Loose Ends

Loose Ends is a secondary quest received from either Meeran or Athenril during Act 1 of Dragon Age II.

Acquisition

This quest becomes available after Birthright has been completed, via the Writing Desk at Gamlen's House. If Hawke worked for the smugglers during The Destruction of Lothering, s/he receives a letter from Athenril. If Hawke worked for the mercenaries a letter from Meeran is received instead.

Walkthrough

If working for Athenril: Hawke can find Athenril in Hightown. She requests that some goods be retrieved. After speaking with her, go to the Docks at night. Hawke finds Pryce being chased by some Coterie thugs. After killing the thugs, Pryce says that it was a setup, the others were killed and he only survived because he ran. He explains that he's the sole provider for his sisters, and is reliant on working for Athenril to provide for them. Hawke must make a decision concerning what to do with the goods.

If working for Meeran: Hawke can find Meeran in Lowtown at night. He requests that Hawke find Gustav and ensure that the noble he was sent to kill is dead. After speaking with him, go to the Docks during the day. Hawke finds a group of guards surrounding Gustav. The Guard Commander orders the men to hurt Gustav to keep him from running, and combat ensues. Afterwards Hawke speaks with Gustav, and then with Lord Harimann. Asking Harimann about the bounty will reveal that he convinced the Viscount to send aid to Ferelden during the blight and made some enemies in the process. This allows Hawke the option of sparing the noble's life.

Results

If working for Athenril: Hawke has the choice of either giving Pryce the goods & telling him to start his life over, or taking the goods to Athenril:

If Hawke gives the goods to Athenril: She will reward Hawke with some sovereigns and an invitation to work with her again.
If Hawke gives the goods to Pryce and lies to Athenril: Hawke says that the Coterie made off with the goods before s/he arrived. Hawke will not be rewarded, but still be invited to work with her again.
If Hawke gives the goods to Pryce and tells Athenril the truth: She will not give Hawke any gold, and no further quests will be received from her. Additionally, she will attack Hawke at the location where the quest was given (in Hightown at night).

If working for Meeran: Hawke has the choice of either killing Lord Harimann or not:

If Hawke kills Harimann: Meeran will reward Hawke with the bounty plus a bonus for rescuing Gustav; this also allows Hawke to perform further quests.
If Hawke doesn't kill Harimann and lies to Meeran: Hawke says that s/he couldn't find Harimann. Meeran will reward Hawke for rescuing Gustav, and allow Hawke to perform further quests. (Note that this decision has a reactive conclusion.)
If Hawke doesn't kill Harimann and tells Meeran the truth: Hawke says that s/he couldn't do it for their own reasons. Meeran will not reward Hawke at all and this closes the door on any future jobs. Additionally, the next time Hawke approaches the location where the quest was given (in Lowtown at night), Meeran and other Red Iron mercenaries will attack. Note: This yields 300 more XP than completing the job.

Approval

If working for Athenril:

Agreeing to help Athenril:

Carver: rivalry (+10)
Aveline: rivalry (+5)

Note: Hawke can refuse the quest to receive Aveline: friendship (+5) and Carver: friendship (+5), then switch party members and accept the quest. This will not stack, even if Hawke goes to another area and returns.

Telling Pryce you'll be taking the goods to Athenril:

Aveline: rivalry (+5)

Giving Pryce the goods:

Aveline: friendship (+5)
Bethany: friendship (+15)
Carver: friendship (+10)

Telling Athenril the truth:

Varric: rivalry (+5)
Aveline: friendship (+5)

Lying to Athenril:

Varric: friendship (+5)
Isabela: friendship (+5)

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If working for Meeran:

Speaking with Gustav:

Diplomatic option gives no change
Humorous option gives Varric: friendship (+5)
Aggressive option gives Varric: rivalry (+5)

Killing Lord Harimann without asking "Who wants you dead":

Aveline: rivalry (+5)
Varric: rivalry (+10).

Killing Lord Harimann after he was asked "Who wants you dead":

Aveline: rivalry (+10)
Varric: rivalry (+10)
Carver: rivalry (+10)
Anders: rivalry (+5)
Fenris: rivalry (+5) (tested on pc version 1.02, Confirmed does not occur on PC 1.03)

Refusing to complete the job and not killing Lord Harimann:

Varric: friendship (+10)
Aveline: friendship (+10)
Anders: friendship (+5)
Carver: friendship (+5)

Telling Meeran that Lord Harimann "was gone when you got there" or "He wasn't there":

Varric: friendship (+5)
Isabela: friendship (+5)

Telling Meeran that the job was "Not" done:

Carver: friendship (+5)
Aveline: friendship (+5)

Rewards

Retrieving the goods for Athenril rewards 3
Killing Harimann rewards 3
Lying to Meeran by saying the target couldn't be found rewards 1