Skip to content

Main Dialogue

The Cobbled Swan Case

  Back to Previous Quest

  Back to Act Directory

(Required if Treviso is saved)

Boiled Coffee

Rook walks into Neve’s office to find Lucanis there.

Lucanis: Neve—that coffee in the kitchen. You made it?

Neve: Keen eye.

Lucanis: Did you boil it? If so… why?

Neve: I’m not picky. I got a cup, and it does the job. That’s all I ask.

Lucanis: I… don’t know where to go with this.

Dialogue options:

1 - You’ve upset Lucanis.

Rook: I think your coffee hurt his feelings.

Neve: Apologies to you and the beans.

Lucanis: That could only hurt me if I drank it.

Scene continues. [5]


2 - The coffee seems questionable.
Told Lucanis you like coffee/did not get coffee with LucanisTold Lucanis you don’t like coffee
Rook: Do you even know what you’re drinking?Rook: I don’t even like coffee and I’m afraid.

Lucanis: It’s not… entirely a liquid now.

Neve: It’s an adventure.

Scene continues. [5]


3 - Neat. It’s not Tevinter style.

Rook: Don’t look at me.

Told Lucanis you like coffee/did not get coffee with LucanisTold Lucanis you don’t like coffee
Rook: That’s not how they make it in Minrathous.Rook: I don’t drink coffee, but that’s not how it’s done in Minrathous.

Neve: It is in my apartment.

Lucanis: I… but… why?

Scene continues. [5]


4 - Maybe it’s Tevinter-style.

Rook: Maybe that’s how it’s done in Minrathous.

Neve: Oh, no. Give Lucanis credit. It’s terrible.

Lucanis: You need a stronger word for terrible.

Scene continues. [5]


5 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Rook: So what’s the coffee for?

Choice dependent dialogue:

Neve: I’ve been looking into the Threads.

Lucanis: The Minrathous crime syndicate?

Neve: Yeah. Smuggling, extortion, protection rackets—the Threads have fingers in the lot. They stay out of slavery and they’re decent about the rest. But something’s stirred them up. They’ve increased activity, changed their patterns… Dock Town’s in chaos.

Collected newspapers with NeveDid not collect newspapers with Neve
Neve: Remember Elek? The Thread selling charms. He wants to talk. And he doesn’t reach out for nothing.Neve: I got word from my contact in the Threads. Elek. He wants to talk. Wouldn’t say more.
Dialogue options:

6 - Flirt: I’m happy to help, Neve.

Rook: Sounds fun.

Neve: You’ve got strange taste in fun.

Rook: So do you.

Neve: Bad habit.

Rook: Ready when you are. Though maybe Lucanis should make the coffee.

Neve: Probably helps your odds of survival.

Lucanis: Viago should taste this. Only thing worse than snake venom.

Scene ends.


7 - Affable: I agree. Let’s do it!

Rook: All right. Let’s head to Minrathous.

Neve: I’m not looking to drag you into this.

Rook: Hey. I’m walking in. Both eyes open.

Neve: Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Scene continues. [10]


8 - Sarcastic: Let’s go meet some criminals!

Rook: Mysterious. Let’s do it!

Neve: Mysterious can go a lot of ways.

Rook: And we won’t know ‘til we get there!

Neve: Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Scene continues. [10]


9 - Stoic: That could be trouble.

Rook: Should we expect trouble?

Neve: Oh, probably, but I’ve got nothing planned.

Rook: There’s always trouble.

Scene continues. [10]


10 - Scene continues.
Return to choice selection.

Lucanis: If you need more coffee, I’ll make it.

Neve: Well now, is that sweet or trying to save me from myself?

Lucanis: Let’s call it both.


Investigation

If Rook Saved Treviso
Continue to The Lamplighter

Rook meets Neve at the Cobbled Swan.

Neve: The Threads can play nice on a good day. Something tells me it’s not a good day…

(Muffled singing)

The scene shifts to some men entering the bar.

Singer: (Singing, in Old Tevene) …if only to say my late goodbye Call upon the center of the Fade…

The men come in and attack a patron, knocking him to the ground and kicking him.

Singer: (Singing) …my love, come to me one last time. Call upon the center of the Fade…

They drag the man away.

Singer: (Singing) …if only to grant me my rest.

The scene cuts back to Neve and Rook entering the bar. Rana meets them there.

Rana Savas: Neve. Why am I not surprised?

Neve: Templar Rana. We came to meet a friend and found this. Bad day for the Cobbled Swan.

