The Peasant Revolution

The Peasant Revolution is a side quest in Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.

Acquisition

This quest starts after completing two of the three main plot quests (The Righteous Path, Last of the Legion, Shadows of the Blackmarsh). Upon returning to Vigil's Keep, the Warden-Commander finds a mob of angry peasants.

Note: Even after completing two of the three main quests, this quest will not take place until A Day In Court is completed.

Walkthrough

The angry peasants that are present in Vigil's Keep may riot for one of the three following reasons:

Lack of safety
Lack of enough food
About the tyranny of the Commander's reign

These reasons are heavily influenced on the decisions that were made by the Commander in the past and also by the origin of the protagonist (an imported Warden who defeated the Blight or an Orlesian). Specifically:

The choice the Commander took in Defending the Land quest. If the quest wasn't initiated then the guards will continue protecting the city. However, the rioters don't consider that the Commander made that choice.
The choice the Commander took in A Day In Court quest, the case between Lady Liza Packton and Ser Derren. Specifically, whether the Commander took the land for themselves or chose any other option (including to let Varel decide).
The origin of the Warden-Commander.
The choices the Commander made while talking to Lord Guy and his fate afterwards during the Oaths of Fealty and A Brewing Conspiracy quests. This is only available to the Orlesian Warden.

Dialogue

This is the full dialogue that happens during the Peasant Revolution, mostly between the rioters and the Warden-Commander.

Note: Each walkthrough starts from the 1st box and ends in the 33rd box: you can move to the other boxes based on the number which every dialogue choice leads you to. The description below some dialogue choices explains the circumstances that these can generate instead of others of the same box.

Note: The "Warden" refers to any Warden regardless of their origin, while "Orlesian Warden" is for a newly created character.

