The Black Emporium | Premium content Dragon Age II Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Received from: Automatically after installing The Black Emporium DLC
In order to receive this mission, you need to have The Black Emporium DLC. After obtaining it, you can either start a new campaign, or load a saved game. If you intend to begin this quest during Act I of the campaign, head to [Lowtown - Gamlen's House]. Use the desk (M14, 3) to read a message. If you on the other hand want to complete it during the 2nd or 3rd Act, go to [Hightown - Hawke Estate] and also use the desk found by the stairs (M14, 12). Irrespectively of when you decide to start this mission, you have to read a message titled The Black Emporium #1. Afterwards return to the world map and choose the newly unlocked point #2 leading to [The Black Emporium].
After getting there (M96, 1) the quest will be automatically marked as completed, through it's of course worth to take a look around this little location. In the west part of the Emporium you will find the Mirror of Transformation #1 (M96, 2) which allows you to change the looks of the main hero for free. In the north part there are two shops #2, selling Emporium Relics and Antiques (M96, 3), as well as Emporium Crafting Materials (M96, 4). The shops' offer, just like with the other merchants, will change as you advance in the game. You have to wait until Act III for the widest offer.
In the east part of the Emporium there's a chest marked as Discarded Weapons and Armor (M96, 5) #1. Open it to find the Song of Sorrows, Ancient Leather Cuirass, Helm of Appreciation, Gloves of the Unknowable Unknown and the Ring of Unheeded Wisdom. Of course don't forget to interact with all the objects in the area for new codex entries. In Act I: The Vessel of Tears, The Box of Screaming, The Pickled Apples of Arlathan and The Andraste in Nude Repose - Invisible. Act II will bring two more items: Crate of Live Death Watch Beetles and Velvet Cailan. Three items from Act III are: The Emergent Compendium, Broken Dowsing Rods - No Refunds and the Chest of Unanswered Invitations. Before leaving the Black Emporium, it's worth to interact with Xenon the Antiquarian #2, though unfortunately you won't be able to talk with him.