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Before the Dawn

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Vicinius

The PC approaches Leliana. -bioware lean-

Leliana: Our agents have encountered more followers of Corypheus, these so-called “Venatori.”

Leliana: Their leader Calpernia has them search for elven ruins. For what, I do not know. I propose we stop the Venatori before they find what they seek.

1 - Dialogue options:

  • Investigate: Who is Calpernia? [2]
  • General: Good idea. [3]
  • General: You’re right, we’d better. [4]
  • General: Give me your plan. [5]

2 - Investigate: Who is Calpernia? Do you know anything about Calpernia? Leliana: Only that Calpernia is a name from ancient Tevinter legend. An unusual one. She was a priestess of Dumat, foster-mother to the founder of the Imperium. A name like that is meant to assure the Venatori they follow in the footsteps of legends. We must prove them wrong. [back to 1]

3 - General: Good idea. PC: I’m pleased to see my spymaster is on top of the matter. Leliana: I try. [6]

4 - General: You’re right, we’d better. PC: Calpernia must be up to something. Corypheus doesn’t seem the type to suffer idleness. Leliana: I will not let her and Corypheus take us unawares again. [6]

5 - General: Give me your plan. PC: What strategy do you have in mind? Leliana: A subtle approach. [6]

6 - Scene continues.

Leliana: These Venatori have been shadowing a merchant called Vicinius, on Calpernia’s orders. They’ve investigated his finances, surveyed his warehouses. I propose that you meet with Vicinius. Flatter him. Find out what he knows of Calpernia.

7 - Dialogue options:

  • Investigate: Tell me about Vicinius. [8]
  • Investigate: What if he knows nothing? [9]
  • General: He should be forewarned. [10]
  • General: I’ll try charm. [11]
  • General: I’ll get him to talk. [12]

8 - Investigate: Tell me about Vicinius. PC: Vicinius sounds like a Tevinter name… Leliana: Born in Tallo, although he claims to be from Vyrantium. He seems rare oils and amber, and prefers red wine to white. PC: What side of the bed does he sleep on? Leliana: He’s unremarkable. I cannot think why Calpernia would care. [13]

9 - Investigate: What if he knows nothing? PC: What if Vicinius is as much in the dark as we are? Leliana: It never hurts to eliminate an avenue of inquiry. And we should tread lightly with the Venatori. They have contacts and spies, just as we do. The sooner you speak with Vicinius, the better. [13]

10 - General: He should be forewarned. PC: We should warn Vicinius that the Venatori cultists are sniffing around. Leliana: Hmm. You’d earn his trust… [13]

11 - General: I’ll try charm. PC: We need him to open up about these bloodthirsty cultists. I’ll bring wine. Leliana: Vicinius could be a useful ally. Merchants travel, and they love gossip as much as coin. [13]

12 - General: I’ll get him to talk. PC: If flattery doesn’t work, I’ll try something stronger. Leliana: As bards say: begin with the sweetest verse. Vicinius could be a most helpful friend. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Leliana: I’ll make arrangements for you to visit his summer home in Val Royeaux. Hopefully your attention should be enough to pique his interest. We’ll have Calpernia’s secrets yet.


A Visit to Val Royeaux

The PC enter Vicinius’s house on the docks of Val Royeaux. The furniture is overturned and the place looks ransacked.

PC: What happened here?

Party comments:

  • Cassandra: And where is the merchant we intended to meet?
  • Varric: Where’s the merchant we were supposed to be meeting?
  • Blackwall: Where’s the man we’re meeting?
  • Vivienne: Our merchant is conspicuously absent.
  • Solas: It would appear someone reached the merchant before we did.
  • Iron Bull: Looks like the merchant got hit.
  • Sera: (Chuckles.) Nice toss. Someone wanted something found.

The PC picks up a letter on the table.

Zhager, ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ Cancel that order for more field workers. Get me scribes, library slaves: the smartest you can find. They have to be able to read and write. Former runaways are fine, so long as they were clever about it. This Venatori leader, Calpernia, is paying a fortune for our best and brightest stock, delivered to her personally. Don’t ask me why. ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ One thing: don’t send any with brands or whip marks. We had a couple branded slaves in the last shipment; her people sent the couriers back with burns on their faces. They said Calpernia doesn’t take kindly to damaged stock. Strange tick for a magister, but her gold’s good enough. ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ Vicinius

PC: It seems Vicinius angered Calpernia by sending her mistreated slaves.

