The First Sacrifice

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

Acquisition

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.

Dialogue choices that affect Friendship/Rivalry are:

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

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.

Save Emeric from being assaulted by thugs. Emeric informs Hawke that he was investigating multiple women's disappearances and suspects foul play. He will also mentions Mharen, an older mage who disappeared. If Hawke chooses investigate during the dialogue & offers to help him, it results in Isabela: rivalry (+5). If Hawke says it sounds suspicious instead there will be no approval changes. NOTE: Varric will comment about the disappearances by saying "I had a friend who disappeared once. Turns out he was under my bed, drunk... *puzzled look* What?"

Read Emeric's notes and go to the foundry district in Lowtown where Mharen's trail ended. Enter the Dark Foundry and 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. Through the center door are four more shades. The room to the left has some bones with Ninette's ring.

Next, Hawke needs to go to the Gallows 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 hasn't got 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 & 250 XP. NOTE: Emeric can be found at The Blooming Rose, once this entire ordeal is over.

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 , 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 .

Hawke can speak to Jethann at The Blooming Rose to tell him about Ninette's death. He will obviously be upset upon hearing the news.

Rewards

250 XP (speaking to Emeric in the Gallows)
3 from Emeric
1 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 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 (+5) from the person who objected.
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.
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 & Fenris dialogue: Isabela - "Ooh, I like him. He reminds me of someone". Fenris - "shaking head - Can't imagine who"
- Isabela & 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.

Trivia

Dulci de Launcet and her daughters will be spreading rumors about Ninette and her elven lover at Duke Prosper's party in the Mark of the Assassin DLC.

Bugs

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. (Note: This is likely intentional, since the next place you are expected to go in this quest is to Lowtown at night.)