suggest we keep moving. Soldiers get tired. Demons, not so much.
Vivienne: I suggest we hurry. Demons will make short work of our forces.

Soldier: You can press on ahead, your Worship!

At one of the siege points, the party joins Hawke against a pride demon.

Diplomatic Hawke: For the Inquisition!
Humorous Hawke: Blood mages! It’s always blood mages!
Aggressive Hawke: Die, bastards! And take your demons with you!

After the demon is defeated, Hawke approaches the PC.

Diplomatic Hawke: I thought your men could use some help.
Humorous Hawke: Inquisitor. Always a pleasure.
Aggressive Hawke: Already, too many of them are slaves to Corypheus. This is going to be bloody.

Dialogue options:

General: Keep them off me. [9]
General: Protect my troops. [10]
General: [Say nothing] [11]

9 - General: Keep them off me.
PC: Resistance is heavier than we’d hoped. I need a path to the center of the fortress.
Hawke: I’ll see if I can get their attention. [12]

10 - General: Protect my troops.
PC: Good work. Stay with my forces and see that they survive this.
Hawke: I’ll keep the demons off them as best I can. [12]

**11 - General: [Say nothing]
**PC: Do what you can. [12]

12 - Scene continues.

The party continues fighting through the battlements until they catch up with some soldiers.

If Hawke was told to do what they can:
Hawke: I stopped as many of them as I could.

If Hawke protected the Inquisitor:
Hawke: How many of them are there?
Soldier: Too damned many. Our forces are taking heavy losses against the demons, but we will hold, Inquisitor.

If Hawke protected the troops:
Hawke: How many of them are there?
Soldier: Fewer, thanks to you. Hawke saved a lot of lives on the battlements, Inquisitor.

Soldier: The Warden-Commander should be just ahead. Our scouts say she has a host of Wardens and demons with her.

If Wardens were convinced to stand down:
Alistair: Some of the new recruits have been willing to stand down. It would be nice to avoid more bloodshed.
Loghain: Some of the recruits listened to reason. Perhaps Erimond doesn’t have them all.
Stroud: Stroud: Not all the Wardens have stood against us. Maker willing, we may be able to reason with Clarel.

If the PC was forced to kill the Wardens:
Alistair: They won’t listen to reason. This is going to be bloody.
Loghain: Not a drop of sense among them. This will only end in blood.
Stroud: Maker willing, they will listen to reason… though they have not done so thus far.

Soldier: Commander Cullen will hold a path open for us as long as possible, Inquisitor. Our forces are ready when you are.

Clarel

The PC enters the main courtyard of the fortress, where numerous Wardens are gathered and Clarel stands over them.

Clarel: Wardens, we are betrayed by the very world we have sworn to protect.

Erimond approaches her.

Erimond: The Inquisition is inside, Clarel. We have no time to stand on ceremony!

Clarel: These men and women are giving their lives, magister. That might mean little in Tevinter, but for the Wardens, it is a sacred duty.

She turns to a nearby Warden.

If Jana joined the Wardens:
Clarel: Are you ready, Jana?
Jana: I came to save people from the Blight.
Clarel: And so you shall, child.

If Jana did not join the Wardens:
Clarel: It has been many long years, my friend.
Senior Warden: Too many, Clarel. If my sword arm can no longer serve the Wardens, then my blood will have to do.
Clarel: It will.

Clarel cuts their throat and they drop to the ground. The PC rushes in to see a rift opening.

Erimond: Stop them! We must complete the ritual!

The PC stops the party as the Wardens move towards them.

Dialogue options:

General: Don’t do this, Clarel. [1]
General: Of course you’d say that. [2]
General: This ends now. [3]

1 - General: Don’t do this, Clarel.
PC: Clarel, if you complete that ritual, you’re doing exactly what Erimond wants.
Erimond: What, fighting the Blight? Keeping the world safe from darkspawn? Who wouldn’t want that? [4]

2 - General: Of course you’d say that.
PC: I’m sure you can’t wait for Clarel to do that. How else are you going to bind her?
Erimond: Yes, Inquisitor, I want to bind the Warden-Commander to a demon. Everyone in this room already knows that. [4]

3 - General: This ends now.
PC: It’s done, Clarel. There will be no ritual, and no demon army.
Erimond: Then the Blight rises with no Wardens left to stop it, and the whole world dies! Is that what you want? [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Erimond: And yes, the ritual requires blood sacrifice. Hate me for that if you must, but do not hate the Wardens for doing their duty.

Clarel: We make the sacrifices no one else will. Our warriors die proudly for a world that will never thank them.

Alistair: And then he binds your mages to Corypheus!
Loghain: And then he takes your mages’ minds for his real master: Corypheus!
Stroud: And then your Tevinter ally binds the mages to Corypheus!

Clarel: Corypheus? But he’s dead.

Erimond: These people will say anything to shake your confidence, Clarel.

There is a long pause as Clarel hesitates.

Clarel: Bring it through.

The mages begin to channel magic into the rift and a massive demon can be seen through it. The Wardens continue to move towards the PC.

Hawke: Please, I have seen more than my share of blood magic! It is never worth the cost!

Alistair: I helped fight the Archdemon in Ferelden! Could you consider listening to me?
Loghain: I betrayed the Wardens once, and it cost me everything. Are you mad enough to think I’d do it again?
Stroud: Stroud: I trained half of you myself! Do not make me kill you to stop this madness!

Erimond: Be ready with the ritual, Clarel. This demon is truly worthy of your strength.

Dialogue options:

General: [Attack them.] [8]
Special (Blackwall in party): Blackwall, talk to them! [9]
- Sera approves
- Blackwall approves
- Iron Bull approves
Special (Wardens were spared): I spared Wardens before! [10]
- Cole greatly approves
- Cassandra slightly approves
History: Think of the Warden’s legacy! [11]
- Sera slightly approves
- Iron Bull approves
- Dorian slightly disapproves
- Solas slightly disapproves

8 - General: [Attack them.]
PC: You leave me no choice. Attack!
The PC charges. [13]

9 - Special: Blackwall, talk to them!
PC: Blackwall, can you talk some sense into them?
Blackwall: You don’t know me, but you may have heard my name. Like you, I’ve given my life to the Grey Wardens. The first time I put on this armor, I felt like I belonged, like I was part of something honorable, something with a purpose. I know how good that feels. How safe. But fighting and dying here today won’t stop the Blight. If you want to stop the Blight, kill that bastard up there. His master is the living embodiment of its corruption. [12]

10 - Special: I spared Wardens before!
PC: Listen to me! I have no quarrel with the Wardens! I have spared those I could! I don’t want to kill you, but you’re being used…and some of you know it, don’t you?
Chernoff: The mages who’ve done the ritual? They’re not right. They were my friends, but now they’re like puppets on a string.
Clarel: You cannot let fear sway your mind, Warden Chernoff!
Hawke: He’s not afraid. You are. You’re afraid that you ordered all these brave men and women to die for nothing.
Alistair: If this were a fight against future Blights, I would be at your side. But it’s a lie!
Loghain: One day, you may be asked to give your lives to stop a Blight. But not today.
Stroud: I honor your bravery, my brothers and sisters. But this is not the way. You have been tricked. [12]

11 - History: Think of the Warden’s legacy!
PC: The Grey Wardens have a proud history! You stopped the Blight at the Silent Plains. At Starkhaven… and Hunter Fell. At Ayesleigh… and Denerim. This world owes you a debt in can never repay. I would not stand against you if I did not know you were being misused. [12]

12 - Scene continues.

The Wardens turn to Clarel.

Erimond: Clarel, we have come so far. You’re the only one who can do this.

Clarel: Perhaps we could test the truth of these charges, to avoid more bloodshed.

Erimond: Or perhaps I should bring in a more reliable ally. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Erimond: My master thought you might come here, Inquisitor! He sent me this to welcome you!

Corypheus’ dragon screeches and flies in. Clarel begins to back away, and then begins attacking Erimond instead.

Erimond: Clarel, wait…

Clarel fires spells at the dragon as it destroys the courtyard. Erimond runs away.

If the PC tried to reason with the Wardens:
Clarel: Help the Inquisitor!

If the PC attacked:
Clarel: Kill them all!

Clarel chases after Erimond and the remaining Warden mages summon a pride demon. The party fights it and takes off after Clarel, and the dragon chases after them.

Varric: How do we get out of here?
Sera: Right, where’s the friggin exit?
Cole: Clarel is hurting—we need to help her!
PC: How do we get out of here?