Party comments:

  • Dorian: Really? Most in Tevinter wouldn’t bother to care.
  • Cassandra: Was that mercy, or anger at “damaged” stock?
  • Sera: Pfft. Probably weren’t “pretty” enough.

PC: She was paying a fortune for literate slaves.

Party comments:

  • Varric: What, a horde of these Venatori’s not enough? Something’s up. That sounds like recruiting to me.
  • Solas: Curious, when she already has an army of Venatori. Unless these slaves were intended for a separate purpose.
  • Vivienne: But she has the Venatori. Unless… Perhaps dear Calpernia has something she wishes to hide.

PC: Why? What can slaves do that Venatori can’t?

The PC continues into the house and finds an invoice.

Shipment: ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ – Fourteen healthy males (elf): three literate, former scribes and bookkeepers; set aside for C – Five healthy males (human): deduct twenty from one for missing hand. – Ten healthy females (elf) – Seven healthy females (human): two literate; set aside for C ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ Payment: 350 sovereigns, paid in full, +150 sovereigns (down payment for next month’s shipment) ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ A note is scribbled below: ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ Reserve more for next time. Lots of demand.

PC: An invoice. For a shipment of slaves.

Party comments:

  • Dorian: Vicinius was selling more than rose oil, then.
  • Varric: A sneaky, rat-bastard slaver. That’s explains a bit.
  • Blackwall: Suddenly I’m less sorry he’s dead.
  • Vivienne: A Tevinter slaver. How novel.

PC: Vicinius supplied them to the Venatori.

The turn the corner and find some Venatori wandering around. Once they are defeated, the PC enters the room and finds a corpse in front of a blood splattered wall.

PC: That must’ve been Vicinius.

Party comments:

  • Varric: This is the merchant? I guess he asked Calpernia for a down payment.
  • Cassandra: I see Calpernia sent Venatori to deal with him.
  • Solas: Unfortunately for him.
  • Dorian: It seems the Venatori tired of following him.

PC: Let’s look around.

The PC finds pieces of a crystal around the room.

PC: A shattered crystal? Let’s find the pieces. PC: Here’s another one. PC: The crystal’s whole again, but… hold on…

A voice comes from the crystal.

Calpernia: You dare cheat me, Vicinius?

Vicinius: Lady Calpernia, I had no intention—

Calpernia: I warned you of consequences, should the slaves you bring me suffer in your care. Venatori. Show him my displeasure.

Vicinius: No, wait. Wait!

Party comments:

  • Varric: That’s a dwarven memory crystal. The Shaperate uses them to store memories—don’t ask me how.
  • Dorian: A dwarven relic for storing memories. There’s one or two in Minrathous—very rare.
  • Sera: What was that rubbish?
  • Iron Bull: Crystals that remember your words. That’s… crazy Vint magic.
  • Blackwall: The crystal talks? What will they think of next?
  • Cassandra: What just happened?
  • Vivienne: Words from the past? Fascinating.

PC (Dagna recruited): Dagna might know what to make of it. PC (Dagna not recruited): We should show Leliana.

If PC is alone: PC (Dagna recruited): That speech came from the crystal. Dagna may make something of it. PC (Dagna not recruited): The sounds came from the crystal. We should show Leliana.


Calpernia’s Past

The PC returns to Leliana.

Leliana: Your trip to the merchant’s home yielded results. Before she became leader of the Venatori, Calpernia was a slave from Minrathous. Even slaves with magic are treated unkindly in Tevinter. If Corypheus freed her, no wonder she follows him.

Dialogue options:

  • General: That’s almost sad. [1]
  • General: Corypheus isn’t much better. [2]
  • General: Can we use that? [3]

1- General: That’s almost sad. PC: Her old life must have been harsh, if Corypheus seemed a better master. Leliana: Perhaps. Calpernia has freed every slave she’s purchased. [4]

2 - General: Corypheus isn’t much better. PC: She must believe freedom will reign under Corypheus. Leliana: Perhaps. Calpernia has freed every slave she’s purchased. [4]

3 - General: Can we use that? PC: What else does her past reveal? Leliana: It haunts her. Calpernia has freed every slave she’s purchased. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Leliana: Vicinius tracked his “shipments.” My agents will investigate. This may lead us to Calpernia’s lair.

