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<onlyinclude>{{QuestTransformer
  
<onlyinclude>{{QuestTransformer
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|style={{{style|}}}
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|style = {{{style|}}}
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|name = [[Return to Ostagar (quest)|Return to Ostagar]]
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|name = [[Return to Ostagar (quest)|Return to Ostagar]]
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|image = Return to Ostagar.JPG
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|image = Return to Ostagar.JPG
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|px = 270px
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|px = 270px
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|caption = Return to Ostagar
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|caption = Return to Ostagar
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|qcat = Downloadable Content
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|previous = [[A King's Confidant]]
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|previous = [[A King's Confidant]]
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|location = [[Ostagar]]
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|start = [[Elric Maraigne]], in [[Bann Loren's Lands]]
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|location = [[Ostagar]]
  
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|start = [[Elric Maraigne]], in [[Bann Loren's Lands]]
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|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins]] - [[Return to Ostagar]]
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|appearances= [[Dragon Age: Origins]] - [[Return to Ostagar]] DLC
  
 
}}</onlyinclude>
  
}}</onlyinclude>
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:''This page is about the quest. For the downloadable content, see [[Return to Ostagar]].''
  
   
−
'''Return to Ostagar''' is the main quest unlocked by the [[Return to Ostagar]] [[DLC]] for [[Dragon Age: Origins]].
 +
'''Return to Ostagar''' is the main quest unlocked by the [[Return to Ostagar]] [[Downloadable content (Origins)|DLC]] for ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.
   
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==Background==
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== Background ==
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When the DLC is installed, the Warden will receive a quest called [[A King's Confidant]], suggesting to seek out a survivor of the events at [[Ostagar]] who can be found in a new location, [[Bann Loren's Lands]]. After speaking with the confidant, [[Elric Maraigne]], the Warden can travel back to Ostagar on the [[World Map]].
 +
When Return to Ostagar is installed, the Warden will receive a quest called [[A King's Confidant]], suggesting they seek out a survivor of the events at [[Ostagar]] who can be found in a new location, [[Bann Loren's Lands]]. After speaking with the confidant, [[Elric Maraigne]], the Warden can travel back to Ostagar on the [[World map (Origins)|world map]].
   
−
{{Note|Companions who had some involvement with the [[Battle for Ostagar]] — [[Wynne]], [[Alistair]] and [[Secret Companion]] — will have additional dialogue during this quest so you may want to take some of them along (indeed, Alistair will strongly recommend during A King's Confidant that he and Wynne, at least, accompany the Warden to Ostagar, though this is not mandatory). [[Dog]] also has some "lines", though obviously just barking and howling! [[Sten]], [[Leliana]] and [[Zevran Arainai|Zevran]] have a single line of dialogue when you find Maric's sword. [[Oghren]] will have a line if he is the only other member of the party. If [[Secret Companion]] is the only other member of the party, after he finishes his normal lines, [[Morrigan]] will speak a line even though she is not there.}}
 +
{{Note|Companions who had some involvement with the [[Battle of Ostagar]] — [[Wynne]], [[Alistair]] and [[Secret Companion]] — will have additional dialogue during this quest, so you may want to take some of them along. (Indeed, Alistair will strongly recommend during A King's Confidant that he and Wynne, at least, accompany the Warden to Ostagar, though this is not mandatory). [[Dog]] also has some "lines". [[Sten]], [[Leliana]] and [[Zevran Arainai|Zevran]] have a single line of dialogue when you find [[Maric's Blade]]. [[Oghren]] will have a line if he is the only other member of the party. If [[Secret Companion]] is the only other member of the party, after he finishes his normal lines, [[Morrigan]] will speak a line even though she is not there.}}
   
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==Walkthrough==
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== Walkthrough ==
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===Ostagar===
  
−
When returning to Ostagar you start off at the upper west side of the ruins where the infirmary was once located, through the gate that previously led to the army camp and which a guard was barring. Whilst exploring Ostagar and making your way towards the [[Tower of Ishal]] on the east side of the map, you will run into several elite mobs who will drop some pieces of [[Cailan's Armor Set]].
  
⚫
*If you had not previously obtained it as part of [[The Hungry Deserter]], loot the Mages' Chest Key from the corpse of the prisoner by the fallen cages near the starting postition. The key can be used to loot the Mages' Chest and obtain the [[Corrupted Magister's Staff]] as well as the loot that would have been in the chest had it been opened during the [[Battle for Ostagar]]. If you looted the chest when in Ostagar previously, you will ''not'' be able to open it now, because the key will not be there. {{platforms|pc}} users can install a [http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=728 mod] that allows them to add the key to the inventory once more.
  
