Dragon Age: Origins walkthrough

NEW AREA: Denerim
You’ll immediately stumble upon Goldanna’s house if you’ve talked with Alistair about her and agreed to meet her. Things aren’t going to go too well, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a few points from telling him you care.

Head into Weylon’s house. There’s no wrong way to go about this conversation, but you should know that the Weylon you’re speaking to is an impostor. In the room he doesn’t want you to enter lies the real Weylon’s body, along with the Steel Symbol of Andraste. Leliana will like it.

To find the Urn of Sacred Ashes, you’ll need to head to the Village of Haven next.

NEW AREA: Village of Haven
After a cold welcoming by a guard, feel free to explore the village.

KEY ITEM: Antivan Leather Boots
You’ll find an Iron Chest in the Village Shop. If you’re skilled enough to break the lock, you’ll get some great gifts, including Antivan Leather Boots for Zevran and a Locket for Morrigan. If you’re not skilled enough to break the lock yet, you can always come back later. Head up to the Chantry to fight Eirik.

MINIBOSS: Eirik
You know the drill by now. All of Eirik’s men will attack in a cluster. Assuming you have the magic and a clear shot, use any area spells you have to take them all out at once. This battle shouldn’t be too difficult at this point. Make sure to grab Eirik’s Medallion off him once he’s down.

Be sure to check the left room for a few good items, including a small silver bar for Zevran. Look for Genitivi behind the brick wall. He’ll take you to the Ruined Temple.

NEW AREA: Ruined Temple
To the east are several cultists and a gift: Discovering Dragon’s Blood. Wynne will like it. To the right is a locked door and a few scrolls that will update your codex. Up the stairs and to the right are a series of rooms, one of which contains a Black Pearl and a key to the locked door you passed earlier. There’s some Chasind Sack Mead there, too. Save it for Oghren. Use the key on the first locked door and get a key to the main hall. Make your way through the guards, while taking note of the many traps that line the hall. Use electricity spells if you have them. An Ash Wraith waits for you along with a number of guards. The Ash Wraiths hide in treasure chests. Only the locked one in this room is safe to open. Make your way from here to the Wrymling Lair.

NEW AREA: Wrymling Lair
There are several minor treasures to find here, including a Stone Warrior Statuette, which Alistair will appreciate. Father Kolgrim will ask you to help his cult. Once again, you can either help him or defy him. Helping him will win you points with negatively aligned characters, and you’ll lose no points with Alistair as long as you can persuade him you have something up your sleeve. If you fight him, be warned – he’s pretty tough. You will get a Faith’s Edge for beating him though, which is pretty sweet.

NEW AREA: Mountain Top
Banging the gong will wake the High Dragon. Don’t do it unless you think you can beat one of the toughest bosses in the game. If Kolgrim is still alive, he’ll make sure you don’t have to fight it.

OPTIONAL BOSS: High Dragon
If you do choose to fight the High Dragon, you may be able to survive by staying far away with a team of Mages and spamming spells from the bridge. Your best bet is to keep your distance and heal your allies constantly. This battle is a grind and you’ll need to be well equipped to survive. You’ll get a Dragon Scale, which triggers a quest, and other random goodies for your efforts if you prevail.

NEW AREA: The Gauntlet
In the first room, you’ll have to answer a series of riddles. Here are the answers:

Riddle: The smallest lark could carry it, while a strong man might not. Of what do I speak?
Answer: A tune

Riddle: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The debt of blood must be paid in full. Of what do I speak?
Answer: Vengeance

Riddle: The bones of the world stretch towards the sky's embrace. Veiled in white, like a bride greeting her groom. Of what do I speak?
Answer: The mountains

Riddle: No man has seen it but all men know it. Lighter than air, sharper than any sword. Comes from nothing, but will fell the strongest armies. Of what do I speak?
Answer: Hunger

Riddle: She wields the broken sword, and separates true kings from tyrants. Of what do I speak?
Answer: Mercy

Riddle: A poison of the soul, passion's cruel counterpart; from love she grows, till love lies slain. Of what do I speak?
Answer: Jealousy

Riddle: I'd neither a guest nor a trespasser be; in this place I belong, that belongs also to me. Of what do I speak?
Answer: Home

Riddle: Echoes from the shadow realm, whispers of things yet to come. Thought's strange sister dwells in night, is swept away by dawning light. Of what do I speak?
Answer: Dreams

In the next room, you’ll do battle with ghost versions of your party. If you can, lure them through the choke point you entered through. Next, you’ll see a circular room with a number of panels. Your goal here will be to use all the members of your party together to make the bridge appear.

Each segment of the bridge corresponds with two panels, one on each half of the room. You’ll need one party member on each panel to make that segment safe to walk on. Make the bridge pieces in order - each time you get a new piece of bridge made, have the one designated party member not standing on a panel cross to that new piece.

In the next room, there’s an altar. Take off your gear to continue and grab those ashes! Don’t forget to take the Golden Demon Pendant off the Unfortunate Adventurer to give to Morrigan, and make sure you save. If you defile the ashes with Kolgrim’s blood, Leliana will turn on you. However, you’ll also get the “Sacrilegious” Achievement/Trophy. Otherwise, just take the ashes for the Ceremonialist Achievement.

There’s a shortcut in the west of the Mountain Top to get you to the Ruined Temple quicker. Show Genitivi the pouch, but don’t kill him to keep everyone happy. Then, make your way all the way back to Redcliffe Castle. Once you return to the Arl, you’ll save the day and get yourself the Redcliffe Elite Shield.
Congratulations! You’re now the Hero of Redcliffe.