Changes: The Harrowing (quest)

Revision as of 06:51, 20 January 2019

For information on the rite, see The Harrowing.

The Harrowing is the first sub-quest of the Magi Origin story In the High Tower of the Mages. A cinematic starts immediately after the character generation, at the end of which you touch the lyrium and go into the Fade.

Walkthrough

Enter The Fade

AreaMap TheHarrowing — The Fade: you will start in the area at the top right of the map.

Note: Creatures in the Fade do not drop loot, and you cannot take items from the Fade back to the material world. This includes Valor's Staff.

You will start at the top right (northeast) of the map. To your left, you can find a Vase of Healing containing Shimmering Orbs of Light. These can be used to heal yourself whilst in the Fade but will vanish from your inventory once you complete your Harrowing, so don't be afraid to use them. (ps3 and xbox360: instead of Orbs there are Health Poultices in the Vase; if unused these will stay in your inventory after you leave the Fade.) Next to the Vase is a Disturbing Statue which will unlock Codex entry: Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons. Progress through the Fade to find a few Wisp wraiths that attack with lightning. Fortunately they come at you one at a time, and shouldn't require much more than an Arcane Bolt to kill.

Mouse

Along the way, you will meet what appears to be a talking rat, who will introduce himself as Mouse (he may explain that he's been in the Fade too long to remember his real name). Mouse tells you he was once an apprentice like you, but that he was murdered by the Templars for failing to complete his Harrowing. He will explain a bit about the Fade and your test, and warn you about other spirits in the area. Further down the path is an open area to the right. Mouse will explain that this is where the demon you are to face will manifest. The Lyrium Vein seen here (which unlocks Codex entry: Lyrium) can be used to recover Mana during combat (and will replenish itself later if used now).

Spirit of Valor

To prepare further for the battle, proceed westwards. The path will open up again. Up a slope to your right are another vase of orbs and a Twisted Structure (which unlocks Codex entry: The Black City). To the left is Valor, who may reveal during conversation that he can create weapons with his will alone. If you ask him for a weapon, Valor will challenge you to a duel. To obtain Valor's Staff, you can take him up on this challenge and win the duel. (After winning you can attack and kill him for XP.) Alternatively, you may accuse him of plotting to kill you, then demand he prove his good intentions by helping you. Equip your new staff and progress onwards, and fight a few spirit wolves.

Note: After dealing with the Spirit of Valor, if you travel back to where the Harrowing began, you can fight several more wisps, which are more powerful than those you originally faced and offer more XP.

Sloth

At the far west of the area, you will fight 3 Spirit Wolves and [further on] meet a Sloth demon in the shape of a bereskarn. There are three ways he will agree to teach Mouse to take on his form. You can defeat him in combat or answer his riddles; if one riddle is answered incorrectly, you'll have to fight him. The answers to his riddles are, in order, "a map", "my tongue" and "a dream". Alternatively, if you have 30 cunning (which is not possible without cheating), you can tell him you would pester him endlessly until he gives in. After you defeat Sloth one way or another, he will teach Mouse to turn into a bear (though not a bereskarn) and then resume his "rest". Mouse will now join the party as a companion. If you've not done so already, you may have more of a discussion about the Fade and Mouse's memories.

The Spirit of Rage

Note: Before entering the circle and facing the demon, if you travel back to the beginning of the Fade, you can fight several more wisps that are more powerful than those you originally faced and offer 82 XP, instead of 27 XP. You can do this again even if you did it after meeting Valor. Both of these extra side-fights are worth it for the very easy XP.

Now your preparations are complete; double back toward the middle of the map. More spirit wolves will attack you - but now you have Mouse in bear form on your side. The Spirit of Rage now appears in the central area you passed earlier. After some dialogue, battle will ensue. Four Wisp Wraiths will join the fight. You can ignore these and focus on the Spirit of Rage, because once it is defeated the battle will cease. However, it is advisable to take them out for easy XP; usually, Mouse will distract the rage demon while you are attacking the wisps.

