On the Loose - p. 1 Dragon Age II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

The quest giver: reading a note at the writing desk [Hightown - Hawke Estate]

Step 1: Meet Meredith

You can start completing this quest just after beginning of the third Act. While completing the main quest, Showdown, go to the [Hightown - Hawke Estate] location and read a note entitled On the loose #1 at the writing desk (M14, 12). You are asked to go to the Templar Hall. In order to do this, leave the estate and being on the world map choose a travel to [Gallows Courtyard] location. Now head to the southern part of the courtyard and take a passage (M33, 13) leading to the [Gallows Courtyard - Templar Hall] location #2 (M87, 1).

Open the door leading to the western part of the templar chambers and then click on the door of the Knight-Commander Meredith headquarters #1 (M87, 2). During the conversation you'll learn that few apostates have fled from the Order and you'll be asked to find them. Unfortunately, regardless of whether you agree to arrest them or regret to do so, you won't be able to change a result of this conversation #2. In the worst case you'll be a little bit frighten by Meredith while she can call Bethany (if she is imprisoned along with other apostates) or Anders for help.

Step 2: Talk to Elsa

Knight-Commander Meredith will order you to talk to Elsa who is located in the templar chambers. She has information about each of the runaway mages (M87, 4). You'll find Elsa in western part of this location #1. During conversation you can mention that she herself has been muted and also ask her in details about all of the apostates #2. You can look for them in any order, but to make it easier, the process of locating them is described in accordance with the list that appears in the journal of the main character.

Step 3: Find Emil de Launcet

Emil de Launcet is first person to be found. Leave the Templar Hall (M87, 1) and go to the [Hightown] location during the night. Now head to the estates district and find the door (M4, 17) leading to the [Hightown - De Launcet Mansion] location #1. Once you're inside you will be welcomed by Comtesse de Launcet #2, who is mother of wanted Emil.

The way you act during conversation with Comtesse #1 doesn't matter. After a while Count #2 joins your conversation. You'll learn that Comtesse gave her son some gold and that the most likely place he stays is At The Hanged Man inn.

I strongly recommend not leaving the mansion right away. It is much better to explore all of its chambers, and that's because in one of them you'll find a chest with qunari blade #1 (M88, 1), which is an item needed to complete a side quest The Lost Swords. Watch yourself after leaving the mansion (M88, 2), because you can be attacked by a group of apostates and blood mages #2. You should kill blood mages first of course, so they won't be able to drain to much life energy from your party members.

Now you can go to the [Lowtown - At The Hanged Man] location during the day. Emil sits there at one of the tables #1 (M15, 8) and you have to talk to him of course. During the conversation he will assure you that he is no threat and what he only wanted was to see how it is to live beyond the Circle. At the end of conversation you can act in two ways #2:

• Persuade Emil to give up (upper right dialog option). The mage will ask you then to postpone the arrest, because he would like to spend some intimate moments with one of the waitresses. You can dissuade him from this idea (bottom left dialog option) or agree (bottom right dialog option).
• Let Emil free (bottom right dialog option). This leads to the automatically end of conversation. You do not have to worry though, that this choice will result in very negative Meredith reaction.