Hi guys, the previous DA thread has become unwieldy so lets use this one for hints and helps please.

If you want to refer to the old one, Click Here.

Sherryah, two of those bonus items are available from Bohdan at the camp. I have a feeling you are not there yet but it should be soon. One of the items should be in your inventory. I don't know if this is random or not, but the one I got in my inventory was the book "Grimore...". If you haven't used a book yet, right click on it, hold, and then choose "Use". When you exit the screen you shoud get an indiction to level up or something like that.

I got the helmet but no one in my party can use it yet because of the requirements, but the staff is great for one of my mages. It's too bad about the blood dragon armor. I now have the armor and some of my warrior's can use bits and pieces of it but there are so many other great armour pieces in the game that it was really an unnecessary bonus.

Rowan : Wait until you can get someone wearing the entire set of armor .. .. .. I agree that there are some other very outstanding sets out there, however the bonus to life and defensive stats of the armor are outstanding once you get the entire set on, I finally got it on Alistair last night!!!

As I am playing on the PS3 version my game didn't come with the codes for the Grimoire . . . I wonder if there is a way to still obtain that item without the code, or if those were truly " bonus " items . . .

I'm currently struggling trying to decide were to allocate points with my Rogue when he levels . . . he's already got 30+ Cunning and Dexterity so I'm thinking of putting some points into Strength so that I can eventually use better weapons than the ones available to me right now . . . anyone have any thoughts?

Isn't there supposed to be a way with this game to let others look at your characters and the builds you are currently using? Thought I read that somewhere . . .

Question. My Rogue is currently level 14. I have already chosen the Ranger specialty, and just chose the Duelist path at my last level up. However I <finally> stumbled across the Bard specialization last night while playing, but as I already have 2 specializations chosen I was not sure what would happen if I purchased that book??? I know according to the game manual you get to choose one specialization at level 7 and a second at 14 .. .. .. so what happens if you stumble across a third? Will it let me get rid of one of my previous choices for specialization, or will I just need to wait for my next play through ... or .. .. .. help? =) Thanks !!!

If the specialization is usable by your main, I'm fairly sure it won't matter if you take a third as long as you meet the requirements. My main was a warrior and I used both Templar and another (which escapes me at the moment). When taught the Bard specialization it automatically was only available to Zevran, the only other non-Bard Rogue in my party. He already had two other specializations: Assassin & Duelist.

I don't think you can rid yourself of specializations once you've used them - never occurred to me to try - however, anything that you don't take for your main can be used by your companions.

With the Ranger spec you have the option to call up either a bear or spider to help you and they are pretty good. You can also control them just like any of your other companions.

I am in Camp and I met Bodan the dwarf and his son who can enchant weapons. The spelling maybe wrong but you know who I mean. I have a journeyman rune and I want to use it on my sword because it is electrical rune.

Please tell me exactly how to enchant the weapon. I ask the boy and he yells "enchantment with excited voice" however when the black screen comes up after clicking on the boy, my rune is there but it also says there is nothing to enchant message also there. How do I get my inventory box to come up so I can get my equipped sword in that black box?

Is it worth enchanting a Great sword of balance that does 11 damage? Or do I save the run for a better sword? I have not found anything better thus far that does more than 11 damage.

What kind of helmet can a mage wear?

There is a man in my camp also that wants to clear his families name and it says "click here for fast downloadable content" Is this something I have to pay for?

I was to receive free downloadable content with dwarf Bodan but I am in camp and the dwarf merchant is not offering anything free to me unless it is the enchantment and I don't know is it suppose to cost something?

I let Loth is it too late to return to get Wynne to join my party? Others have said she is a healer and I need a healer in my party.

Last question I have not seen one book for sale only recipes where are the books for sale at?

EDIT...........
Thank you Rowan, now what you wrote made sense, yes I did get Grimore book and yes it did raise my stats. I didn't realize that was the free gift from downloadable content. Rowan it sounds like we both have the same free content so what was the other 2 free d/c that I am to be given in camp? Is the story about the man that wants to clear his families good name part of the free downloadable content? The one that said Duncan said he would do him a favor but died first?

Sherryah, you need to find weapons with enchantment slots on them, to be able to enchant them. These will appear as little blocks at the bottom of the item description pop-up. At first you'll only find weapons with one slot, but I have by now found weapons that have 3 slots.

You'll just have to be patient and search.

Don't worry about "wasting" runestones, you can remove them again at any time, and use them for another weapon.

Mages wear mainly their own clothing, but if they are strong enough, you can put other clothing on them too.

