A New Path - p. 1 Dragon Age II Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Received from: Merrill [Lowtown - Merrill's House]
Step 1: A conversation with Merrill
The chance of completing this quest will appear after completing the main quest titled Freedom and the companion quest Difficult Conversation. When you get information about this mission's activation go to localization [Lowtown - Merrill's House]. You will have to conversations with Merrill (M14, 8). The first one will concern Merrill's sorrow because she was expelled by the elves from Dali #1. Notice that at the end of this conversation, you can tell her what to #2. Moreover, if you are a couple, you can assure her she can stay with the main hero.
The second conversation with Merrill is much more important and it will concern Eluvian's mirror #1. Interestingly, similar situation will take place during completing the quest titled Mirror Reflection when didn't give her an elf artefact. Merrill will tell you she wants to go to the cave of the demon connected to the mirror. At the end of the conversation the list of choices will appear #2 (acceptance, rejection, order to talk to Marethari's Guard), but at the end there is one solution - taking part in the expedition.
Step 2: Reaching the demon's cave
You must take Merrill to your team, leave her house and confirm the urge of going to the localization [Sundermount - Dalish Camp]. Here you can try to talk to Marethari #1 (M25, 3), but you won't be able to influence Merrill's decision. Leave the camp, choose the route leading to the top of the hill #2.
You will come across the first group of monsters after reaching the camp but defeating them will be easy as they are Giant Spiders #1. If you are doing other quests connected to Awiergan Scrolls at the same time, you must watch out in the second camp, because here you will come across secret nightmare and a group of Shades #2.
The aim is to reach the passage leading to the localization [Sundermount - The Caves Under Sundermount] #1 (M25, 7). Here go south-east. You will come across monsters when you go into the biggest cave. Be careful because apart from new spiders there will be a shadow warrior #2, who has to be taken care of quickly.
After finishing the fight, head towards the exit of the cave which means coming back to the localization [Sundermount] #1 (M25, 8). Here it is worth approaching the altar called the chapel #2 (M25, 10). Click on the altar and the short conversation with Merrill will start during which she will ask Mythal for blessing.
Go further east. Soon you can come across other monsters connected with Awiergan Scrolls. In such case, first eliminate Bysmor #1, and then Gifre and Beacon #2 (M25, 21). The last two monsters are the stronger kinds of the living dead so use your best talents and spells and to attack them one by one.
Before reaching the top, you will have to deal with a group of small dragons #1 and one huge dragon #2 (M25, 22). There are not too many monsters so you shouldn't have many problems.
After reaching the top, start attacking the corpses and Shades but watch out for lurking around shadow assassin #1, who has to be eliminated as soon as possible. After winning the battle go up to the entrance of the cave (M25, 23), protected by the monsters #2. It leads to localization [Sundermount - The End of Pride] (M90, 1).
Straight away go to the biggest cave #1. You can look around here for a while or focus on finding one strange statue #2 (M90, 2). If you click on it, you will start a conversation with Merrill.