Main Dialogue
The Cauldron
Back to Bloodbath
Back to The Cobbled Swan Case
Back to Act Directory
A Message
Rook talks to themselves when they return to the Lighthouse.
Rook: After Weisshaupt, we can’t afford to ignore anything to do with the blight. The Gloom Howler was working with darkspawn. I should help Davrin when he learns more about it.
They head to Davrin’s room.
Rook: Something wrong?
Davrin: I got a message. A place called the Cauldron was attacked.
| Grey Warden Rook | Non-Grey Warden Rook |
|---|---|
| Rook: I’ve heard that name around Weisshaupt. Never knew what it was.Davrin: Few do. It’s a secret Warden redoubt of some kind. No idea what goes on there. | Rook: That some sort of Grey Warden tavern?Davrin: It’s a secret Warden redoubt. No idea what goes on there. |
Rook: Then why are you involved?
Davrin: Because whatever attacked it sounds like the Gloom Howler.
Dialogue options:
- Affable: What’s your plan? [1]
- Stoic: Now’s our chance. [2]
+ Davrin Approves - Afraid: That… thing? [3]
1 - Affable: What’s your plan?
Rook: How do you want to handle this?
Davrin: By ending it.
2 - Stoic: Now’s our chance.
Rook: Then let’s get rid of it.
Davrin: Had the same thought.
3 - Afraid: That… thing?
Rook: The, uh, walking, wailing nightmare?
| Antivan Crow/Grey Warden/Shadow Dragon/Veil Jumper Rook | Other |
|---|---|
| Davrin: A Crow/Grey Warden/Shadow Dragon/Veil Jumper afraid of the shadows? | Davrin: Afraid of the shadows? |
Rook: Well, I wouldn’t invite the things that live in the shadows over for tea.
Davrin: I’ve got something less pleasant in mind.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Davrin: What’s left of the Wardens are still licking their wounds. So we handle this alone. Just go to the Cauldron and get the griffons back.
Assan: (Squawk.)
Davrin: You have to promise to behave, boy. Listen to every word I say, stay out of trouble, don’t do anything dumb, and don’t eat any—
Rook: I think we get the point.
Assan: (Soft squawk.)
Rook: I thought you were trying to toughen him up.
Davrin: Doesn’t mean I want to see him get any scars doing it. I’m supposed to be the bodyguard. Keep that feathery butt safe.
Rook: What happened to “He’ll learn by doing”? “Sink or swim”?
Davrin: Yeah. But what if he sinks? I’m supposed to be the bodyguard. Keep that feathery butt safe.
Rook: Thought you said he’d go soft just hunting truffles?
Davrin: Yeah, well. The Gloom Howler’s in a whole other league. I’m supposed to be the bodyguard. Keep that feathery butt safe.
Lancit and Remi told me there’s a word for the bond between a griffon and Warden. Moving as one. “Turlum.” Until Assan and I have that… I’m supposed to keep him safe.
Dialogue options:
5 - Flirt: You’re a softy.
Rook: Aw, look who’s got a soft spot.
Davrin: He kinda grows on you.
Rook: So do you.
Davrin: It’s that famous Grey Warden charm.
Rook: You could be–
Assan: (Squawk.)
Davrin: (Sighs.) Should’ve known it was too quiet.
6 - It’s okay to worry.
Rook: No shame in being worried. He grows on you.
Davrin: Well, that, and he keeps the mice away.
Rook: (Chuckles.)
Davrin: (Worried sigh.)
7 - He needs to learn.
Rook: What did you say? “You’re only as strong as your quarry”?
Davrin: And what if he’s not?
Rook: How will he know if he doesn’t try?
Davrin: (Worried sigh.)
8 - He’s ready.
Rook: He’s up for this, aren’t you, Assan?
Assan: (Excited squawk.)
Davrin: I s’pose.
9 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Rook: Maybe that “turlum” idea, that unity between Warden and griffon, starts by having faith in each other.
