Fool's Gold - p. 1 Dragon Age II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

The quest giver: Yevhen [Hightown - Merchants' Guild]

Step 1: Talk to Yevhen

Note! This quest is available only if you've chosen an option the Hero of Ferelden during creating your hero in the Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening tab! You'll find a dwarf named Yevhen after your return from the Deep Roads in the [Hightown - Merchants' Guild] location (of course only during the day) #1 (M3, 16). Talk to him and you'll learn that he is mad at you because his three sons decided to follow your steps and went to the same place. You can ask a dwarf about each brother and at the end of the conversation offer him your help in finding them (upper right dialog option) #2 or refuse it temporarily (bottom right dialog option). If you choose the second option you'll be able to take this quest next time you visit Yevhen.

Step 2: Save Emrys

Now you can leave this area and being on the world map select a trip to the [Deep Roads] location #1. After reaching the destination (M44, 7) you should notice that you're in the well known place but this time you do not have to explore it again. Head north and then turn east. After few moments you'll be attacked by hurlocks and hurlock bolters #2. Your priority is to eliminate the latter, especially that their distance attack will deal more damage than before.

Now head north and then turn east again #1. In the new location you'll meet the first of three brothers, Emrys #2 (M44, 8). The dwarf will tell you that Iwan went in search of some mythical sword, locking Merin in a room with two darkspawn emissaries. The dialog option you choose at the end of this conversation is not final but it doesn't change the fact that you have to think over which brother you will save. Unfortunately saving all three dwarves is not possible. Here are your options:

• If you want to save Merin then take a look at the section Step 3, Variant A.
• If you want to save Iwan then take a look at the section Step 3, Variant B.

Step 3, Variant A: Save Merin

If you want to save Merin you need to go back a little bit and choose a passage leading to the north #1. You have to be very careful here because besides hurlocks and hurlock Bolters you'll have to fight darkspawn emissary #2. Try to kill the monster as fast as possible.

A next group of hurlocks led by another darkspawn emissary should appear soon near the corridor you used to get here #1. After the battle a game will automatically show a brief conversation scene with Merin #2 (M44, 9). Regardless of the dialog options you choose he will decide to leave the Deep Roads.

Now return to the place where you've met Emrys previously and head east #1. Then turn to the north, passing the large hall. After reaching the place where Iwan suppose to stay, you'll discover that he was killed by darkspawns in the meantime. Examine his body #2 (M44, 3) and you'll find the golem control rod. A description of further actions can be found in the section Step 4.

Step 3, Variant B: Save Iwan

If you want to save Iwan you need to head east #1 and then turn to the north, passing the large hall. After reaching the new location you'll see Iwan fighting darkspawns #2 (M44, 3). Join the battle aiming mainly at all monsters that attack the dwarf (he got his own health bar.

After the battle a game will automatically show a brief conversation scene with Iwan #1. The dwarf can be persuaded to leave the Deep Roads but he'll also tell you that in order to get the sword, you need to possess the golem control rod. It can be obtained in three ways #2:

• ask Varric to step into the action (upper left dialog option): available only if Varric is currently a member of your party
• pay Iwan for a rod (upper right dialog option): it would cost you 50 pieces
• threaten him to give you a rod (bottom right dialog option): dwarf would have got scared and gave it to you for free

Saving Iwan leads unfortunately to Merin's death. If you want to see this for yourself, you should return to a place where you had a conversation with Emrys and choose a path leading to the north #1. Besides the Merin's body (M44, 9) you'll have to fight darkspawns led by darkspawn emissaries #2. A description of further actions can be found in the section Step 4.