Leliana (Dagna recruited): In the meantime, speak to Dagna. The crystal you found on Vicinius fascinates her. Leliana (Dagna not recruited): And this crystal you found is… fascinating. An arcanist may unravel its mysteries. [You must recruit Dagna to continue the quest.]


Memory Crystal

The PC visits Dagna in the undercroft. A crystal sits on the table behind her.

Dagna: This is an amazing find, Inquisitor! The Shaperate in Orzammar had something like it.

PC: Greetings to you, too, Dagna.

Dagna: They preserve voices, or a likeness. Memories, you know? You don’t know. Doesn’t matter, the Venatori cracked it, but here…

Leliana joins them.

Leliana: These documents you found, Inquisitor. I’ve made interesting…

The figure of Corypheus emerges from the crystal.

Leliana: … discoveries.

Corypheus: Have no fear of demons.

Calpernia: But the power will draw them. Unless you have wards against possession?

The image of Calpernia walks up to him.

Corypheus: Once you have become the Vessel, demons will be beneath your concern. Prepare as I have directed.

Calpernia: I shall, Elder One.

The crystal shatters and the scene disappears.

Dagna: Sod it! Um–sorry, the crystal couldn’t take any more. Wasn’t meant for this.

1 - Dialogue options:

  • Investigate: What did we just see? [2]
  • Investigate: What “vessel” did they mean? [3]
  • General: Calpernia doesn’t trust him. [4]
  • General: Dagna, can you do it again? [5]
  • General: What a waste of resources. [6]

2 - Investigate: What did we just see? PC: That looked like Corypheus and Calpernia. Dagna: It was a memory, stored in the crystal. Leliana: No. That was vital information. Did you see Calpernia’s expression? Their alliance may be less than harmonious. [back to 1]

3 - Investigate: What “vessel” did they mean? PC: Corypheus said Calpernia was going to be a vessel. A vessel for what? Leliana: They spoke of power, and demons. But Calpernia is already a magister. Corypheus must have some other plan. [back to 1]

4 - General: Calpernia doesn’t trust him. PC: The crystal showed us Calpernia hasn’t bought into Corypheus’s myth just yet. [7]

5 - General: Dagna, can you do it again? PC: Dagna? Again? [7]

6 - General: What a waste of resources. PC: All that for a fragment of conversation. [7]

7 - Scene continues.

Dagna: Well… I’m no Shaper, but I might be able to get it to remember new sounds.

Leliana: Really? If we hid it among Calpernia’s belongings, imagine what we could learn.

Dagna: Aha! I can split it and keep half here! We could hear her speaking right then! It’s not how they’re supposed to work, and it’ll probably break. As I said, I’m no Shaper.

Leliana: Inquisitor, Calpernia’s Venatori have been digging up elven ruins. Tracking them might lead us to her. If this crystal were placed in her lair, I cannot overstate the value of what we might learn.

8 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why not just attack her? [9] General: It feels just. [10] General: We’ve one try at this. [11] General: Then let’s do it. [12]

9 - Investigate: Why not just attack he PC: Why not attack Calpernia head on? Leliana: You attract attention, Inquisitor. Her spies would see you coming. A single agent may slip in and out without notice. This crystal may yield great rewards. [back to 8]

10 - General: It feels just. PC: It seems only fitting to turn Calpernia’s tools against her. Dagna: Right! [13]

11 - General: We’ve one try at this. PC: Right, simple. Dagna, any chance it’ll work? Dagna: Oh, there’s always a chance. I mean, yes. [13]

12 - General: Then let’s do it. PC: Dagna, do whatever it takes to get that crystal ready. Dagna: Right! [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Leliana: If there is a rift growing between Corypheus and Calpernia, we must exploit it.

Dagna: I’ll have the crystal ready soon. I think. Let me find the quicksilver…


Listening In

The PC rejoins Leliana in the rookery. The crystal sits on the table, and the PC sits beside her.