If you have it, Winter's Grasp is very effective against the fiery Spirit of Rage; conversely Flame Blast won't help you here. If your mana gets low, remember to use the Lyrium Vein, if you haven't already done so. If not, then Mouse in his bear form should be able to occupy the Spirit of Rage while you cast spells or use your staff from afar. Don't forget the healing Shimmering Orbs of Light, which will shortly become useless for anything else, and which Mouse can also use.

Completing the test

Once the Spirit of Rage has been defeated, Mouse will want to discuss a proposal ... but it swiftly becomes clear that Mouse isn't the timid little individual he pretended to be. Once you make clear you see through Mouse's ruse, he will shift into his true form (though this is not clearly shown on screen due to camera angle, its implied size and a fair bit of Mouse's dialogue suggest he is really a Pride Demon). Resisting Mouse, it turns out, was the real test, which you have now passed.

If Mouse dies during the fight against the Spirit of Rage, the dialogue with Mouse still happens but you do not fight the Pride Demon after the cut scene.

Note: There appears to be no way to fail this test (even if it would have meant death via templars), as all the dialogue options end with the demon showing itself.

Codex entries

Codex entry: First Enchanter Irving

Codex entry: Knight-Commander Greagoir

Codex entry: The Harrowing

Codex entry: Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons

Codex entry: Wisp

Codex entry: Wolf

Codex entry: Sloth Demon

Codex entry: Rage Demon

Codex entry: Lyrium

Codex entry: The Black City

Depending on what actions are taken, various Controls codex entries

Result

You wake up in bed the next morning, to find Jowan hovering over you. You can now become A Mage of the Circle.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 <onlyinclude>{{QuestTransformer
-|style={{{style|}}}
+|style       = {{{style|}}}
-|name = [[The Harrowing (Quest)|The Harrowing]]
+|name        = [[The Harrowing (quest)|The Harrowing]]
-|caption = A mage apprentice prepares to enter the Fade
 |qcat =  Origin story
-|start  = New game with [[Mage]] class
+|start       = New game with [[Mage (Origins)|Mage]] class
-|end  = Defeat demon
+|end         = Defeat demon
-|prereqs = None
+|prereqs     = None
-|image = Harrowing.jpg
+|image       = Harrowing.jpg
-|px = 270px
+|px          = 270px
-|location  = [[Mage Origin]]
+|location    = [[Magi Origin]]
+|next        = [[A Mage of the Circle]]
-|rewards = Codex entries and experience
-|next = [[A Mage of the Circle]]
+|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins]]
-|related = '''[[Mage Origin|Mage origin: In the High Tower of the Mages]]'''<br>-[[The Harrowing (Quest)]]<br>-[[A Mage of the Circle]]<br>-[[Bound in Blood and Magic]]<br>-[[Infested Storerooms]]
-|appearances= [[Dragon Age: Origins]]
 }}</onlyinclude>
-{{:The Harrowing}}
+{{For|information on the rite|The Harrowing}}
-__TOC__
+'''The Harrowing''' is the first sub-quest of the [[Magi Origin]] story ''In the High Tower of the Mages''. A cinematic starts immediately after the character generation, at the end of which you touch the [[lyrium]] and go into the [[Fade]].
-==Background==
-[[The Harrowing (Quest)]] is the first sub-quest of the [[Mage Origin]] story, "In the High Tower of the Mages". It starts immediately after the opening animation, at the end of which you touch the lyrium and go into the fade where daemons walk around.
-==Walkthrough==
+== Walkthrough ==
-===The Fade===
+=== Enter The Fade ===
 [[File:AreaMap_TheHarrowing.jpg|thumb|270px|The Fade: you will start in the area at the top right of the map.]]
-... find yourself in the Fade.
 {{Note|Creatures in the Fade do not drop loot, and you cannot take items from the Fade back to the material world. This includes Valor's Staff.}}
-'''''Start:''''' You will start at the top right (north east) of the map. To your left, you can find a Vase of Healing containing [[Shimmering Orb of Light|Shimmering Orbs of Light]]. These can be used to heal yourself whilst in the Fade but will vanish from your inventory once you complete your Harrowing, so don't be afraid to use them. Next to the Vase is a Disturbing Statue that can be interacted with to obtain [[Codex Entry: Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons]]. Progress through the Fade to find a few [[Wisp Wraith]]s that attack with lightning spells. Fortunately they come at you one at a time, and shouldn't require more than an [[Arcane_Spells|Arcane Bolt]] and, at worst, one more damage spell or a slap to kill.
