The Arl of Redcliffe

"Whatever you do, Eamon is the priority here. If you have to, just get him out of there. Isolde, me, and anyone else... we're expendable."

- Bann Teagan

The Arl of Redcliffe is one of the main quests in Dragon Age: Origins. After the introductory quests, Alistair recommends that the party journey to Redcliffe, in order to obtain the assistance of Arl Eamon Guerrin.

Redcliffe Village
As you approach the Redcliffe Village, you will meet Tomas, triggering a cut-scene in which you are introduced to Bann Teagan, Arl Eamon's brother. He is essentially leading the villagers as the Arl has fallen ill, and communications with the castle have been interrupted by the undead army that is storming the village every night.

When speaking to Bann Teagan and offering your help to defend the village:
 * If you help:
 * Morrigan does not want to get involved:.
 * Sten will argue it is pointless:
 * With sufficient persuasion (25 is not enough), this can be reversed:.
 * If you refuse to help:
 * Leliana does not want to leave the villagers to their fate
 * If you persuade her that you are doing all you can
 * If you tell her it is not open for discussion
 * If you refuse to help:
 * Leliana does not want to leave the villagers to their fate
 * If you persuade her that you are doing all you can
 * If you tell her it is not open for discussion
 * Leliana does not want to leave the villagers to their fate
 * If you persuade her that you are doing all you can
 * If you tell her it is not open for discussion
 * If you persuade her that you are doing all you can
 * If you tell her it is not open for discussion

If you choose to help Redcliffe, the next steps involve preparing for imminent attack (see A Village Under Siege), and eventually fighting off the undead (see The Attack at Nightfall). Warning: Leaving the village for a different location on the World Map (not including Party Camp) will mark either quest as failed.

After the undead have been fought off, Arlessa Isolde will join the Warden and Bann Teagan in a cut-scene providing some information on what is happening in the castle.

Redcliffe Castle
According to Isolde, Redcliffe Castle has been invaded by an "evil force" released by an infiltrator - a mage paid by Loghain to poison Arl Eamon. The mage was discovered and captured, but the evil is beyond control. Most within the castle have been killed, but the arl and arlessa, their son Connor and the mage are still alive. Connor is somehow afflicted, and Isolde claims she was allowed to leave to find him help in the village. Ultimately, she tries to bring Bann Teagan to the castle, alone.

Teagan agrees to go, but gives the Warden his Signet Ring for secret access to the castle's basement.
 * Inside the windmill, opposite the entrance to this secret passage, is a chest containing an Injury Kit and a love letter for Correspondence Interruptus.

Enter the Castle
After using the secret passage, open the first door to three enraged corpses waiting to attack. After this fight, you find Jowan (former colleague of the mage Warden) in a cell.

Talking to him garners some information about what is happening in the castle. Jowan will tell the Warden that he used the guise of tutoring Connor to poison Arl Eamon, and that Loghain directed him to do so in exchange for amnesty (Jowan being a condemned blood mage). He insists, however, that he did not do anything to summon the undead, despite the arlessa's claims. She has had him tortured and locked up. Jowan expresses the desire to right his wrongs, and asks the Warden to release him.



You must decide what to do with Jowan:


