Forbidden Knowledge - p. 1 Dragon Age II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Received from: reading the message by the desk [Hightown - Hawke Estate] or finding the first sinister book [Hightown - Order]

Step 1: Finding the first book

There are two ways of performing this task. If during completing the main quest Enemies Among Us you allow Idunna to live (she tried to hypnotize you as well as the rest of your team) then after coming back from Deep Paths and checking the desk in Hawke Estate (M14, 12) you will get a message titled Forbidden Knowledge #1. The woman will ask you for finding and destroying the book of dark magic. If Idunna was killed, you will have to find the first book on your own and then the quest will appear in your notebook. No matter what you chose, during the day go to localization [Hightown - Order]. Then go upstairs and check the southern part of the building and you will notice on one of the tables sinister book #2 (M7, 3).

After picking up the book you can choose one of three options:

• destroy it (right upper dialogue option) #1
• read it (right middle dialogue option) and then take it with you or leave it alone in exchange for two attribute points (right upper dialogue option) #2
• take it with you without reading (right bottom dialogue option)

I strongly suggest destroying the books because it will guarantee promotion to the final part of the quest. Do not feel tempted to obtain 2 attribute points because it is a onetime bonus (unavailable in other books) and you can get the same reward during the final.

No matter which option you choose, you will be attacked by the filthy ones #1, which will be led by the demon of desire #2. If it is possible, attack your aims one by one, mind the health of your teammates. It is the best to leave the demon for the end.

Step 2: Finding the second book

Finding the second book of dark magic will be quite difficult and you will have to take part in many VERY DEMANDING fights. I suggest you to start looking after developing your teammates properly. Go to the localization [Sundermount - The Camp of Dali]. After reaching the northern part of the camp choose the path on the right #1, which leads directly north-west. Go straight. Look around near the exit of the map and you should notice entrance to the cave which was unavailable before #2 (M25, 13). It leads to localization [Sundermount - Abandoned thaig] (M57, 1).

Watch out - there are fire traps ahead of you #1. As you may expect, you have to wait for moments when they are turned off and then go. After reaching the crossroads from the north you should notice first stone golem #2. You know these beasts from the trip to Deep Paths so you should know that they should be treated seriously.

If you only want to find a book, you can go north right away, but I suggest spending some time checking the eastern room #1. You have to be prepared as you can be attacked by corpses, archers' skeletons, Shades, stone golem and huge living dead #2.First it is worth eliminating the last one because he can influence living dead. The reward for the toil of the fight is the possibility of checking the closed chest with valuable treasures.

As I have already mentioned, to reach the place with the book, you have to come back to the previous corridor and open the door leading north #1. Here you will also have to take part in a difficult battle. First you will fight the corpses, then archers' skeletons, stone golem and living dead #2.

Later in the fight you will come across the demon of anger #1 and it is worth dealing with him after eliminating the living dead. Watch out for fire attacks performed by the demon but do not use all potions you possess because you will NEED them in few moments. When the fight ends, choose the eastern door #2. Head upstairs and save the game before opening the door leading to the central room.

For the time being ignore the book you can see in the distance because in the central thaig room you will have to take part in a difficult and long fight with different kinds of monsters. At the beginning of the fight it is a good idea to focus on eliminating Rage Demons #1, although Shades will accompany them #2.

After few moments you will fight with the demon of desire #1, accompanied by the filthy ones #2. It is worth eliminating the demon because it will stop it from influencing other monsters present at the battle field and make them better in injuring you teammates.

During the fight you should mind the health of your teammates and regularly regenerate their health bars. Moreover, when one monster dies, another will appear. The end of the battle will be the most difficult because the living dead will join the fight #1 as well as secret nightmare #2.

I strongly suggest you to focus your attention on the secret nightmare #1, even if apart from the living dead there are some other monsters on the battle field. This monster can cast very serious spells. After winning the battle consider the offers made by golem Nexus who will be present in the room #2 (M57, 3).

Now you can come up to sinister book #1 (M57, 4) and start interaction with it. Just as before, the game will allow you to make choice between destroying it, reading or taking with you without reading. It is worth adding that if you read it before and left the first book, you cannot come back to this action. Do not expect that every time you get valuable attribute points. No matter what option you choose you will be attacked by new monsters. But luckily there will be only one living dead #2 accompanied by corpses and archers' skeletons. The exit from the thaig is situated in this room (M57, 5), so you don't have to come back to the starting point.