PC: Have we smuggled the other memory crystal into Calpernia’s camp?

Leliana: We have. Here.

The figure of Calpernia and the mage Linnea appear from the crystal.

Calpernia: Ugh. Even honey can’t sweeten felandaris…

Linnea: I’ll keep trying.

Calpernia: You are no slave, Linnea. I’ll add another spoonful myself. Later.

They disappear.

Dialogue options:

  • General: She remembers slavery. [1]
  • General: Can she hear us? [2]
  • General: Anything good? [3]

1 - General: She remembers slavery. PC: Calpernia seems to be treating her new acolytes kindly. Leliana: While I found that interesting, this is what you must hear. [4]

2 - General: Can she hear us? PC: I hope this link doesn’t go both ways. Leliana: Dagna says not. Besides, the conversation happened days ago. [4]

3 - General: Anything good? PC: What have you learned so far? [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Leliana activates the crystal again. and Calpernia and Corypheus appear.

Calpernia: Master. Forgive me, I didn’t expect–

Corypheus: The time for your ascension nears. Tell me of your preparation.

Calpernia: They go well enough, although I’m distracted here. If I could train at the shrine…

Corypheus: Only Dumat’s faithful may enter. Continue as before… or would you see the Imperium’s rebirth stalled by your lack of focus?

Calpernia: I will be ready. As the Vessel, and Tevinter’s champion.

Dialogue options:

  • General: She’s a patriot. PC: Calpernia sounds like she’s doing this for Tevinter, not Corypheus. ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ
  • General: More “Vessel” talk. PC: Just how much training does becoming the Vessel involve? ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ
  • General: We’re short of time. PC: Whatever Corypheus intends for the “Vessel,” it’s happening soon.

Calpernia walks towards the crystal.

Calpernia: Another deflection. And… why, a dwarven bauble. As if mine was miraculously returned to me! Let’s give your new owner a glimpse of [their] fate. Venatori! We leave!

The scene ends.

Leliana: That is all the crystal recorded before she found it. But I think it may be enough. A shrine to Dumat, Corypheus said. Where Calpernia is forbidden to go.

5 - Dialogue options:

  • Investigate: Who is Dumat? [6]
  • General (after investigate): She’ll warn Corypheus.
  • General: Calpernia will warn Corypheus. [7]
  • General: He’s hiding something. [8]
  • General: I want to see that shrine. [9]

6 - Investigate: Who is Dumat? PC: Who is this Dumat that Corypheus mentioned? Leliana: An Old God, worshipped in ancient Tevinter as the Dragon of Silence. He was the first to rise as an Archdemon and bring the Blight. Truly a god fit for Corypheus. [back to 5]

7 - General: She’ll warn Corypheus./Calpernia will warn Corypheus. PC: Corypheus will be on guard once Calpernia tells him we were listening. Leliana: I wonder. She may wish to see what we do, first. She must realize he is hiding something from her. Let us investigate this shrine–carefully. I doubt Corypheus has left it unguarded. [10]

8 - General: He’s hiding something. PC: I’d bet Corypheus has something in that shrine he doesn’t want Calpernia to see. Leliana: I agree. There is much to gain here. Whatever Corypheus hides from his trusted lieutenant should be illuminating. Let us investigate this shrine–carefully. I doubt Corypheus has left it unguarded. [10]

9 - General: I want to see that shrine. PC: If that shrine is Corypheus’s inner sanctum, I want in. Leliana: Perhaps he believes the shrine is sacred. More likely, he is hiding something from Calpernia. And she suspects it. Let us investigate this shrine–carefully. I doubt Corypheus has left it unguarded. [10]

10 - Scene ends.


Shrine of Dumat

The party arrives at the Shrine of Dumat.

PC: So this is the shrine Corypheus his from Calpernia.

Party comments:

  • Blackwall: Let’s hope he doesn’t decide to visit while we’re inside.
  • Dorian: There are similar places in Tevinter. Notice how you feel it in the back of your mind. There’s power here—or was.
  • Cassandra: It is far, far too quiet.
  • Cole: This is a sad place, filled with old pain. People spoke here, and something listened, until it didn’t.
  • Vivienne: A shrine to one of the Old Gods. Few still exist.
  • Sera: Shrines are bad. Who here doesn’t know that?
  • Iron Bull: Seems deserted… but they always seem deserted.