Dorian: Clarel went that way. Care to wager whether she enjoyed meeting her new god?
Vivienne: Follow Clarel. It’s the only clear path!
Solas: The Warden-Commander went that way!
PC: Clarel went that way…

Iron Bull: Dragon’s making things interesting!
Cole: Serpentine! Serpentine!
Varric: Getting a little hot in here!
Cassandra: Hurry, before it brings this whole fortress down!
Solas: The beast hunts us! We must draw it away from our allies!
Blackwall: Run! And don’t look back!
Sera: Not proper, that thing! Keep ahead!
Viviene: We must stay ahead of it!

If Clarel ordered the Wardens to kill them:
Cassandra: The Wardens are still controlling the demons!
Blackwall: Demons! The Wardens are still controlling them!

If Clarel ordered the Wardens to help them:
Cassandra: Demons! The Wardens are fighting them!
Blackwall: The Wardens have turned against the demons!

PC: Where’s (Alistair/Loghain/Stroud/Hawke)?

Hawke: Look out!
Alistair/Loghain/Stroud: Behind you!

Hawke: Hah! One in the leg!
Alistair/Loghain/Stroud: For the Wardens!

They turn a corner and find Clarel fighting Erimond.

Clarel: You! You’ve destroyed the Grey Wardens!

Clarel hits Erimond with a spell and he falls.

Erimond: (Laughs weakly.) You did that to yourself, you stupid bitch. All I did was dangle a little power before your eyes. And you couldn’t wait to get your hands bloody!

Clarel attacks him again, and he curls on the ground.

Erimond: You could have served a new god.

Clarel: I will never serve the Blight.

The dragon lands behind her and takes her up in her jaws, tossing her around. She ragdolls onto the half-collapsed bridge. The PC backs away as the dragon moves on them.

Clarel: In war, victory…

Clarel crawls toward the dragon and rolls as it steps over her.

Clarel: In peace, vigilance…

The dragon lunges as Clarel releases a massive spell into its underside. It slams into the ground and the bridge begins collapsing under them. The party runs, trying to avoid falling with the rubble, but they can’t move fast enough. The stone falls under them, and the PC holds out their hand, opening a rift. They disappear in a flash of green.

The Raw Fade

The PC falls through the opened rift, stopping just before they hit the ground. They reach out, and land on their back.

PC: (Grunts on impact.)

The Warden is standing nearby, and Hawke is standing on a rock sideways.

PC: (Groans.)

Alistair: Well, this is unexpected.
Loghain: What happened?
Stroud: Where are we?

Female Hawke: We… we were falling.
Male Hawke: We were falling.

Diplomatic Hawke: Is this…are we dead?
Humorous Hawke: If this is the afterlife, the Chantry owes me an apology. This looks nothing like the Maker’s bosom.
Aggressive Hawke: Perhaps we landed.

Party dependent dialogue:

Solas and Cole in party [1]
Solas in party [2]
Cole in party [3]
Neither Solas nor Cole in party [4]

1 - Solas and Cole in party:
Solas: No, this is the Fade. The Inquisitor opened a rift. We came through… and survived. I never thought I would ever find myself here physically… Look. The Black City, almost close enough to touch.

Dialogue options:

**General: It’s amazing.
**PC: This is incredible.
**General: Thoughts, Solas?
**PC: This must be very exciting for you, Solas. Any advice you have on what exactly’s going on would be wonderful.
**General: Focus, Solas.
**PC: Now is not the time, Solas.

Solas: Cole, how does it feel to be back home?

Cole: I can’t be here. Not like this, not like me!

Solas: It’s all right. We’ll make it right.

Cole: This place is wrong. I made myself forget when I made myself real, but I know it wasn’t like this.

Hawke: It’s not how I remember the Fade, either. [5]

2 - Solas in party:
Solas: No, this is the Fade. The Inquisitor opened a rift. We came through… and survived. I never thought I would ever find myself here physically… Look. The Black City, almost close enough to touch.

Dialogue options:

**General: It’s amazing.
**PC: This is incredible.
**General: Thoughts, Solas?
**PC: This must be very exciting for you, Solas. Any advice you have on what exactly’s going on would be wonderful.
**General: Focus, Solas.
**PC: Now is not the time, Solas.

Solas: What spirit commands this place? I have never seen anywhere like it.

Hawke: It’s not how I remember the Fade, either. [5]

3 - Cole in party:
Cole: No, no no no no. This is the Fade, but I’m stuck. I can’t… why can’t I…? This place is wrong. I made myself forget when I made myself real, but I know it wasn’t like this.
Hawke: It’s not how I remember the Fade, either. [5]

4 - Neither Solas nor Cole in party:
Alistair: No, the Inquisitor did something with the mark. Opened another rift. I think we’re in the Fade.
Loghain: No. The Inquisitor opened another rift with the mark. This is the Fade.
Stroud: No. The Inquisitor used the mark to open another rift. We fell through. I believe we are in the Fade.

Hawke: The Fade looked much different the last time I was here. [5]

5 - Scene continues.

Alistair: I’ve seen my father in the Fade. I’ve seen a demon pretending to be my sister in the Fade. But I’ve never seen this.

Party dependent dialogue:

Dorian and Vivienne in party [6]
Dorian in party [7]
Vivienne in party [8]
Neither Dorian nor Vivienne in party [9]

6 - Dorian and Vivienne in party:
Dorian: The first time I entered the Fade, it looked like a lovely castle filled with gold and silks. I met a marvelous desire demon, as I recall. We chatted and ate grapes before he attempted to posses me.

Vivienne: (Sniffs disdainfully.)

Dorian: Yes, I hear your “Harrowings” are slightly more strenuous. Perhaps the difference is that we are here physically. This is no one’s dream. [10]

7 - Dorian in party:
Dorian: The first time I entered the Fade, it looked like a lovely castle filled with gold and silks. I met a marvelous desire demon, as I recall. We chatted and ate grapes before he attempted to posses me. Perhaps the difference is that we are here physically. This is no one’s dream. [10]

8 - Vivienne in party:
Vivienne: The Fade itself is reacting to our presence here, much more strongly than I have ever seen before. Perhaps it is because we are here physically, instead of simply visiting in dreams. [10]

9 - Neither Dorian nor Vivienne in party:
Hawke: Perhaps it’s because we’re here physically, instead of just dreaming. [10]

10 - Scene continues.

Hawke: The stories say you walked out of the Fade at Haven. Was it like this?

Dialogue options:

Confused: Maybe? [11]
Angry: Just give me a minute! [12]
Stoic: It doesn’t matter. [13]

11 - Confused: Maybe?
PC: I don’t know. I still can’t remember what happened the last time I did this.
Hawke: Well, whatever happened at Haven, we can’t assume we’re safe now. [14]

12 - Angry: Just give me a minute!
PC: How should I know? I’m not exactly an authority on the subject!
Hawke: What was it like last time?
Inquisitor: I don’t even remember last time!
Hawke: Well, whatever happened at Haven, we can’t assume we’re safe now. [14]

13 - Stoic: It doesn’t matter.
PC: I don’t remember what it was like the last time I was here. Right now, I’m more concerned with getting out safely. [14]

14 - Scene continues.

Hawke: That huge demon was right on the other side of that rift Erimond was using, and there could be others.

Party dependent dialogue:

Sera and Iron Bull in party [15]
Sera in party [16]
Iron Bull in party [17]

15 - Sera and Iron Bull in party
Sera: Shitballs, fuck, shit, crap. Fade, shit, arse, demons, crap!
Iron Bull: What she said. I’ll fight whatever you give me, boss, but nobody said nothing about getting dragged through the ass end of demon town. [18]

16 - Sera in party:
Sera: Shitballs, fuck, shit, crap. Fade, shit, arse, demons, crap! [18]

17 - Iron Bull in party:
Iron Bull: Oh, this is shitty. I’ll fight whatever you give me, boss, but nobody said nothing about getting dragged through the ass end of demon town. [18]

18 - Scene continues.

Alistair: In the real world, the rift with the demons in it was nearby. In the main hall. Can we get out the same way?
Loghain: In the real world, the rift producing the demons was nearby, in the main hall. Can we return to the world through that?
Stroud: In our world, the rift the demons came through was nearby. In the main hall. Can we escape the same way?

Dialogue options:

**General: I hope so.
**PC: It sounds like our best option.
**General: It’s better than staying here.
**PC: It beats waiting around for demons to find us, right?
**General: It’s worth a try.
**PC: Let’s find out.

They look toward the rift in the distance.

PC: There. Let’s go.

Staying on Guard

The Party continues into the Fade.

