Dragon Age Veilguard: Chapter 1 The End of the Beginning Dragon Age Veilguard guide, walkthrough
End of the Beginning is the first main quest in Dragon Age Veilguard. On this page of the guide we described how to find Neve, reach Solas and interrupt his ritual.
Last update: 31 October 2024
The End of the Beginning is the first main quest in Dragon Age Veilguard, which comprises the entire first chapter of the game. It serves as a prologue introducing the basic gameplay mechanics. On this page of the guide we describe how to find Neve, make your way through the demon-filled streets of Minrathous, reach Solas and interrupt his ritual.
- Persuade the bartender or beat up the guards?
- How to get to Solas?
- How to stop the ritual?
- Harding or Neve?
Persuade the bartender or beat up the guards?
You'll begin the mission in a bar, trying to gather information on Neve's location. Your choice has no significance here and only affects the first impression Rook will make on the rest of the party.
You can:
- negotiate - if you decide to persuade the woman, you will watch a cut-scene of the conversation.
- beat up her guards - if you decide to fight, the fight will happen in a cut-scene.
Regardless of your choice, you will gain information.
After leaving the bar you will gain control of your character. Follow Varric through the linear streets of the city. You will have to run along narrow beams and jump over obstacles. If you fall, the game will take you back to the last platform.
Once you reach the market square, Lace Harding will join you and you will engage in your first fight in the game. Follow the tutorial instructions to eliminate the enemies.
A little further on you'll start to encounter hostile Venatori cultists who place red barriers in your path. Destroy the crystals to unlock the passage further. After going down a large slope you will come across a blue barrier and more cultists. Here the game will teach you how to use skills during combat. After the fight, interact with the blue barrier to meet and recruit Neve.
How to get to Solas?
The detective will join your party. Your next goal is to reach Solas and stop him. Run along the narrow walkways and slide down the zip-lines towards the docks. You'll encounter more demons along the way - complete the ranged combat tutorial. Here you will also learn how to destroy barriers protecting enemies - barriers are marked with a blue health bar and can be efficiently destroyed with ranged attacks.
After the tutorial, Neve will open the door to Solas' hideout. Make your way inside, climbing up the rocks and following the linear corridor until you reach a large room where more enemies will attack you.
After the fight, go to the west side of the room (look at the compass and mini-map in the upper right corner of the screen) and go through the tunnel to the upper floor, where you will find a lever. It opens the door leading further.
A little further on, after passing through Solas' office, you will come across an eluvian - an ancient portal. Go through it to reach Arlathan Forest, where Solas performs his ritual.
Right after reaching the forest, you'll encounter another tutorial - you'll face armored enemies for the first time. Armor is marked with yellow health bars, and you can destroy it with charged attacks. The ritual site is not far away - continue along the linear corridor until you come across a pride demon.
The pride demon is here to test what you have learned during the tutorial. First, attack him from range to remove his barrier, then use charged attacks to remove his armor. Watch out for his three-hit melee combo that shoots shockwaves forward, as well as the falling lightning bolts marked by red circles on the ground.
How to stop the ritual?
After defeating the boss, watch the cut-scene. You must choose whether to support Varric's plan or not. The choice doesn't really matter - regardless of your opinion, Varric will try to talk some sense into Solas, and you'll have to protect him from the demons. Defeat a few enemies to trigger another cut-scene.
Harding or Neve?
You'll have to make the first choice with slightly more serious consequences - Harding or Neve must come with you to interrupt the ritual. You will receive a significant relationship boost with your chosen companion. As a consequence, she will suffer injuries and will be left with scars on her face. The selected character will also be unavailable during chapter 2 and you will only be able to start traveling with them in chapter 3.
Once you have made your choice, run across the wooden walkway to the wooden beam holding up a large statue and destroy it with a melee attack. The statue will fall on Solas and interrupt his ritual. After a few cut-scenes and conversations, you will complete the quest and reach the Lighthouse - your base of operations.