The Haunting Dragon Age II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Received from: Varrik [Lowtown - The Hanged Man]

Step 1: Checking the Bartrand's mansion

You will get this task automatically after completing the companion quest titled A Small Problem, so after talking to Varrik about the haunted Bartrand's mansion. At night you can go to the localization [Hightown]. Here head towards the mansion and find the passage (M4, 13) leading to localization [Hightown - Bartrand's Mansion] #1 (M56, 2). After reaching the place, start exploring other rooms in the mansion #2. You will witness some strange events here but at the moment you are safe.

It is a good idea to check the storage room in the north-east part of the mansion #1, where you can listen to a short story about the past of Varrik and Bartrand. To make the action go on, head towards the main room of the mansion, go upstairs and choose the doors leading to the main living room #2 (M56, 5), so to the place where you met Bartrand the last time you came here.

After getting inside, you will meet one of woman hiding in here #1. The team will then come back to the main room of the mansion where ethereal golem is waiting #2 (M56, 1). As you can assume, you will have to fight here.

Step 2: Defeating the ethereal golem

Of course if you want, run downstairs but it is better to fight golem on the stairs #1 or on the floor. Use your soldiers to attack the monster, the rest of the team should stay in the back. Watch out when the golem is loading himself #2. In such case it is better to keep all teammates in a distance, because the explosion of energy could knock them down and take most of their health away.

You have to fight as long as golem temporarily disappears and sends weaker monsters after you. Start attacking Shades #1. It is advisable to fight the monsters by the stairs or on the floor as it is more difficult for them to surround the team. You have to eliminate all Shades, as a result the ethereal golem comes back to the battlefield #2.

The general idea of fighting the golem hasn't changed, so continue attacking the monster #1, watch out for the moments when he tries to free the energy stored inside of him. Fight until the golem disappears again and sends even bigger group of Shades against you #2.

After eliminating the Shades, the last third stage of fighting the ethereal golem will start #1. This time you can also expect additional obstacles and you should be able to take the life energy from the monster and as a result, kill #2.

Step 3: Making a decision about a fragment of idol made from lyrium

After eliminating the golem, the game will present a new cut-scene #1, during which you should notice that the idol has a negative influence on Varrick as it used to have on Bartrand. After the conversation is over, you have two options #2:

• You can hand the fragment of idol to Varrik (right upper dialogue option). Probably the rest of the team will be against it but you are the one who makes the final decision. You will have to wait for the long-term results, although now you will obtain strong leather trench coat for Varrik, and Varrik's arch will get three new slots for runes.
• Making Varrik get rid of the fragment of idol (right bottom dialogue option). The dwarf will be not pleased with the situation, but he will not leave the team and the point relation between you will not change too.

If you gave the fragment to Varrik, the quest will end. In the opposite case you can use the fragment as you wish. Go to the localization [Hightown - Hawke Estate] and click on Sandal #1 (M14, 16). During the talk #2 you will learn that he can make you something. After a while it will turn out it will be ancient lyrium rune, and it will allow you to increase your attack speed of 35%.

No matter which solution you choose, you should get two more quests connected with Varrick. Before entering the mansion it is worth checking the register upstairs (a short conversation) and open cleverly closed chest.

Unblocked companion quest: Closure

Unblocked companion quest: The Anniversary