Party Dialogue:

Solas [1]
Cole [2]
Cassandra [3]
Vivienne [4]
Iron Bull [5]
Sera [6]
Varric [7]
Dorian [8]
Blackwall [9]

1 - Solas:
Solas: This is fascinating. It is not the area I would have chosen, of course. But to physically walk within the Fade… (Sighs.)

Party comments:

Iron Bull: Oh yeah, this must be a dream come true for your crazy ass.
Solas: Yes. Literally.
Varric: Right. You like it here. Isn’t that wonderful.
Solas: Yes. Literally.
Sera: It’s not a frigging stroll! Shut it, or things will find us!
Solas: Calm yourself, child. Hostile emotions only draw the demons more quickly.
Cassandra: Concentrate on the task at hand, mage. There is nothing more dangerous than this place.
Solas: Thank you for the warning.
Blackwall: Just don’t be distracted by your studies. This is a dangerous place.
Solas: Thank you for the warning.
Dorian: This shouldn’t be possible. Do you think the Inquisitor’s mark is keeping us alive?
Solas: Stands to reason.
Vivienne: I hardly believed this possible. Do you think the Inquisitor’s mark is keeping us alive here?
Solas: Stands to reason.

Dialogue options:

General: Any advice? [10]
General: Have you been here before? [11]
General: Stay on guard. [12]

10 - General: Any advice?
PC: Solas, you’re the expert on this place. Anything helpful?
Solas: The Fade is shaped by intent and emotion. Remain focused, and it will lead you where you wish to go. [13]

11 - General: Have you been here before?
PC: I don’t suppose you have any words of wisdom for this part of the Fade?
Solas: Why would I ever voluntarily come to this part of the Fade? [13]

12 - General: Stay on guard.
PC: If you sense anything strange, tell us immediately.
Solas: We walk the Fade, Inquisitor. Strange is to be expected. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Solas: The demon that controls this area is extremely powerful. Some variety of fear, I would guess. I suggest you remain wary of its manipulation and prepare for what is certain to be a fascinating experience.

2 - Cole:
Cole: Wrong, wrong, wrong. Wringing me out. Wrought right and rigid. Can’t relax. Can’t release…

Party comments:

Varric: You doing all right, kid?
Iron Bull: Hey, stay with us, little guy. Don’t do anything weird—er.
Vivienne: My dear, if your little pet turns on us, we will have no choice but to destroy it.
Cassandra: Control yourself, demon. Quickly.
Solas: It’s alright, Cole. Even locked in the mortal form you have made yourself, you are in control here.

Dialogue options:

General: Pull yourself together, Cole! [14]
General: Hang in there, Cole. [15]

14 - General: Pull yourself together, Cole!
PC: Cole, if we’re going to get out of here, I need you focused!
Cole: So do it. I’ll try. It’s hard.

15 - General: Hang in there, Cole.
PC: It’s all right, Cole. We’ll get you out of here soon.
Cole: Thank you. It should be like home. It’s not. This isn’t me, not this part.

3 - Cassandra:
Cassandra: Imagine it! To walk in the Fade and survive…

Party comments:

Blackwall: We haven’t survived yet.
Varric: So, we survive? Good to know.
Iron Bull: We haven’t survived yet.
Dorian: There’s no guarantee that we’re going to survive this.

4 - Vivienne:
Vivienne: So this is the true face of the Fade, behind the dreams and visions. Don’t linger, my dear. I think the spirits dislike being unmasked.

5 - Iron Bull:
Iron Bull: “Hey, chief. Let’s join the Inquisition! Good fights for a good cause!” I don’t know, Krem. I hear there are demons. “Ah, don’t worry about the demons, chief! I’m sure we won’t see many!” (Grumbles.) Asshole. [Grumbles: Can’t believe I listened… ] Everyone, if I get possessed, feint on my blind side, then go low. Cullen says I leave myself open.

Party comments:

Blackwall: Good to know.
Cassandra: I suggest we avoid being possessed in the first place.
Varric: I’ll bear that in mind.
Sera: Possessed? I don’t want to get possessed!
Cole: You do. I will.

6 - Sera:
Sera: Shite, piss, stupid… I hate this!

7 - Varric:
Varric: Is this really what it’s like when you dream? How do you people ever sleep? Remember last time we ended up in the Fade, Hawke?

Diplomatic Hawke: I remember the lot of you being tempted by demons.
Humorous Hawke: Oh, how could I forget? My closest friends showed such loyalty in the face of a demon’s temptations.
Aggressive Hawke: Yes. You all betrayed me.

Varric: Well, we got better. Sort of.

8 - Dorian:
Dorian: My visits to the Fade are normally more pleasant. I don’t usually wake up feeling the need to bathe. Usually. Sometimes… well, never mind that.

9 - Blackwall:
Blackwall: This place is dangerous. I will gladly fight demons, but I have no desire to see where they come from.

Divine Justinia

The party continues through the Fade, fighting demons and finding remnants of fears. They approach a figure.

Alistair: What? That can’t be…
Loghain: Impossible.
Stroud: By the Maker, could that be…?

Justinia: I greet you, Warden. And you, Champion.

Cassandra (if in party): Divine Justinia? Most Holy?
Justinia: Cassandra.

PC (Cassandra not present): Divine Justinia.

Dialogue options:

Special: Cassandra, is it her? [1]
General: I thought you were dead. [2]
- Sera slightly approves
- Cole slightly approves
General: I don’t understand. [3]
General: You’re not her. [4]

1 - Special: Cassandra, is it her?
PC: Cassandra, you knew the Divine. Is this really her?
Cassandra: I… I don’t know. It is said the souls of the dead pass through the Fade and sometimes linger, but… We know the spirits lie. Be wary, Inquisitor.
Alistair: I don’t recall the Divine glowing. In my experience, that’s something spirits do.
Loghain: That can’t be the Divine. It’s most likely a demon.
Stroud: I fear the Divine is indeed dead. It is likely we face a spirit…or a demon. [5]

2 - General: I thought you were dead.
PC: From the little I remember of what happened at Haven, I thought you were dead.
Alistair: I don’t recall the Divine glowing. In my experience, that’s something spirits do.
Loghain: That can’t be the Divine. It’s most likely a demon.
Stroud: I fear the Divine is indeed dead. It is likely we face a spirit…or a demon. [5]

3 - General: I don’t understand.
Back at Haven, I saw… I thought I saw… How can you be here?
Alistair: She isn’t. Things in the Fade have a tendency to show up looking like people you know. Demons, mostly.
Loghain: The Divine is dead. This… must be a demon.
Stroud: She’s not. I fear we face a spirit… or a demon. [5]

4 - General: You’re not her.
PC: What are you? A spirit? A demon? The real Divine couldn’t have survived Haven.
Justinia: Couldn’t she? How much of Haven do you truly remember? [5]

5 - Scene continues.

Justinia: You think my survival impossible, yet here you stand alive in the Fade yourselves. In truth, proving my existence either way would require time we do not have.

Diplomatic Hawke: Surely you can understand our concerns and explain what you are.
Humorous Hawke: Really? How hard is it to answer one question? I’m a human, and you are…
Aggressive Hawke: Then simply tell us what you are.

Justinia: I am here to help you. You do not remember what happened at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, Inquisitor.

Dialogue options:

General: That’s right. [6]
General: How did you know my title? [7]
- Solas slightly approves
General: Do I have you to blame? [8]

6 - General: That’s right.
PC: No, I don’t.
Justinia: The memories you have lost were taken by the demon that serves Corypheus. [9]

7 - General: How did you know my title?
PC: The real Divine would have no way of knowing that I’d been made Inquisitor.
Justinia: I know because I have examined memories like yours, stolen by the demon that serves Corypheus. [9]

8 - General: Do I have you to blame?
PC: Did you take my memories?
Justinia: No. You lost them to the demon that serves Corypheus. [9]

9 - Scene continues.

Justinia: It is the Nightmare you forget upon waking. It feeds off memories of fear and darkness, growing fat upon the terror. The false Calling that terrified the Wardens into making such grave mistakes? Its work.

Alistair: I’d like to have a few words with this Nightmare about that.
Loghain: Then perhaps I owe this Nightmare a visit.
Stroud: I would gladly avenge the insult this Nightmare dealt my brethren.

Justinia: You will have your chance, brave Warden. This place of darkness is its lair.