You usually have to pay for the DLC you mentioned - if so,it will tell you that you need a certain amount of Bioware credits if you log on and try to redeem it.

No, you get Wynne later at the Mage's Tower.

You find recipe's from different traders all over the gameworld.

Hi Sherrayh

The other two free items are Bergen's Honor and a staff called Final Reason (source here: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Collector%27s_Edition_of_Dragon_Age:_Origins)

I can't remember if if you gotten the UK version of the Collector's Edition or the digital one?
In any case, you should have either a) a card which gives you a code for Final Reason and Bergen's honor.

You should have gotten a code for Blood Armour and the Stone Prisoner as well - regardless of whether you have the UK retail version or the UK digital version of the game.

If you did get the digital version of the collector's edition, you should have gotten a card with a code on it for Warden's Keep (that's the man in your camp keeps talking about).

Please note that sometimes the retailers do forget to include these codes in their versions.
If you have the digital version from say Game or Steam, you should have gotten emails with keys to unlock the promo(tional) content.

You'll need to log into Bioware Social Network, create an account, make sure the DAupdater is running properly, and then click the 'redeem promo code' link in the menu point. You'll need to first click on where it says 'profile', though.

If you have gotten the UK retail version, not the digital version, you'll need to buy 560 Bioware points to buy Warden's Keep.

And if this has gotten you confused, it is totally understandable.

As for mages (and other npcs or yourself), everyone can wear helmets or armour, if they have the Strength to do it. For mages, wearing armour might hurt their spell casting abilities, though.

Your all so precious and thanks to all who responded to my questions. Gosh no wonder my normal sword was not able to be enchanted. LOL now I understand.

I bought the retail UK Collectors edition and already redeemed all my codes.

Also I found out the dude at camp wanting to clear his name is also the same one bioware wants us to buy his quest. LOL

BTW I love playing with my dog at camp, everyone came and was interacting with him and Allison got bit for getting too close to my dog Brutus's food. The other funny thing was the way Sten reacted to the dog and the way the dog reacted to him. If you haven't done any talking to your dog repeatedly in camp it is interesting what happens especially to Morgana and her unmentionable undergarments. LOL

EDIT..........
karstan your right I received these free d/l content

n any case, you should have either a) a card which gives you a code for Final Reason and Bergen's honor.

You should have gotten a code for Blood Armour and the Stone Prisoner as well - regardless of whether you have the UK retail version or the UK digital version of the game.

However I don't know when I get Bergen's honor the dwarf in camp has it for sale. How is it activated where I get it free?

Karstan I hope you will be able to get this game very soon your so knowledgeable about it and really a great help to everyone. Thank you it was the way you answered everyones questions and reviews that got me interested enough to buy this great game. I have never enjoyed a game more even enhanced witcher can't hold my attention like this game does. The storyline and the way they chat together is really something in a game I have never experienced. I love this and hope more game developers will do the same thing.

Helmets and armour hinder mages in the same way that it hinders warriors or rogues.

In the case of mages, the "fatigue" it creates causes the mages to have a smaller pool of mana available to cast spells from. With warriors and rogues, fatigue will cause a smaller pool of stamina to use special abilities from.

Increasing a character's willpower when levelling up, remedies this, it gives the mages more mana and the ohter classes more stamina.

Stamina will be more important for rogues and dual-wielders who really rely a lot on their special talents and abilities, and of course mana is ultra important for mages who cannot cast without mana.

However: Mages can drink lyrium potions to restore their mana in battle, while warriors and rogues don't have such an equivalent for stamina. They can chew on deep mushrooms, but these restore such a teensy amount that it's actually insignificant.

So the safest people to give heavy armour to, are warriors who don't rely a lot on special talents and abilities in battle.

You'll get a 'feel' for this as you go along. Mage's robes and clothing are often the best for mages, since the clothing often gives some advantage to spellcasting, such as, for instance,: spellpower +2.

I have another question and it is about the dansk elves and finding that werewolf. Yikes I didn't know what I was getting into when I walked into that camp. How do you fight spiritual creatures in the forest? How do I kill the old werewolf when he sounds immortal? I didn't see any silver bullets on the merchandise list.

Last question, how do I get back to camp and rest without having to walk all the way back again? The bandits were a rough group outside of the elves camp.

How do sneak and open the chest where the keeper is standing? I get caught everytime.

What is the best armor for a rogue? I admit I have her in chain mail but I have her strength up high 21 also and thus far stamina wasn't a problem. The lighter the armor the more she was getting hit.