Dialogue options:

1 - Flirt: Never a dull moment.

Rook: You bring me to the best places.

Neve: You know it’s better when they’re serving food.

Rook: Anyone can take a person to dinner. You’ve brought me to a crime scene.

Neve: At least I’ve got you on your toes.

Rook: What happened?

Scene continues. [5]


2 - Affable: Good to see you, Rana.

Rook: Rana. Not how I expected to meet you again.

Rana: Working a case? What did you expect?

Rook: You have a point. What happened here?

Scene continues. [5]


3 - Sarcastic: Quite the party.

Rook: A frustrated templar. Nervous people. Broken dishes. Someone had fun.

Neve: What’s the story?

Scene continues. [5]


4 - Stoic: No kidding.

Rook: Bad day for everyone.

Neve: What’s the story?

Scene continues. [5]


5 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Rana Savas: Unidentified mages kidnapped one of the diners. A regular: Makal Damas. Evidence points to Thread involvement.

Neve: Of course it does.

Rana Savas: The Venatori are bad enough. We don’t need Threads spreading fear in Dock Town. If you’ve heard anything…

Neve: You’re aware I don’t work for you. I have other jobs.

Rana Savas: I wasn’t—he was just having a meal. If you can help…

Neve: All right. If someone needs finding…

Dialogue options:

6 - Investigate: Why this man?

Rook: Why would someone take this guy?

Rana Savas: I don’t know. The cook knew his name and what he liked to eat. He was nice to the staff. If he angered the Threads, no one here saw it coming.

Return to dialogue tree.


7 - Investigate: What’s got into the threads?

Rook: Do you know why the Threads are acting up?

Rana Savas: Following orders? Trying to profit off chaos?

Neve: You think that’s it?

Rana Savas: If there’s more, we need to figure it out.

Return to dialogue tree.


8 - Let’s find this man.

Rook: We shouldn’t keep Damas waiting.

Neve: I hope he’s waiting. That means he’s alive.

Rook: That’s true. All right. Where do we start?

Neve: Right here. Let’s look around.

Scene continues. [9]


9 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

They start to look around.

Neve: We need to investigate the area.

Bellara in partyBellara not in party
Bellara: Wow. A case with Neve Gallus.Rook: Got it.

They talk to Rana again before looking around.

Rana Savas: If you find anything, let me know. This is the manager.

Manager: Got here after it happened, but the place is yours.

Rana Savas: Take a look upstairs.

*They check a nearby table.

Have not checked stageHave checked stage
Rook: Is this where Damas sat?

Neve: Someone knows what happened.
Rook: Damas must have sat here.

Neve: Clean sight line from here to the stage. If someone was performing, they’d catch the real show. That gives us a witness. Let’s talk to Rana.

Scene continues.

They approach the stage.

Rook: Hmmm.

Have not checked tableHave checked table
Neve: If someone was performing… what could you see from here?Neve: Clean view from the stage to the table. If someone was performing, they’d catch the real show. That gives us a witness. Let’s talk to Rana.

Scene continues.

They look near the stage.

Rook: Look here.

  • Have not checked table:
    Neve: Drag marks.
  • Checked table:
    Neve: Drag marks. Leading away from the table.
  • Checked nearby door:
    Neve: Drag marks. Leading towards the door.
  • Have checked stage:
    Neve: Drag marks. From Damas.

They check the nearby door.

  • Checked drag marks:
    Neve: Drag marks lead this way. They took him through here.
  • Checked table:
    Rook: Back door. Where they made an exit?
  • Checked stage:
    Neve: Back door. They took Damas through here. And the singer saw the whole thing.

They check out another table nearby.

Neve: Crushed flower petals. Was someone on a date?

  • Bellara: Oh! Maybe they’re witnesses!
  • Davrin: Not a good one.
  • Emmrich: A spoiled evening, if so.
  • Harding: Awww.
  • Lucanis: Memorable night.
  • Taash: Sounds like a crappy date.

Neve: Bad view of the scene. Plus other distractions. Probably not helpful.

They look at another table across the bar.

Rook: What do you think?

Neve: Someone sitting here would have seen a bit. But the view’s not great.

They investigate the bar.

Neve: Not a good view of the scene from here. Whoever was working the bar won’t have seen much.

Scene does not continue until Damas’ table and the stage are investigated.

10 - Scene continues.

Rana Savas: Find something?

Neve: Was anyone performing when Damas was taken?

Manager: Yeah, but the scheduled singer was sick. Sent a replacement. Whoever performed took off before I got here.