−
*If you killed [[Dog]] before the [[Battle for Ostagar]], there will be a cutscene where you find a new canine in the kennel that can be recruited.
  
⚫
*Proceed towards the location of the war council and then towards the former magi encampment where you will find rubble marked {{TextContainer|Elric's Buried Key}} to loot Key to the Royal Arms Chest.
  
⚫
*Continue on towards King Cailan's Tent, here is where you find {{TextContainer|Cailan's Chest}} and loot [[Maric's Blade]] and the quest item 'Secret Correspondence', which unlocks [[Codex entry: Cailan's Documents - Page 1 of 3]], [[Codex entry: Cailan's Documents - Page 2 of 3]] and [[Codex entry: Cailan's Documents - Page 3 of 3]].
  
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* {{DAOSpoiler|style=short|As you walk southwest from the Magi encampment, there is an ambush by two genlocks and Hurlock Vanguard. If your rogue is far enough forward from the party, this appears to be triggered by approaching the dead Mabari bodies, as is the appearance of the blight wolves. The problem is that if the rogue is far enough forward, you won't even hear the combat noises and characters will dying before you even realize it. To avoid this, leave the other characters up on the northernmost region behind the wall above the ramp. Then, when the ambush occurs, the ambush and the wolves run to a spot southwest of Duncan's Fire and you can decide from there how to deal with them.}}
  
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*Cross the bridge to the eastern side of the ruins where you will discover [[King Cailan|Cailan's]] body afterwards clear the eastern side of the ruins and head for the [[Tower of Ishal]].
  
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*Five of the six items needed for the quest are in this area. Cailan's Breastplate, Gauntlets, Greaves & Shield are all dropped by Elite Darkspawn in this area while Maric's Blade is in the Royal Arms Chest. Cailan's Helm is '''''not''''' in this area.
  
   
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===Tower of Ishal===
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=== Ostagar ===
  +
[[File:Map-ReturnToOstagar-Ostagar.png|thumb|270px|Ostagar upon the Warden's return.]]
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*NOTE: Before heading into the Tower of Ishal, on the far left side of the map, is a world map marker. It is highly recommended you leave (temporarily) to dump off any excess items you may be carrying (via the party camp). No doubt, you have acquired a lot of loot at this point, and the Tower of Ishal has a fair amount of items, too.
  
  +
The party enters Ostagar at the upper west side of the ruins, through the previously out-of-bounds gate that led to the army camp. Whilst exploring Ostagar and making your way towards the [[Tower of Ishal]] on the east side of the map, you will run into several mobs of [[Darkspawn|darkspawn]], the commanders of which will drop pieces of [[Cailan's armor set]]: [[Cailan's Breastplate]], [[Cailan's Gauntlets]], [[Cailan's Greaves]] and [[Cailan's Shield]] are all dropped in various exterior portions of the Ostagar area. [[Cailan's Helm]] is '''''not''''' in this area. Maric's Blade is in the Royal Arms Chest.
−
* Fight your way past the Genlock and Hurlock Grunts and an Ogre. The door leading to the stairs to the next level is blocked.
  
⚫
* In the final room, there's a hole in the floor leading to the lower tunnels.
  
   
  ⚫
* If you had not previously obtained it as part of [[The Hungry Deserter]], loot the Mages' Chest Key from the corpse of the prisoner in the fallen cage near the starting position. This key can be used to loot the Mages' Chest and obtain the [[Corrupted Magister's Staff]], as well as the loot that would have been found in the chest had it been opened prior to the Battle of Ostagar. If you looted the chest when in Ostagar previously, you will ''not'' be able to open it now, because the key will not be there.
⚫
===Darkspawn Tunnels===
  
  +
** {{Platforms|pc}} users can install a [http://www.nexusmods.com/dragonage/mods/728/? cheat] that allows them to add the key to the inventory once more.
⚫
* Follow the tunnels to the Battlefield, fighting more darkspawn and some [[Corrupted Spider]]s.
  
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* Exit onto the Battlefiled.
  
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* Note: This tunnel has the same pattern as the one encountered in the [[Dalish Elf Origin]]. Although caved in you can still see the resemblance of the two, despite the carvings on the walls and the lack of Elven artifacts.
  