1.	Captain Garavel: Thank the Maker you arrived. Things are getting out of hand. (➜ 2)
2.	Riot Leader: The darkspawn are everywhere! You can see them from the city walls. But the commander will spare no soldiers for our protection! (➜ 3) (if the Warden doesn't choose to defend the farms or everything or the Orlesian Warden doesn't execute Lord Guy or claims the disputed land of Lady Liza and Ser Derren) Riot Leader: My son is starving! Open the granaries! Bloody feed your people! (➜ 3) (if the Warden chooses to defend the farms or everything or the Orlesian Warden doesn't execute Lord Guy or claims the disputed land of Lady Liza and Ser Derren) Riot Leader: Down with the Orlesian! Down with the Wardens! We're not going to take this tyranny! (➜ 3) (if the Orlesian Warden executes Lord Guy and/or claims the disputed land of Lady Liza and Ser Derren)
3.	Seneschal Varel: Grave times Commander. The common folk are getting desparate. Maybe you can say a few words? Calm them down. Make them see reason. (➜ 4) (if the Warden has solved already A Brewing Conspiracy or never acquired the quest or the Orlesian Warden has talked to Lord Guy and successfully picked the persuasion or intimidation dialogue choice, or killed him in the Old Stark's Farm) Seneschal Varel: I fear this must be work of the conspiracy against you and the Grey Wardens. If the common folk just rose up on their own, I'll eat my boot. (➜ 4) (if the Warden has initiated A Brewing Conspiracy but it isn't concluded yet or decided to not do anything to stop it or the Orlesian Warden talked to Lord Guy and successfully picked the persuasion or intimidation dialogue choice) Seneschal Varel: You remember Lord Guy? He's been rallying the less fortunate with anti-Orlesian slurs and whatever else he can think of. (➜ 4) (if the Orlesian Warden has talked to Lord Guy and didn't choose the persuasion or intimidation dialogue or chose them but failed and also hasn't dealt with A Brewing Conspiracy by going to the Old Stark's Farm or by using the hostage option)
4.	Captain Garavel: Varel you don't coddle a revolt, you put it down. Just give me the order. (➜ 5) (if the Warden has not executed Danella or didn't let Varel handle Danella's case in A Day In Court or never started that quest) Captain Garavel: Varel you don't coddle a revolt, you put it down. Just give me the order. Some of my own soldiers are among that rabble. They took Danella's execution for desertion very hard. (➜ 5) (if the Warden executed Danella or let Varel handle Danella's case in A Day In Court)
5.	Warden-Commander: (Persuade) Now, more than ever, we must stand together... For a successful persuasion: ➜ 6 if in the 2nd table the first option was mentioned ➜ 7 if in the 2nd table the second option was mentioned ➜ 8 if in the 2nd table the third option was mentioned For a failed persuasion: ➜ 9 (requires Expert Coercion unless the Warden-Commander claimed the disputed land of Lady Liza and Ser Derren or the Orlesian Warden has talked to Lord Guy and didn't choose the persuasion or intimidation dialogue or chose them but failed and he is still alive, then it requires Master Coercion) Warden-Commander: (Intimidate) I kill darkspawn by the score. What are a few peasants? (➜ 13 for a successful intimidation, otherwise ➜ 20) (requires Expert Coercion) Warden-Commander: Garavel, disperse them. Gently, though. (➜ 28) Warden-Commander: Draw your swords! These people want blood. They can have it. [PC initiates attack ➜ 32]
6.	Riot Leader: We will not be-- Riot Moderate: Let the commander speak. Riot Leader: We must take the keep. To be safe-- Riot Moderate: Quiet! (➜ 10)
7.	Riot Leader: We will not be-- Riot Moderate: Let the commander speak. Riot Leader: But we must eat. We-- Riot Moderate: Quiet! (➜ 11)
8.	Riot Leader: We will not be-- Riot Moderate: Let the commander speak. Riot Leader: And bow to this tyranny? We-- Riot Moderate: Quiet! (➜ 12)
9.	Riot Leader: We'll not be swayed by your honeyed words. ➜ 24 if in the 2nd table the first option was mentioned ➜ 25 if in the 2nd table the second option was mentioned ➜ 26 if in the 2nd table the third option was mentioned
10.	Warden-Commander: (Persuade) The keep needs protection. If it falls, the city will too. (➜ 15) (requires Expert Coercion—since that was also required in the previous persuasion check in 5, there is no way that this persuasion attempt can fail) Warden-Commander: (Persuade) If you turn against my soldiers, you will be even less safe. (➜ 16 for a successful persuasion, otherwise ➜ 21) (requires Master Coercion and the Warden not choosing to defend the city) Warden-Commander: (Intimidate) I've had enough. Go ahead, attack. I dare you. (➜ 14 for a successful intimidation, otherwise ➜ 20) (requires Expert Coercion) Warden-Commander: Garavel, disperse them. Gently, though. (➜ 28) Warden-Commander: Draw your swords! These people want blood. They can have it. [PC initiates attack ➜ 32]
11.	Warden-Commander: (Persuade) I will provide for my people. Trust me. (➜ 17 for a successful persuasion, otherwise ➜ 22) (requires Expert Coercion and the Warden to not having claimed the disputed land of Lady Liza and Ser Derren or if the Orlesian Warden has talked to Lord Guy, they chose the persuasion or intimidation dialogues and succeeded or failed either checks or chose any other answer but A Brewing Conspiracy is dealt either in the Old Stark's Farm or by using the hostage option) Warden-Commander: We will give you grain. You will not starve. (➜ 18) Warden-Commander: Garavel, disperse them. Gently, though. (➜ 28) Warden-Commander: Draw your swords! These people want blood. They can have it. [PC initiates attack ➜ 32]
12.	Warden-Commander: I rule with an iron first because I must. To survive. (➜ 23) Warden-Commander: To defeat the darkspawn horde, we need a strong ruler. (➜ 24) Warden-Commander: (Intimidate) Is it wise to antagonize a tyrant? It will not end well. (➜ 13 for a successful intimidation, otherwise ➜ 20) (requires Expert Coercion) Warden-Commander: Garavel, disperse them. Gently, though. (➜ 28) Warden-Commander: Draw your swords! These people want blood. They can have it. [PC initiates attack ➜ 32]
13.	Riot Leader: What? What do you mean? (➜ 14)
14.	Warden-Commander: You will all die. And your families will suffer. (➜ 19) Warden-Commander: This is your last chance. Throw down your weapons. Leave. (➜ 20) Warden-Commander: Garavel, disperse them. Gently, though. (➜ 28) Warden-Commander: Draw your swords! These people want blood. They can have it. [PC initiates attack ➜ 32]
15.	Riot Leader: How dare you-- Riot Moderate: The commander speaks sense. I'm going home. Riot Leader: Wait! (➜ 29)
16.	Riot Leader: You expect-- Riot Moderate: The commander speaks sense. I'm going home. Riot Leader: Wait! (➜ 29)
17.	Riot Leader: You expect us to believe those empty-- Riot Moderate: The commander's soldiers protect my home. That promise is enough for me. Riot Leader: B-but... [Riot ends peacefully ➜ 30]
18.	Riot Leader: You'll what? Riot Moderate: Maker bless you, Commander! [Riot ends peacefully ➜ 30]
19.	Riot Leader: Y-you're bluffing. You wouldn't do that. Riot Moderate: They'll kill us. Riot Leader: W-wait. [Riot ended with intimidation ➜ 31]
20.	Riot Leader: You do not scare us. ➜ 25 if in the 2nd table the first option was mentioned ➜ 26 if in the 2nd table the second option was mentioned ➜ 27 if in the 2nd table the third option was mentioned
21.	Riot Leader: The soldiers don't protect us anyway! We're farm folk, and the soldiers don't venture more than a stone's throw from Amaranthine. (➜ 25) (if the Warden has chosen to defend the city) Riot Leader: We'll have none of your words! (➜ 25) (if the Warden doesn't have Master Coercion and hasn't chosen to defend the city)
22.	Riot Leader: Don't believe the Commander's empty words! (➜ 26)
23.	Riot Leader: Bann Esmerelle has led us before. She can lead us again! (➜ 27) (if the Warden hasn't executed Lord Guy in the Oaths of Fealty) Riot Leader: Says the one who executed Lord Guy for speaking out of turn. (➜ 27) (if the Warden has executed Lord Guy in the Oaths of Fealty)
24.	Riot Leader: Bann Esmerelle has led us before. She can lead us again! (➜ 27)
25.	Riot Leader: We can take the keep. We'll be safe there! [Rioters initiate attack ➜ 32]
26.	Riot Leader: If we get to the granaries, we can feed our families! [Rioters initiate attack ➜ 32]
27.	Riot Leader: Death to the tyrant! [Rioters initiate attack ➜ 32]
28.	Captain Garavel: This is going to get ugly. [PC iniates attack ➜ 32]
29.	Seneschal Varel: Truly well done. That was, well, inspirational. [Riot ends peacefully ➜ 31]
30.	Seneschal Varel: Crisis averted, I suppose. But if you give a mob a rooster, they'll take the chicken coop next time. [Riot ended by surrendering to rioters ➜ 31]
31.	Captain Garavel: I don't know how you did that. Men, stand down. (➜ 33)
32.	Captain Garavel: Peasant uprisings--they never end well. Seneschal Varel: There had to be another way. Captain Garavel: You know as well as I that if you give in to the mob, you're ruled by the mob. Seneschal Varel: (Sigh) You're right, Garavel. [Riot suppressed violently ➜ 33]
33.	Seneschal Varel: I'll be in the keep. (if the Warden has completed A Brewing Conspiracy but didn't choose the option to not do anything to stop it) Seneschal Varel: Before this... mess began, some noble were awaiting an audience with you. I'll be in the keep. (if the Warden has never acquired A Brewing Conspiracy or initiated it but it isn't concluded yet or decided to not do anything to stop it)

