- For the downloadable content, see The Black Emporium (DLC).
The Black Emporium is a secret shop in Kirkwall, specializing in unique items.
It appears only if you have The Black Emporium DLC.
Background
Map of the area
The Black Emporium is a shop, owned by Xenon the Antiquarian, an eccentric and immortal character. Xenon once made a deal with a witch for eternal life but forgot to ask for eternal youth. This caused his body to decay. He has been alive for at least 300 years and has acquired many artifacts. The entrance to his emporium is only given to those he deems worthy.
Characters
- Xenon the Antiquarian, the immortal owner and merchant
- Emporium Golem, known as Thaddeus Gigantus Crumbum the Third, a stone golem that provides security
- Urchin Child, Xenon's mute orphan assistant
Stores
Notable items
Inside the "Discarded Weapons and Armor" chest:
Gloves of the Unknowable Unknown
Codex entries
Concept art
Codex entry: Xenon the Antiquarian
Codex entry: Andraste in Nude Repose - Invisible
Codex entry: The Box of Screaming
Codex entry: The Pickled Apples of Arlathan
Codex entry: A Vessel of Tears
Codex entry: The Basket of Lost Socks
Codex entry: Crate of Live Death Watch Beetles
Codex entry: Broken Dowsing Rods - No Refunds
Codex entry: Chest of Unanswered Invitations
Codex entry: The Emergent Compendium
Special objects
- The Mirror of Transformation - Customizes Hawke's appearance and portrait.
Notes
- The emporium's stores are restocked with better items as you progress through the game.
- The recipes of The Black Emporium are unique and can be bought only here.
- Crafting resources missed in previous acts will show up here and count toward your available resources for crafting, and they will count for the Supplier achievement.
- Unlike the other stores in the game, The Black Emporium is always open and can be accessed at any time you wish, including post-game.
Trivia
- The Dragon Age II: The Complete Official Guide mentions that you can sell your items at The Black Emporium for 125% of their value, but instead you can sell your items for normal price and purchase items from the emporium for 125% of their value.
- Xenon makes a reference to Professor Dumbledore from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series when you first access the Emporium's Relics and Antiques. Xenon mentions that "you can never have enough socks," as did Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
- If you walk near the red box situated in the top right part of the map, you can hear the screams the box contains.
- When you interact with the nude statue, Xenon will say, "Please don't fondle Andraste."
- Next to a strange book which apparently writes itself, you find a letter with excerpts from the book. The "gibberish" that is quoted is actually a simple cipher. Replace each letter with the one three letters ahead in the English alphabet, then read backwards. A picture of a Qunari without horns and with tightly braided hair is mentioned. This might be a reference to Sten from Dragon Age: Origins.
Gallery