Davrin: Maybe. I suppose you were born for this sort of fight, boy. All talons and temper.
Assan: (Excited squawk.)
Rook: And a sharp tongue to remind you of it.
Davrin: As long as he backs it up.
Finding the Entrance
Rook heads to the Hossberg Wetlands.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Rook: Davrin, I think this is where those Wardens were attacked. The Cauldron.Davrin: Let’s have a look. | Rook: This might have been what Davrin was talking about: the Grey Warden redoubt that was attacked. |
The gate is wrecked and open as Rook approaches. Davrin is waiting there (if not in party).
Assan: (Nervous squawk)
Davrin: Yeah. A bad day at the Cauldron.
Rook: What could do that?
| Grey Warden Rook | Non-Grey Warden Rook |
|---|---|
| Davrin: And what are our Warden cousins hiding inside? | Davrin: And what have they been hiding inside? |
Dialogue options:
- Affable: Must be important. [1]
+ Davrin Approves - Sarcastic (Grey Warden): Like I’d know? [2]
- Sarcastic (Non-Grey Warden): Their best drinks? [3]
- Stoic: No time to waste. [4]
+ Davrin Approves
1 - Affable: Must be important.
Rook: Whatever it is, I’m sure they had good reasons for all the secrecy. Look at what happened to Weisshaupt.
Davrin: Must be something more secret than griffons.
2 - Sarcastic: Like I’d know?
Rook: Don’t look at me. Weisshaupt always kept me in the dark.
Davrin: Can’t imagine why.
3 - Sarcastic: Their best drinks?
Rook: Maybe this is where they hide the good whiskey.
Davrin: Not a chance. You get a Warden drinking, and the good stuff never lasts the night.
4 - Stoic: No time to waste.
Rook: We won’t find out standing around here.
5 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.| Davrin in party |
|---|
| Davrin: Be ready for anything.They continue on, finding a platform.Davrin: Assan can get us up there. |
They start to look around and get attacked by darkspawn, which they defeat.
- Bellara: This place looks like it’s seen better days.
- Emmrich: This place has seen better days.
- Harding: This place looks a mess.
- Lucanis: I hope this place doesn’t collapse on top of us.
- Neve: Huh. This place has seen better days.
- Taash: This place is a mess. Vashedan everywhere.
Rook: If they named it “the Cauldron,” it probably wasn’t great on its best day.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: We’re not in yet. This is just an outer courtyard. The Cauldron would be underground. We need to find a way in. |
|
The continues looking around, and spot an entrance over a gap.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: This looks like a way in. Just need to drop that, and maybe we can use it like a bridge.Rook: Just need to figure out how.Davrin: If we destroy all that blight gunking things up, it might drop. | Rook: I think we found the way in. If we drop that, we can make a bridge and get over. Just need to clear out the blight. |
They start to clear the blight, fighting darkspawn as they go until they enter a cargo yard..
- Bellara: What is all this?
- Emmrich: What’s all this?
- Harding: What’s all this?
- Lucanis: What is all this?
- Neve: What’s all this?
- Taash: What’s all this stuff?
Rook: Don’t know. Looks useful if you want to move heavy equipment or something. Maybe the Cauldron’s an armory?
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: Could be. But why hide it all the way out here? Doesn’t make sense.Rook: We won’t know until we get inside. | Rook: Guess we won’t know until we get inside. |
They destroy some more of the blight.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: One boil down, one more to go.Rook: Destroy the blight, lower the bridge. Got it. | Rook: That’s one down. Let’s look for the other boil. Should be able to lower the bridge after we destroy it. |
Up a nearby ladder, they find a bunch of corpses.
- Bellara: That’s… so many dead Wardens.
- Emmrich: May the fallen of the Wardens lie peacefully.
- Harding: Grey Wardens. And they’re all…
- Lucanis: Dead Wardens.
- Neve: That’s a lot of dead Wardens.
