PART 3 - SMEXY NOM NOMS
Remember the amulet Flemeth asked Hawke to deliver? It's been a year since then. The time has come. Hawke is ready to go, but email comes first.
We are greeted by a pack of giant spiders.
The Dalish camp we are going to enter.
Hold, shemlen! Your kind are not welcome among the Dalish.
The sooner I finish my business, the sooner I'll leave.
You have no business here.
Wait! This is the one the Keeper spoke of.
A shemlen? I thought he'd be an elf.
Enter the camp. Keeper Marethari has been waiting for you.
Cause trouble, and you'll meet our blades, stranger.
The new and redesigned Keeper. An old version, for comparison.
Marethari? I was told to bring you this amulet.
Andaran atish'an, travelers. Indeed, I am Keeper Marethari. Let me look at you.
It has been a long, hard journey to this place. And it's far from over.
Tell me how this burden fell to you, child.
I brought the amulet here as I was asked. Aren't you supposed to tell me what to do with it?
I understand. It is never as easy thing to speak of debts. I will ask no more questions of you.
The amulet must be taken to an altar at the top of the mountain, and given a Dalish rite for the departed.
Then return the amulet to me. Do this, and your debt will be repaid.
Are you going to teach me this rite for the departed?
I will send my First with you. She will see to it the ritual is done.
And when it is complete, I must ask that you take her with you when you go.
I live in Kirkwall. I don't have room for stray elves.
You needn't look after her. Simply take her to the city.
You'll find Merrill waiting for you on the trail just up the mountain. Dareth shiral.
They fucked up an area design with this one. Dalish camp in Origins at least managed to look like a camp. This one consists of a few campfires and a dozen of babbling pointy-eared tards.
Whatever, we grab some quest-related stuff from a box.
CONSEQUNCES CARRIED FROM THE PREVIOUS GAME!!!
If I were the Keeper, you wouldn't even have that list. Your family murdered Zathrian and his entire tribe.
They weren't themselves. They were cursed. And each day more lose themselves to the beast.
If you haven't read or forgot my Origns LP you should know that I chose to support furries which led to a demise of the Dalish clan.
What's this about curses? And beasts?
This shemlen speaks for the werewolves of the Brecilian Forest. She represents murderers!
And saviors, too. They fought at the Battle of Denerim with the Hero of Ferelden.
But now they're losing hold of their senses. Even the Lady of the Forest is growing wild.
If you don't help soon, they'll be nothing but monsters. And then, then you'll see murders.
We are done.
If I can help keep the werewolves from turning to beasts, I will.
Thank you. The curse can't be broken, but it can be slowed.
The Keeper gave me a list of ingedients, but some will be difficult and dangerous to find.
Please, help me find them.
But Bioware is Bioware. They manage to turn pretty interesting idea of long-term consequences into another boring fetch quest with idiotic placement of required items. For example, the first ingredient is just a few steps away.
I must admit some of Varric's lines are rather amusing.
Maybe I should put you to use, Varric. Have you pen some warnings for the lawless.
Who's that for? Are most criminals big readers? Seems like pacifying the nobles.
Pictures then. It was just a suggestion.
How about a giant sign that just says "Don't." You could hit people with it.
Thank you, I get the point.
"Enemies appearing from the thin air" phrase wasn't an exaggeration. They really do.
We grab the second component.
Nom noms
I want to be a Na'vi.
Oh! I didn't hear. You must be the one the Keeper told me about. Aneth ara.
I'm so sorry, I didn't ask your name. Unless... it's not rude to ask a human their name, is it?
I'm Merrill. Which you probably knew already. I'm rambling, sorry.
We've got a job to do. Don't waste time chatting.
Don't mind Hawke, miss. Fereldans aren't exactly famous for their manners. Varric Tethras at your service.
I know little of outsiders. No chatting is for the best. I'd probably say a lot of things that are very stupid.
She's absolutely right.
We should go. Your task is for Asha'bellanar. It's not wise to make her wait.
Let's get this over with.