 * 1) Kill Jowan.
 * 2) * If Morrigan is in the party she objects:
 * 3) ** Persuade her that he must be killed.
 * 4) ** Tell her this has nothing to do with her.
 * 5) ** Let her change your mind; you make another choice.
 * 6) * Jowan accepts his fate:
 * 7) ** Kill him:
 * 8) *** If Alistair is in the party:
 * 9) **** If he is hardened
 * 10) **** Otherwise
 * 11) *** Leliana
 * 12) *** Sten
 * 13) ** Change your mind and say "I can't kill you.":
 * 14) *** Leliana
 * 15) *** Morrigan - this is on top of the approval decrease from when you decided to kill Jowan.
 * 16) *** You make another choice.
 * 17) ** Change your mind and say "No, forget it. Just stay here.":
 * 18) *** Morrigan - this is on top of the approval decrease from when you decided to kill Jowan.
 * 19) *** Dialogue ends, and he stays in the cell. You can restart the conversation with him and decide again to free, kill, or leave him.
 * 20) Free Jowan and tell him you never want to see him again:
 * 21) * If Alistair is in the party he objects:
 * 22) ** Persuade him that you won't leave Jowan here to die.
 * 23) ** Tell him that he can't hunt Alistair down if he likes.
 * 24) ** Change your mind and let Jowan stay in his cell.
 * 25) ** Change your mind and make another choice.
 * 26) * Morrigan
 * 27) * Sten
 * 28) * Wynne
 * 29) * Jowan leaves and does not appear later when you decide what to do about Connor.
 * 30) Free Jowan and tell him to come with you (he refuses).
 * 31) * You can choose one of the other options: free, kill, or leave him.
 * 32) * You now have the option of telling him to help but not to make things worse. (He disappears, but since he'd promised to find a way to fix the undead problem, he shows up later with an alternative solution to help Connor.)
 * 33) ** Alistair
 * 34) ** Leliana
 * 35) ** Morrigan
 * 36) ** Sten
 * 37) Free Jowan and tell him anything else ("I don't care. You're on your own." or "Escape. This is your last chance.")
 * 38) * He stays, admitting his mistake. Then, "going to find some way to fix it," he disappears, but shows up later with an alternative solution to help Connor.
 * 39) * Alistair
 * 40) * Leliana
 * 41) * Morrigan
 * 42) * Sten
 * 43) Leave Jowan in his cell. He remains there until you change your mind, or Bann Teagan retrieves him later.

Main Floor
The first time the party enters this area is from below, into the northwest corner. They will quickly be confronted by undead. The chapel across the hall holds an elite greater shade with a few lesser minions, and a book. The other room nearby is the armoury (which is locked and contains a variety of weapons and armor).

To the east more corpses will be encountered. Kennels north of the hall contain several mabari (one elite); these will only attack if approached.
 * Loot here includes kaddis, a collar and a for Dog.

South of the corridor, a door leading to the Main Hall is impassable; another leads to more undead. Beyond are stairs to the castle's cellar.

Basement - Cellar
The next section of the basement is a single room providing passage to the courtyard. Check the containers here for and a Love Letter.

Courtyard
Here a considerable fight awaits - Shambling Corpses and Skeleton Archers for the most part, but also a revenant.

A lever just left of the gate may be activated before, during or after any fighting - allowing Ser Perth and other knights (those not lost during The Attack at Nightfall) to join the fight.

Once the knights are inside the gates and the fight is over, you may advise them to hold the courtyard or proceed inside. Either way, entering the main floor triggers a cut-scene.

Main Floor (continued)
You reach the Main Hall to find Bann Teagan (possessed), Connor (also possessed) and Isolde. A cut-scene leads to a fight against a group of dominated guards, led by Teagan. Connor runs away during this battle, and after the battle Teagan is himself again.

What happens next depends on what you did with Jowan.


 * 1) Jowan is still in his cell or you let him go but did not tell him you never wanted to see him again:
 * 2) * If Jowan is still in his cell then Isolde suggests bringing him to see if he knows anything. Teagan brings him in and Isolde blames him for everything; Jowan admits poisoning the Arl and says he wants to help.
 * 3) * If you let Jowan go but did not tell him you never wanted to see him again then Jowan appears during the conversation. Isolde is furious that you set him free but he wants to help and Teagan says she is as much to blame as Jowan.
 * 4) * Jowan says the easiest solution is to kill Connor, but there is another possibility; a mage could enter the Fade and kill the demon there. He says he could use Blood Magic to do it but someone would have to sacrifice themself. Isolde volunteers, but Bann Teagan leaves the decision up to you.
 * 5) * If you have not completed Broken Circle or you have completed it and gotten the Mages’ support, there is another option – going to the Circle Tower and asking them for help.
 * 6) Jowan is dead or you let him go and told him you never wanted to see him again:
 * 7) * Isolde says that Jowan may know something of this demon; when you tell her that he is gone she asks what happened to him. It doesn't matter what you say to her; neither Teagan nor Isolde know what to do.
 * 8) * Morrigan or Wynne, or a magi Warden will suggest that there is another possibility besides killing Connor; a mage could enter the Fade and kill the demon there. This would require many mages and a lot of lyrium which you don’t have so this doesn’t seem likely.
 * 9) ** If you have completed Broken Circle and sided with the Templars then this is not an option.
 * 10) ** If you have completed Broken Circle and sided with the Mages, or have not started Broken Circle yet then you can suggest getting the Mages' support.