10 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why do demons serve Corypheus? [11]
- Solas slightly approves
- Cole slightly approves
General: How do we get home? [12]
- Sera slightly approves
- Cole slightly approves
General: Oh, crap. [13]
- Iron Bull slightly approves
- Sera slightly disapproves
General: Can I kill it? [14]
- Sera slightly approves
- Solas slightly disapproves
- Cassandra slightly disapproves

11 - Investigate: Why do demons serve Corypheus?
PC: Corypheus seems to have a lot of demons at his disposal. How does he command so many?
Justinia: I know not how he commands his army of demons. His power may come from the blight itself. But the Nightmare serves willingly, for Corypheus has brought much terror to this world. He was one of the magisters who unleashed the First Blight upon the world, was he not? Every child’s cry as the Archdemon circles, every dwarf’s whimper in the Deep Roads…the Nightmare has fed well. [Back to 10]

12 - General: How do we get home?
PC: Can you help us get out of the Fade?
Justinia: That is why I found you. [15]

13 - General: Oh, crap.
PC: The big demon Erimond was trying to bring through?
Justinia: Yes.
PC: It’s nearby?
Justinia: Yes.
PC: Well, shit. [15]

14 - General: Can I kill it?
PC: How do we hurt it?
Diplomatic Hawke: We should likely focus on escaping the Fade first.
Humorous Hawke: That’s a little optimistic, isn’t it?
Aggressive Hawke: I like the way you think.
Justinia: You hurt it by escaping the Fade and leading your people against Corypheus.
PC: That wasn’t what I meant.
Justinia: I know. But for now, it is the best answer I can give you. [15]

15 - Scene continues.

Justinia: When you entered the Fade at Haven, the demon took a part of you. Before you do anything else, you must recover it. These are your memories, Inquisitor.

Wraiths appear to the side, and the PC defeats them.

Justinia: Run while you can! Warn them!
Corypheus: Bring forth the sacrifice.
Justinia: Why are you doing this? You of all people?
Inquisitor: What’s going on here?

A memory plays when the final memory is collected. The Divine is held by Wardens and magic.

Corypheus: Now is the hour of our victory.

Justinia (to the Wardens): Why are you doing this? You of all people?

Corypheus: Keep the sacrifice still.

Justinia: Someone help me!

The PC enters.

PC: What’s going on here?

Corypheus turns to face the PC, and the Divine uses the opportunity to knock to orb from Corypheus. The PC grabs it, and results in an explosion. The memory fades.

Alistair: So that mark on your hand… it wasn’t sent by Andraste. It came from that orb Corypheus was using.
Loghain: So Andraste didn’t bestow her mark upon you. It came from the orb Corypheus used in his ritual.
Stroud: So your mark did not come from Andraste. It came from the orb Corypheus used in his ritual.

Justinia: Corypheus intended to rip open the Veil, use the Anchor to enter the Fade, and throw open the doors of the Black City. Not for the Old Gods but for himself. When you disrupted his plan, the orb bestowed the Anchor upon you instead.

Dialogue options:

Angry: That doesn’t help! [16]
Anxious: So it wasn’t Andraste? [17]
Pleased (non-Andrastian PC): This is what I suspected. [18]
Stoic: Let’s keep moving. [19]

16 - Angry: That doesn’t help!
PC: That’s it?
Justinia: Yes.
PC: That tells me nothing! Not about Corypheus or a weakness for the demon… or even a way out of here! All it tells me is that I should break his damned orb next time it starts glowing!
Justinia: Yet even that information may one day help you. [20]

17 - Anxious: So it wasn’t Andraste?
PC: So this was, what, an accident? A random ricochet in the middle of a fight?
Justinia: And if it was?
PC: If it was, then neither the Maker nor Andraste were in any way involved in this! I’m just…
Justinia: If you believe in the Maker, then you believe He made this world and everything in it, including your accident. And if you do not, then nothing has changed. [20]

18 - Pleased: This is what I suspected.
PC: I never thought Andraste did this. I did this myself, through my actions. No Maker required.
Justinia: And now you may be certain. [20]

19 - Stoic: Let’s keep moving.
PC: Was that everything you wanted me to see?
Justinia: For the time being. [20]

20 - Scene continues.

Justinia: You cannot escape the lair of the Nightmare until you regain all that it took from you. You have recovered some of yourself, but now it knows you are here. You must make haste. I will prepare the way ahead.

She disappears.

Alistair: What’s wrong, Hawke?
Loghain: Is there a problem, Hawke?
Stroud: Something troubles you, Hawke?

Diplomatic Hawke: Those were Grey Wardens holding the Divine in that vision. Their actions led to her death.
Humorous Hawke: I wondered if you might be concerned about the Grey Wardens holding the Divine in that vision. Their actions led to her death.
Aggressive Hawke: Trying to ignore the Grey Wardens holding the Divine in that vision? Their actions led to her death.

Alistair: I assumed Corypheus took their minds. You’ve seen it happen yourself. Come on. You can add it to the thing to yell at the Wardens about when we get out of here.
Loghain: Corypheus had clearly taken the Wardens’ minds. You yourself have seen them do this. In any case, we can deal with that after we escape.
Stroud: I assumed he had taken their minds, as you have seen him do before. Come. We can argue after we escape this dark place.

Hawke: Oh, I intend to.

Questions for the Divine

The PC can approach the Divine with questions at various different points of the Fade.

Justinia: There is not much time, Inquisitor.
Justinia: We cannot tarry long.
Justinia: We only have a short time. Ask what you must.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why are you helping us? [2]
Investigate: Do you remember what happened? [3]
Investigate: Tell me about this “Anchor.” [4]
Investigate: Is anything here real? [5]
Investigate: Please tell me what you are. [6]
- Sera approves.
Investigate: Tell me of the Nightmare. [7]
General: Goodbye. [8]

2 - Investigate: Why are you helping us?
PC: Tell me why you’re here. Why take part in this?
Justinia: After Haven, I hid here. I watched quietly, learned what I could, and searched for a way to help. And then you came.
PC: I don’t know what that means.
Justinia: Corypheus and the Nightmare do an injustice to the world. You must stop them. Perhaps you were meant to stop them. Perhaps that is why I am here. [Back to 1]

3 - Investigate: Do you remember what happened?
PC: You must know what really happened at the Temple of Sacred Ashes.
Justinia: As must you. The answer lies in your memories, lost to the Nightmare when you last walked the Fade.
PC: Or you could just tell me.
Justinia: Would you trust my words? Trust what you have seen. [Back to 1]

4 - Investigate: Tell me about this “Anchor.”
PC: What can you tell me about his mark on my hand?
Justinia (no memories reclaimed): Recover you memories to learn how the mark came to be upon your hand. As for what it is…
Justinia (memories reclaimed): You already know how the mark came to be upon your hand. As for what it is…
Justinia: It is the needle that pulls the thread, as well as the key.
PC: I don’t understand.
Justinia: It is the needle that passes through the Veil, as little else can. You are the thread. And it is the key that locks or unlocks a door to the Fade. It lets you walk in the Fade physically and survive. Without it, Corypheus must find another way to the Black City. It is part of you now, and cannot be removed without your death. [Back to 1]

5 - Investigate: Is anything here real?
PC: So all of this is just a dream? Part of the Fade?
Justinia: It is not “just” a dream. The minds of mankind are made real here. Their hopes, their loves, their fears. What changes their world also changes this one. And yours are footsteps that move mountains in both. Tread carefully, Inquisitor. This ground is more treacherous than you know. [Back to 1]

6 - Investigate: Please tell me what you are.
PC: So can you tell me who… what you are?
Justinia: I told you. I am helping you.
PC: Yes, but are you her, or some kind of Fade-remnant of her, or a spirit imitating her?
Justinia: Our world is never that simple. What if the answer is none of those things? Or all of them? I am what the Maker made me. The question is: are you what the Maker made you, Inquisitor?

Dialogue options:

General (non-faithful PC): I don’t believe in the Maker. [9]

Cassandra slightly disapproves

General: I think this was an accident. [10]

General: Why me? [11]

General: I’m right where I should be. [12]

Cassandra approves

9 - General: I don’t believe in the Maker.
PC: I don’t see a Maker anywhere, do you?
Justinia: In fact, I see him all around us. But is He real? Is His will made manifest? Of this, none can be certain.
PC: Odd thing for the Divine to say.
Justinia: If we have no doubt, our faith has no value. [13]

10 - General: I think this was an accident.
PC: Seems I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Justinia: Or perhaps you were precisely where you were meant to be.
PC: Just as the Maker intended, I suppose?
Justinia: Perhaps. [13]

11 - General: Why me?
PC: If I was chosen, I just don’t understand why. Why me? Why this?
Justinia: You are not the first to ask such questions. Did Andraste not question when the Maker charged her with an impossible task? Did she not feel unworthy? Her questions did not lessen her heroism.
PC: So now I’m a hero?
Justinia: Not yet. Perhaps not ever. The choice will be yours. [13]

12 - General: I’m right where I should be.
PC: I was meant to become the Inquisitor.
Justinia: But what is the Inquisitor? And how will [they] change the world? You believe in your purpose, and that is good. That is your power. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

PC: You still haven’t answered my question. What are you?
Justinia: I am what you see. All other answers rest in you.