I never managed to open that chest...

..but regarding the armour. You know the trader Varathorn? If you talk to him you can get a quest about getting some wood bark for him. If you get the quest, a quest marker will show up in the forest where you can get that wood bark for him. Warning; it involves quite a hard fight - but he will make you some cool armour if you ask him to make you a "breastplate" out of it.

So I would suggest you do that quest first, and then walk around the forest killing wolves and wherewolves- you will find someone there (2 people actually) who will help you, but watch out! Lots of fights too.

Don't worry about killing the "big boss" wherewolf. The storyline itself will prompt you what to do when you get to that point.

You first have to find the wherewolves den and fight through a lot of them before you get to that point, though.

The normal wherewolves you fight just like you would fight a normal wolf, they just look a bit scarier with an extra ability or two.

Good luck!

Thanks Moondancer, Big relief I was afraid I didn't have what it takes to survive werewolves if they attacked me right away. I also am relieved to know the quest for the Dalish or is it the (dansk elf) will be easily found. How do I help the love sick guy who can't go hunting and needs proof he is a hunter?

EDIT.................
Help when I leave the dalish camp I am taken to the world map, but I don't know where I am to go from here to get into the forest to retrieve the tree bark as the Dalish elve quest for the merchant. Where do I go please?

Can I enter the camp anytime without finishing a quest?

Follow the conversation threads with this hunter. If you accept the one to help him a map marker should lead you to the solution.

Both Morrigan and Wynne now have so many skills and talents that not all will fit on the quickbar below. I do have some slots used by mana and first aid. Is there a way to expand the quickbar so you get a second one above or can toggle two bars? I've already stretched it to the complete width.

Drizzt, how did you get Leliana to sing? I have an approval rating of 100 from her. I've done her personal quest but haven't used her since I finished it.

Rowan, no hunter would speak to me in the Dalish camp. I don't have any option on the world map except on the outside of brelin forest and that just has me standing there with only the option to return back to the world map.

I have the quest given to me to find the tree bark ironwood if I remember correctly. Also of course the keeper wants me to kill the werewolf but there is no new opening for the brealin forest. Where do I go on the map? Thanks for your help.

There are two exit points for the Dalish camp: the first is where you originally entered (there should be three hunters there including the woman who confronted you when you first arrived) this exit only leads to the world map; the second exit is on the opposite side of the camp and is tagged Brecilian Forest. If you bring up your map, you should be able to see all the exit points and figure out where you are in relation to the Brecilian Forest exit.

For me, Leliana sang after the I'd secured the Dalish help for the final battle.

Rowan, please tell me which hunter no hunter will speak to me. I am looking for a great walkthrough do you know where one is?

I need help because at the dalish camp they just make comments about how they didn't think an outsider would want to help them.

Where is this hunter to open up the ironwood quest in the forest that the merchant asked for?

EDIT.............
OH Toger I just read that you said there are 2 exits in the Elves camp. That must be my mistake. I saw the woman guarding the way I had entered so now do I re enter the elves camp and keep walking straight to find the other exit? There is no way to anything on the world map right now but Brelin forest outskirts. mispelling the forest but you know what I mean. Thank you for letting me know.

Sherryah there is a pretty complete guide at gamepressure and another at Dragon Age Wiki here. Between the two you should be able to find the answers to any quests you come upon.

Check your map. You will see that you have chosen the "front" entrance to the camp, that will say "travel" on your map. The Brecilian forest exit is the one you need to go to, at the other end of the camp.


EDIT:
Oops, sorry, -I didn't see there was already a page 2. Apologies Toger..- yes, what Toger said...

Ok, I see you are still having trouble, Sherrayah. Yes, simply re-enter the camp, and follow the path right to the opposite side of the camp to the forest. Has Varathorn (the merchant) already given you that tree bark quest? That's all you need to go into the forest to do that quest. (I think Rowan was either talking about the main quest or a side quest there - or about Varathorn himself)

However, there is an elf (Athras) you should preferably talk to first before you go into the forest - a man worrying about his wife who is lost somewhere in the forest after she got bitten by a wherewolf.

Well, then once you are in the forest, you will have to explore a little to open up your map, and find the location of that dead tree that is marked on your map. I do warn you that you will find wolves and wherewolves on the road, but don't worry, I'm pretty sure you won't get "infected" if you fight them - it wouldn't fit in with the story, and anyway, I fought tons of them without getting infected.