- Taash: Wardens. They died fighting.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: Damn. They must’ve tried to stop the Gloom Howler. | Rook: Looks like a fight against the Gloom Howler went sour. |
They head into the room, and are attacked by darkspawn.
- Bellara: Ambush!
- Emmrich: It’s an ambush!
- Harding: It’s a trap!
- Lucanis: Ambush!
- Neve: Ambush!
- Taash: Ambush!
They fight and defeat the darkspawn.
- Bellara: Okay, they’re dead. What are the Wardens keeping in here anyway?
- Emmrich: Now that that’s dealt with, I’d like to know what the Wardens hid down here.
- Harding: We got them. And what’s with all this Warden stuff?
- Lucanis: Done. So what do we have here?
- Neve: It’s done. Now, what are the Wardens keeping here?
- Taash: That’s the last of ‘em. So what is this place?
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: A dumping ground. Looks like every dangerous artifact or weapon the Wardens ever came across. | Rook: Weapons? Artifacts? Why did the Grey Wardens hold onto all this stuff? |
- Bellara: Might explain what the Gloom Howler’s up to.
- Emmrich: It seems likely the Gloom Howler is searching for something here.
- Harding: Might explain what the Gloom Howler’s up to.
- Lucanis: Are they connected to the Gloom Howler?
- Neve: Might explain what the Gloom Howler’s up to.
- Taash: Must be something here the Gloom Howler wants.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Rook: Wouldn’t mind having some of this stuff for myself.Davrin: Don’t even think about it. If it’s all so dangerous the Wardens locked it away, we’re not touching anything. | Rook: Tempting as it is, we shouldn’t take anything. Must be locked away for a reason. |
They destroy the rest of the blight blocking the way.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: That did it—the bridge is down. We can get in now. | Rook: I think that did it—the bridge should be down now. Let’s see if we can get in. |
Welcome to the Cauldron
They head for the entrance.
| Davrin in party | Davrin not in party |
|---|---|
| Davrin: We’re in. Welcome to the Cauldron.Rook: I still don’t understand what this place is.Davrin: Let’s find out. | Rook: Well, I guess welcome to the Cauldron. I don’t know if we should go any further, not without Davrin.
|
They head inside, passing by large, sealed doors.
- Bellara: Signs over these doors. They look like years. “3:25”?
- Emmrich: “3:25”. The signs over these doors are marked by dates.
- Harding: “3:25″… That’s a year.
- Lucanis: The doors are marked with dates. “3:25”?
- Neve: The signs over these doors. They look like years. “3:25.”
- Taash: Looks like dates on the signs over the doors. “3:25”?
| Davrin in party |
|---|
| Davrin: “5:24” here. |
- Bellara: “9:31” on that one.
- Emmrich: “9:31” on that one.
- Harding: And “9:31” on that one. Pretty recent.
- Lucanis: And “9:31” over there.
- Neve: There’s “9:31.”
- Taash: “9:31” over here.
| Davrin in party |
|---|
| Davrin: It’s Blights. The year they ended.Rook: That’s not ominous.Davrin: Look for a door we can open. |
They head through a nearby door. [Quest starts.]
- Bellara: Oh! Skeleton!
- Emmrich: What sort of skeleton is that ahead?
- Harding: Bones! Wait, a whole skeleton?
- Lucanis: Bones. A dead animal?
- Neve: Is that some kind of skeleton?
- Taash: Ugh. Skeletons. Why’d they have to do that with the bones?
Rook: Seems a little careless.
They enter a room full of bones, with a griffon statue in the center.
Davrin: This can’t be… it’s a griffon.
Assan: (Uneasy squawk.)
As they continue, they enter a room lined with bones and jars.
- Bellara: More griffon bones. Lots more. How did you say they went extinct?
- Emmrich: More griffon bones. How did you say they went extinct, Davrin?
- Harding: So many griffons here. Davrin, how did they die out?
- Lucanis: Davrin… how exactly did the griffons go extinct?