+You will start at the top right (northeast) of the map. To your left, you can find a {{TextContainer|Vase of Healing}} containing [[Shimmering Orb of Light|Shimmering Orbs of Light]]. These can be used to heal yourself whilst in the Fade but will vanish from your inventory once you complete your Harrowing, so don't be afraid to use them. ({{Platforms|ps3}} and {{Platforms|xbox360}}: instead of Orbs there are [[Health Poultice]]s in the Vase; if unused these '''will''' stay in your inventory after you leave the Fade.) Next to the Vase is a Disturbing Statue which will unlock [[Codex entry: Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons]]. Progress through the Fade to find a few [[Wisp wraith]]s that attack with lightning. Fortunately they come at you one at a time, and shouldn't require much more than an [[Arcane Bolt]] to kill.
+=== Mouse ===
-'''''Mouse:''''' Along the way, you will meet what appears to be a talking rat, who will introduce himself as Mouse (if asked, he will explain he's been in the Fade so long he has forgotten his real name). Mouse tells you he was once an apprentice like you, but that he was murdered by the Templars for failing to complete his Harrowing. He will explain a bit about the Fade, your test and inform you that there are other spirits around. Just past where you meet Mouse, there is an open area to your right. Mouse will explain that this is where the demon you are to face will manifest. There is a Lyrium Vein you can interact with to receive [[Codex Entry: Lyrium]]. The Lyrium Vein will replenish itself and can also be used to restore some mana during the battle to come.
+Along the way, you will meet what appears to be a talking rat, who will introduce himself as [[Mouse]] (he may explain that he's been in the Fade too long to remember his real name). Mouse tells you he was once an apprentice like you, but that he was murdered by the Templars for failing to complete his Harrowing. He will explain a bit about the Fade and your test, and warn you about other spirits in the area. Further down the path is an open area to the right. Mouse will explain that this is where the demon you are to face will manifest. The Lyrium Vein seen here (which unlocks [[Codex entry: Lyrium (Origins)|Codex entry: Lyrium]]) can be used to recover Mana during combat (and will replenish itself later if used now).
+=== Spirit of Valor ===
-'''''Spirit of Valor:''''' There is still preparation to do before this battle, so proceed westwards. The path will open up again. Up a slope to your right, you can find another Vase of healing with more Shimmering Orbs of Light and a Twisted Structure you can interact with to receive [[Codex Entry: The Black City]]. Across the path, you can meet the Spirit of Valor, who if you ask him if he created the weapons you can see, will tell you he can create weapons from his willpower alone. If you ask him for a staff, Valor will challenge you to a duel. To obtain [[Valor's Staff]], you can take him up on this challenge and win the duel. Alternatively, you can use your [[Willpower]] and accuse him of trying to kill you himself, then demand he prove his good intentions by helping you. Progress onwards, and fight a few spirit [[wolf|wolves]]. Remember to equip your new staff! It is also possible to kill him for exp after you take the staff.
+To prepare further for the battle, proceed westwards. The path will open up again. Up a slope to your right are another {{TextContainer|vase}} of [[Shimmering Orb of Light|orbs]] and a Twisted Structure (which unlocks [[Codex entry: The Black City]]). To the left is [[Spirit of Valor|Valor]], who may reveal during conversation that he can create weapons with his will alone. If you ask him for a weapon, Valor will challenge you to a duel. To obtain [[Valor's Staff]], you can take him up on this challenge and win the duel. (After winning you can attack and kill him for XP.) Alternatively, you may accuse him of plotting to kill you, then demand he prove his good intentions by helping you. Equip your new staff and progress onwards, and fight a few spirit [[wolf|wolves]].
+{{Note|After dealing with the Spirit of Valor, if you travel back to where the Harrowing began, you can fight several more wisps, which are more powerful than those you originally faced and offer more XP.}}