There is also an elf (Cammen) who needs help with his girlfriend (Gheyna). I found the best way to help him, is to offer to bring pelts for him, since my persuasion skills were not high enough to persuade the girl to accept him. If you try to persuade her and it doesn't work, you cannot complete this quest, so better to play it safe and offer help with the pelts. Once you've helped him, you'll get a book from him. Keep this book which you will need later on in the forest, in order to trade someone for something you will need.

If you've received the quest for the Iron Bark from Varathorn (the merchant) there's no need to speak to anyone else regarding that quest. There are other people you should definitely talk to in the camp, as they'll either offer information or additional quests.

Re-enter the camp. Once inside, call up your map and you'll be able to see both camp exits. You should be able to walk in an almost straight line from the camp entrance to the forest entrance.

What Moondancer said.

Thank you everyone I have crossed 3 bridges and fought and survived rabid wolves. Also swiftrunner was rude and only wanted to fight. When I was winning the battle he said stop! and said the forest would see that I die some words to that effect. I did try to persuade her and it failed, and camen would not allow me before I spoke to her to get him pelts. I have lots of them now do I return to the elves camp and is there a way carman will take them now that I have them?

How do I keep from getting lost in this forest? Now if I had made this game I would be able to use the yarn I got when I first started out in the game and mark my way back.

Should I continue after the 3rd bridge or go back to elves camp to sell pelts and talk more? The man who is so depressed refused to tell me why. How do I get him to speak to me?

I have not seen any blue bark for the merchant who wants iron bark.

Thank you John for the walkthroughs I couldn't find a good one.

Thanks everyone for helping me it really helps me enjoy this game so much more, its like we are all in the same room together helping one another. How cool is that!

EDIT..................
I do not want to accidentally finish the nature of the beast because I read I of the glitch in the game and I would not be able to finish the quest or get credit for getting the dale elves lovers together. So will I know ahead of time whether I will run into Witherfang werewolf? Thanks to whomever answers me.

Urgent question I did not do the new update because I have to ask this question first. Will it delete my save game?

Hi guys, I've found some time and installed my game and am happily playing, but I have a how to question and son's phone is off.

I have a rogue, she can spot traps, but I have nothing that says Disarm. How does one disarm a trap in this game?

Put the cursor over the trap. You should get a "trap" symbol. Right click on it with your rogue. There will be a clicking sound and after a few seconds you get a message that the trap is disarmed.

Has anyone figured out whether the quickbar can be expanded (second bar?)? My mages now have more spells than slots.

Hi Looney, please tell me did you download the new update? Also my rogue hasn't seen any traps yet so what did you do to get your rogue to see the traps. Did you buy any trapping book?

Ok I rescued the wounded Dansk elf hunter and got the reward from him for it. I got the ironbark and the armor is made but no one can use it because it needs 30 strength and I have 22 as my highest. I have my rogue buffed up she is 22 strength and can use a duel attack plus rapid fire as archer. She really is a tank and a Archer when needed.

I fought a tough battle with the tree as well as an ogre and was victorious. Fought many werewolves and rabid wolves.

Carman the love struck teen is not allowing me to finish the quest it seems, because he won't talk to me anymore about his girlfriend. Is there nothing I can do to finish this quest, I have werewolf pelt but no option to give it to him.

This is a great game, I am enjoying it and feel addicted to keep putting more hours in it even though my body is screaming for sleep. :eek12:

Rowan, I'm assuming you pulled the bar all the way to the right. There is only one bar. I have the same problem, too many spells, etc. Are there some that you can remove like herbalism, which doesn't need to be there, or maybe some that you never use?

Sherryah, I didn't know there was an update, though I did download the patch and install it when I loaded the game.

My rogue did not begin to see traps until I leveled her up, and I put some extra points in cunning....though clearly, I don't know what I'm doing :rotfl12:

It is a very addicting game, and I need to read more, as I discovered I gifted incorrectly.

I have learned to save before conversations so if they go badly, I can just drop back and try a different tack

Sherryah, you can install the patch at any time, just obviously close your game before doing so.

I did warn you about the Cammen quest, -sorry!

I guess my warrior was strong enough to wear the ironbark armour because I did the Redcliffe quests and the Mage's circle before I did the Brecilian forest; so sorry about that as well.

Rowan and Pokey, my spells all fit in because I have a widescreen monitor, I suspect; though you can remove herbalism and potions to make space, by dragging them from the bar and letting go.

