Lair of the Dragon King is a companion quest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Acquisition[]
This quest is available after completing the main quest Blood of Arlathan and Taash's previous companion quest Slaying the Fangscorcher. After these quests have been completed, it is also necessary to trigger a conversation with Taash in the dining room, which results in Shathann visiting the Lighthouse to see Taash and Rook. In order for this dining room conversation to be available, it may be necessary to clear out any existing dining room conversations with other companions. After Shathann's visit, talking to Taash will begin this quest.
Walkthrough[]
When the Dragon King's attacks hit close to home, Taash must face him in a final, fiery showdown.
Meet Taash in Rivain[]
A cutscene plays out with Rook and Taash arriving at Shathann's home to see her but find the place abandoned with only a splash of their mother's blood to be found. Taash can smell that Cutter was there with Isabela's help they figure out that he kidnapped Shathann along with her tablet as it apparently contained information about adaari (fire-breathers) in the name of The Dragon king.
Rescue Shathann[]
Isabela gathers the lords as Taash and the team head to track Cutter via scent. Navigate the map as usual to the marked location and have Taash track the scent left behind on an abandoned boat. Continue through the map, defeating Antaam and tracking Shathann. Next to a bloodstain is a note from the Antaam to Cutter. Head through a blocked door by using Taash's fire-breathing, continue on until the next blocked door, by a waterfall. There Taash finds another clue. Continue forward like this, following clues, opening doors and killing enemies.
Eventually the team reaches Isabela and the Lords, including Mateo and Seer Rowan. They will draw some of the Antaam from the base while the rescue is underway. To reach the base, take the ladder a bit south-west from Isabela and platform up the wall, then left along the walkway after another fight. The path circles back where a ladder takes the group down. Unlock the shortcuts along the this way for ease of returning after the quest. More platforming is needed to keep moving upward through the warden ruins, eventually looping back to the same spot as before but higher up. Make sure to let down this ladder in case of falling before jumping across to the plank, then onward to multiple platforms and beams. A chest is the room next to the last beam. Jump along the cliff edge and let down the final ladder. Around the corner the area opens up a bit for another confrontation. Take the chest and climb the ladder to enter the lair proper.
There's a path on the left and the right, take one until they converge, then continue downward via the ruined tower all the way to the ground. The Antaam will start attacking with gaatlok cannons raining fire on the battlefield along with regular enemies. It's possible to walk on the edges of the lava for short periods but remaining too long leads to death. Defeat the Antaam then take the stairs on the left side. Follow that path to a place to jump off the right-hand side onto a walkway to run along the roof. Jump off at the end, continue the path and take the ladder at the end.
Here Cutter makes his entrance. He says he'll become a fire-breather but he will, in fact, become a corpse very shortly.
Most of the chests here are inaccessible until after the quest but take the one out in the open. Just to the right of it is a wall of crystals for Taash to melt so the party can jump across behind it. That path leads up a ladder to a gaatlok canon - use it to unblock the path ahead then platform back the same way.
Through the new opening the path leads to a great hall. On the upper level of it the team discovers traces of the old Grey Warden activity and figure out that this is how the Antaam learned to blight dragons for the gods. A whole in the wall on the second floor take them to the long-awaited confrontation with the Dragon King who is revealed to also be a fire-breather.
The group see Shathann but have walked right into a trap, allowing the Dragon King to monologue about using Taash's blood to create an army of adaari. Shathann argues with him and defends her child as stronger than him for finding themselves, revealing that her motto of "shokra toh ebra" means not to struggle with what you are, but to struggle to find what you are. In a brave act of defiance, Shathann throws herself onto a lever to release Taash from their trap and is fatally struck down for it.
Avenge Shathann[]
Backtrack down to and through the gate into the Grey Warden fortress, then take the new beam across the gap in the bridge outside it. Continue along the ruins of the outer wall to the other side of the fortress. There's another chest just around the corner to the right, then head deeper into the ruins. Up a short set of stairs awaits Taash's revenge, to get to the king the team must defeat his pet dragon.