[Back to 1]

7 - Investigate: Tell me of the Nightmare.
PC: I’d like to know more about the Nightmare.
Justinia: It is not simply fear. It is the terror you cannot remember, the horror your mind erases to protect you. When old memories no longer make the veteran soldier’s hand tremble, it is because the Nightmare has taken them. Most people avoid their fears. It is simple for the demon to steal the darkest fragments. They forget, and it feeds. Corypheus has helped it grow monstrous.

Dialogue options:

Special: That sounds almost kind. [14]

[Back to 1]

14 - Special: That sounds almost kind.
PC: It makes people forget the worst parts of their fears? It almost sounds like the Nightmare is helping people.
Justinia: Perhaps it once was. But now, it help none but Corypheus. By his hand, it creates more fear and grows even stronger. In any case, robbing people of their fears is never a kindness. At best, it is a mistake borne of compassion. Without fear, and pain, and failure, we cannot learn. We cannot grow. As you cannot grow until you recover all that was taken from you. [Back to 1]

8 - General: Goodbye.
PC: We should keep moving.
Justinia: Until later, then.

Nightmares

The party continues through the Fade.

Party comments:

Cassandra: Could that truly have been the Most Holy?
Sera: The Divine. Please say that was her. It was her, right?
Varric: I’ve never met the Divine. You think that was really her?
Blackwall: Do you think that was truly the Divine?
Hawke: Do you believe it was really her? The Divine, I mean.

Party comments:

Solas: We have survived in the Fade physically. Perhaps she did as well. Or, if it is a spirit that identifies so strongly with Justinia that it believes it is her, how can we say it is not?
Vivienne: Justinia was unarmed and unprepared. She could not have defended herself against the creatures of the Fade.
Dorian: No demon would have been so helpful without asking something in return.
Vivienne: Justinia was unarmed and unprepared. She could not have defended herself against the creatures of the Fade. Whether this is a kindly spirit or a demon fighting its rival for territory remains to be seen.
Dorian: I have no idea. If it’s a spirit, it’s not acting like one. No demon would have been so helpful without asking something in return.
Alistair: I don’t know, to be honest. We survived here. Why couldn’t she? Whatever she is, she seems to want to help us.
Loghain: I doubt it. Our survival here is miraculous on its own. Whether she is a spirit or a demon, she wishes to help us… for the moment at least.
Stroud: I do not know. We have survived thus far. Perhaps she did as well. She seems interested in helping us. That much is clear.

Party comments:

Iron Bull: That’s great and all, but the Nightmare is the thing currently scaring the shit outta me.
Blackwall: And the Nightmare? From what she said, I don’t look forward to meeting it.
Sera: So she’s not real? Then the Nightmare’s fake, too, right? Right?

Diplomatic Hawke: And what of the demon she mentioned? This nightmare sounds dangerous.
Humorous Hawke: I’m less concerned with her than I am with the Nightmare she mentioned.
Aggressive Hawke: What about the demon? She called it the Nightmare.

Party comments:

Cole: It’s nothing like me. I make people forget to help them. It eats their fears. I don’t know if I could do that, but I don’t. I don’t want to. That’s not me.
Varric: Relax kid. I don’t imagine anyone seeing much of you in the Nightmare.
Solas: Peace, Cole. None of us mistake you for the Nightmare.
Varric: Sounds like it preys on fear. Stealing people’s memories. That’s low, even for a demon.
Solas: Fear is a very old, very strong feeling. It predates love, pride, compassion… every emotion save perhaps desire. Be wary. The Nightmare will do anything in its power to weaken our resolve.
Varric: Sounds like it preys on fear. Stealing people’s memories. That’s low, even for a demon. Memories make us what we are. A monster that takes them away? I don’t want to think about that.
Solas: It is a fear demon, as I suspected, likely drawing on terrors related to the Blight. Fear is a very old, very strong feeling. It predates love, pride, compassion… every emotion save perhaps desire. Be wary. The Nightmare will do anything in its power to weaken our resolve.
Alistair: A demon that steals people’s fear… I’ve got a few that I wouldn’t mind losing, myself.
Loghain: A demon that feeds on fear. Despicable, even for a beast of the Fade.
Stroud: A demon that steals fears from the minds of men…

Alistair: But after what it did to the Wardens, it’s going to learn fear for itself.
Loghain: After its corruption of the Wardens, I’ll see it pay.
Stroud: After what it did to my fellow Wardens, I pray we fins some way to strike it down.

They continue deeper into the Fade, and a deep voice emanates from an unknown source.

Nightmare: Ah, we have a visitor. Some [foolish little boy/silly little girl] comes to steal the fear I kindly lifted from [their] shoulders. You should have thanked me and left your fear where it lay, forgotten. You think that pain will make you stronger? What fool filled your mind with such drivel? The only one who grows stronger from your fears is me. But you are a guest here in my home, so by all means, let me return what you have forgotten.

They fight more demons.

Party comments:

Cassandra: What are those things?
Dorian: Be ready! I’m guessing those aren’t friendly, either!
Iron Bull: What the crap are those supposed to be?
Varric: Watch out! I don’t know what those are, but they’re coming our way.

The Nightmare continues to taunt the party.

Nightmare: Perhaps I should be afraid, facing the most powerful members of the Inquisition. (Laughs.)

Nightmare: Like Blackwall. Ah, there’s nothing like a Grey Warden. And you are nothing like a Grey Warden.
Blackwall: I’ll show you a Warden’s strength, beast.

Nightmare: The Qunari will make a lovely host for one of my minions. Or maybe I will ride his body myself.
Iron Bull: I’d like to see you try.

Nightmare: Sera, Sera, Sera… If you shoot an arrow at me, I’ll know where you are.
Sera: Out of my head, bitch-balls!

Nightmare: What’s it like living as an apostate, Vivienne? Do you really think you’ll reclaim your power in the Circle… at your age?
Vivienne: Not one word.

Nightmare: Are you afraid, Cole? I can help you forget. Just like you help other people. We’re so very much alike, you and I.
Cole: No.

Nightmare: Greetings, Dorian…It is Dorian, isn’t it? For a moment, I mistook you for your father.
Dorian: Rather uncalled for.

Nightmare: Once again, Hawke is in danger because of you, Varric. You found the red lyrium. You brought Hawke here…
Varric: Just keep talking, Smiley.

Nightmare: Your Inquisitor is a fraud, Cassandra. Yet more evidence there is no Maker, that all your “faith” has been for naught.
Cassandra: Die in the Void, demon.

Nightmare: Dirth ma, harellan. Ma banał enasalin. Mar solas ena mar din.
Solas: Banal nadas.

Nightmare: (Laughs.)

More fighting, more small fears and demons.

Party comments:

Sera: That’s it, right? Not so bad. You’re not so bad!
Iron Bull: Guess this nightmare wasn’t such hot shit after all.
Blackwall: I expected worse.

Party comments:

Solas: These are but minor servants of the Nightmare.
Vivienne: These are lackeys. Worse could be coming.
Cassandra: Surely these are but the Nightmare’s minions.
Alistair: These are just his servants, I imagine.
Loghain: There are merely the demon’s foot soldiers.
Stroud: These foes are likely but servants of the true demon.

Party comments:

Iron Bull: Just let me have this moment to hope, all right?
Sera: I hate this place!
Blackwall: Pity.

More demons attack, Nightmare continues taunting.

Nightmare: Did you think you mattered, Hawke? Did you think anything you ever did mattered? You couldn’t even save your city. How could you expect to strike down a god?

Nightmare (Anders romance): Anders is going to die, just like your family, and everyone you ever cared about.

Nightmare (Fenris romance): Fenris is going to die, just like your family, and everyone you ever cared about.

Nightmare (Isabella romance): Isabella is going to die, just like your family, and everyone you ever cared about.

Nightmare (Merrill romance): Merrill is going to die, just like your family, and everyone you ever cared about.

Nightmare (Sebastian/no romance): You’re a failure, and your family died knowing it.