EDIT:
Oh, and for those who wanted walkthroughs, I just found a bunch of them here : http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/game/920668.html

yes, my elf lovers alas will never be lovers because bioware screwed up and have not fixed the error in the game. for unrequited love gone wrong. Sadder still now I will lose 200 experience points I would have had finishing quest.

Thanks Moondancer for letting me know about how the update patch will not cause me to lose my saved game. Sorry Looney when I asked you if you updated the game, I should have said update patch which you said you had done. Now I have to d/l and install it next.

Sherryah & L4L : Just keep pumping points into the Pick Lock/Disarm Trap skill that will allow you to not only sense the traps from a further distance with your Rogue, but also to pick locks and disarm the harder traps with no difficulty. It also helps out a good deal to have a high Cunning score . . . so far I haven't come across a chest/door/lock that I can't pick or a trap I can't disarm . . . but I'm only about 1/2 way through the game, and I have the pick lock / trap skill maxed out and about 36 points in Cunning at the moment at level 12 LOL

Thanks, Pokey and Moondancer for your reply about the quickbar. I'll drop the herbalism skill but can you still use it from the skill screen? I don't use it a lot but I do on occasion.

Also, I am playing on easy level and am not supposed to suffer any friendly fire on this level. However, it seems to me I do get a bit of friendly fire. For example, if I cast cone of ice some of my group members will freeze (but not as long as the bad guys). Has anyone else suffered friendly fire on this level for any other spells?

Sherryah, I had a higher persuasion level when I did the elf lovers quest and I had no trouble bringing them together. Maybe you can give that approach a try later, just in case it is not permanently spoiled.

Rowan: L4L actually had the same moment of " What's going on here ?!?! " concerning the friendly fire. Playing on the lower difficulties means that if you were to cast Fireball (or Cone of Cold) you will still see the fire burn at your party, and the Cone of Cold will still freeze your party, <HOWEVER> neither spell will cause any damage to your party as long as your on the lower difficulties. So basically the freezing effect of the spell still applies regardless of the difficulty you have selected, however you won't damage your party with any AoE spells as long as your on a lower difficulty. Not sure if I explained that well or not ... hope so! :rolleyes12:

Thanks again for all your advice, I just keep learning more each time.

Rowan, yes you can use it from the skill screen, though only one of the icons is active.

Anyone recall where the recipe for lyrium potions can be found?

Pokey, I don't think I found the recipe for lyrium until I got to the Brecilian Forest... maybe. I remember buying it but not from whom I bought it.

I'm in the Dalish camp and the merchant doesn't have it. It is not in Denerim or Orzammer.

You can find the recipe and the ingredients at the mage tower.

Thanks Oldman. I'm on my way there.

Yes, re the herbalism thingie, it's the very first icon that you need to click on.

Besides the quartermaster at the mages tower, you can also get some lyrium recipes (I think the more potent ones) at the Wonders of Thedas Shop in Denerim .

It's in an alley just off the main Denerim market, kinda diagonally opposite the Gnawed Noble tavern.

Oh, and btw, you definitely do suffer damage from friendly fire on "normal" difficulty. Wynne once killed herself, and another time, our entire group, with a misdirected fireball. What a klutz she is!

For the PC version of the game on Easy party members are immune to friendly fire, on Normal party members take only half damage from friendly fire, on Hard friendly fire deals the same damage to party members as it does enemies, and I have no idea about Nightmare .. .. .. but it sounds fun =)

The PS3 version of the game is slightly different, but I'm relatively sure that most everyone here plays on PC .. hope that helps !

How do I use the Tomes of knowledge! I bought one but I can't figure how to use it!! Thanks

The tome will show up in your inventory, and it will specify which class of character can use them. Say a warrior can use it, page to your selected warrior in Inventory, and then click on and 'use' the tome the same way you would do with armour or a health poultice or whatever. You will then be shown that that character can level up, and a point will then be added to your talents/spells that you can use as you wish.

Thank you, Moondancer. As usual, you come through!
Something weird happened: after I used the book, I could not see if it was working so I went back to a previous save, thinking I will spend the money later. At the next leveling, there it was, my rogue had the ranger specilization unlocked. And not a penny spent!!!

Ooh! Yes, you've hit a nice glitch/exploit in the game regarding specializations. I wanted the reaver spec, but i didn't want to have done the "bad" thing I needed to, to get it. So I did the evil thing, got the specialisation unlocked, reloaded my previous save, and viola! There it was still unlocked! :yay12:


Btw, does anybody know where I can get some nice potent poison recipes? I've tried Brecilian forest, but I need more. I'm looking for the concentrated versions of the poisons.

killing huge spiders was one way, but you probably already have done that.

