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The First Sacrifice is an Act 1 secondary quest in Dragon Age II.

Acquisition[]

Help poster

Help wanted poster

In Hightown Hawke will notice a Help Wanted poster on the wall seeking aid to find a missing person. Speak with Ghyslain de Carrac, who is looking for his wife Ninette. This quest is only available after Tranquility.

Dialogue choices that affect Friendship/Rivalry are:

  • "I can help." Rivalry Isabela: rivalry (+5)
  • "You're vile. I won't help you." Friendship Isabela: friendship (+5)
  • Investigate
    • "Don't you want her back?"
      • "And you wonder why she's gone." Friendship Varric: friendship (+5)

The quest will not disappear from Hawke's journal if refusing to help; Ghyslain will redirect Hawke to speak with Jethann in The Blooming Rose.

Walkthrough[]

The Blooming Rose[]

Go to The Blooming Rose and talk to Jethann. He thinks that Ninette left her husband, but tells you that a Templar, Emeric, is also looking for her. He says that Emeric can be found in Darktown.

Darktown[]

In the southeast part of Darktown, a map marker will direct Hawke to an underground passage called The Meeting Place. Be sure to get the deathroot to the left of the entrance.

Darktown: Emeric's Investigation[]

Save Emeric from being assaulted by thugs. Emeric informs Hawke that he was investigating multiple women's disappearances and suspects foul play. He also mentions Mharen, an older mage who disappeared.

If Hawke chooses the diplomatic option ("Can I help at all?") and Isabela is in the party then Rivalry Isabela: rivalry (+5).

Note: Varric will comment about the disappearances by saying "I had a friend who disappeared once. Turns out he was under my bed, drunk… What?"

Read Emeric's notes.

Lowtown (night)[]

Go to the foundry district in Lowtown where Mharen's trail ended. Enter the Dark Foundry.

Dark Foundry[]

There is a cutscene where a mage runs off. Hawke is attacked by a desire demon along with multiple shades and abominations. The room to the right has a chest and two more shades to dispatch. There is a trap in front of the chest. Through the center door are four more shades. The room to the left has some bones with Ninette's ring.

Gallows Courtyard[]

Go to the Gallows Courtyard and speak to Emeric (he can be found standing near the front of the area). A sarcastic Hawke traveling with Bethany will have some extra dialogue, and Aveline will make a comment regarding every dialogue choice made. If Hawke says "the killer won't get away" with Fenris in the party, he will say "Surely those in power will believe you now"; Aveline will say "My people have been slow to react, but this needs official support". Hawke receives 3 Gold and 250 XP.

Note: Emeric can be found at The Blooming Rose, once this entire ordeal is over.

Hightown[]

Ghyslain

Ghyslain de Carrac

Go to Hightown, speak with Ghyslain and tell him that Ninette's ring has been found. He will ask where:

  • If Hawke says that it was on her severed hand he will instruct Hawke to keep the ring, saying he would rather not have anything to link him to her death since her family is angry. He gives Hawke 1 Gold, but no ring appears in Hawke's inventory.
  • If Hawke responds "it doesn't matter" instead, Ghyslain says that he will send the ring to her family and Hawke still receives 1 Gold.

Hawke can speak to Jethann at The Blooming Rose to tell him about Ninette's death (but it is not required for the quest). He will obviously be upset upon hearing the news.

Rewards[]

  • 250 XP (speaking to Emeric in the Gallows)
  • 3Gold from Emeric
  • 1Gold from Ghyslain de Carrac

Notes[]

  • When approaching Ghyslain for the first time to acquire the quest he will sometimes say, "Does no one see this exclamation mark above my head?", breaking the fourth wall.
  • When speaking with Ghyslain for the first time, some companions will comment after he remarks that Ninette needs to be "dragged home":
    • Aveline: "The guards disagree."
    • Fenris: "I can't imagine why she might have run away."
    • Isabela: "She's your wife, not a dog!"
  • Hawke can talk to Jethann again after the first conversation for an option to sleep with him (regardless of whether Hawke is male or female). However, if Aveline/Carver/Bethany is in the party, they will ask Hawke to do this another time. Ignoring their objection and doing it anyway will result in Rivalry (+5) from the person who objected. If Merrill is present as well, she will ask if she can't wait outside instead (possibly only with an aggressive Hawke, since (s)he tells the sibling to wait there for her/him).
  • If Aveline/Carver/Bethany aren't present, but Isabela is, she will comment, "I learn new things about you every day."
  • If Hawke doesn't sleep with Jethann during the quest, after completing it there will be a third dialogue option to inform him of Ninette's death. Only one choice can be made, either sleeping with him or informing him about Ninette's fate – after that he leaves.
  • Bringing Isabela, Merrill, and Varric to talk to Jethann results in an adorable paired comment. There are additional paired comments for Isabela/Merrill (without Varric), and Isabela/Fenris.
    • Isabela and Fenris dialogue: Isabela - "Ooh, I like him. He reminds me of someone". Fenris - "shaking head - Can't imagine who"
    • Isabela and Merrill dialogue: Isabela - "Ooh, I like him. He reminds me of someone". Merrill - "He does? Who is it?" Isabela - "Think about it, Kitten". Merrill - "You couldn't have meant Varric, because he's not even an elf - Oh! You were referring to yourself! Sorry!" Isabela - "See? I knew it'd come to you".
    • Isabela, Varric and Merrill dialogue: Isabela - "Ooh, I like him. He reminds me of someone". Merrill - "He does? Who is it?" Varric: "I'll tell you when you're older, Daisy".
  • If Varric is in the party while talking to Emeric, he'll make a joke about his past.
  • This quest is a prelude to Prime Suspect. Other than some minor dialogue differences, it doesn't affect the story whether or not it is completed.
  • When going to the Gallows, if Fenris is brought along and it's the first time he is brought there, a conversation will start regarding the Circle of Magi. Can result in Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+5), Rivalry Fenris: rivalry (+15), or Friendship Fenris: friendship (+5), along with Friendship +5 or Rivalry +5 for Anders, Bethany and Merrill.

Trivia[]

Bugs[]

  • When you get this quest from Ghyslain the description in the journal says to go to The Blooming Rose at night to talk to Jethann, but he can found there during the day as well. Fixed by this mod.
  • Emeric will appear in The Blooming Rose (Night) after being rescued with a quest marker over him, but he cannot be interacted with after visiting the factory.
  • It says you can visit Emeric in Darktown at either Day or Night, but when you exit darktown after saving him, it will always be night time.
    • This may be intentional, since the next place you are expected to go in this quest is to Lowtown at night.
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