Mervis tells the Warden that caravans are being attacked in the Wending Wood between Amaranthine and Denerim.
Acquisition
Either obtain the Trading Troubles quest from Mervis in Amaranthine or entering the Wending Wood.
Walkthrough
When you first enter you find a destroyed caravan with bandits looting it, but it seems unlikely they did this much damage themselves. As you move through the forest you will be attacked by Bandits, Wild Sylvan and Charred Sylvan. Eventually you will come to a bridge, when you cross the bridge you will see a very angry elf who may be responsible for the attacks on the caravans.
Eventually you come across a deserted Dalish camp. Scattered about are human weapons, but no bodies.
In the woods you will see a locked door leading into a building. Head a bit right then left down the slope away from the locked door you will come upon a Militia survivor. When you ask about the elf's sister he tells you she was probably taken or eaten. when asked about the darkspawn where they came from he will give you a vague answer. you tell him that the Taint will kill him. He will ask you to kill him to finish it. If you don't kill him he runs away. Upon exiting the dialogue with the survivor you will be attacked by a group of darkspawn. after the darkspawn are defeated loot the Elven Trinket from Hurlock Emissary. As you leave the area the same way you will again meet the elf (Velanna). You can tell her that the humans are not responsible, but she does not believe you and summons two Wild Sylvans and enraged wolves to attack you and runs off.
After the fight head back to the Dalish camp and confront her and explain to her that the darkspawn are responsible for the Dalish elves' deaths and not the humans. During the conversation you have the option to show her the Elven Trinket you found on the remains, she will tell you that it belonged to her sister and she would never part with it. This will help convince her that the darkspawn did indeed frame the humans for the killings. She will ask you if you know where the darkspawn would go and she will point to that locked door telling you there is an abandoned mine. At this point she will join your party.
Return to Mervis and tell him the news.
Result
When you talk to Mervis you have a couple of choices
- If you tell him it was an elf that was responsible for the attacks, and subsequently say that you hope the culprits are brought to justice. This results in
Velanna disapproves (-4),
Nathaniel approves (+2),. - You can tell Mervis the attacks have stopped but withhold the fact that an elf was responsible. Choosing this option will give you Velanna approves (+2),
Sigrun approves (+2), Nathaniel approves (+2),. If you say "Thanks", you receive a reward of 20 . If you "persuade" him you receive 30 . And there is also the option to "Keep it. Do something for the families of the slain."
. If you "persuade" him you receive 30