One of the longest battles for me is in Denariam they really expected us to clean out the alleys and dark alleys with 12 to 4 of our party? I wanted to take one look at the overwhelming odds and run for the hills ! However I wiped them all out 3 times and no one died. My character who is a human noble rogue but buffed up not only in arching skills but in using duel weapons she is built like a tank also with high strength. Morgana the mage, Lielia the bard, and Sten who really pounds the enemies like a true tank.

Sorry about misspelling the names but I think you can figure out who I refer too.

I only play in easy mode but it is funny to watch the dog turn into a ice cube from friendly fire and still do major damage to the enemies.

EDIT...................
I never have money for books for specialties. Is there any free books that I can get too without any really hard battles? How do you earn money in this game, it is not far that the enemies seldom if ever thus far drop money or valuable items. Is there somewhere to fight for level 7 that is not too hard?

Sherryah, have you already looked at that area map that Toger posted in the other thread?
The map that gives you an idea of which sequence you should visit areas in, as shown here http://dragonage.gulbsoft.org/doku.php/challenge_scaling


PS. Are there recipes on spiders? Or have I missed something somewhere?

Hi Moondancer all I know is it is toxic so I thought it meant for poisons maybe it is for traps?
No I didn't look at the map Toger posted but I will now. Thanks Moondancer and Toger.

EDIT..................
Oh my Ghosh! after reading the suggestions of where to go for what level I realize why Denarian Alley and Back Alley was a real struggle 12 to 4 of my party! I had to do this for 3 alleys it is a miracle I made it out of there without dying or getting seriously hurt.

The Game designer made Denarian quests for level 10 and my party is only a level 7. WOW and I had no specialties or books yet.

Ok I am outta here and following the advice that Toger lead me too. Thanks Moondancer for reminding me what Toger posted. So ironic I thought the mage tower would be a hard quest and it is suggested for level 6. Now it should be a cake walk for me after Denarian and those alleys.

Have making contributions to the war chests at the Camp actually made a difference in the end game? I still haven't finished the Landsmeet but am close.

Does anyone know if adding more to the war chest in camp makes the end game easier? So far I have just been donating silver but should I give gold? I think I would rather spend more on enhanced rings, etc instead but would like to know other people's opinions.

Supposedly, adding supplies to the chests improves the armor of your forces when they support you in the final battle...maybe. In practice, they don't seem to make much difference. However, by that point in the game, you might as well donate what you can--you won't be using your gold for much else.

Also, donating supplies gets you a fair amount of experience. Donating a stack of 99 elfroot, for example, nabs about 800-900 xp. And there's a vendor in the Dalish Camp who sells an infinite supply of elfroot for very little gold.

Whoops.

My suggestion would be to throw in all your extraneous supplies through the course of the game (to keep your inventory from getting cluttered with junk), and then a bunch of your extra gold just before heading out to the final battle.

I haven't heard that anyone thought it helped in the final battle. You may just get XP. I guess it wouldn't hurt to give items you really don't need. I have a lot of gold I won't be using. You can also give runes, gems, metal shards, elf root etc.

Yup, I also thought it couldn't hurt, so I just tossed in what I wasn't using for myself.

Playing on normal, I didn't even need all the armies at my disposal - in fact, I could have done the entire thing with only the dwarves alone, although I used the mages for the very final bossfight.

All of it was a bit too easy, I thought. I simply couldn't believe the final boss went down so quickly...

If I ever get the time to play it again, it will definitely be on Hard or Nightmare.

I am in Red castle and killed everything but smiths daughter I sent her home, on main floor. I am facing a door that is locked and needs a key. Where do I find the key? I have no open doors that I can see on this main floor. The blood mage I left locked up in cell. I looked at walkthrough but still can't find the key. Thanks in advance.

EDIT.........I am trying to get to the 2nd floor.

If you've encountered a locked door then it's most likely the castle vault. You'll need to find/defeat the possessed Chamberlain to get that key.

While inside the castle, you should be able to bring up the map and locate the available exits (double arrows) as long as you've revealed the entire map (by going into all the rooms)

Sherrah have you opened the gate in the courtyard yet? There's another important battle there and I believe you have to do that to progress.

Thanks John I took your advice found the court yard and defeated my first reverant. tough battle he casts weaken how do I protect my party with only morganna for mage?

I always use Wynne and Morganna. Wynne to heal and Morganna for power spells. I recommend getting Cone of Cold and Fireball as soon as possible. These spells are really helpful.