Zombies. So, the Dalish clan lives near a mountain full of aggressive wildlife and zombies and can't be bothered to clear their neightbourhood or move somewhere else? They deserve the extinction, really.
The Keeper didn't mention you were a mage.
Oh, yeah. She carries a big stick behind her back capable of pew-pewing harmful colorful thingies, who can she be? Think, Hawke, think.
All Keepers know a bit of old magic.
The stories tell us that all elvhen once had the gift, but like so many things, it was lost.
It's a Keeper's job to remember, to restore what we can.
Watch where you're casting those spells.
I'm sorry, I wasn't sure what was best to do.
I've done a little fighting before, but it was always alone.
I'll try not to hit anyone. On our side, I mean. I'm babbling again. Let's go.
So the Keeper finally found someone to take you from here.
Yes.
Then finish your task quickly, human. We cannot be rid of this one too soon.
I'm sensing a story here.
I have made my choice. And I will save our clan, whatever you think.
We should keep moving.
Of course. My apologies.
Hmm, it seems our innocent loli is resented by her fellow clansmen. There must be a reason for this, some nasty, dark secret.
The path is barred by a rockslide.
We have to enter the caverns.
And again she evades a straight answer.
I'm sorry. You're not really seeing the Dalish at their best.
We're good people that look out for each other. Just not today, apparently.
There's more going on here than you and Marethari have told me.
It's a misunderstanding. It doesn't matter now.
Even if my people don't appreciate my efforts, I must see this through.
Let's go. Asha'bellanar isn't known for her patience.
Really? I think she can wait few more hours.
Inside we are attacked by a large group of spiders.
A part of armor set.
More spiders.
Some stuff for delivery.
Zombies.
Shades.
And a new type of enemies - Shadow Warrior. Sadly, he's not even 1/10000000th as cool as Lo Wang.
Magic barrier closes our path.
I can open the way forward. One moment.
I don't even, she just cut her palm, where all this blood is coming from?
I felt the Veil shift. You called something here. Are you insane?
Yes, it was blood magic, but I know what I'm doing. The spirit helped us, didn't it?
Call it what it is. You summoned a demon.
Demons are just spirits. Like honor or joy. It's not their fault they are what they are.
Be careful up ahead. Restless things prowl the heights.
In the days of Arlathan, the elders came here to sleep. Uthenera. The endless dream, they called it.
But they don't sleep peacefully anymore.
Aveline friendship +5
Bethany friendship +5
So she's a blood mage bargaining with demon, heh.
This place just screams: "it's an ambush!" We send Aveline forward to trigger it.
We are opposed by an Arcane Horror supported by a wave of zombies. Fortunately, we are able to gangbang Horror pretty fast.
After that, dealing with zombies and Shadow Warrior is a matter of patience.
Merrill can perform the rite now.
Hahren na melana sahlin.
Emma ir abelas souver'inan isala hamin vhenan him dor'felas.
In uthenera na revas.
MY EYES!
Spending the whole year inside the amulet. Must be really pissed off.
Aaah, and here we are!
Andaran atish'an, Asha'bellanar.
She bows.
One of the people, I see, so young and bright. Do you know who I am, beyond that title?
I know only a little.
Then stand. The people bend their knee too quickly.
So refreshing to see someone who keeps their end of a bargain. I half-expected my amultet to end up in a merchant's pocket!
You were inside that amulet the entire time?
Just a piece. A small piece, but it was all I neeeded.
A bit of security, should the inevitable occur. And if I know my Morrigan, it already has.
You should have told me what I would face.
Did I trick you? I asked you to bring the amulet, and you did.
If I thought it such an easy task, I might have asked anyone. But you have succeeded where others would not.
You have plans, I take it?
Destiny awaits us both, dear boy. We have much to do.
But before I go, a word of advice?
We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss.
Watch for that moment... and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap.
It only when you fall than you learn whether you can fly.
Stop speaking in riddles!
You're welcome.