Finally on the ground, Rook yells at him that Dragons don't have kings as Taash burns him to death.
Taash tearfully holds their mother's body as the ruins begin to collapse around them, forcing them to leave.
Back at home they have a look at that tablet once more and Taash tries to decide how to honor their mother.
Rewards[]
Completing the quest yields:
- 3500 XP
- Golden Casque (helm)
- 100 Lords of Fortune strength
- Dragon Bone (valuable)
- Bond increase with party companions
- Taash attains Hero of the Veilguard status along with
- Rivain's Legacy (heroic armor) and the skill Rivaini Flair, if Taash embraces Rivaini culture
- The Qun's Honor (heroic armor) and the skill Qunari Focus, if Taash embraces Qunari culture
Results[]
Taash's mother Shathann has asked to speak with Taash to offer new information about the ancient Qunari tablet, and possibly ease recent tensions between them. As Shathann tries to make peace, however, the Dragon King prepares to make war.
The Dragon King, eager to claim Taash and the mysterious Qunari tablet, has kidnapped Taash's mother. Desperate to get Shathann back, Taash has launched an all-out assault on the brutal warlord in his volcano lair.
The dragon King, revealed to be a fire-breather like Taash, has captured the heroes in a trap at his volcano lair. Taash's mother Shathann sacrificed herself to free her child from his clutches. Now Taash will let nothing stand between them and vengeance as they burn through the Dragon King's forces.
If Taash was encouraged to embrace being Rivaini:
When the Dragon King kidnapped Shathann, Taash raced to his volcano lair to rescue her, only to fall into his trap. Shathann sacrificed herself to free Taash, who then defeated the Dragon King and his dragon minion in a final, deadly fight. While the Antaam remain a threat in Rivain, the Dragon King's fire has burned out. Taash will honor their mother with Rivaini customs.
If Taash was encouraged to embrace being Qunari:
When the Dragon King kidnapped Shathann, Taash raced to his volcano lair to rescue her, only to fall into his trap. Shathann sacrificed herself to free Taash, who then defeated the Dragon King and his dragon minion in a final, deadly fight. While the Antaam remain a threat in Rivain, the Dragon King's fire has burned out. Taash will honor their mother through Qunari traditions.
Notable loot[]
This quest opens up the entire north section of the Rivain Coast. All areas unlocked by this quest, along with their loot, can be returned to after completing this quest. Note that some of the chests in the new areas can be accessed only after completing the quest.
The following is dropped by a quest-specific enemy at the Lava Caves:
- Rialto Sunsetter (rogue) / Proving Steel (warrior) / Enchanted Athame (mage)
Approval[]
Taash approves of defeating groups of Antaam along the way.
Speaking with Isabela[]
- He was here. I caught his scent. He took her.
- (Diplomatic) We'll get your mother back. - Taash Approves
- (Stoic) He's a dead man walking. - Taash Approves
- (Assertive) Cutter? Why him?
Confronting the Dragon King[]
- And with your lifeblood, Ghilan'nain can create an army of adaari for me. Our fire will burn this land pure!
- (Diplomatic) Let us out and live. - Taash Approves
- (Humorous) Your plan is what?
- (Stoic) Prove how strong you are. - Taash Approves
Back at the Lighthouse[]
- We went there to save her.
- (Diplomatic) She died at peace.
- (Stoic) She had other plans. - Taash Approves
- (Emotional) I'm sorry. - Taash Approves
Codex entries[]
Note texts[]
Notes[]
Bond increase with Taash, experience, and loot may be farmed during this quest. When dropping down into the bottom of the volcano, a pack of six Antaam Warbrands are waiting, two each of Anadaar, Karataar, Valotaar. Kill all six, save and load back in to the drop down point with them in front of you, repeat as desired. Sometimes the second Anadaar will get caught on the stairs behind the ruined building in front of where you load in, climb the stairs to kill it.