Rana Savas: Someone in Dock Town saw the show.

Rook: So we ask around? Find the singer.

Neve: I thought I saw Hal on the way in.

Rook and Neve leave.


Following Leads

Rook and Neve head towards Ha’l’s stand.

Rook: Was Elek going to meet us here?

Neve: Yeah. But he won’t stick around a crime scene. There’s others to talk to.

They head down to the docks.

Neve: There’s Hal! Let’s see if he has news.

They approach.

Neve: Hal! How’s my favorite fish-fry merchant?

Halos: Huh. What are you after?

Neve: A singer. The one playing the Swan when Damas was taken.

Halos: Not sure who was on. Saw one of the patrons head to the water there.

Neve: You’re the best!

They talk to Hal again.

Halos: Always something with you.

Neve: Of course!

They head over to the patron.

Neve: Over there. I’ve seen him at the Cobbled Swan.

They talk to him.

Neve: You have supper at the Swan? Do you know who was singing when that man was taken?

Diner: I didn’t see anything. And if the Threads are in on it… I really didn’t see anything. Tell them I don’t know!

Neve: I will. Is there anyone who might talk?

Diner: Try Wharf Crossing. If people there want to talk, it’s on them.

They talk to someone else nearby.

Rook: Were you at the Swan when that man was taken?

Dockhand: I wish. Lost a shift at the docks this week. Not buying myself supper.

Neve: I’ll get you a name. You tell them Gallus will pay later and you’ll have yourself a meal.

They head into Wharf Crossing.

  • Bellara: Something on your mind, Neve?
  • Davrin: Got something on your mind?
  • Emmrich: You seem to have something on your mind.
  • Harding: Neve. You okay? You look thoughtful.
  • Lucanis: Neve, what are you thinking?
  • Taash: Hey. Neve. What are you thinking?

Neve: The Threads cause their share of trouble, and it’s a bad idea to cross them, but it feels like something’s changed. They pull a lot of strings in Dock Town. If something’s up, I need to know what it is.

They speak to someone in Wharf Crossing.

Neve: Oh, look! It’s Benny. Pretty sure he avoids the Swan, but he might have dirt.

Rook: I’m looking for a singer. Works at the Cobbled Swan.

Benny: I don’t eat at the Swan. Bug Nira. The dockhand. She still eats there.

Neve: Benny. Still fighting with the owner?

Benny: He started it.

Neve: I know. I know.

They speak to him again.

Neve: You want me to talk to the Swan’s owner, Benny?

Benny: Nah. We’ll settle it over darts.

They leave.

  • Bellara: Rana must really trust you if she asked for your help with the Cobbled Swan case.
  • Davrin: Asking you for help finding Damas… Rana really trusts you.
  • Emmrich: Asking you to find Damas—your friend Rana truly trusts you.
  • Harding: Rana really trusts you, huh?
  • Lucanis: Rana trusts you.
  • Taash: Your friend Rana must trust you if she comes to you for help.

Neve: Yeah, well. Help in Minrathous can come with strings attached. Rana hates that. I can’t blame her. She knows when she comes to me, she won’t owe me later. It’s how she works too.

They head to Shoreline Passage and speak to a nearby pair.

Neve: Hey there. I’m looking for a singer. Plays at the Cobbled Swan.

Gossip: I wouldn’t know, but Nira should be around. She’s always at the Swan. Try by the ships. Oh, is this about that man that was taken? Thread business, right?

Neve: We’ll see.

They head down the docks.

Neve: Right location. And there’s Nira. Let’s see if she knows our singer.

Rook: Nira?

Nira: That’s me.

Rook: A man was taken from the Swan. Were you there?

Nira: Yeah. Right in the middle of Cida Ciconia’s show.

Rook: That’s the singer. Do you know where she went?

Nira: Sorry, no.

Neve: Cida’s known for playing the Lamplighter. She could’ve run there.

  • Bellara: The Lamplighter… I’ve seen that name in the paper. What’s it like?
    Neve: Shadowy corners, juicy intrigue, okay food, and a surprisingly good ventriloquist act once a week. It’s no Cobbled Swan, but it’s not bad.
    Bellara: Oh. This is exciting. And serious. We’re going to find Damas!

  • Davrin: And now the Lamplighter. You ever go to these places for a show? Or just the latest crime?
    Neve: Sometimes both.
    Davrin: What’s this place like?
    Neve: Shadowy corners, juicy intrigue, okay food, and a surprisingly good ventriloquist act once a week. It’s no Cobbled Swan, but it’s not bad.
    Davrin: Here’s hoping we find answers there.