To Merrill
As for you, child, step carefully. No path is darker than when your eyes are shut.
Ma serannas, Asha'bellanar.
Now the time has come for me to leave. You have my thanks... and my simpathy.
OK, we are going to find the last ingredient and get off this rock.
Level-up for Hawke, now he's abble to summon dog.
The last component is within a reach.
Bah! Zombies.
Revenants make a return. I must say Bioware has cheapened them a lot. They lack cool stuff like Force Pull or excellent protection from magic. Instead they are generic fat monsters capable of throwing grenades(!) and buff themselves and nearby monsters with protective aura. With a patience then can be soloed by a single ranged character with ease.
Beth gets a level-up as well. I grant her the healing spell.
Finally, we grab it.
Ma serannas, child. Your debt is paid in full.
It isn't too late to change your mind, da'len.
Dareth shiral, Keeper.
I'm ready. Let's depart.
I really hate when games teleport me through dialog without asking first.
Elgar'nan. Is this... is this really where the elves live?
Not the prettiest part of Kirkwall, but it doesn't have a view of the giant chains. Take what you can get.
I didn't think it would be so... so...
I've never seen so many people in one place before. It seems so lonely.
You already know me. You'll make other friends soon enough.
I... thank you.
Thank you for everything. For all your help.
Will you come visit me? Not now, of course. But maybe later? I could use a friend.
I think I can manage that.
Thank you. I'm thanking you too much, aren't I? I mean it, though.
This alienage reminds more of a dirty hippie hangout than a ghetto shithole from Denerim.
So let's pay her a visit.
I didn't think you'd come!
I'll find something relatively clean for you to sit on.
Can I get you something to eat or drink? I have... water.
It's... cozy. And your furry friends are charming.
Oh, are the rats back? I thought I found all their holes.
I wanted to thank you for bringing me here, but I'm making a mess of it.
How about a kiss, then?
I haven't exactly had many friends. Not even among my own clan. This is... tricky.
You seem to be getting the hang of it already.
I'm glad you think so.
Thank you for coming to visit me, Hawke. It... means a lot to me.
We've yet to deliver the components and collect a reward.
Merrill joins the party properly and I give her Chain Lighting spell.
Random encounter.
A dwarf is besieged by a bunch of spiders. His bodyguards are worthless. Awesome comes to the rescue.
After the battle
Stop your shaking, dwarf. You're safe.
No thanks to this lot. Can't get a decent blade at a bargain anymore.
His design was clearly inspired by this one. You have no honor, Bioware.
You though, you're what a man needs -- a skilled enthusiast.
There a job in this rambling?
Name is Javaris Tintop, and I need someone to help me court the Qunari.
"Court the Qunari"? Maker, think of the children!
Those horn-heads in Kirkwall have a powder. That explodes. And it's just dust, no lyrium, no demons. Anyone can use it.
I often look at every second idiot and think "he needs more power."
I doubt they were eager to sell.
That Arishok said I wasn't worthy, that only their outcasts, the Tal-Vashoth, are that mercenary.
I said, "Great, I'll go talk to them." Didn't go over well.
But, it made me think -- maybe he'll bargain if I get rid of something that bothers him more than, well, me.
The Tal-Vashoth.
The Tal-Vashoth. Are you up for some paid hunting?
All right. I'll step in for you. For a price.
I'm done bargain hunting. I want it done right.
Now, best I could figure, they're up the Wounded Coast, a whole camp. Take their heads off and meet me at the compound in Kirkwall.
Get this right, and we'll be richly rewarded. Richly!
Hmm, gunpowder holds a fairly prominent place in DA2's storyline. Don't be surprised if DA3 ends up being popamole shootan.
The delivery is complete.
I found all the ingredients, Clara.
I knew you'd come through! Take this.
I need to go. Before it's too late!
Back to the homebase.
Pants
Keep it down, dog!
Pants
All that noisy dog breath, day in, day out. Make him stop!
That's enough, boy. You showed him who's boss.
Barks.
New quest e-mail.
That's all for now.