Teagan wants you to decide what to do. If you tell him your decision now then you will not be able to explore the rest of the Castle first (after you return from the Fade the enemies in the rest of the Castle are gone), so tell him you need more time to consider.

Go west, fighting the 6 Suits of armor (any knights that entered the castle with you will join the battle if you fall back and get their attention). In the room to the south are the Chamberlain and some enraged corpses and shambling Corpses; the Chamberlain has the Redcliffe Vault Key, required to unlock the Vault upstairs. In the room to the south you can find.

Go upstairs.

Upper Floor
In the rooms before you find Connor you are attacked by Devouring Corpses and Shambling Corpses. You can find:
 * The Guerrins of Ferelden: A Genealogical History
 * Corpse Gall
 * Stone Dragon Statuette
 * The Vault; unlocking this door requires the key from the Chamberlain downstairs. Unlocking the door gets you 50 XP and a good selection of weapons and armor, including:
 * Silver-Framed Still Life
 * Eamon's Shield
 * Chevalier's Mace
 * The Fox's Bow

In one of the north-eastern rooms you find Connor. If you talk to him some conversation choices will cause him to transform to a Desire Demon. If you try to enter the Arl's Bedroom north of Connor he will immediately transform into a Desire Demon.

What to do with Connor
At this point you have to make a decision on what to do with Connor.


 * Option 1: Kill Connor
 * You can tell Teagan and Isolde of your decision if you want, but it is not required. If you tell them:
 * If Leliana is in the party she asks if there is another way:
 * Persuade her that this is for the best.
 * Tell her this is what you're doing.
 * Ask if there are other options; you can make another choice. If you still decide to kill Connor there is no Approval change with her.
 * Shale
 * Sten
 * Wynne
 * Either talk to Connor until he transforms, or try to enter the Arl's bedroom. The Desire Demon will block all exits from the room. The Demon attacks with Area of Effect spells, making single-target attacks during cooldown. It has high health but the AOE spells can easily be avoided as long as the group keeps moving.
 * First the Demon summons 3 Devouring Corpses and 2 Enraged Corpses, and disappears.
 * After the Corpses are dead the Demon returns, summons 3 Lesser Rage Demons, and disappears.
 * After the Lesser Rage Demons are dead the Demon returns and fights until the end. It transforms back into Connor.
 * Isolde runs in and begs you not to kill Connor. No matter what other options she suggests, Connor has to die.
 * Knock out Isolde and kill Connor:
 * Morrigan
 * If Oghren is in the party . If he is not then
 * Sten whether he is in the party or not.
 * Wynne whether she is in the party or not.
 * If Zevran is in the party . If he is not then
 * Let Isolde kill Connor
 * Leliana
 * Morrigan
 * Oghren
 * Wynne
 * Zevran
 * Refuse to let Isolde kill Connor and kill him yourself (without knocking her out).
 * If Leliana is in the party . If she is not
 * Morrigan
 * If Oghren is in the party . If she is not
 * Sten whether he is in the party or not.
 * Wynne
 * If Zevran is in the party . If she is not
 * This is continued in the Results section below.
 * This is continued in the Results section below.