   
  +
* If you killed Dog before the Battle of Ostagar, or you told Dog to shoo during the [[Deserted Farmland]] [[Encounters (Origins)|encounter]] after first leaving [[Flemeth's Hut]] for [[Lothering]], then there will be a cutscene where you find a new hound in the Kennels that can be recruited.
⚫
===Battlefield===
  
⚫
* Defeat the [[boss]] level Risen [[Ogre]] and the [[Genlock Necromancer]]. The Necromancer will spawn skeletons the time it is alive; while these skeletons appear frozen already, they can be frozen and are not immune to cold. Killing the Genlock Necromancer will immediately cause the Risen Ogre and all other spawns on the Battlefield to collapse — they will die, but you will not get XP for killing them. There is sometimes lag between the time you kill the necromancer and the time the spawns die.
  
⚫
* Exit back into the cave you emerged from — a cutscene will ensue.
  
   
  +
* The Joining Chalice can be found east past the former War Council hall on the first circular plateau overlooking the cliff.
⚫
===Cailan's Body===
  
  ⚫
* Heading south from the location of the War Council and towards the former [[Circle of Magi|Magi]] Encampment, you will find rubble marked {{TextContainer|Elric's Buried Key}}, and loot the [[Key to the Royal Arms Chest]].
⚫
At this point, there are three options presented as to what to do with Cailan's body: give him a funeral pyre, cut him down and leave him for the wolves or leave him for the Darkspawn. Depending on who is in the party at the time, each companion has differing approval reactions to what choice is made.
  
  +
  ⚫
* Continue on towards King Cailan's Tent, where you will find {{TextContainer|Cailan's Chest}}. Loot Maric's Blade and the quest item [[Secret Correspondence]], which unlocks [[Codex entry: Cailan's Documents - Page 1 of 3]], [[Codex entry: Cailan's Documents - Page 2 of 3]] and [[Codex entry: Cailan's Documents - Page 3 of 3]].
  +
  +
* As you walk southwest from the Magi Encampment, there is an attack by [[Blight wolf|Blight Wolves]], two [[Genlock]]s, and a [[Hurlock vanguard|Hurlock Vanguard]]. This is triggered once any party member draws level with the dead [[Mabari]] bodies. A [[Stealth (Origins)|stealthed]] [[Rogue (Origins)|rogue]] may trigger this attack but remain undetected, which causes the enemies to gather tightly around a spot close to [[Duncan]]'s Fire. This tight gathering by a mob can also be triggered by a stealthed rogue moving down the slope from the War Council area towards the Magi Encampment.
  +
  +
* Cross the Bridge to the eastern side of the ruins. On the way, you will discover [[Cailan Theirin|Cailan's]] body. Clear the eastern side of the ruins and head to the Tower of Ishal.{{Note|On the far right side of the map is an exit to the World Map. It is recommended that you take this opportunity to visit the [[party camp]] and sell or remove any excess items from the party inventory before heading into the Tower of Ishal.}}
  +
  +
=== Tower of Ishal ===
  +
[[File:Map-ReturnToOstagar-TowerofIshal.png|thumb|270px|The Tower of Ishal]]
  +
  +
* Fight your way past the Genlocks, [[Hurlock grunt|Hurlock Grunt]]s, and an [[Ogre]]. If you keep your entire party in the first room you enter, you can have a single party member stand just at the door into the next room. With this arrangement, the darkspawn seem to attack only one at a time. You can also draw the Ogre into this room after most of the darkspawn are dead.
  +
  ⚫
* In the final room, there's a hole in the floor. The door leading to the rest of the tower is barricaded. Go ''"Down the hole and into the deep."''
  +
  ⚫
=== Darkspawn Tunnels ===
  +
[[File:Darkspawn tunnels map dao.png|thumb|270px|Darkspawn tunnels]]
  +
  ⚫
* Follow the tunnels, fighting more darkspawn and some [[Corrupted spider]]s.
  +
  +
* Take the exit to the Battlefield.
  +
  ⚫
=== Battlefield ===
  ⚫
* Defeat the [[boss]] level [[risen ogre]] and the [[Genlock necromancer|Genlock Necromancer]]. The Necromancer will command the ten corpses on the battlefield to rise. While these skeletons appear frozen already, they are not immune to cold. Killing the Genlock Necromancer will cause the risen ogre and all other enemies on the battlefield to fall, although the party will not gain XP for their deaths. There is sometimes a lag between the time you kill the Necromancer and the time the risen enemies die.
  +
  ⚫
* Re-enter the darkspawn tunnel. A cutscene will ensue.
  +
  ⚫
=== Cailan's body ===
  ⚫
At this point, there are three options presented as to what to do with Cailan's body: give him a funeral pyre, cut him down and leave him for the wolves, or leave him for the darkspawn. Active party members will approve or disapprove to varying degrees depending on the choice that is made:
   
