Act of Mercy - p. 1 Dragon Age II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Received from: reading the message by the desk in [Lowtown - Gamlen's House]

Step 1: Exploring the road to Wounded Coast

You will receive this quest automatically after completing Rumour: Act of Mercy, that is after reading the Act of Mercy message at Gamlen's House (M14, 3) and accepting taking on the new task #1. You can leave the area and choose to go to [Wounded Coast Approach] from the world map #2 (M37, 1).

Almost immediately after getting there you will be attacked by a group of Dragonlings #1. During the fight here, it's worth to use spells which freeze monsters #2 and additionally strengthen your party's fire resistance. Stay cautious, as some Dragonlings will appear later on. Additionally you will come across a second group after beginning to explore the location.

After eliminating all monsters, head east and turn south at the first opportunity #1. Luckily you won't meet any monsters here. Instead you should reach an entrance to a cave, where Thrask will be standing #2 (M37, 2). During the conversation you can ask him and additional question on the Apostates hiding inside the caves. Offer help with solving the problem (choosing the dialogue options has a minimum influence on the relations, for example with Aveline). Afterwards you will be able to use the passage leading to [Wounded Coast Approach - Runaways' Cavern] (M38, 1).

Step 2: Getting to the Apostates' leader

Be sure to save your game, as after a few steps you will bump into a powerful Apostate #1 (M38, 2), who will summon a group of Corpses to help. The basic difficulty of this fight is that the Apostate uses blood magic #2. It means that he can suck health out of your party and use it to heal his own wounds.

I'd definitely recommend equipping weapons and spells which will let you freeze or paralyze the Apostate #1. It's when you should start attacking him. Once the effect wears off, quickly move your warriors away. It's also worth to place your party members far from each other, so that the Apostate's spells don't hit multiple targets at once. Only after eliminating the mage should you begin attacking the Corpses #2, as unfortunately they won't die with him.

Head south. On your way it will be worth to explore the area, though it's optional. A small group of Corpses will attack you at a slightly bigger location #1. As they won't be assisted by any mage, defeating them should be easy. Continue moving south. You have to reach as spot where apart from Corpses, you will be attacked also by Skeleton Archers #2 and those monsters should be the first to attack.

After the fight the game will automatically start a conversation with one of the hiding Apostates #1 (M38, 3). He will want to surrender. Before you let him go (dialogue options won't have a big influence here), it's worth to ask about the leader, Decimus. Head south #2.

After a while you should get to the biggest room of the underground caves complex. Head to where Decimus is standing #1 (M38, 4). Unfortunately you won't be able to talk with him, as the Apostate will attack you at once, summoning a group of Corpses #2.

Step 3: Defeating Decimus

Fighting Decimus will be very similar to the one right after entering the cave, with the obvious difference that the enemy will be more difficult to kill. Focus all your attacks on him #1. You have to rely on paralysis, freezing and other such methods, not allowing Decimus to use blood magic too often #2.

Don't hope for the fight to get easier once you defeat Decimus #1, as you still have a long way to go. After eliminating the main mage, start attacking the Apostates who will appear in the area #2. Luckily they will be less resistant than the one met at the beginning of the cave.

Leave the Corpses and Skeleton Archers for the end #1, even a very weakened party should be able to take care of them. Defeating all the monsters will launch a conversation with Grace #2. Here you will have to make the first of many decisions regarding the further fate of the apostates. Even though the possibilities overlay to some degree, they can be divided into three solutions, described precisely in the further part:

• Refusing to help the apostates in escaping. The description of this option can be found in Step 4, Option A.
• Promising to help the apostates get out using a trick. The description of this option can be found in Step 4, Option B.
• Promising to help the apostates get out at all costs. The description of this option can be found in Step 4, Option C.