- Neve: Venhedis. There’s so many… Davrin, how did you say the griffons went extinct?
- Taash: There’s a lot of them. This is messed up. How did the griffons go extinct?
Davrin: They died out fighting the Fourth Blight.
| Grey Warden Rook | Non-Grey Warden Rook |
|---|---|
| Rook: Then Weisshaupt hid them here? Why not give them a proper burial? | Rook: Then the Wardens hid them here? Why not bury them properly? |
Davrin: I don’t know. It’s like they were keeping it secret.
Assan: (Sad squawk.)
Rook finds a note nearby.
Tattered Note
We were told to keep track of the griffon names for a memorial. But there are just too many of them. Nobody wants to be here. It’s awful handling these remains. Three Wardens already walked off the job.
Rook looks at some nearby jars.
Rook: It’s a giant tomb. For griffons.
Assan: (Sad squawk.)
Rook looks at some of the bones closer.
Rook: These bones look wrong. Like they’re diseased.
Assan: (Nervous squawk.)
Davrin: Or blighted.
Rook: But… how?
Davrin: I don’t like this.
Rook destroys a blight boil across the room.
Gloom Howler: (Wailing shriek.)
Rook: Hear that? The Gloom Howler’s around here somewhere.
Davrin: Good. We need to save those griffons she stole. Assan, you stay here. No questions. This is too much for you, boy.
Assan: (Anxious squawk.)
Archdemon Blood
They enter the vault, where a giant skeleton lays across the room.
Davrin: Unbelievable. An Archdemon.
Rook: So that’s what the Cauldron really is: a giant tomb.
- Bellara: And those other rooms? The ones with the dates of the Blights?
- Emmrich: And those other rooms commemorating the ends of Blights?
- Harding: And those other rooms, that were marked with the dates of the Blights?
- Lucanis: All those rooms—with the dates of the Blights?
- Neve: So the other rooms—with the dates of the Blights?
- Taash: So all the other rooms with the dates on ‘em?
Davrin: More Archdemons. This one would be Zazikel.
- Bellara: Okay. That explains why this place feels wrong.
- Emmrich: This explains the miasma permeating everything here.
- Harding: I don’t like this. Everything feels wrong.
- Lucanis: This place feels wrong. Like someone doing blood magic.
- Neve: Well. That explains the bad feeling in the place.
- Taash: This doesn’t feel like a dragon. It feels wrong.
Davrin: The Gloom Howler’s in here somewhere. Let’s find it.
Rook: Some blight here. Looks fresh.
Davrin: Then the Howler’s close.
Gloom Howler: (Wailing shriek.)
Davrin: Scream all you want! It’s no match for steel!
Gloom Howler: Rise!
A bunch of darkspawn appear alongside blight boils and pools of blight.
- Davrin: Keep on those blight boils! There’s some up top!
- Davrin: We have to destroy the blight boils! That’ll stop these ghouls!
Rook: Got it!
- Gloom Howler: An eternal tomb for an eternal evil.
- Gloom Howler: Secrets long buried will have their day.
- Gloom Howler: The Cauldron reveals all.
- Gloom Howler: The Wardens must surrender their secrets.
They destroy the boils on the lower level.
Davrin: Rook, we need to get to higher ground! Follow me!
They head up the stairs towards the Archdemon corpse.
Davrin: Quick! The last boil’s in the rib cage!
The party is surrounded by darkspawn, and they climb back into the Archdemon skeleton.
Rook: This is going well. Surrounded by friends…
Davrin: Surrounded by sharp claws…
The darkspawn close in on them.
Davrin: Whoever you are, face me!
Gloom Howler: (Shrieking wail.)
Davrin: What are you?
Gloom Howler: A ward against the darkness.
Davrin: You are the darkness. You’re a monster!
Gloom Howler: To those who made me.
Rook: Where are the other griffons?
Gloom Howler: I liberated them.
Dialogue options:
1 - Stoic: They aren’t yours.