 
{| class="daotable" width="100%"
  
{| class="daotable" width="100%"
−
!colspan="3"|<div align="center">Approval Changes</div>
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! colspan="3" |<div align="center">Approval Changes</div>
 
|-
  
|-
 
!|<div align="center">Funeral Pyre</div>
  
!|<div align="center">Funeral Pyre</div>
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!|<div align="center">Leave him</div>
  
!|<div align="center">Leave him</div>
 
|-
  
|-
−
|valign="top"|
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| valign="top" |
 
:{{Approval|Alistair|7}}
  
:{{Approval|Alistair|7}}
 
:{{Approval|Leliana|2}}
  
:{{Approval|Leliana|2}}
⚫
:{{Approval|Morrigan|-3}}
  
 
:{{Approval|Secret Companion|-5}}
  
:{{Approval|Secret Companion|-5}}
⚫
:{{Approval|Sten|2}}
  
 
:{{Approval|Wynne|4}}
  
:{{Approval|Wynne|4}}
  ⚫
:{{Approval|Morrigan|-3}}
 
:{{Approval|Zevran|-3}}
  
:{{Approval|Zevran|-3}}
  ⚫
:{{Approval|Sten|2}}
 
:{{Approval|Oghren|2}}
  
:{{Approval|Oghren|2}}
−
|valign="top"|
 +
| valign="top" |
 
:{{Approval|Alistair|-10}}
  
:{{Approval|Alistair|-10}}
 
:{{Approval|Leliana|2}}
  
:{{Approval|Leliana|2}}
 
:{{Approval|Secret Companion|4}}
  
:{{Approval|Secret Companion|4}}
 
:{{Approval|Wynne|-3}}
  
:{{Approval|Wynne|-3}}
⚫
:{{Approval|Zevran|-3}}
  
 
:{{Approval|Morrigan|2}}
  
:{{Approval|Morrigan|2}}
  ⚫
:{{Approval|Zevran|-3}}
 
:{{Approval|Oghren|2}}
  
:{{Approval|Oghren|2}}
−
|valign="top"|
 +
| valign="top" |
 
:{{Approval|Alistair|-10}}
  
:{{Approval|Alistair|-10}}
 
:{{Approval|Leliana|-3}}
  
:{{Approval|Leliana|-3}}
 
:{{Approval|Secret Companion|-3}}
  
:{{Approval|Secret Companion|-3}}
⚫
:{{Approval|Sten|-3}}
  
 
:{{Approval|Wynne|-10}}
  
:{{Approval|Wynne|-10}}
 
:{{Approval|Morrigan|-3}}
  
:{{Approval|Morrigan|-3}}
 
:{{Approval|Zevran|2}}
  
:{{Approval|Zevran|2}}
  ⚫
:{{Approval|Sten|-3}}
 
|}
  
|}
   
−
==Leaving Ostagar==
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== Leaving Ostagar ==
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After dealing with the king's body, the party can continue exploring the area or return to the World Map. Despite a statement made in the quest log about Ostagar about to go into darkness and be overrun with darkspawn, it's possible to return to Ostagar without hazard if the player wants to access items that were not picked up earlier due to inventory restrictions or simply missed. A large number of weapons and armor items can be found, as well as several chests containing multiple gold, so a return trip can be worth the effort if anything was left behind.
 +
After dealing with the king's body, the party can either continue exploring the area, or leave. Despite a statement made in the quest log about Ostagar about to go into darkness and be overrun with darkspawn again, it is possible to return without hazard if the player wants to access items that were not picked up earlier ({{Platforms|ps3|xbox360}}). A large number of weapons, armor, and items can be found, so a return trip can be worth the effort if anything was left behind.
  +
{{Note|{{Platforms|pc}} If the party leaves Ostagar after the main quest is complete, the location becomes inaccessible once again.}}
−  
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==Items==
  
   
  +
== Notable items ==
 
{{:Cailan's Breastplate|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Hurlock General}}{{clrl}}
  
{{:Cailan's Breastplate|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Hurlock General}}{{clrl}}
 
{{:Cailan's Gauntlets|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Hurlock Strategist}}{{clrl}}
  
{{:Cailan's Gauntlets|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Hurlock Strategist}}{{clrl}}
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{{:Cailan's Helm|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Genlock Necromancer}}{{clrl}}
  
{{:Cailan's Helm|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Genlock Necromancer}}{{clrl}}
 