  • Emmrich: Another entertainment establishment. Perhaps I should bring Manfred to a show to expand his artistic horizons.
    Neve: Tell me which places you’re thinking and I’ll get you the real reviews.
    Emmrich: Well, what about this Lamplighter?
    Neve: Shadowy corners, juicy intrigue, okay food, and a surprisingly good ventriloquist act once a week. It’s no Cobbled Swan, but it’s not bad.
    Emmrich: I’ll need to make an itinerary.

  • Harding: Lamplighter. Sounds cozy. But nothing’s really cozy in this city, is it? So what’s it really like?
    Neve: Shadowy corners, juicy intrigue, okay food, and a surprisingly good ventriloquist act once a week. It’s no Cobbled Swan, but it’s not bad.
    Harding: Shows, restaurants… do you ever go to these places for fun? Or is it always for some dangerous job?
    Neve: If you’re very lucky, it’s both.

Neve and Lucanis datingNeve and Lucanis not dating
  • Lucanis: Time to make the singer… ah.
    Neve: Were you going to end that sentence with “sing?”
    Lucanis: I… let’s get to the Lamplighter.
    Neve: (Laughs)
  • Lucanis: You know I’ve been there. A long time ago. Do they still have that ventriloquist?
    Neve: Once a week!
    Lucanis: (Long sigh)
  • Taash: So the Lamplighter. What’s this place like?
    Neve: Shadowy corners, juicy intrigue, okay food, and a surprisingly good ventriloquist act once a week. It’s no Cobbled Swan, but it’s not bad.
    Taash: Huh. That sounds all right. Singer better be there.
    Neve: Cross your fingers for us.

They head towards the Lamplighter.

Rook: What about Elek? He had news on the Threads…

Neve: And he hasn’t turned up since this started.

Rook: You think he’s involved?

Neve: Don’t know, but lose the singer and we lose our witness.


The Lamplighter

They enter the Lamplighter to find Elek interrogating a Venatori.

Elek Tavor: Let’s try this again.

Neve and Rook look at each other.

Elek Tavor: Neve! We were going to talk. You come looking for me?

Neve: Hello, Elek.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Neve: And no. We’re here for Cida Ciconia.

Cida Ciconia: What?

Neve: You’re the best witness to the abduction of Makal Damas. And it turns out you’re a Thread.

Elek Tavor: (Laughs) You’re after Damas! Even better.

Dialogue options:

1 - Affable: Are you willing to help?

Rook: We’re hoping you can help. If you took him, then this is awkward.

Cida Ciconia: (Laughs) Aren’t you polite?

Elek Tavor: Good news. We can stay friends.

Scene continues. [4]


2 - Sarcastic: Wish we were here for music.

Rook: Yeah. Sorry, Cida. I wish we could just catch a show.

Cida Ciconia: I get it, sweetheart. Maybe next time.

Elek Tavor: Instead we’ll have a friendly chat.

Scene continues. [4]


3 - Stoic: The Threads took a man. Talk.

Rook: No stalling. It’s time to talk.

Cida Ciconia: Someone’s serious.

Elek Tavor: If you’re looking to pin things on us, you’re looking the wrong way.

Scene continues. [4]


4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Neve: What do you know?

Elek Tavor: Who took Damas. Where they took him. You name it. You want what I know, you go after this alone. I need your word, Neve. Yours is fine too. They’ve taken more than just Damas. You save everyone faster with me.

Neve: All right. Talk.

Elek Tavor: Okay. Damas wasn’t taken by Threads. He is the Threads. The boss.

Neve: Really? I had a list of possible leaders. He wasn’t on it.

Elek Tavor: What can I say? The man likes his privacy. I don’t know how the Venatori found out, but that’s who you’re after.

Dialogue options:


5 - Affable: Thanks for the information.

Rook: Good to know. Glad we can work together.

Elek Tavor: Always a pleasure.

Neve: And you need us.

Scene continues. [8]


6 - Sarcastic: Well, this just got worse.

Rook: So Venatori took our guy. That’s much better!

Neve: Getting Damas is still the job.

Scene continues. [8]


7 - Stoic: We’re supposed to believe you?

Rook: Why should we trust you?

Elek Tavor: Because the Venatori won’t wait ‘til you do.