Diplomatic Hawke: Of course, a fear demon would know where to hurt us most. We must ignore it.
Humorous Hawke: Well, that’s going to grow tiresome quickly.
Aggressive Hawke: I’m going to enjoy killing this thing.

More demons.

Party comments:

Solas: Those were little fears, time manifestations spawned from the Nightmare itself.
Vivienne: Minor demons. Little fears, scurrying to serve the Nightmare and feed on its scraps.
Cole: Small fears, too small to shape the Fade themselves. Clinging to the Nightmare. Feeding on the bits it leaves behind.
Dorian: Smaller fears, I would wager, scavenging whatever the Nightmare leaves behind.
Hawke: Those must have been smaller fears, servants of the Nightmare.

Diplomatic Hawke: And they take the form of spiders, something so many fear.
Humorous Hawke: And of course they look like giant spiders.
Aggressive Hawke: And they just happen to look like spiders.

Party comments:

Sera: Didn’t see no spiders. I’d have taken bloody spiders.
Iron Bull: You saw spiders? Man, spiders would’ve been a massive improvement from what I saw.
Cassandra: Spiders? I see maggots, crawling in filth.
Blackwall: Spiders? That is not what I saw.
Varric: You saw spiders? I saw creatures corrupted by red lyrium.
Alistair: Spiders? Those looked more like darkspawn to me.
Loghain: Spiders? Those were darkspawn, not spiders.
Stroud: I saw a horde of hurlocks, not spiders.

Party comments:

Solas: Remember, we walk in the Fade. Demons of fear shape their appearance to unnerve each of us.
Cole: They want your fear, so they look how you feel.
Viviene: This is the Fade, my dears. Demons have no originality. They pluck their shapes from your thoughts.
Dorian: Ah, of course. The demons look different to each of us, personalized little terrors.
Hawke: The demons look different to all of us. They take on the appearance of something we fear.

Party comments:

Iron Bull: Well, now I feel better.
Sera: So… it’s in my head? Knowing is not helping!
Varric: Wonderful.
Cassandra: Well, that’s reassuring.
Blackwall: (Grunts.)

Memories Restored

The party finds Justinia again.

Justinia: The Nightmare is closer now. It knows you seek escape. With each moment, it grows stronger.

The PC has to fight wraiths for more memory fragments.

Justinia: The demons!
PC: Keep running!
Justinia: (Screams.)
Justinia: Go.

The scene changes with the last fragment gathered.

PC (narrating): This is the Breach back in Haven. That’s how we…how I escaped.

The PC is being chased by demons.

Justinia: The demons!

PC: Keep running!

Justinia: (Screams.)

Justinia: Go.

Justinia is pulled deeper into the Fade. The memory ends.

PC: It was you. They thought it was Andraste sending me from the Fade, but it was the Divine behind me. And then you…she died.

Justinia: Yes.

Alistair: So this can’t be the Divine.
Loghain: We’ve been following a demon, then.
Stroud: So this creature is simply a spirit.

Diplomatic Hawke: I think we all knew that was the case, Warden.
Justinia: I am sorry if I disappoint you.

Humorous Hawke: You don’t say.
Justinia: I am sorry if I disappoint you.

Aggressive Hawke: For all we know, it’s working with Corypheus.
Justinia: If you believe that, strike me down.

The form of Justinia rises and reveals itself as a spirit.

Dialogue options:

General: Are you her memory? [1]
General: Are you her soul? [2]
General: You’re our ally, regardless. [3]
General: Did you watch her? [4]

1 - General: Are you her memory?
PC: Are you a memory of the Divine? A reflection?
Justinia: If that is the story you wish to tell, it is not a bad one. [5]

2 - General: Are you her soul?
PC: Are you…her? Did you linger here to help me, instead of passing on?
Justinia: If that is the story you wish to tell, it is not a bad one. [5]

3 - General: You’re our ally, regardless.
PC: The only thing that’s important right now is getting out of the Fade. Whatever you are, you’ve helped us so far. [5]

4 - General: Did you watch her?
PC: The Nightmare watched Corypheus and grew powerful off the fear. Were you like that for the Divine? A spirit watching her from the Fade, inspired by her faith?
Justinia: If that is the story you wish to tell, it is not a bad one. [5]

5 - Scene continues.

Hawke: What we do know is that the mortal Divine perished at the temple, thanks to the Grey Wardens.

Alistair: What, again? It wasn’t their fault! We can debate the depressing details when we get back to Adamant.
Loghain: Corypheus controlled them. We have discussed this already. If this spirit has no further revelations, we should work on getting back to Adamant alive.
Stroud: As I said, the Grey Wardens responsible for that crime were under the control of Corypheus. We can discuss this further once we return to Adamant.

Diplomatic Hawke: Yes, Adamant, where the Inquisition faces an army of demons raised by the Wardens.
Humorous Hawke: Assuming that the Wardens and their demon army didn’t destroy the Inquisition while we were gone.
Aggressive Hawke: Which is filled with Wardens who made blood sacrifices to raise a demon army.

Hawke sided templars:
Warden: You killed almost every mage in Kirkwall!
Hawke: Yes! Because too many of them were practicing blood magic, just like your Wardens!

Hawke sided mages:
Warden: You tore Kirkwall apart and started the mage rebellion!
Hawke: To protect innocent mages, not madmen drunk on blood magic!

Diplomatic Hawke: Even without the influence of Corypheus, the Wardens go too far. They need to be checked.
Humorous Hawke: But you’d ignore that, because you can’t imagine a world without the Wardens… even if that’s what we need!
Aggressive Hawke: The Wardens have gone mad. Or maybe they always were. Someone has to stop them.

Party comments:

Solas: Agreed. The Wardens may once have served a greater good, but they are far too dangerous now.
Cole: The blood sings softly. It never stops, and then it’s all they hear. We can’t let them hurt more people.
Vivienne: They’re a relic. The days of their usefulness have long since passed.
Cassandra: The Wardens are a risk. Send them away before they cause even more trouble.
Blackwall: What are you saying? You want to get rid of the Wardens? Everyone makes mistakes. They would’ve died to save us!
Sera: It isn’t like you can just get rid of them. I mean, it’s never good when they show, but they’re supposed to be heroes.
Iron Bull: Don’t know that we can pass judgment on the only folks who know how to stop Blights.
Dorian: They might still be useful. What if Corypheus conjures another Blight? You never know.
Varric: I don’t know what to tell you. There are a few good ones, but an awful lot of the Wardens I’ve known went crazy.

The PC moves closer to interrupt the argument.

Dialogue options:

**General: [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] is right.
**+ Blackwall slightly approves
PC: Stroud isn’t defending blood magic or demons. You know the cost of a Blight as well as any of us, Hawke. The Grey Wardens are the only force that can stop that.
General: Hawke is right.
- Blackwall disapproves
  PC: The Wardens carry out a vital duty, but they also go too far. They need to be controlled.
General: Now is not the time.
- Sera approves
  PC: This debate can wait until we’re out of danger.
General (faithful PC): Maker, stop, both of you.
- Sera approves
  PC: Sweet Maker, could both of you please shut up? We can argue once we’ve escaped from the giant fear demon.

Hawke/Stroud/Alistair/Loghain: Inquisitor…

Demons start appearing around them.

Justinia: The Nightmare has found us.

Alistair: All together!
Loghain: Form up!
Stroud: Form up!

Hawke: I’m with you!

They move on, fighting more demons.

Party comments:

Solas: Come. Real or not, the Divine is the key to escaping from the Fade.
Dorian: I suppose we should follow the Divine. Whatever she is, she is our way out of here.
Vivienne: We must follow the spirit imitating the Divine. At least for now, she is our only means to escape the Fade.

Sacrifice

The party moves on, and the Nightmare goads the Warden.

Nightmare: Did the king’s bastard think he could prove himself? It’s far too late for that. Your whole life, you’ve left everything to more capable hands. The Archdemon, the throne of Ferelden… Who will you hide behind now?
Alistair: Is that all it’s got? I’ve heard worse than that from Morrigan.

Nightmare: Teryn Loghain Mac Tis, the brilliant commander. Pity the one time you tried to rule, you failed so miserably. You had to be beaten, humiliated, lest you destroy your own country. You even doomed the Wardens by bringing the Inquisitor down on them. You destroy everything you touch.
Loghain: (Grunts.) Is that all you’ve got? It’s nothing I’ve not said to myself.

Nightmare: Warden Stroud. How must it feel to devote your whole life to the Wardens, only to watch them fall? Or, worse, to know that you are responsible for their destruction? When the next Blight comes, will they curse your name?
Stroud: With the Maker’s blessing, we will end this wretched beast.