If you haven't been to the circle I suggest going there next. That's where you'll meet Wynne.

Also as a hint

How are characters included in the group. There is Commander Mabari, Morrigan, Alstair and Aeaen(spelling). Leliana helped me kill Loghain's thugs and I've freed Sten but thier icons are not displayed at upper left with the original 4. That page with all 6 characters appeared but only 4 portraits at bottom of page. I think Oblivion spoiled me for these kind of games.

Yankee, if you go to your camp, and then try to leave it you should get a screen with 4 slots. You rotate through the characters and pick the one want, and hit Accept I think.

When your party is complete, you head on out. :wave12:

Aaah, so you only have a party of 4 - darn I want the 6 - too bad. Maybe I'll stay with the original - I know I'll not give up the hound. Really don't like the fighting controls.

Yep, only 4 and I'm with you--I want 6 or 8 or 12--the more the merrier and the less damage I take :rotfl12:

I'm not sure if this has been covered before, but I can't figure out how to unlock specializations. For example, my newly-acquired elf assassin has offered to train any rogue in my party to be an assassin, and then I get a message that the specialization has been unlocked, but my PC is a mage, so it obviously doesn't affect her, and I don't see any changes to Leilana. He actually says I should send the person to him, but I have no idea how to do that.

Also, I saw a book to train the ranger skills, and I bought it, wanting to give it to Leilana, but I couldn't find it in my inventory afterwards. In fact, I never see the books I purchase in my inventory, so I've just always reloaded. Consequently, no specializations yet.

Also, a couple of times I'm sure someone has said something in the course of a quest that indicated specializations unlocking, but I've not seen any newly available specializations in any of my party members. I hope I haven't missed anything important, but this just doesn't seem to be working.

I don't recall that you see the book in your inventory. When you buy it, it unlocks the specialization. If you reload then, you still have the specialization. Seems like the specialization selection only shows up when you level up, but I may be wrong.

Hagatha each class has 4 specializations but they can only choose 2 of the four and that is only if they have been unlocked. However you only get a point to choose one at levels 7 and 14.

In your case of Leilana I believe she comes with the bard skill already. So you won't be able to add the ranger skill until she reaches level 14.

Each time a character reaches level 7 they will have one point for specialization and then when they reach 14 another point. If the skill is already unlocked you can choose it otherwise you have to buy a book or get a character to teach the skill.

I hope I didn't confuse the issue more. It's a little hard to explain really.

I think oldman explained that very well.

Got it. Thanks. Leilana is just about to reach level 14.

Thanks Hagatha for asking, I am level 11 and had the same thing happen to my rogue the book disappeared and I searched in vain in the inventory. Do buying the Tomes work with that special bonus in the glitch that I love in the game?

I finally just finished the nature of the beast and my husband was showing me his dis-approval because I played 24 hours to finish it. He says he misses seeing my face it is always in the computer. I showed him my character profile which I think looks really pretty, but well he just shook his head and said " that is not the same thing. "

"I've posted some tips for people about the end fight in the Brecilian forest quest, but I've put spoiler tags for the benefit of people who had not reached that point yet. Read only if your stuck.

.

[/spoiler]

[/spoiler]

Oh Oh and now I just got 3 new games, Oblivion, Morrowind, and Nancy Drew at Wavery Academy.

EDIT.............There were 2 chests I could not open in the Ruins of the Werewolves. I suppose that means I have to return because

How do I get through the elven gates in Denarian? They are locked and I cannot find all the houses to mark the bloody handprint on the doors. Please help I read the hints but can't find the answer to these questions. Thanks in advance

Oops, Sheryah, you might want to put some spoiler tags in your post there

About the gates to the Elven Alienage: You cannot go in there for a long time. Only once you have gathered all your armies, and you are almost ready for the final part of the game, will you be able to go into that area.
You could always try looking for those houses in some of the other areas that you can go to when you visit "other" eareas of Denerim by using the fast travel thingie.

Yes, the Tomes do work with that special glitch - once you have unlocked a speciality, you have it for keeps.

The jug of water and the fountain and altar have to do with a seperate sidequest. You will pick up information about that in the area. Be sure to check your notes in your Codex (Quest related notes) in case you might have done so already.

Enjoy!

I believe if you make a quest the active one in your journal, you will get quest markers that show you where to go.

Moondancer, I don't want to spoil the quest so it is a good suggestion that you gave me to put spoiler alert.

I would have done this many times before in my postings but never realized the spoiler tags are so easy to insert. Thanks Moondancer for teaching me how to use them.