Scene continues. [8]


8 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Elek Tavor: Look, your templar friend goes in, things get messy. Venatori kill everyone. You heard there’s a Thread problem in Dock Town? It’s the cult. They’re pushing for our streets, taking our people.

Return to choice selection.

Cida Ciconia: Dock Town’s ours. We want them out as much as you.

Elek Tavor: The cult’s got an inside track on our members. They’re watching us. But you…

Neve: I get it. You give us the lead, we go in alone.

Elek Tavor: They’re holed up in the Thread Market. I’ll get you access. Still won’t be easy.

Cida Ciconia: Good luck, all right?

Neve: (Laughs) Here’s hoping.


Threads Market

Rook talks to Cida.

Saved MinrathousSaved Treviso
Rook: When you saw Damas get grabbed, you didn’t try to stop it?

Cida Ciconia: I’m not a fighter. Boss always said if trouble broke out, just keep the show going. He could handle it. Guess he couldn’t this time.
Cida Ciconia: Don’t get yourself killed.

Rook talks to Elek.

Rook: You’re not coming with us?

Elek Tavor: Hey, I’d love to watch you work. Honest. But there’s plates spinning in Dock Town and only so many Threads left to watch them.

Rook moves to leave.

Elek Tavor: Don’t go easy on the cult.

Saved MinrathousSaved Treviso
Rook: So, we started by trying to rescue a man from the Threads. Now we’re rescuing Threads from Venatori.

Neve: I have a bad habit of jobs that go sideways.

Rook: You weren’t kidding.

Neve: Come on. Let’s get to the Thread Market.
Rook: So, we’re rescuing the leader of a crime syndicate.

Neve: The Threads protect their streets. If we can swing power back in their favor… Dock Town needs whoever will fight for it. Let’s get to the Market.

They head out and towards the Thread Market. They make it down to the shore.

Rook: All right. So when we—

Venatori: Your chase ends here!

Saved MinrathousSaved Treviso
Rook: Someone noticed us asking questions.

Neve: Danger of the job!
Neve: They must have eyes on the Lamplighter. Elek did have one of their friends!

They defeat the Venatori.

Neve: That’s it for now. But we need to move before any more of the cult catches on.

Rook: If the Venatori are against the Threads, why take Damas? Why not kill him at the Swan?

Neve: The Threads must have something the Venatori want.

They move through the rocky passage.

  • Bellara: This is it.
  • Davrin: Here we go.
  • Emmrich: Let’s find the Threads. Discreetly.
  • Harding: Here we are. Ready?
  • Lucanis: The Venatori’s schemes will end here.
  • Taash: Okay. Let’s find those Threads.

Neve: Keep your eyes open.

They head through a doorway, and see Venatori and Thread members up ahead.

Venatori Mage: What do you say, Thread?

Thread Prisoner: For the glory of Tevinter reborn!

Venatori Mage: Good!

Rook: What are they doing?

Neve: It’s blood magic! They’re using mind control on the Threads!

Lucanis in partyLucanis not in party
Rook: So what now?
  • Bellara: Oh, no!
  • Davrin: Damn it!
  • Emmrich: Despicable!
  • Harding: Bad! Really bad!
  • Taash: Vashedan!

Neve: The Threads are confined! Out of danger for now. But we need to get them out! Take out the mages in charge and we break the control.

Lucanis in partyLucanis not in party
Lucanis: Already on it!Rook: Got it!

They fight, destroying Venatori crystals. More Venatori show up.

Venatori Mage: Stop them!

  • Bellara: This is bad!
  • Davrin: Fight’s not over!
  • Emmrich: We won’t allow this to continue!
  • Harding: The fight’s not over!
  • Lucanis: You want to die? I’ll do the job for free.
  • Taash: They still want a fight!

Neve: Just try to be the one left standing!

They defeat the last of the Venatori.

Rook: That’s the last of them.

Neve: They’re controlling kidnapped Threads with blood magic. If one of them revealed Damas—taking the boss gets them everything. We need to find him.

  • Bellara: We can free the other captives, too.
  • Davrin: We can free the other captives, too.
  • Emmrich: We should free the other captives as well.
  • Harding: We can free the other captives, too.
  • Lucanis: We can free the captives here, too.
  • Taash: We gotta free everybody trapped here.

They find a gated room.

Neve: Captives.

Rook: You’re sure they’re not controlled?

Thread Prisoner: I’m me. I’m me!

Neve: It’s fine.

Thread Prisoner: Please don’t leave us.

The approach one of the Threads sitting nearby.

Rook: What’s going on here?