*Demons spawn as they enter, appearing throughout the temple. Eventually, the PC finds a memory crystal.

Corypheus: Awake, in a world twisted into perversion and ruin. Awake, only to discover the light of wisdom has gone black. Samson has failed, but Calpernia stands ready.

Party comments:

  • Varric: Another memory crystal. We’ve found Corypheus’s diary.
  • Solas: More memory crystals. Let us hope Corypheus enjoys hearing himself speak.
  • Iron Bull: More crystals… and a bad guy who likes to talk to himself. This should be good.
  • Sera: Is that Cory-friggy? Who like their own voice enough to do this?
  • Vivienne: It seems Corypheus has been collecting his thoughts.
  • Cole: The stones trap the words, like a mind. He wanted someone to listen.
  • Cassandra: These are more memory crystals. Corypheus was recording his thoughts?

They continue through the shrine, continuing to find crystals.

Corypheus: I recited the old verses. How easily they come, even after so long a slumber. Yet I still do not feel the presence of Dumat—hear no whispers, no commands. Silence has fallen.

Corypheus: Calpernia prepares to set foot in the place where regret dwells, to bring it into the light. She cannot know what must be done, cannot understand. In time, she will forgive.

Corypheus: How does this age stand such desolation? They sing to a “Maker” who answers no prayers. Once I have ascended, I will be their answer. I will be their light.

Corypheus: A slave girl who burned with potential, ignored by all save myself. Her master did not see it. No one saw it. This world has gone craven and blind.

Corypheus: Did the others never return from the Black City? There s no record even of our names! We a re vilified by legend. They spit on our deeds and claim we brought darkness into the world. We discovered the darkness. We claimed it as out own, let it permeate our being. If the others have not returned, they are lost. I am alone in my glory.

Corypheus (Dalish PC): The Anchor is lost. An elf dares claim it. Corypheus (Qunari PC): The Anchor has been stolen. By a beast of strange blood. Corypheus (dwarf PC): The Anchor has been stolen. By a child of the Stone, no less. Corypheus (human mage PC): The Anchor is gone, taken by a mage of lesser gifts. Corypheus (human non-mage PC): The Anchor has been stolen, by a stripling.

Corypheus: I shall descend on this Haven with fire and fury and take it back. Let us see what manner of “Herald” this age has bred.


The Pencil Sketch

The party enters the final chamber, where a figure sits in the center of a large prison of light.

Erasthenes: The light. Light the… the burner. Add a teaspoon of cinnabar… “He came down in fire and splendor”—chapter nine, verse one.

Party comments:

  • Vivienne: That’s a spell of containment. A powerful one.
  • Dorian: Look at that containment spell–it would hold a dozen pride demons.
  • Solas: The barrier holding him is impressive. He is no threat to us, if he ever was.

The PC approaches.

PC: What is this? Who are you?

Erasthenes: Magister Erasthenes am I. A scholar of Tevinter. To Corypheus I am bound, to answer every question—gaah! (Sobs.) For Calpernia’s sake, I am lost.

The prison appears to hurt him as he speaks.

Dialogue options:

  • General: We could help each other. [1]
  • General: For Calpernia’s sake? [2]
  • General: Start talking about Corypheus. [3]

1 - General: We could help each other. PC: I need information. You’d like to be free. We could negotiate. Erasthenes: Oh. To be freed—you see what he has made of me? [4]

2 - General: For Calpernia’s sake? PC: Corypheus did this to you—on Calpernia’s behalf? Erasthenes: She knows not. Unnh! I am a ruin, the jeweled husk when the butterfly leaves. [4]

3 - General: Start talking about Corypheus. PC: In that case, tell me everything you know about Corypheus. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Erasthenes: I was the greatest scholar of the Old Gods in Minrathous–no, in the Imperium. One night, he came to my door. For my relics, I thought. My writings and runes… But instead, my slave went to his side. Calpernia. To become the Vessel, and save Tevinter.