{{:Cailan's Shield|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Hurlock Vanguard}}{{clrl}}
  
{{:Cailan's Shield|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Hurlock Vanguard}}{{clrl}}
−
{{:Corrupt Inquisitor Staff|style=iconmini}}, source: {{TextContainer|Mages' Chest}}, if the Key to the Mages' Chest wasn't already used beforehand during [[The Hungry Deserter]]{{clrl}}
 +
{{:Corrupt Inquisitor Staff|style=iconmini}}, source: {{TextContainer|Mages' Chest}}, as long as the Mages' Chest wasn't opened before the Battle of Ostagar after acquiring the Key to the Mages' Chest during [[The Hungry Deserter]]{{clrl}}
−
{{:Duncan's Dagger|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Risen Ogre}}{{clrl}}
 +
{{:Duncan's Dagger|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Risen ogre}}{{clrl}}
−
{{:Duncan's Sword|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Risen Ogre}}{{clrl}}
 +
{{:Duncan's Sword|style=iconmini}}, source: Drop {{TextContainer|Risen ogre}}{{clrl}}
 
{{:Firestone Harness|style=iconmini}}, source: {{TextContainer|Dead Mabari}}{{clrl}}
  
{{:Firestone Harness|style=iconmini}}, source: {{TextContainer|Dead Mabari}}{{clrl}}
 
{{:Joining Chalice|style=iconmini}}, {{ColorItemGift|Gift}}, source: Found where the Joining Ritual took place{{clrl}}
  
{{:Joining Chalice|style=iconmini}}, {{ColorItemGift|Gift}}, source: Found where the Joining Ritual took place{{clrl}}
Line 105: Line 117:
 
{{:Swiftrunner Warpaint|style=iconmini}}, source: {{TextContainer|Dead Mabari}}{{clrl}}
  
{{:Swiftrunner Warpaint|style=iconmini}}, source: {{TextContainer|Dead Mabari}}{{clrl}}
   
−
==Enemies==
 +
== Enemies ==
  ⚫
* [[Blight wolf|Blight Wolf]]
−  
⚫
*[[Blight Wolf]]
  
 
* Genlock Grunt
  
* Genlock Grunt
−
*[[Genlock]]
 +
* Genlock Rogue
−
*[[Genlock Necromancer]], Elite
 +
* [[Genlock]]
  +
* Genlock Forgemaster, Elite
⚫
*[[Hurlock]]
  
  +
* [[Genlock necromancer|Genlock Necromancer]], Elite
−
*Hurlock Grunt
  
−
*[[Hurlock Emissary]], Elite
 +
* [[Hurlock]]
  ⚫
* Hurlock Grunt
⚫
*Hurlock General, Elite
  
−
*Hurlock Strategist, Elite
 +
* [[Hurlock alpha|Hurlock Alpha]], Elite
−
*Hurlock Strider, Elite
 +
* [[Hurlock emissary|Hurlock Emissary]], Elite
−
*Hurlock Vanguard, Elite
 +
* [[Hurlock general|Hurlock General]], Elite
  +
* Hurlock Strategist, Elite
⚫
*[[Ogre|Risen Ogre]], Boss
  
  ⚫
* Hurlock Strider, Elite
⚫
*[[Shambling Corpse]]
  
  +
* [[Hurlock vanguard|Hurlock Vanguard]], Elite
⚫
*[[Shambling Skeleton]]
  
−
*[[Shrieks]]
 +
* [[Ogre]]
  ⚫
* [[Risen ogre]], [[Rank#Boss|Boss]]
−  
  ⚫
* [[Shambling corpse|Shambling Corpse]]
⚫
==Bugs==
  
  ⚫
* [[Shambling skeleton|Shambling Skeleton]]
⚫
*Sometimes the Genlock Necromancer appears standing amidst a horde of other darkspawn and cannot be targetted or killed. He only becomes active and killable when the Risen Ogre on the battlefield is finally dead, but will not be in his correct location on the battlefield and you will have to go and find him in the location where the bug occurred. After killing the Necromancer, you will have to return to the battlefield site where you encountered the Risen Ogre and then try to exit the area through the tunnels in order to trigger the cutscene and proceed with the quest correctly. After killing the Necromancer, wait until the quest is updated before looting him, otherwise you will not be able to finish the quest. If you do not do this, interacting with King Cailan's body afterwards will not give you options to 'deal' with his body as if the quest was still incomplete, despite the quest shown being complete.
  