-'''''Sloth:''''' At the far west of the area, you will meet a [[Sloth Demon]] in the shape of a [[Bereskarn]]. If you talk to him he will agree to teach Mouse to take on his form. You can either fight Sloth or agree to answer his riddles. If you get a riddle wrong, you'll have to fight him. The answers to his riddles are, in order, "a map", "my tongue" and "a dream". After you defeat Sloth or guess his riddles, he will teach Mouse to turn into a [[bear]] (though not a bereskarn) then go back to sleep. Mouse will now join your party, rather than simply follow you. If you've not done so already, you may wish to talk to him a bit more to find out what else he has to say about the Fade and how he came to be trapped. It is also possible to fight and defeat him for exp after Mouse learns to turn into bear.
+=== Sloth ===
-'''''Spirit of Rage:''''' Now your preparations are complete, double back toward the middle of the map. More spirit wolves will attack you - but now you have Mouse in bear form on your side. The Spirit of Rage now appears in the central area you passed earlier. After some dialogue, battle will ensue. Four Wisp Wraiths will join the fight (you can ignore these and focus on the Spirit of Rage - as once it is defeated the battle will cease - or try to take them out for a bit more experience. Remember the Lyrium Vein, if you haven't already used it. If you have them, ice spells are very effective against the fiery Spirit of Rage. If not, then Mouse in his bear form should be able to occupy the Spirit of Rage whilst you cast spells or use your staff from afar. Don't forget the healing Shimmering Orbs of Light, which will shortly become useless for anything else, and which Mouse can also use.
+At the far west of the area, you will fight 3 Spirit Wolves and [further on] meet a [[Sloth demon]] in the shape of a [[bereskarn]]. There are three ways he will agree to teach Mouse to take on his form. You can defeat him in combat or answer his riddles; if one riddle is answered incorrectly, you'll have to fight him. The answers to his riddles are, in order, "a map", "my tongue" and "a dream". Alternatively, if you have 30 [[cunning]] (which is not possible without cheating), you can tell him you would pester him endlessly until he gives in. After you defeat Sloth one way or another, he will teach Mouse to turn into a [[bear]] (though not a bereskarn) and then resume his "rest". Mouse will now join the party as a companion. If you've not done so already, you may have more of a discussion about the Fade and Mouse's memories.
+=== The Spirit of Rage ===
-'''''Completing the test:''''' Once the Spirit of Rage has been defeated, Mouse will want to discuss a proposal ... but it swiftly becomes clear that Mouse isn't the timid little individual he pretended to be. Once you make clear you see through Mouse's ruse, he will shift into his true form (whilst this is not shown on screen, its implied size and a fair bit of Mouse's dialogue suggest he is really a [[Pride Demon]]). Unmasking Mouse, it turns out, was the true test, which you have now passed.&nbsp; There appears to be no way in which to fail this test (even if it would have meant death via templars), as all the dialogue options end up with the demon showing itself.
+{{Note|Before entering the circle and facing the demon, if you travel back to the beginning of the Fade, you can fight several more wisps that are more powerful than those you originally faced and offer 82 XP, instead of 27 XP. You can do this again even if you did it after meeting Valor. Both of these extra side-fights are worth it for the very easy XP.}}
+Now your preparations are complete; double back toward the middle of the map. More spirit wolves will attack you - but now you have Mouse in bear form on your side. The [[Rage Demon|Spirit of Rage]] now appears in the central area you passed earlier. After some dialogue, battle will ensue. Four Wisp Wraiths will join the fight. You can ignore these and focus on the Spirit of Rage, because once it is defeated the battle will cease. However, it is advisable to take them out for easy XP; usually, Mouse will distract the rage demon while you are attacking the wisps.