The party sees the spirit guiding them ahead.

Nightmare: Do you think you can fight me? I am your every fear come to life! I am the Veiled hand of Corypheus himself! The demon army you fear? I command it. They are bound all through me!

Justinia: Ah, so if we banish you, we banish the demons? Thank you, every fear come to life.

Nightmare: (Roars.)

The party rounds a corner to see a vast space of floating rocks, what looks like a sea, and what appears to be the Black City in the distance.

Party comments:

Cole: They still remember when they were higher, before it woke up and everything fell.
Sera: Ground should be down, sky should be high. Figure it out, Fade!
Varric: I guess things just float whenever they feel like it here. Wonder what’s up there. Or maybe it’s best we never find out.

The party continues into a boggy area.

Party comments:

Iron Bull: Hmph. What’s with the water? Trying to prey on my deep fear of wet calves?
Cassandra: It’s hard to trust my footing in this place.
Blackwall: Hard to outrun anything in this swamp.

They fight a pride demon, despair demons, and other demons, until they spot the spirit again.

Party comments:

Blackwall: Look!
Cassandra: Look!
Solas: There!
Dorian: Over there!
Vivienne: Over there!

More fighting, and they finally press on into a tunnel, following the spirit.

Justinia: You must get through the rift, Inquisitor. Get through and then slam it closed with all your strength. That will banish the army of demons…and exile this cursed creature to the farthest reaches of the Fade.

They travel through the tunnel until they spot light on the other side.

Hawke: The rift! We’re almost there!

Party comments:

Varric: Great, Hawke. Why not just dare the Old Gods to try and stop you?
Iron Bull: Don’t say it like that! That guarantees another demon is gonna show up!
Sera: How about we all just shut up and run?
Cassandra: We’re not there yet. Stay alert!

They see the Nightmare on the other side, a massive spider-looking monster with a humanoid aspect in front of it.

Justinia: If you would, please tell Leliana, “I am sorry. I failed you, too.”

The spirit flies into the giant monster, incapacitating it, and the party begins the fight against the aspect of the Nightmare.

Nightmare: You will die in agony!
Nightmare: I grow fat on your fear!
Nightmare: You cannot stand against me!
Nightmare: You are nothing!

Hawke: Stay strong!
Hawke: Die, demon!
Hawke: They feed on fear!
Hawke: Hurry!
Hawke: We can do it!

Alistair: In war, victory!
Alistair: Back, demons!
Alistair: I’ve fought worse!
Alistair: For the Wardens!
Alistair: We’re almost there!

Loghain: In war, victory!
Loghain: Die, demons!
Loghain: Cursed beasts!
Loghain: We shall not falter!
Loghain: I fear no demon!

Stroud: In war, victory!
Stroud: For the Wardens!
Stroud: Take heart!
Stroud: We do not fear you, demons!
Stroud: Courage!

They defeat the aspect, but the larger form of Nightmare begins to stir. The party goes through the rift, but the PC, Warden, and Hawke lag behind.

Alistair: How do we get by?
Loghain: We need to clear a path!
Stroud: We need to clear a path!

Hawke: Go. I’ll cover you.

Alistair: No. You were right. The Wardens caused this mess. A Warden must—
Loghain: No. You were right. The Wardens made this mistake. A Warden must—
Stroud: No. You were right. The Grey Wardens caused this. A Warden must—
Hawke: A Warden must help them rebuild! That’s your job! Corypheus is mine.

Dialogue options:

[Stroud stays.] (Stroud will likely die to cover your escape.) [1]
[Loghain stays.] (Loghain will likely die to cover your escape.) [2]
[Alistair stays.] (Alistair will likely die to cover your escape.) [3]
[Hawke stays.] (Hawke will likely die to cover your escape.) [4]

1 - [Stroud stays.]
PC: Stroud…
Stroud: Inquisitor, it has been an honor. For the Wardens! [5]

2 - [Loghain stays.]
PC: Loghain…
Loghain: Fight well. You will not die while I draw breath. For the Wardens! [5]

3 - [Alistair stays.]
PC: Alistair…
Alistair: Right. Good luck. I’ll keep it off you. For the Wardens! [5]

4 - [Hawke stays.]
PC: Hawke…
Inquisitor: Hawke…
Hawke: Say goodbye to Varric for me.
Diplomatic Hawke (no romance): (Deep breath.) Right then.
Humorous Hawke (no romance): Spiders. Always the Maker-damned spiders…
Aggressive Hawke (no romance): Is that all you’ve got?
Hawke (Sebastian romance): I’m sorry, Sebastian.
Hawke (Isabella romance): Safe harbors, Isabela.
Hawke (Anders romance): Sorry, Anders.
Hawke (Fenris romance): Sorry, Fenris.
Hawke (Merrill romance): Sorry, Merrill. [5]

5 - Scene continues.

They stay behind while the PC rushes through the rift.

The PC emerges from the fade as the fighting around them finishes. The PC uses the anchor to close the rift and destroy the remainder of the demons.

Alistair: No demon army for Corypheus, it appears. The Divine—or her spirit—was right. You know that’s not how they see it, though. They just saw their Inquisitor work another miracle.
Loghain: Without the Nightmare, Corypheus loses both his Warden mages and his demon army. But in the eyes of your soldiers, their Inquisitor broke the spell with the power of the Maker.
Stroud: With the Nightmare banished, Corypheus lost both his Warden mages and his demon army. But in the stories your soldiers will tell, their Inquisitor broke the spell with the Maker’s blessing.

Dialogue options:

General: I’ll tell them the truth. [1]
General: What matters is we succeeded. [2]
General: Let them believe it. [3]

1 - General: I’ll tell them the truth.
PC: Once they understand what really happened…
Alistair: They’ll know you escaped by the skin of your teeth from a giant spider demon. I know which story I’d prefer.
Loghain: No. Sometimes the soldiers need the legend. I learned that from Maric too many years ago.
Stroud: They will be terrified. Let them have the stories. [4]

2 - General: What matters is we succeeded.
PC: They came out of this alive. As far as I’m concerned, they can tell whatever stories they like.
Alistair: I suppose “The Inquisitor and his Warden friend escaped by the skin of their teeth” wouldn’t be as good for morale.
Loghain: I suppose you’re right.
Stroud: And I suspect this will not be the last story they tell about you. [4]

3 - General: Let them believe it.
PC: They need something to believe in.
Alistair: I suppose “The Inquisitor and his Warden friend escaped by the skin of their teeth” wouldn’t be as good for morale.
Loghain: I suppose you’re right.
Stroud: They do, indeed. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

An Inquisition and Warden soldier approach.

Scout: Inquisitor. The Archdemon flew off as soon as you disappeared. The Venatori magister is unconscious but alive. Cullen thought you might wish to deal with him yourself.

Wardens spared:
Scout: As for the Wardens, those who weren’t corrupted helped us fight the demons.
Warden: We stand ready to help make up for Clarel’s… tragic mistake.

Wardens killed:
Scout: The surviving Wardens are in custody.
Warden: What few of us there are. You have our unconditional surrender.

Varric present:
Varric: Where’s Hawke?
He’s met with silence.
Varric: Where’s Hawke?

Cassandra present, Varric not present:
Cassandra: Where is the Champion?
Silence.
Cassandra: Hawke is not with us.

Varric nor Cassandra present:
Soldier: We’ve seen no sign of Hawke since the ledge collapsed, Inquisitor.
Solider: We assumed [they were] with you.

Dialogue options:

**Angry: The Wardens are to blame.
**PC: Hawke died trying to fix what the Grey Wardens did.
**Sad: [They] died a hero.
**PC: Hawke sacrificed [their] life to save us and strike a decisive blow against Corypheus.
**Stoic: Dead.
**PC: Hawke didn’t make it.

Varric and Cassandra present:
Varric: Well…
Cassandra: Varric, I’m…
Varric leaves.

Cassandra present, Varric not present:
Cassandra: The Champion is gone.

Varric present, Cassandra not present:
Varric: Well…
Varric leaves.

PC (angry response): [Their] blood is on their hands.
PC (sad response): [They] gave [their] life, not because [they’d] sworn an oath or been marked as special, but because someone had to do it.

Warden Soldier: [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud], you’re the senior surviving Grey Warden. What do we do now?

