Birthright Dragon Age II Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
The quest giver: automatically after you get to the Gamlen's house [Lowtown - Gamlen's House]
Step 1: Discuss the situation with the rest of the family
You'll obtain this quest after completing the main quest A New Home? connected with getting to the [Lowtown - Gamlen's House] location (M12, 4). First talk to Leandra, who is mother of main hero #1 (M14, 4), asking her some additional questions if necessary (about will among others). Now talk to Bethany #2 or Carver (M14, 2). You won't have any influence on the course of this conversation too. Regardless of dialog options you choose, at the end you'll learn that you have to get into the old family estate in order to find grandfather Amell's will.
Step 2: Break into the old family estate
Now you can leave Gamlen's house and select the world map. Go to the [Darktown] location. After reaching the destination head east #1. Be aware because on your way you can be attacked by thugs and mercenaries #2, and not only by warriors but also by archers and rogues. Watch out for the latter in particular and do not let them attack you by surprise.
Once you get to the eastern part of Darktown turn to the north #1. Go to the next area and turn left. You should see here the stairs leading to the [Darktown - Amell Estate Cellar] location #2 (M23, 6). Use them and note that in this expedition one of family members supports your party, so Bethany or Carver.
Step 3: Find the will
Start exploring the cellar (M24, 1). You'll run into first opponents in the next room and you'll have to fight not very demanding slavers #1. Defeating them shouldn't be a big problem. Unfortunately you can't use a left passage, so head north using the stairs #2.
Be careful because in the next room you'll meet not only slavers but also a tough slaver assassin #1. Try to eliminate him as fast as possible, because his surprise attacks can inflict huge damages. After winning the battle it is worth to examine southern store room #2, where you can find an item which activates a new quest (depending which family member is in your party) (M24, 2). Watch out for a trap set in front of one of the chests there.
Unlocked companion quest: Portrait of the Past
Unlocked companion quest: Family History
You can now go west and then turn to the south. Being in a new room watch out for traps set there #1 and also fight more than one assassin #2. I suggest kill some slavers first because elimination of assassins will take some time.
You can examine the southern room but it is not a must. You would find few items but you also would have to fight more slavers #1. In order to continue with the quest you have to reach a small room located west from your current location. Once you get there, disarm a trap #2, but if this is not possible then try to bypass it, because toxic fumes could significantly weaken your party.
Now you have to fight master slaver, who is a mage (M24, 3). You can try to freeze him #1 or slow him down, so he won't be able to cast powerful spells or set a protective barrier #2, which makes eliminating him significantly harder.
After killing the mage, start eliminating slavers. Now you can examine master slaver's body #1 and you'll find a vault key and an Imperial Bloodhelm. Look around the room - there is also a locked chest there, then use the stairs leading to the vault #2. Use the key you've just obtained to open them (M24, 4).
In the vault you can find a chest with valuable items but more important is to open the main chest #1 (M24, 5). Take all items out of it (an armor upgrade for Bethany or Carver among other things) - there is the Grandfather Amell's Will and Testament inside. Now you should watch a conversation scene with Bethany/Carver. You can accept a proposal to leave the cellar immediately #2, because you wouldn't find anything interesting more here.
Step 4: Return to the Gamlen's house
Wait until action moves to the [Lowtown - Gamlen's House] location #1. You'll participate here in a conversation with Gamlen #2 (M14, 4), but again you do not have much impact on its course. This quest will be completed soon. It is worth noting, that you can now talk to Gamlen, Bethany/Carver and Leandra about the will and testament, but this is optional of course.