  +
* [[Shriek]]s
−  
⚫
*A number of items found (e.g., [[Cailan's Armor Set]] and [[Cailan's Arms]]) are scalable, i.e. they should be higher tier if the player character is higher level. However, some items may be found at Tier 5 even by higher level characters. These can be upgraded by placing them in the Warden's Keep party storage chest, leaving and returning, or by selling them to a merchant then repurchasing them later.
  
   
  ⚫
== Bugs ==
⚫
* If you steal from the elite darkspawn holding parts of Cailan's armor you may get the items and be unable to loot the corpse after it's dead, making the quest impossible to complete. (PC confirmed)
  
  ⚫
* Sometimes, the Genlock Necromancer appears standing amidst a horde of other darkspawn and cannot be targeted or killed. He only becomes active and killable when the risen ogre on the battlefield is finally dead, but will not be in his correct location on the battlefield and you will have to go and find him in the location where the bug occurred. After killing the Necromancer, you will have to return to the battlefield site where you encountered the risen ogre and then try to exit the area through the tunnels in order to trigger the cutscene and proceed with the quest correctly. After killing the Necromancer, wait until the quest is updated before looting him, otherwise you will not be able to finish the quest. If you do not do this, interacting with King Cailan's body afterwards will not give you options to 'deal' with his body, despite the quest being shown as complete.
⚫
* Entering the Tower of Ishal will trigger a cinematic cutscene involving the Genlock Necromancer summoning a fireball and several Hurlock Grunts running up the to the PC. This cutscene triggers every time the PC enters the tower, not just the first time, but is not dangerous to the mission.
  
  +
** This can be fixed by selling all of the king's items, closing the trading window, talking to the merchant again and buying the items back.
−
* Occasionally, approaching the Tower of Ishal without the Secret Companion in the party will still play one of his special lines of dialogue for the DLC. (Editor encountered this with a party of Shale, Leliana, and Morrigan after slaying the Hurlock Strategist.)
  
  ⚫
* A number of items (e.g., Cailan's Armor Set and Cailan's Arms) are scalable, i.e. they should be higher tier if the player character is of a higher level. However, some items may be found at Tier 5 even by higher level characters.
⚫
*if you go to the southeast of the map (if you go to the stair between Cailan's and Loghain's tent and turn left) and go to the ruined edge of the tower, you can actually fall down from the tower to the battlefield.
  
  +
**{{Platforms|PS3|Xbox360}}These can be upgraded by placing them in the [[Party Storage Chest]] (found in the ''[[Warden's Keep]]'' [[Downloadable content (Origins)|DLC]]), by leaving and returning, or by selling them to a merchant and then repurchasing them later.
⚫
[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins quests]]
  
  ⚫
* {{Platforms|PC}}If you [[Stealing|steal]] from the elite darkspawn holding parts of Cailan's armor, you may get the items prematurely, leaving you unable to loot their corpses as intended and making the quest impossible to complete.
  ⚫
* Entering the Tower of Ishal will trigger a cinematic cutscene involving the Genlock Necromancer summoning a fireball and several Hurlock Grunts running up to the Warden. This cutscene triggers every time the Warden enters the tower, not just the first time. (Bug fixed in the latest PS3 version)
  ⚫
* If you go to the southeast of the map (up the slope between Cailan's and Loghain's tent and turn left) and go to the ruined edge of the tower, you can fall down to the battlefield.
  +
* If you go to the tower where the [[Genlock]] is firing a ballista and look down at the bridge, the structure that [[Cailan Theirin|Cailan's]] body is on can be seen, but his body is missing.
  ⚫
[[Category:Return to Ostagar quests]]

Revision as of 03:51, 13 February 2020

Return to Ostagar is the main quest unlocked by the Return to Ostagar DLC for Dragon Age: Origins.

Background

When Return to Ostagar is installed, the Warden will receive a quest called A King's Confidant, suggesting they seek out a survivor of the events at Ostagar who can be found in a new location, Bann Loren's Lands. After speaking with the confidant, Elric Maraigne, the Warden can travel back to Ostagar on the world map.

Note: Companions who had some involvement with the Battle of Ostagar — Wynne, Alistair and Secret Companion — will have additional dialogue during this quest, so you may want to take some of them along. (Indeed, Alistair will strongly recommend during A King's Confidant that he and Wynne, at least, accompany the Warden to Ostagar, though this is not mandatory). Dog also has some "lines". Sten, Leliana and Zevran have a single line of dialogue when you find Maric's Blade. Oghren will have a line if he is the only other member of the party. If Secret Companion is the only other member of the party, after he finishes his normal lines, Morrigan will speak a line even though she is not there.