Fight

If the rioters do not leave peacefully, then a fight will break out. The Warden-Commander will be assisted by Seneschal Varel and Captain Garevel; even if they lose all their health, they will continue to fight and are impossible to be killed.

On the other side, there will be eight rioters who will attack. If the Commander executed Danella during the A Day In Court, there will be an extra four disgruntled soldiers from the Vigil's Keep among them. If the Warden has completed the quest Elemental Requirements, the soldiers will have the upgraded gear. However, the peasants do not bear any armor and all the enemies are normal ranked which makes the fight very easy.

Result

Ultimately, the Peasant Revolution may have the following results:

Riot is ended peacefully
- By making the rioters see reason (can happen only if they riot for safety)
- By surrendering to the rioters' demands (can happen only if they riot for food)
- By intimidating them that they and their families will suffer (can happen in all three scenarios)
Riot is suppressed violently
- By attacking the rioters (can happen in all three scenarios)
- By being attacked by the rioters (can happen in all three scenarios)

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You gain 1,000 experience no matter the choice.
If a fight breaks out, then the riot leader will give 65 experience and the rest of rioters along with the disgruntled soldiers will give 22 experience. There are no valuable items for looting as well.
If you gave them food or persuaded them that you will provide for your people, then it will be mentioned in the epilogue that their success encouraged them to riot more in the future.

Bugs

When the quest is concluded, the journal will update and say that "the riot is over and the rioters have gone home" even if a fight broke out and the rioters subsequently died.