 * Option 2: Jowan's Ritual
 * Go downstairs and tell Isolde to let Jowan cast the ritual. Jowan can cast the spell by himself, but another mage must be sent into the Fade to confront the demon, and a human sacrifice is needed to complete the ritual. Isolde will volunteer to die for her son's sake, and will not be persuaded otherwise, so there is only the matter of which mage to send.
 * If the Warden is a mage you may volunteer to deal with the demon personally (possibly even winning a powerful prize from it); otherwise, you may send Morrigan or Wynne (if Broken Circle has been completed). If the Warden cannot go or chooses not to, there will be no option to bargain with the demon.
 * Once this is decided, the ritual can begin. A grim cut-scene will ensue. Jowan begins the spell and Isolde readies herself; in an instant, the arlessa is killed as if run through by an invisible spear. Your chosen mage is wounded and hurled to the floor; apparently lifeless, they will depart from the physical world and journey into the realm of the Fade ...
 * If Alistair is not in the party
 * Leliana
 * If Morrigan is the one going into the Fade
 * If Morrigan is not the one going into the Fade
 * Shale
 * If Wynne is the one going into the Fade
 * If Wynne is not the one going into the Fade
 * If Wynne is not the one going into the Fade


 * Option 3: Travel to the Circle Tower for help
 * Go downstairs and tell Isolde that you will go to the Circle Tower for help.
 * This is the only way to spare both Connor and Isolde - but it is impossible if Broken Circle is resolved in favor of the templars. If the party has not yet completed this quest, this resolution to Arl of Redcliffe must come later (the time it takes to travel there, finish that quest, and return will not make Connor or Eamon any worse off).
 * When returning with Circle support, go to Irving in the main hall to proceed with the ritual.
 * You must choose which mage to send into the Fade. If the Warden is a mage you may volunteer to deal with the demon personally (possibly even winning a powerful prize from it); otherwise, you may send Morrigan, Wynne (if Broken Circle has been completed), Irving or Jowan (Jowan has Blood Mage spells but only basic gear). If the Warden cannot go or chooses not to, there will be no option to bargain with the demon.
 * Once the choice is made, the ritual can begin.
 * Alistair
 * Leliana
 * Oghren
 * Sten
 * Wynne

The Fade
One of the options in dealing with Connor is to enter the Fade as the Warden yourself (assuming the Warden is a Mage). This section of the Fade is fairly small and a single path winds its way through smaller portions. Various Fade Portals will provide passage to the next part every time. On the destination side of each portal, the Warden will find what appears to be Connor, but quickly turns into a Demon after a brief dialogue.

These Demons have the appearance of the Desire Demon the Warden is hunting, but none of its abilities. As the Warden progresses, the Demons will also be aided by Lesser Rage Demons. After defeating each Demon, the Fade portal that lead to the encounter re-opens, allowing passage to the next section.

The Desire Demon
In the Fade, the demon possessing Connor can either be killed or convinced to trade a favor for its life. If the Warden is a mage and enters the Fade personally, the Blood Mage specialization can be unlocked by conversing with the demon. If someone else (Morrigan, Wynne, Jowan, or Irving) enters the Fade, they will not trade with the demon and the specialization (or any other reward) cannot be unlocked.

Soon after entering the Fade, you will see the Arl calling out for Connor. Speaking with him is not necessary, but it can be informative. Continue down the path and enter the portal, where you will see Connor. You must speak with Connor; regardless of which options are selected the demon will replace Connor and fight you. Once defeated, the demon will disappear and the exit portal will activate. Traveling through it will lead to another "Connor". This process repeats three times. None of the dialogue options change the progression or the final conversation with the true Desire Demon.

When you speak with the demon in her true form, you should not choose any of the below replies if you wish to gain a reward from her (keep in mind she will only bargain with the Warden):


 * "There will be no discussion."
 * "No, I will not deal with you."
 * "I want you to pay for your atrocities."
 * "I want nothing from you."
 * "I say no deal."
 * "No. Our talk is done here."

If the option, "(Intimidate) How about you leave and I do not destroy you." is selected the only way to still get a reward from the demon is if a second, harder Intimidate test is passed: "(Intimidate) On the contrary, I believe you can offer more." Master Persuasion may be necessary to force the demon's hand. This is the only way to get the demon to leave for good, which is proven true by the epilogue, and still get a reward from it.

Other than the above mentioned, every option will eventually lead to a final choice that will determine what Desire Demon will give you. Possible trades are:


 * "Arcane secrets. I want to know specialized blood magic." → unlocks the Blood Mage specialization.
 * "I'll take pleasure, demon. Show me what you've got." → a kissing scene between the Warden and the demon.
 * "Pleasure is empty. I want the love of those around me." → you can boost one of your companions' approval ratings.
 * "Keep it simple. Something to increase my talents." → you get a Tome of Ethereal Suggestion.
 * "I want nothing from you."