Rook: They don’t belong to you!
Gloom Howler: The Grey Wardens failed them.
2 - Afraid: Liberated?
Rook: What does that mean? What are you going to do with them?
Gloom Howler: Free them from the tyranny of the Wardens.
3 - Angry: Liar!
Rook: You’re lying! You took them against their will!
Gloom Howler: So did the Wardens, long ago.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Davrin: Grey Wardens rid the world of horrors like you!
Gloom Howler: They created the horrors—the bones of griffons abandoned in this “Cauldron.” Proud warriors forgotten.
Davrin: Who are you?
Gloom Howler: Their salvation.
The Gloom Howler stabs the archdemon corpse, and blodd coats the dagger.
Gloom Howler: The blood offers protection.
Davrin: Archdemon blood? You’re blighting them?
Gloom Howler: Protecting them. The same blood runs through your veins, Warden. Join with us, and honor their future.
Davrin: I’d die first!
Gloom Howler: Then this is your tomb. (Angry howl.)
Assan swoops down at the Gloom Howler.
Assan: (Angry squawk.)
Rook: Now!
They leap out of the skeleton and continue fighting.
-
Gloom Howler: Bring me the griffon!
Davrin: Assan! Watch yourself!
Assan: (Determined squawk.) -
Rook: Anyone have eyes on the Gloom Howler?
Davrin: Worry about the darkspawn first or they’ll get Assan!
Assan: (Angry squawk.) -
Gloom Howler: Assan, come. Your family is waiting.
Assan: (Angry squawk.)
Davrin: He knows a lie when he hears it! -
Gloom Howler: I am your true mother, Assan!
Davrin: I’m his father, and I’ll die before you take him!
Assan: (Determined squawk.) -
Davrin: Don’t let these darkspawn get the upper hand!
They defeat the darkspawn and regroup.
Rook: Damn it! The Gloom Howler’s gone!
Davrin: It’s okay. Let it go.
Dialogue options:
5 - Affable: If you say so.
Rook: Whatever you say. I need to catch my breath, anyway.
Davrin: We all should.
6 - Sarcastic: Some clever plan?
Rook: Is letting it escape some deep, complicated monster-hunter strategy?
Davrin: It’s called staying alive.
7 - Angry: It needed to die!
Rook: That thing needed to die—today!
Davrin: Then how would we find where it’s keeping the other griffons? No, we have to keep our heads here.
8 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Davrin: Never hunt things you don’t understand. The Gloom Howler is more than a monster.
Rook: Your quarry, your call.
Davrin: I got what I needed: Assan stripped a piece of its clothing. Gives me something to go on.
Assan: (Squawks.)
Davrin: Even though I told you stay put.
Rook: He did save you.
Davrin: He could’ve been killed.
Rook: He cares about you.
Assan: (Squawks.)
Rook: That’s part of “turlum”, right?
Davrin shakes his head and turns to Assan.
Davrin: Well, I s’pose that was good form, extending your talons. That’ll leave a scratch.
Assan: (Happy squawk.)
Davrin: Yeah, yeah—you’re getting the hang of things. Now let’s go, boy. This place is pure evil.
Rook talks to Davrin again.
Davrin: Can’t say I ever want to see this place again. Ready to go?
Dialogue options:
- Not yet. [10]
- [Let’s go. 11
10 - Not yet.
Rook: Let’s look for anything we might’ve missed.
Rook looks around more and then talks to Davrin again.
Davrin: Ready to go?
11 - Let’s go.
Rook: I’m ready.
Davrin: Me, too.
The scene fades, and one of Varric’s narratives cuts in.
Varric: Archdemon blood’s as dangerous as it gets. Grey Wardens keep it locked away for good reason. The stuff is pure evil. But not as evil as using it to blight the only griffons in the world. Now the Gloom Howler held that honor. Assan’s brothers and sisters needed a miracle, and it would be up to Davrin and his flying friend to deliver.
Deleted Dialogue