Walkthrough

Ostagar

Map-ReturnToOstagar-Ostagar

Ostagar upon the Warden's return.

The party enters Ostagar at the upper west side of the ruins, through the previously out-of-bounds gate that led to the army camp. Whilst exploring Ostagar and making your way towards the Tower of Ishal on the east side of the map, you will run into several mobs of darkspawn, the commanders of which will drop pieces of Cailan's armor set: Cailan's Breastplate, Cailan's Gauntlets, Cailan's Greaves and Cailan's Shield are all dropped in various exterior portions of the Ostagar area. Cailan's Helm is not in this area. Maric's Blade is in the Royal Arms Chest.

  • If you had not previously obtained it as part of The Hungry Deserter, loot the Mages' Chest Key from the corpse of the prisoner in the fallen cage near the starting position. This key can be used to loot the Mages' Chest and obtain the Corrupted Magister's Staff, as well as the loot that would have been found in the chest had it been opened prior to the Battle of Ostagar. If you looted the chest when in Ostagar previously, you will not be able to open it now, because the key will not be there.
    • pcpc users can install a cheat that allows them to add the key to the inventory once more.
  • If you killed Dog before the Battle of Ostagar, or you told Dog to shoo during the Deserted Farmland encounter after first leaving Flemeth's Hut for Lothering, then there will be a cutscene where you find a new hound in the Kennels that can be recruited.
  • The Joining Chalice can be found east past the former War Council hall on the first circular plateau overlooking the cliff.
  • Heading south from the location of the War Council and towards the former Magi Encampment, you will find rubble marked Elric's Buried Key, and loot the Key to the Royal Arms Chest.
  • As you walk southwest from the Magi Encampment, there is an attack by Blight Wolves, two Genlocks, and a Hurlock Vanguard. This is triggered once any party member draws level with the dead Mabari bodies. A stealthed rogue may trigger this attack but remain undetected, which causes the enemies to gather tightly around a spot close to Duncan's Fire. This tight gathering by a mob can also be triggered by a stealthed rogue moving down the slope from the War Council area towards the Magi Encampment.
  • Cross the Bridge to the eastern side of the ruins. On the way, you will discover Cailan's body. Clear the eastern side of the ruins and head to the Tower of Ishal.
    Note: On the far right side of the map is an exit to the World Map. It is recommended that you take this opportunity to visit the party camp and sell or remove any excess items from the party inventory before heading into the Tower of Ishal.

Tower of Ishal

Map-ReturnToOstagar-TowerofIshal

The Tower of Ishal

  • Fight your way past the Genlocks, Hurlock Grunts, and an Ogre. If you keep your entire party in the first room you enter, you can have a single party member stand just at the door into the next room. With this arrangement, the darkspawn seem to attack only one at a time. You can also draw the Ogre into this room after most of the darkspawn are dead.
  • In the final room, there's a hole in the floor. The door leading to the rest of the tower is barricaded. Go "Down the hole and into the deep."

Darkspawn Tunnels

Darkspawn tunnels map dao

Darkspawn tunnels

  • Take the exit to the Battlefield.

Battlefield

  • Defeat the boss level risen ogre and the Genlock Necromancer. The Necromancer will command the ten corpses on the battlefield to rise. While these skeletons appear frozen already, they are not immune to cold. Killing the Genlock Necromancer will cause the risen ogre and all other enemies on the battlefield to fall, although the party will not gain XP for their deaths. There is sometimes a lag between the time you kill the Necromancer and the time the risen enemies die.
  • Re-enter the darkspawn tunnel. A cutscene will ensue.

Cailan's body

At this point, there are three options presented as to what to do with Cailan's body: give him a funeral pyre, cut him down and leave him for the wolves, or leave him for the darkspawn. Active party members will approve or disapprove to varying degrees depending on the choice that is made:

Approval Changes
Funeral Pyre
Wolves
Leave him
Ico Appr Heart Alistair approves (+7)
Ico Appr Heart Leliana approves (+2)
Ico DisAppr Heart Secret companion disapproves (-5)
Ico Appr Heart Wynne approves (+4)
Ico DisAppr Heart Morrigan disapproves (-3)
Ico DisAppr Heart Zevran disapproves (-3)
Ico Appr Heart Sten approves (+2)
Ico Appr Heart Oghren approves (+2)
Ico DisAppr Heart Alistair disapproves (-10)
Ico Appr Heart Leliana approves (+2)
Ico Appr Heart Secret companion approves (+4)
Ico DisAppr Heart Wynne disapproves (-3)
Ico Appr Heart Morrigan approves (+2)
Ico DisAppr Heart Zevran disapproves (-3)
Ico Appr Heart Oghren approves (+2)
Ico DisAppr Heart Alistair disapproves (-10)
Ico DisAppr Heart Leliana disapproves (-3)
Ico DisAppr Heart Secret companion disapproves (-3)
Ico DisAppr Heart Wynne disapproves (-10)
Ico DisAppr Heart Morrigan disapproves (-3)
Ico Appr Heart Zevran approves (+2)
Ico DisAppr Heart Sten disapproves (-3)