5 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: A vessel for what? [6] Investigate: She wants to save Tevinter? [7] General: Help me stop them. [8] General: Why did he bind you like this? [9] General: I need specifics. [10]

6 - Investigate: A vessel for what? PC: If Calpernia’s this Vessel, what are the contents going to be? Erasthenes: I do not know–unhh! Power, it must be some sort of power. Power like Urthemiel’s, arisen in flame… [back to 5]

7 - Investigate: She wants to save Tevinter? PC: Is that why Calpernia joined Corypheus? To save your empire? Erasthenes: Yes. She seeks a leader—Corypheus—to shape Tevinter’s rebirth… Unnh! She would raise up the slaves, as she was raised. Bring a new order, with a heart of steel. She could do it. If she were not the Vessel. [back to 5]

8 - General: Help me stop them. PC: Now Corypheus and Calpernia threaten us all. Stand against them, with me. Erasthenes: No, no. It is Calpernia who will be destroyed. [11]

9 - General: Why did he bind you like this? PC: If Calpernia’s the one who Corypheus wanted, why do this to you? Erasthenes: For practice. I… [11]

10 - General: I need specifics. PC: When is Calpernia becoming the Vessel? How? Where? Erasthenes: I do not know those answers. Unnh! But after… [11]

11 - Scene continues.

Erasthenes: Corypheus crafts a Vessel, for whatever power he seeks. Yes. But he does not need his Vessel to have free will. About her these same chains will fall. Iron, to cage lightning. My binding is the poor pencil sketch. Calpernia will be the masterpiece.

Dialogue options:

General: She’ll be a mindless weapon. [12] General: That’s why Corypheus hid you. [13] General: She’d turn on him if she knew. [14]

12 - General: She’ll be a mindless weapon. PC: Power without free will. That’s her role as the Vessel. Erasthenes: Yoked like a Qunari mage, a saarebas, a circumscribed sycophant. [15]

13 - General: That’s why Corypheus hid you. PC: Corypheus couldn’t risk Calpernia’s spies bringing her the truth. Erasthenes: No fool, he. Nor she. [15]

14 - General: She’d turn on him if she knew. PC: She’d reconsider being Corypheus’s pet magister, if she found out. Erasthenes: Hers is a cold rage, to rival the wrath of Corypheus. [15]

15 - Scene continues.

Erasthenes: Unnh! This chain has broken me, friend. No wings can raise my mind. Please. Breach the circle—its wards will trigger. I will be dust and light. Free.

Party comments:

  • Cassandra: Or it will kill us. Corypheus is not above placing such a trap. Erasthenes: Corypheus’s circle will hold its destruction within, tight, tight. No fear. Only freedom.

  • Vivienne: And we lose a source of intelligence on our greatest enemy. Erasthenes: I am bound, chained, nailed to the truth. I told it!

  • Dorian: In his place, I’d be begging for it to end. Erasthenes: Corypheus’s circle will hold its destruction within, tight, tight. No fear. Only freedom.

Dialogue options.

  • I’ll free you from your pain. (Kill Erasthenes.) [16] +Sera slightly approves +Dorian slightly approves +Cole approves -Cassandra slightly disapproves
  • Your death will be a message. (Kill Erasthenes.) [17] +Vivienne slightly approves +Iron Bull slightly approves +Solas approves -Sera slightly disapproves -Cole disapproves -Dorian greatly disapproves
  • You’re too useful to kill. (Let Erasthenes live) [18] +Cassandra slightly approves +Iron Bull approves -Cole disapproves -Sera disapproves -Blackwall disapproves
  • Mage: I can make you Tranquil. [19] +Cassandra slightly approves +Cole approves +Iron Bull approves -Sera slightly disapproves -Dorian disapproves -Blackwall disapproves -Vivienne greatly disapproves -Solas greatly disapproves

16 - I’ll free you from your pain. PC: All right. You seem honest, and you’ve suffered enough. Erasthenes: Light a lamp, would you, Calpernia? Everything’s so dark. [20]

17 - Your death will be a message. PC: With you dead, Corypheus will know that not even his innermost sanctum is safe. Erasthenes: Light a lamp, would you, Calpernia? Everything’s so dark. [20]

18 - You’re too useful to kill. PC: I can’t waste your knowledge. Leliana should question you. My agents will secure this place. Maybe they can undo that circle somehow. Erasthenes: You would make of me what he makes of Calpernia. What shall I make of that? [20]

19 - I can make you Tranquil. PC: We need the information you have, but you don’t have to suffer. If I make you Tranquil, you can still help us. There will be no more pain. Erasthenes: To mind my mind… what is left. Yes. Fetch your mages. I will take silence at last. [20]

20 - Scene continues.

