The Unscrupulous Merchant

The Unscrupulous Merchant
Location	Lothering
Start	Merchant (Lothering)
End	Merchant (Lothering)
Appearances	Dragon Age: Origins

While heading towards the Chantry in Lothering you stumble on to an argument between a Chantry sister and an unscrupulous Merchant.

Walkthrough

Near Lothering's chantry - particularly (automatically) if approaching a barrel and chest on the ground next to a covered wagon - the party will encounter a group consisting of a Sister, a merchant, and two farmers. The priestess and merchant are arguing over the prices being charged for his wares. In the ensuing dialogue, you have three options: removing yourself from the argument, siding with the merchant, or siding with the Sister.

Remove yourself from the argument (the merchant will leave Lothering):

Leliana approves (+1)

Sten disapproves (-3)

Side with the merchant (he will give you 1 and be open for business):

Alistair disapproves (-3), (-6) if "Don't worry about it. I hate the self-righteous" is also chosen

Leliana disapproves (-15), (-10) if "You don't think you're being unscrupulous?" was chosen

Morrigan approves (+2), (+4) if "Don't worry about it. I hate the self-righteous" is also chosen

Kill the merchant (option is available after driving off the Sister):

Alistair disapproves (-3)

Leliana disapproves (-30)

Morrigan approves (+2)

Sten approves (+4)

Siding with the Sister, The Warden may attempt to persuade or intimidate the merchant into lowering his prices. If either is successful, the merchant will remain and do business):

Leliana approves (+2)

Morrigan disapproves (-3)

Rewards

• 150 XP
• 1 for siding with the merchant
• Access to the merchant's inventory if he is not killed and either

• the Warden convinces him to lower his prices

or

• the Sister is driven away by the Warden

Notes

• This quest is not documented in your journal.
• Despite assurances of a discount, the prices the merchant applies to you are the same regardless of who you choose to support. (Presumably, the discounted prices for a merchant-sympathizer do not apply to anyone else, whereas if he is coerced into lowering his prices they apply to everyone. Of course, there is no way to "test" this.)