Leaving Ostagar

After dealing with the king's body, the party can either continue exploring the area, or leave. Despite a statement made in the quest log about Ostagar about to go into darkness and be overrun with darkspawn again, it is possible to return without hazard if the player wants to access items that were not picked up earlier (ps3ps3xbox360xbox360). A large number of weapons, armor, and items can be found, so a return trip can be worth the effort if anything was left behind.

Note: pcpc If the party leaves Ostagar after the main quest is complete, the location becomes inaccessible once again.

Notable items

Cailan's Breastplate Cailan's Breastplate, source: Drop Hurlock General

Cailan's Gauntlets Cailan's Gauntlets, source: Drop Hurlock Strategist

Cailan's Greaves Cailan's Greaves, source: Drop Hurlock Strider

Cailan's Helm Cailan's Helm, source: Drop Genlock Necromancer

Cailan's Shield Cailan's Shield, source: Drop Hurlock Vanguard

Corrupted Magister's Staff Corrupted Magister's Staff, source: Mages' Chest, as long as the Mages' Chest wasn't opened before the Battle of Ostagar after acquiring the Key to the Mages' Chest during The Hungry Deserter

Duncan's Dagger Duncan's Dagger, source: Drop Risen ogre

Duncan's Sword Duncan's Sword, source: Drop Risen ogre

Firestone Harness Firestone Harness, source: Dead Mabari

Joining Chalice Joining Chalice, Gift, source: Found where the Joining Ritual took place

Key to Mages' Chest Key to Mages' Chest, source: Charred Corpse

Key to the Royal Arms Chest Key to the Royal Arms Chest, source: Elric's Buried Key

Maric's Blade Maric's Blade, source: Cailan's Chest

Nug Crusher Nug Crusher, source: Weapon Stand, Tower of Ishal

Repeater Gloves Repeater Gloves, source: Wooden Crate

Secret Correspondence Secret Correspondence, source: Cailan's Chest

Swiftrunner Warpaint Swiftrunner Warpaint, source: Dead Mabari

Enemies

Bugs

  • Sometimes, the Genlock Necromancer appears standing amidst a horde of other darkspawn and cannot be targeted or killed. He only becomes active and killable when the risen ogre on the battlefield is finally dead, but will not be in his correct location on the battlefield and you will have to go and find him in the location where the bug occurred. After killing the Necromancer, you will have to return to the battlefield site where you encountered the risen ogre and then try to exit the area through the tunnels in order to trigger the cutscene and proceed with the quest correctly. After killing the Necromancer, wait until the quest is updated before looting him, otherwise you will not be able to finish the quest. If you do not do this, interacting with King Cailan's body afterwards will not give you options to 'deal' with his body, despite the quest being shown as complete.
    • This can be fixed by selling all of the king's items, closing the trading window, talking to the merchant again and buying the items back.
  • A number of items (e.g., Cailan's Armor Set and Cailan's Arms) are scalable, i.e. they should be higher tier if the player character is of a higher level. However, some items may be found at Tier 5 even by higher level characters.
    • ps3PS3xbox360Xbox360These can be upgraded by placing them in the Party Storage Chest (found in the Warden's Keep DLC), by leaving and returning, or by selling them to a merchant and then repurchasing them later.
  • pcPCIf you steal from the elite darkspawn holding parts of Cailan's armor, you may get the items prematurely, leaving you unable to loot their corpses as intended and making the quest impossible to complete.
  • Entering the Tower of Ishal will trigger a cinematic cutscene involving the Genlock Necromancer summoning a fireball and several Hurlock Grunts running up to the Warden. This cutscene triggers every time the Warden enters the tower, not just the first time. (Bug fixed in the latest PS3 version)
  • If you go to the southeast of the map (up the slope between Cailan's and Loghain's tent and turn left) and go to the ruined edge of the tower, you can fall down to the battlefield.
  • If you go to the tower where the Genlock is firing a ballista and look down at the bridge, the structure that Cailan's body is on can be seen, but his body is missing.
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