Best Served Cold - p. 2 Dragon Age II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Step 6: Reach the main conspirators' base

Leave the warehouse and continue your trip to the [Wounded Coast] location. After reaching the place, choose southern path and follow it until you can turn south #1. Get ready because you'll be attacked there by a new group of templars and mages. Kill the latter #2 first of course.

You'll have to eliminate the templar lieutenant #1 in this fight too, but there is no point to wait until all other enemies are dead - just eliminate him when you can. After winning the battle you'll talk to Samson (M28, 25), who you've already met in Lowtown. This meeting is in fact not so important - you'll just share your plans with Samson at the end of the conversation #2.

Now you can head south. There will be no enemies for the moment; neither will you fall into any traps. Your ultimate target is a larger camp #1 (M28, 26). Head towards people visible in the distance #2 in order to start the conversation with Grace (you should remember her from the main quest Act of Mercy) and sir Thrask.

Unfortunately you do not have any influence on this meeting. Grace not only won't release the hostage despite Thrask's objections but also wants to kill him. Depending on decisions made in earlier phases of the game, the hostage is:

• Bethany - only if she didn't die in the Deep Roads
• Carver - only if he didn't die in the Deep Roads
• Anders - only if Bethany/Carver are dead and you have an affair with Anders
• Fenris - only if Bethany/Carver are dead and you have an affair with Fenris
• Isabela - only if Bethany/Carver are dead and you have an affair with Isabela
• Merrill - only if Bethany/Carver are dead and you have an affair with Merrill
• Another member of your party. If all of these people are not good "candidates to be kidnapped", then the abducted person is a party member who is a best friend of you. The game will however choose him (or her) among those who weren't with you at the conspirators' recruitment post.

Fortunately Alain #1 won't agree to execute the hostage. At the end of the conversation, Grace will transform #2, kill Thrask and turn against your party.

Step 7: Kill Grace and her subordinates

Once the battle starts, focus on eliminating Grace as soon as possible #1, because otherwise she would be able to cast powerful spells, being a major threat to your party. After killing her, attack apostates #2 and renegade templars.

You need to hurry and that's because new enemies will join the fight soon. I suggest killing quite tough pride abomination #1 first, using skills of all your party members. Be prepared also to eliminate new templars who appear at the entrance to the camp #2.

In the final phase of the battle you have to watch out for templar hunter #1 and templar lieutenant #2, whom you should attack after dealing with the majority of his subordinates. After winning the battle you'll see another cut-scene with Alain who didn't take active part in fights.

Step 8: Talk to captain Cullen

Captain Cullen will be here soon and you'll have to make two decisions. One concerns Alain #1 and you can ask Cullen to treat him leniently (upper right dialog option) or treat him the same as other mages (bottom right dialog option) #2.

Second decision must be made at the end of conversation #1 and you can:

• ask Cullen to show mages mercy (upper right dialog option)
• stand up for Samson (middle right dialog option) - this will make Samson a templar again #2
• judge that there is no reason to show Mages mercy (bottom right dialog option)

Examine Grace's body before leaving this location - you'll find the Tiger's Tail staff and the Helm of the Champion which is part of a set among others.

Step 9: Report back

Now you can leave the coast and return to the [Gallows Courtyard - Templar Hall] location (M33, 13). Depending on who gave you this quest go to the Knight-Commander Meredith's office (M87, 2) or to First Enchanter Orsino #1 (M87, 3) and report back. Dialog options are not important #2. In both cases you'll be awarded with the Cumberland Circle Robes and you can continue with the main quest Showdown.