Thread Prisoner: I don’t know. They ask questions. People come back weird.

Neve: You’re good. Take a second to breathe, then go when you can.

Thread Prisoner: Thank you.

The continue through the market.

Neve: The Threads control Dock Town—smuggling rings, dirt on people, money. If the cult takes over, they get the lot.

Saved MinrathousSaved Treviso
Neve: They can use the Threads for illegal activities, and no one connects it to them. But there are richer targets. Why Dock Town? Why here?Neve: They can use the Threads for muscle. Or to get close to people who know them. But there’s more to this. I can feel it.

They find another captive.

Thread Prisoner: Are you going to—can I go?

Neve: Yeah. Control’s broken. Take a moment to recover, then get out of here.

Thread Prisoner: Ma serannas. Thank you. Thank you.

They head into a nearby building.

Neve: Wait. I heard something. There’s someone up ahead.

Rook opens the doors.


Reunion

A Venatori stands over a man seated in the middle of the area.

Neve: Quite the set-up. That’s Makal Damas? I could take him off your hands.

Venatori Mage: He’s not mine to give. Damas serves our best.

Damas stands, clearly controlled.

Makal Damas: Hello, Neve. I’ve missed you.

Neve: You know me.

Makal Damas: Damas doesn’t. But I do. You stopped me once. But my purpose remains…

Neve: Aelia.

Makal Damas: Rid Minrathous of this criminal. Kill him. Will anyone notice in Dock Town? I won’t be stopped.

Neve: What have you done, Aelia? Speaking directly through him. Puppetry. The blood magic needed…

Makal Damas: Impressed? It pales next to the power Tevinter once had.

Dialogue options:

1 - Affable: I’ve got your back, Neve.

Rook: Say the word and we move. Together.

Makal Damas: How familiar.

Neve: Enough.

Scene continues. [5]


2 - Sarcastic: So your friend controls minds.

Rook: Hi. Aelia, was it? Hate to break up the reunion…

Makal Damas: How long has it been, Neve? How long will our city suffer?

Scene continues. [5]


3 - Stoic: I’m not impressed.

Rook: Just give us Damas.

Makal Damas: Damas. Is that all you want, Neve Gallus?

Scene continues. [5]


4 - Shadow Dragon: City’s full of corrupt idiots.

Rook: A corrupt blood mage. If that’s not Minrathous… How many bled for Tevinter’s old power? How many died?

Makal Damas: Worthy gifts for our shared glory.

Rook: I won’t share that. And if you think you’ll drag us back there…

Makal Damas: You’re Tevinter. And a traitor like her.

Scene continues. [5]


5 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Makal Damas: You dealt with Bataris and his relic. You found us here. No further. The risen god showed me the path. To our legacy. Our salvation. I am this city’s future. And you’ll stay out of my way.

They fight.

Neve: We need to subdue Damas fast! But keep him alive!

Makal Damas: This wretch? I would use him for something better. Even if it’s stopping you.

Neve: No one should die like that!

Rook: Neve! This person controlling Damas—

Neve: We can talk later!

Makal Damas: Is this place better with the Threads, their favors, and petty schemes? Is it better with you? I will give everyone a greater cause!

  • Bellara: Neve protects Dock Town!
  • Davrin: Someone’s got a high opinion of herself.
  • Emmrich: A bold claim!
  • Harding: Yeah, right!
  • Lucanis: Typical Venatori.
  • Taash: Neve’s staff is gonna give your face a greater cause!

Makal Damas: Would you lead these people astray?

Neve: Leave them out of it.

They continue fighting.

Makal Damas: Aaah!

Neve: What’s wrong, Aelia? You won’t shake me this time.

More Venatori join.

Rook: We need to focus on Damas, or whoever that is!

Neve: Bring him down and Aelia will drop control. They won’t send backup after that!

Venatori Mage: My life for the glory of Tevinter reborn!

Neve: More Venatori! We need to end this!

They defeat Damas, and he falls to the ground.

Makal Damas: (Pained groan)

Neve: Aelia.

Neve: Some Threads go missing, no one searches. Use them for dirty work, distractions—no one looks past it to you.

Neve: Taking over the Threads. It secures the Venatori a little more power, but I know you. There’s more.

Neve: You’re setting us up. For what?

Makal Damas: For Minrathous. Our ancient power restored. Our destiny renewed.

Neve: And damn the lives it takes. We’ve played this game before.

Makal Damas: The game never ended.

Dialogue options:

6 - Flirt: Leave Neve alone.