If you unlock Blood Mage, it will appear in the specializations the next time you level up.

Result
Once the demon has departed, a cutscene presents the state of Redcliffe. Teagan is leading the rebuilding effort since the Arl is still sick (albeit in what seems to be a stable condition); it seems the only hope for healing him is The Urn of Sacred Ashes. If Jowan is still alive, Teagan asks for advice in dealing with him, but waits to give the decision to his brother regardless of the Warden's input.

If the quest for the Urn is already completed, this dialogue will only be ended by revealing the ashes to Isolde and/or Teagan.

Once "Arl of Redcliffe", Broken Circle, A Paragon of Her Kind, and Nature of the Beast) are complete, Arl Eamon will be ready to call the Landsmeet (but will wait if asked to).

Rewards
After the Attack at Nightfall - if you can keep all villagers and knights alive.

After dealing with Connor - will be given by Isolde if you try to persuade her to give some of her wealth; if Connor still lives, you can suggest she give it to him instead specialization unlocked (if the Warden is a mage and asked for arcane secrets from the Desire Demon).

After Arl Eamon recovers

specialization unlocked. Additionally, once Arl Eamon is cured you will receive either (as mage/warrior) or  (as rogue) if his offer of a reward is accepted. You may also receive (not on  v 1.04).

Alistair's Reaction
Upon arriving in camp after resolving the situation with Connor, Alistair will confront the Warden about it. If the Warden chose to kill Connor, or allowed Jowan to use Blood Magic to reach the Fade, Alistair will angrily confront her/him about it; you can attempt to mitigate Alistair's reaction, or fan the flames.
 * Allowing Jowan to use Blood Magic may trigger Alistair to lose immediately, and during the Camp conversation, up to an additional  can be lost.
 * If Alistair is in the party and The Warden kills Connor, from the Camp conversation may be lost. However, if the Warden assures Alistair that the act was not enjoyed, Alistair may acknowledge the choice as necessary, and only  will be lost; this may be affected by the way in which the Warden speaks to Connor and Isolde during the quest.
 * If Alistair is not in the party when Connor is killed or Jowan uses Blood Magic, he will still confront the Warden in camp. He can be persuaded that the Warden did the best they could, leading to a loss of only or, even less,  if the Warden succeeds in Persuading him that there was no other option.
 * If Alistair was in the party when Connor is killed or Jowan is allowed to use Blood Magic, he will confront the Warden at the camp. If the Warden picks the option "I think that turned out quite well, don't you?" in response to the confrontation, Alistair will thank the Warden for saving the Arl's family, even though either Connor or Isolde was killed. Alistair will gain from this conversation. However, on the PS3 this same response can invoke a possible.
 * If the Circle of Magi are called in, which results in Connor and his mother living, then when Alistair confronts you he will thank you rather than be angry.

Additional Notes

 * If you have done the Broken Circle quest first you can only seek the Circle's help if the mages were saved.
 * If you have completed the Urn of Sacred Ashes quest prior of reaching Redcliffe, you won't have any dialogue choices for informing either Bann Teagan or Arlessa Isolde about having the Ashes for the Arl until this quest is completed.

Exploits

 * After resolving the issues with Connor, the Vault will be relocked. Unlocking it gives 50 XP (the Key that may have first opened it will no longer work). Every time you return to the second floor, it will be locked again.
 * If you elect to confront the Desire Demon in the Fade, the player has the option to take items from any character in the party that shows an approval increase or decrease from the decision. Click on the message showing the increase/decrease in the lower left-hand corner to open the character screen. Click on the backpack icon from here to open the inventory. Remove desired items. Repeat with any additional characters. Equip the items to the playable character in The Fade. Any items equipped to Jowan or Irving, as well as any items in their inventories, will be lost to them upon exiting The Fade.
 * It is possible to pickpocket Alistair at Redcliffe Castle if he is not in the current party when the Sacred Ashes are presented to Bann Teagan. Pickpocketing yields a non-visible plot item.