The Destruction of Lothering - p. 3 Dragon Age II Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Step 7, Option A: Asking Athenril for help

Athenril resides at the northern part of the location [Kirkwall - The Gallows] #1 (M2, 4). During the conversation you can ask her a couple additional questions or express the will to help at once. The smuggler will send you to merchant Cavril to recover the money he owns. The merchant can be found in the middle part of the courtyard #2 (M2, 5).

During the conversation, choose the lower left dialogue option thanks to which you will inform Cavril that Athenril sent you. You can solve the case in four ways:

• Asking Aveline to join the action (middle left dialogue option) #1. The advantage of this option is that it won't lead to a fight; +10 to friendship with Aveline.
• Suggesting the lack of need for bloodshed (middle right dialogue option). As a result you will have to fight Cavril's bodyguards, but you will also have the chance to gain experience for defeating them.
• Trying to force a bribe (middle right dialogue option). Cavril can behave in two ways here. If you haven't spoken with Meeran, he will offer you the bribe #2 and there won't be any need to fight, but if you have already failed the mission from Meeran, Cavril will refuse and you'll have to fight; +5 to rivalry with Aveline.
• Forcing him to pay the debt (lower right dialogue option). As a result you will have to fight Cavril's bodyguards, but you will be able to gain experience for defeating them.

If you've chosen one of the options which included fighting, you have to remember that apart from the merchant's guards you will also have to fight mercenaries #1. The enemies are luckily rather easy and additionally Captain Ewald can come to aid you #2. If he doesn't do so at once, back off to the stairs which should encourage him to join the fight.

Irrespectively of the chosen solution you will get the key, which you'll have to use to open the merchant's chest #1. Take 1 sovereign and return to Athenril with it #2 (M2, 4).

The conversation with Athenril can take two courses. If Aveline made Cavril hand over the sovereign or if you defeated him in a fight, the smuggler will thank you for help and will assure that she will intercede for you #1. The description of the next steps can be found in Step 8 (it's common for both option). If you made Cavril bribe you and accepted it, Athenril will get arrested #2. It will make completing this option impossible and you will have to ask Meeran for help.

Step 7, Option B: Asking Meeran for help

Meeran resides at the central part of [Kirkwall - The Gallows] #1 (M2, 7). During the conversation you can ask him a couple additional questions or accept to help him at once. The mercenary will ask you to kill Lord Friedrich, who you can find in assistance of guards at the southern part of the courtyard #2 (M2, 8).

A longer conversation with Friedrich will only happen if you didn't yet fail Athenril's mission. If you have and working with her is no longer possible, the battle will begin at once, without being able to choose any conversation options.

After the cutscene begins, you can act in two ways. You can either express the will to talk (middle right dialogue option) or start the fight at once (lower right dialogue option; +5 to rivalry with Aveline). If you choose the "peaceful" option, apart from learning about the fraud which Friedrich has made, you will also be able to choose one of the three options:

• Trying to extort bribe (middle right dialogue option) #1. Choosing this will render completing Meeran's mission impossible, as he only cares for Friedrich's death. In such case you will have to approach option A, which is cooperating with Athenril. Friedrich will give you 2 sovereigns and leave #2, but you will have to defeat his men either way.
• Asking for help in getting into the city (middle right dialogue option). As a result you will have to fight Friedrich and his guards.
• Refuse to solve the case peacefully (lower right dialogue option). As an effect you will have to fight Friedrich and his guards; +5 to rivalry with Aveline.

Irrespectively of the chosen solution, you will have to fight here. The only difference is whether Friedrich will take part in it or not. Apart from the Lord, you will also have to kill his guards #1. Unfortunately more enemies are sure to appear in the further part of the battle. It's worth to use the stairs trick, which will cause Captain Ewald and his men to join the battle #2, thanks to which defeating the enemies will be much easier.

If Friedrich took part in the fight, search for his corpse #1, as you can get some previous weapons. Now you can return to Meeran #2 (M2, 7) and inform him about killing Friedrich (if you let him go, you'll have to use option A). the mercenary will promise to intercede for you The description of the next steps can be found in Step 8 (it's common for both option).

Step 8: Completing the yearly service in Kirkwall

Find Gamlen in the middle part of the courtyard #1 (M2, 6) and talk with him. The action will move forward a whole year, to the moment when you finish your service. Your next interlocutor will be a dwarf named Bartrand #2, who won't be too fond of a journey to Deep Roads.

The main hero will soon get robbed #1, but Bartrand's brother - Varric - will come to his rescue #2 (M3, 5). He will be more willing to cooperate and additionally you will be able to ask him many questions. The whole thing will end up with the need to obtain a map of Deep Roads and raising 50 sovereigns, so that Bartrand can treat you as a trusty companion and head out with you. You will also receive multiple new main quests and Varric himself will join your party.

Main quest unlocked: A New Home?

Main quest unlocked: A Friend in the Guard

Main quest unlocked: The Deep Roads Expedition

Main quest unlocked: A Business Discussion