Rook: Neve. Just say the word, and I’ll—

Makal Damas: Loyalty. You’ll gain nothing at her side beyond a fate you deserve.

Neve: This is between us, Aelia. Leave Rook alone.

Scene continues. [10]


7 - Affable: Neve’s not alone.

Rook: I don’t care what you’re playing, but Neve’s got backup.

Makal Damas: Neve keeps her own agenda. If a fool’s caught in it…

Rook: I’ve been called worse.

Scene continues. [10]


8 - Sarcastic: I know your type.

Rook: Oh, I get it. Fancy speeches. Horrible plans. You’re just like any other Venatori.

Neve: Rook.

Scene continues. [10]


9 - Stoic: We’ll end it.

Rook: You wanna say that face-to-face?

Makal Damas: If you wish to be a sacrifice—

Rook: Try it.

Scene continues. [10]


10 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Makal Damas: Minrathous is broken. But you like it. Does it flatter your ego to leave the city as it is? To prove your cynicism right?

Damas raises a fist at Rook. It glows read, and Neve steps between them and blocks the spell.

Neve: (Startled gasp)

Makal Damas: I am our hope. I’ll change these streets. Starting with Dock Town. It could do better. Goodbye, Neve.

Aelia appears to stop possessing Damas.

Makal Damas: (Grunts)

He collapses.

Makal Damas: (Gasping breaths)

Neve raises a hand to stop Rook.

Makal Damas: Venhedis! Fucking cultist snakes. They’ll pay for this.

Damas stands.

Dialogue options:

11 - Affable: Are you all right.

Rook: Damas? Are you all right?

Neve: I wouldn’t be.

Scene continues. [14]


12 - Sarcastic: Should we be worried?

Rook: I know we’re here to save him, but he’s still a crime boss—and he’s really angry.

Neve: Can you blame him?

Rook: Fair enough.

Scene continues. [14]


13 - Stoic: This could be a trick.

Rook: Is this the real Makal Damas?

Neve: He’s clear.

Scene continues. [14]


14 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Makal Damas: Neve Gallus. If you’re here, Elek sent you.

Neve: You’re welcome.

Makal Damas: You did me a favor. I heard you stopped a red lyrium relic—and the Venatori responsible walked. Bataris. I’ve got dirt on him.

Saved MinrathousSaved Treviso
Makal Damas: Enough for your templar friend to move should it land in her lap. Consider it my thanks.Neve: Enough for the Shadows to make a move?

Makal Damas: Consider it my thanks.

Dialogue options:

15 - No. We’ll find a better way.
Saved MinrathousSaved Treviso

Rook: Look, I work with some questionable people. And Bataris deserves it. But Minrathous has enough problems. Thread blackmail…

Makal Damas: Is that a no?

Neve: We’re good.

Rook: No offense.

Makal Damas: None taken.
- Neve Disapproves

Rook: Are you sure? With everything going on… do you want Thread blackmail mixed in?

Neve: You’ve seen what’s happening to Dock Town. We need to fight with what we’ve got.

She turns to Damas.

Neve: I’ll take the offer.

Makal Damas: Consider it done.

Makal Damas: Like us or not, the Threads protect their streets. We share an enemy. Don’t forget that.

Scene continues. [17]


16 - Deal. Bataris threatens lives.

Rook: Bataris put lives at risk. If you can take him down…

Saved MinrathousSaved Treviso
Neve: Just make sure it doesn’t blow back on Rana.Neve: Do it.

Makal Damas: Consider it done. The Threads protect their streets. Looks like you do, too.

Scene continues. [17]


17 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Damas leaves.

Rook: There’s no one else here. The person controlling him…

Neve: She’s gone.


Back at the Lighthouse

Took Threads’ dealDid not take Threads’ deal
Neve: I didn’t go looking for the Thread boss. I wasn’t looking for… (Sighs) Rana has her evidence on Bataris. Whatever Damas gave her, you can bet it was real.

Rook: Then a dangerous Venatori was taken down.

Neve: And the Threads’ reputation grows in the shadows. There’s always a catch. Look, this was my job. I wasn’t looking to drag you in. I shouldn’t have.
Neve: I didn’t go looking for the Thread boss. I wasn’t looking for… (Sighs) Rana knows we found Damas. I didn’t say who he is, or that he could hand her Bataris.

Rook: If we let Rana use Thread dirt… I’m not sure that’s better.

Neve: Maybe it’s right. Maybe Bataris loose is worse. Which way’s the catch? Look, this was my job. I wasn’t looking to drag you in. I shouldn’t have.
Dialogue options:

1 - Flirt: I’m here for you.