Dialogue options:

Get out of Orlais. (The Wardens are banished from Orlais. They do not help the Inquisition.) [5]
- Cassandra greatly approves
- Cole greatly approves
- Solas greatly approves
- Vivienne slightly approves
- Dorian Disapproves
- Iron Bull Disapproves
- Sera Disapproves
- Blackwall greatly disapproves
  Divine: Leliana -5, Cassandra +5, Vivienne +1
Help the Inquisition. (The Grey Wardens help the Inquisition. They may be vulnerable to corruption.) [6]
- Blackwall greatly approves
- Iron Bull greatly approves
- Sera greatly approves
- Dorian approves
- Vivienne slightly disapproves
- Cassandra disapproves
- Cole greatly disapproves
- Solas greatly disapproves
  Divine: Leliana +5, Cassandra -5, Vivienne -1

5 - Get out of Orlais.

PC (angry): You leave. You didn’t listen when I tried to stop you. You didn’t listen to your own brothers. So listen now. By the authority of the Inquisition, you are banished from southern Thedas.
PC (sad): You leave. You’re still vulnerable to Corypheus… and we’ve lost enough people already fighting corrupted Wardens. By the authority of the Inquisition, you are banished from southern Thedas.
PC (stoic): You leave. By the authority of the Inquisition, you are banished from southern Thedas.

Party comments:

Blackwall: No…
Sera: All of them? Is that even possible?
Dorian: Bit dramatic, if you ask me.
Iron Bull: Hope we don’t need ‘em later.

PC: [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] will oversee your return to the Warden fortress at Weisshaupt.

Warden Soldier: Yes, Your Worship.

Blackwall (if in party): Your Worship, I would stay, if you allow it, and continue our fight.

Dialogue options:

You may stay. (Blackwall will remain as a party member.) [7]

Varric greatly approves (if in party)

Sera approves

Blackwall slightly approves

You leave as well. (Blackwall will leave the Inquisition forever.) [8]

Iron Bull disapproves

Cole greatly disapproves

Sera greatly disapproves

Varric greatly disapproves (if in party)

7 - You may stay.
PC: Of course. I have never doubted your loyalty, Blackwall. [9]

8 - You leave as well.
PC: The banishment applies to all Wardens.
Blackwall: I understand, Inquisitor.
He leaves. [9]

6 - Help the Inquisition.

PC (angry): You stay and do whatever you can to help. [Stroud/Alistair/Loghain] has convinced me that the Wardens are an Order worth saving. You’re still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori, but there are plenty of demons that need killing.
PC (sad): You stay and do whatever you can to help. [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] believes that the Wardens are worth saving…and I trust him. You’re still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori, but there are plenty of demons that need killing.
PC (stoic): You stay and do whatever you can to help. You’re still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori, but there are plenty of demons that need killing.

Party comments:

Solas: (Sighs.)
Cole: But they hurt people.
Vivienne: Are you flinging these fools at demons now, my dear? Couldn’t you just use rocks?
Cassandra: After all that, you give them yet another chance?

Alistair: While they do that, I’ll report to the Wardens at Weisshaupt. Corypheus won’t catch us with our trousers down again.
Loghain: While they do, I’ll report to the Wardens at Weisshaupt. Corypheus won’t catch us off guard again.
Stroud: While they do that, I’ll report to the Wardens at Weisshaupt. We won’t be caught off guard by Corypheus again.

Warden Soldier: Thank you, Your Worship. We will not fail you.

9 - Scene continues.

If WEWH not completed:
Alistair: You’ve already created something big with this Inquisition. I wish you luck leading it.
Loghain: You have the makings of a great army, Inquisitor. Use it well.
Stroud: Maker watch over your Inquisition. It has been an honor.

If already completed WEWH:
Alistair: Good luck, Inquisitor. Tell Morrigan… ah, just tell her I stood there looking foolish.
Loghain: Fight well, Inquisitor… and give my regards to the witch.
Stroud: Maker watch over your Inquisition. It has been an honor.

They leave.

A Significant Blow

The PC joins Leliana in the rookery back at Skyhold.

Leliana: [Hawke/Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] sent me one final report. [They are] on [their] way to Weisshaupt.

Wardens allied:
Leliana: As for the Grey Wardens, they are fighting demons and red templars while staying clear of Venatori.

Wardens exiled:
Leliana: The Grey Wardens are gone as well. Adamant Fortress has been sealed.

Leliana: You dealt Corypheus a significant blow, Inquisitor.

Dialogue options:

Nobility: Let’s capitalize on this. [1]
General: It wasn’t just me. [2]
General: I hope so. [3]
General: It’s not enough. [4]

1 - Nobility: Let’s capitalize on this.
Wardens allied:
PC: The Grey Wardens carry respect in other nations. If we spread word that the Inquisition has their support…
Leliana: We may gain standing with nations that have suffered under the Blight. I will take the matter to Josephine. [5]

Wardens exiled:
PC: The Grey Wardens are active in other nations. If we put out a discreet warning about the danger they pose… Leliana: We may improve our standing with nations already concerned about the Wardens. I will take the matter to Josephine. [5]

2 - General: It wasn’t just me.
PC: We owe much of that to [Hawke/Alistair/Loghain/Stroud]… and to the Divine.
Leliana: Yes. [5]

3 - General: I hope so.
PC: At the time, it felt like a lot of running and escaping.
Leliana: Either way, Corypheus lost the army he would have used to conquer Thedas. [5]

4 - General: It’s not enough.
PC: It won’t stop Corypheus. We need to keep up the offensive.
Leliana: Agreed. [5]

5 - Scene continues.

Choice dependent dialogue:

WEWH not completed [6]
WEWH completed [7]

6 - WEWH not completed :

Leliana: You took an army from Corypheus, but that will matter little if Orlais falls into chaos.

Already spoken with Josephine about Halamshiral:
Leliana: All arrangements have been made for the ball in Halamshiral. Let us know when you are ready to proceed.

Has not spoken to Josephine, sided mages (?):
Leliana: We know Corypheus will strike soon. The empress and her inner circle are in danger.

Has not spoken to Josephine, sided templars (?):
Leliana: We know the Venatori will strike at the empress.

8 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: What are our plans there?/What is the plot against her? [9]

General: I’ll go right away. [10]

General: I have things to do first. [11]

9 - Investigate: What are our plans there?/What is the plot against her?
PC: Remind me what we know about the plot against Celene.
Leliana: The Venatori are planning some kind of attack on the Imperial Court. Corypheus may even be fueling the conflict between the empress and her cousin, Grand Duke Gaspard. If we warn Celene, she may prove a most valuable ally against Corypheus. [Back to 8]

10 - General: I’ll go right away.
PC: Where can I find the empress?

Spoken with Josephine about Halamshiral:
Leliana: She’s holding a grand masquerade ball at her Winter Palace in Halamshiral. Your invitation has been arranged. That is where the Venatori will strike. Speak with us when you are ready. [12]

Has not spoken to Josephine:
Leliana: She is at her palace at Halamshiral… in the Dales. But it is no easy thing to gain an audience with the empress. We will have to discuss the best way to get you in. [12]

11 - General: I have things to do first.
PC: I’ll go as soon as I am able.
Leliana: Good. Cullen, Josephine, and I will discuss the best way to gain an audience with the empress. Speak with us when you are ready. [12]

7 - WEWH completed:

Leliana: While you bested Corypheus here and at Halamshiral, he himself was not present either time. We fear he is close to finding another way to enter the Fade. When you have a moment, Cullen and Josephine are waiting in the war room with an update. [12]

12 - Scene continues.

The PC goes to leave.

Leliana: What was she like?

The PC pauses and turns back.

Leliana: Divine Justinia, or her soul, or the spirit that took her form. I read your report. I know it isn’t clear, but…

Dialogue options:

General: She was at peace. [13]
General: She was cryptic and strange. [14]
General: Don’t dwell on it. [15]

13 - General: She was at peace.
PC: She seemed… calm. Serene, even. And she guided us the whole way through.
Leliana: That does sound like her. [16]

14 - General: She was cryptic and strange.
PC: She refused to say anything outright. I could have used more direct answers and fewer journeys of self-discovery.
Leliana: She made a lot of people feel that way. [16]

15 - General: Don’t dwell on it.
PC: Whatever it was, it wasn’t the flesh-and-blood Divine. Don’t tear yourself up thinking about this.
Leliana: You’re right, of course. [16]

16 - Scene continues.

PC: She did ask me to tell you something, though. She said, “I’m sorry. I failed you, too.”

Leliana: Oh.

She straightens up.

Leliana: I should finish this before it slips my mind. Perhaps later we might discuss the matter further.

She turns to leave.

Leliana: Thank you.

Quest Related Content

Deleted Dialogue