The PC leaves.


Results

The PC returns to Leliana.

Leliana: The reports from our agents at the shrine are intriguing. You were correct: once Calpernia becomes the Vessel, she will lose her freedom.

Choice dependent dialogue:

  • Erasthenes made tranquil [1]
  • Erasthenes left alive [2]
  • Erasthenes killed [3]

1 - Erasthenes made tranquil

Leliana: Magister Erasthenes has been most helpful. Even grateful, as much as a Tranquil can be.

Dialogue options:

  • General: I never thought I’d hear that. [4]
  • General: Both are good. [5]
  • General: He should be. [6]

4 - General: I never thought I’d hear that. PC: He must have suffered a long time, if Tranquility suits him. Leliana: It does. He seems more than pleased to repay your mercy. [13] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 5 - General: Both are good. PC: Amazing how helpful people can be when they’re not in constant pain. Leliana: It was a clever mercy. And thanks to the spell which binds him, he cannot lie. [13] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 6 - General: He should be. PC: If we hadn’t arrived, who knows how long he’d have been trapped there. Leliana: I am sure the thought crossed the magister’s mind. [13]

2 - Erasthenes left alive

Leliana: We are interrogating this Magister Erasthenes. We may learn more from him.

Dialogue options:

  • General: Don’t frighten him. [7]
  • General: It’ll be easy—he can’t lie. [8]
  • General: Be careful of the circle. [9]

7 - General: Don’t frighten him. PC: Be gentle, Leliana. He’s suffered enough. Leliana: He’ll be as comfortable as possible, given the circumstances. [13] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 8 - General: It’ll be easy—he can’t lie. PC: Thanks to Corypheus, that old magister will tell us everything. Leliana: A refreshingly straightforward operation, yes. [13] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 9 - General: Be careful of the circle. PC: Remind your agents: one careless move, and our resource could go up in smoke. Leliana: Only my best are working on this, Inquisitor. [13]

3 - Erasthenes killed

Leliana: Forgive me, but I wish you hadn’t been so quick to throw the enspelled magister away.

Dialogue options:

  • General: I did the right thing. [10]
  • General: Showing pity’s not a waste. [11]
  • General: We’ll have to live with it. [12]

10 - General: I did the right thing. PC: Erasthenes was suffering. He’d already told me everything. Leliana: We can never be certain now. [13] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 11 - General: Showing pity’s not a waste. PC: We didn’t need thumbscrews. The Inquisition can deliver mercy now and then. Leliana: At a cost. Well, done is done. [13] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 12 - General: We’ll have to live with it. PC: I made my choice. There’s no bringing him back. Leliana: (Sighs.) I will use what we have. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Leliana: Corypheus’s notes mention a place “where regret dwells.” That is more of a mystery. Until the notes are deciphered, I intend rumors of the binding ritual to reach Calpernia’s ears.

Dialogue options:

  • General: Divide and conquer. Good idea. [14]
  • General: Keep a watch on the shrine. [15]
  • General: Why not just tell her? [15]

14 - General: Divide and conquer. Good idea. PC: Breaking her alliance with Corypheus can only help us.

15 - General: Keep a watch on the shrine. PC: Now we’ve done the hard work, Calpernia might investigate the shrine herself. Leliana: Scouts are posted, but she has yet to appear.

16 - General: Why not just tell her? PC: Why waste time with rumors? Warn her. Leliana: We are the enemy, Inquisitor. She suspects Corypheus, but she knows we work against her.

17 - Scene continues.

Leliana: Breaching his sanctum might give Corypheus pause. Yet Calpernia is silent, as are her agents. We have given her something to think about.

Leliana walks away.