Rook: I wanted to go.

Neve: This time. Next time—

Rook: Won’t change. All right. The blood mage, Aelia. Who is she?

Scene continues. [6]


2 - Affable: Friends help each other.

Rook: We saved Damas. The stuff with Aelia? We’ll figure it out.

Neve: This doesn’t end well.

Rook: Who is she? Besides an evil blood mage.

Scene continues. [6]


3 - Sarcastic: It got weird. Bet we’re fine.

Rook: Your friend, Aelia. She’s… fun. But it turned out all right.

Neve: She’s still out there.

Rook: Who is she? Besides an evil blood mage.

Scene continues. [6]


4 - Stoic: Don’t give me that.

Rook: Hey. I’m great in a fight. What’s the problem?

Neve: We got Damas. We didn’t get Aelia.

Rook: Who is she? Besides an evil blood mage.

Scene continues. [6]


5 - Shadow Dragon: It’s my city too.

Rook: I’m a Shadow. No matter what that city does to us, we protect it. Together.

Neve: We work our own assignments.

Rook: Not always. The mage controlling those people: Aelia. Who is she?

Scene continues. [6]


6 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Neve: A damn fanatic. A believer in Tevinter’s former glory. I caught her trying to “save” the city. The ritual, what she wanted to summon—she’d have sacrificed us all. I caught her. The templars had her. Turns out Aelia had sympathy in the right places. She disappeared from her cell. But I had a lead… I should have gone alone, but I went looking for backup. Someone I could trust. Rana. I found her partner first.

She looks at the Andrastian pendant on her desk.

Neve: Brom always wore that Andrastian pendant. Had it that night, too. He was a pain, but at the end of the day, he always showed up. Tried to do the right thing. Like it’s easy. He went in too fast. Aelia found him. She got out. Brom didn’t.

Dialogue options:

7 - Affable: I’m so sorry.

Rook: I’m sorry.

Neve: Yeah. Me, too.

Scene continues. [10]


8 - Sarcastic: That’s a lot to take in.

Rook: That… I… that’s a lot.

Neve: (Laughs) Yeah.

Scene continues. [10]


9 - Stoic: She’ll fall this time.

Rook: One more reason to take her down now.

Neve: I wasn’t looking for another.

Scene continues. [10]


10 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.

Neve: Aelia’s trail went cold after that. The templars stopped putting people on it. They buried Brom’s death. Like it was nothing. Said it wasn’t an official case, that he didn’t have orders. He put protecting Dock Town first. He helped me. And that’s what he got.

Choice dependent dialogue:
Took Threads’ dealDid not take Threads’ deal
Neve: So what now? You cross lines, play dirty, get results.Neve: So what now? You play by the rules, and a Venatori walks.

Neve: There’s no winning here. If Aelia’s returned, if she’s backed by a god, Dock Town loses. Some cynical investigator won’t change that.

Dialogue options:

11 - Flirt: I believe in you, Neve.

Rook: The Neve I know cares more than anyone about Dock Town and the whole damn world.

Neve: Is that what you know?

Rook: She’s stubborn. Which means she’ll stay in the fight.

Neve: (Laughs) Sure.

Rook: And despite what she thinks, she’s not in this alone.

Scene ends.


12 - Affable: You can do this.

Rook: You’ve stopped Aelia before.

Neve: Lost her, too.

Rook: Dock Town only loses if you stop fighting. And from what I’ve seen, you don’t.

Neve: There’s no straight line through.

Rook: Is there ever?

Neve: You get the pep-talk thing from Varric?

Rook: How’d I do?

Neve: Not bad.

Scene ends.


13 - Sarcastic: You worry too much.

Rook: You don’t know the future. Unless you’re keeping secrets.

Neve: If I get that power, you’ll be the first to know.

Rook: (Laughs) All right. Here’s a future: Dock Town’s got you. You’ll do what you have to.

Neve: Whatever that means.

Rook: You’ll figure it out.

Scene ends.


14 - Stoic: We beat her this time.
Took Threads’ dealDid not take Threads’ deal
Rook: We stopped the Venatori from running a crime syndicate. We got Bataris.Rook: We stopped the Venatori from running a crime syndicate.

Rook: That’s the win, Neve. Take it.

Neve: It’s what we’ve got.

Rook: And the next time… we’ll see when we get there.

Scene ends.

Return to choice selection.

Deleted Dialogue