+If you have it, [[Winter's Grasp (Origins)|Winter's Grasp]] is very effective against the fiery Spirit of Rage; conversely [[Flame Blast]] won't help you here. If your mana gets low, remember to use the Lyrium Vein, if you haven't already done so.  If not, then Mouse in his bear form should be able to occupy the Spirit of Rage while you cast spells or use your staff from afar. Don't forget the healing Shimmering Orbs of Light, which will shortly become useless for anything else, and which Mouse can also use.
-==Characters==
-* Mouse
-* Spirit of Valor
-* A demon called Sloth (probably not the same individual as the [[Sloth]] met later in the campaign)
-* Spirit of Rage (a [[Rage Demon]])
+=== Completing the test ===
-==Enemies==
+Once the Spirit of Rage has been defeated, Mouse will want to discuss a proposal ... but it swiftly becomes clear that Mouse isn't the timid little individual he pretended to be. Once you make clear you see through Mouse's ruse, he will shift into his true form (though this is not clearly shown on screen due to camera angle, its implied size and a fair bit of Mouse's dialogue suggest he is really a [[Pride Demon]]). Resisting Mouse, it turns out, was the real test, which you have now passed.
-* [[Wisp Wraith]]s
-* Spirit Wolves (see [[Wolf]])
+If Mouse dies during the fight against the Spirit of Rage, the dialogue with Mouse still happens but you do not fight the Pride Demon after the cut scene.
-== Codex's ==
-{{:Codex Entry: First Enchanter Irving|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{Note|There appears to be no way to fail this test (even if it would have meant death via templars), as all the dialogue options end with the demon showing itself.}}
-{{:Codex Entry: Knight-Commander Greagoir|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Codex Entry: The Harrowing|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+== Codex entries ==
-{{:Codex Entry: Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Codex Entry: Wisp|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: First Enchanter Irving|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Codex Entry: Wolf|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: Knight-Commander Greagoir|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Codex Entry: Sloth Demon|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: The Harrowing|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Codex Entry: Rage Demon|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Codex Entry: Lyrium|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: Wisp|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Codex Entry: The Black City|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: Wolf|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: Sloth Demon|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: Rage Demon|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: Lyrium (Origins)|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Codex entry: The Black City|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
 * Depending on what actions are taken, various [[Codex: Controls|Controls codex entries]]
-==Result==
+== Result ==
 You wake up in bed the next morning, to find [[Jowan]] hovering over you. You can now become [[A Mage of the Circle]].
-==See Also==
-* [[Circle of Magi]]
-* [[Mage]]
-* [[Mage Origin]]
-* [[Origins]]
 == Gallery ==
 <gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170px">
-Harrowing2.jpg|"Your magic is a gift, but it's also a curse." ([[Knight-Commander Greagoir]])
+Harrowing2.jpg|"Your magic is a gift, but it's also a curse." (Knight-Commander [[Greagoir]])
 NPC-CullenWitnessesTheHarrowing.png|[[Cullen]] and another Templar witness The Warden's Harrowing
 Object-LyriumPodium.png|[[Mage]]s can use [[lyrium]] to enter the [[Fade]], the realm of dreams and spirits
@@ Line 81: / Line 73: @@
 Creature-SpiritOfValor.png|A Spirit of Valor can aid The Warden by giving them [[Valor's Staff]]
 Creature SlothBereskarn.jpg|Meeting a spirit called [[Sloth Demon|Sloth]] in the Fade
-Creature-RageDemon.png|The main oppenent of The Warden during their Harrowing appears to be a [[Rage Demon]]
+Creature-RageDemon.png|The main opponent of The Warden during their Harrowing appears to be a [[Rage demon]]
 </gallery>
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrowing (quest)}}
+[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins quests]]
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrowing (Quest)}}
-[[Category:Origin Story Quests]]
+[[Category:Origin story quests]]
-[[Category:Quests]]
-[[Category:Origins Quests]]