Warning now people I have a new addiction and it is spoiler alerts they are are quite fun! :tweety:

EDIT................
Moondancer I don't understand when you write about the travel thingie you mean the map? You wrote

You could always try looking for those houses in some of the other areas that you can go to when you visit "other" eareas of Denerim by using the fast travel thingie.

Thanks Pokey and everyone for information on elves gate now I understand why I can't get in yet.

Can someone please tell me where in Denarian I can find fozzle the mage's item he is looking for it is a side quest? and most likely spelling his name wrong. Thanks in advance.

BTW I started playing oblivion and Morrowind but in my opinion there is no better game than Dragon Age.

The others are not keeping my interest. I sure hope there will be sequels to Dragon Age and they keep all the stories and dialog the game is awesome to say the least. If anyone can recommend another like this besides Witcher enhanced and Sacred 2 which I also enjoy, please let me know.

Sherryah, do you remember when you went to Denerim first, and you fought some gangs in the back streets and back alleys of the city? You had to go to that gate exit from the main market, that gives you map travel options, but for the city. Please don't shoot me if I'm wrong, though.

I'm afraid the word fozzle doesn't ring a bell for me - maybe it does for someone else?

So...how do you actually backstab with a rogue? My rogue never seems to get any backstabbing bonus, despite using stealth before attacking.

Are you literally getting around to the back of the opponent where the black part in the red circle surrounding him is? That black area is supposed to be the area that is vulnerable to backstabs. Some characters might have a btter defense against this, and their black area will be smaller or even non-existent.

If DA: Origins is like any other Bioware game, you'll need to go the map's edge(s), then a symbol that looks like a wheel should appear.

As for continuation of the story be sure to keep your eyes out for March 16th. The Expansion 'The Awakening' is coming. Here's the full press release and here's the thread on the Bioware forums thread,
and here's the Dragon Age page for The Awakening. The Awakening

You'll get the continue the fight after the endgame, there's 5 new companions you can recruit and some new monsters as well. Pricing seems to be 40 US dollars for 15 hours of gameplay - or so it is rumored.

Thank you Karstan, looking forward to it. Do you know if they will also have new stories for the new characters like there is now? Giving of gifts in the extension also? I haven't finished this yet and really enjoying it. My characters are all 11 soon to be 12. Bioware should hire you because you do a better job at promoting the game.

Great game, but the ending of my game was bugged.

I was playing the Alastair romance, I don't get it.

Sorry for your tech problems Hagatha!

Great game - I'm glad I took the chance on it.

Hagatha, I did basically the same things you did.

In my game, I had a romance with Alistair, and according to the
All I can think is that all the different possible endings were not beta-tested in depth.

Moondancer,

Yes, exactly my experience.

I'm playing a second game now, again a mage, but this time paying closer attention to when the other characters show up. I want to see how quickly I can turn Morrigan into an elemental mage, as my character purchased the Spirit Healer option early on.

I think the party interactions in this game are wonderfully done. I especially liked the way Wynne gently nags at everyone, but gets her comeuppance with Zevran. And Morrigan is wonderfully sour.

In my game:



I think there are a lot of endings.

Yes, many posibilities, I see. I saved my game saves from game one and I might reload that last sequence, as I might have missed something.

In my second game I'm still playing a mage but am seeing how easily Morrigan would turn into an elemental mage. Not bad, as it turns out. She would be good, with a few tomes. That way my PC could be a fighter or rogue, for a change. I'm thinking human noble. Not that the game lacks for fighters, but there really isn't a lot of choice. But then i could do the human noble ending. Or perhaps I could be a rogue and romance Z for a change.

I'm a bit torn between in my next playthrough being a noble human noble (already done an origin as that) so that I can , and my desire to play as a male mage, because I think mages are the coolest thing since sliced bread in this game, and would like to see how the romances play out if I'm male.

I'll probably go with the mage choice.

I played as a male elf mage in my first play through and romanced Zevran, it was fun and rather cute.

That's what roleplaying is all about, I suppose!

I am having so much fun listening to Oghren's conversations with the other party members. He must be the most disreputable character in a computer game, ever. The last exchange I overheard was between Oghren and Alastair; Alastair was valiantly trying to pretend he didn't know what Oghren was going on about ("So, you and the boss, eh?" ) I took great pleasure in setting him upon the righteous Templar path at the first opportunity.

I, too, love playing a mage in this game. It's too bad that the party members are already so set on a particular path when you pick them up. I would much rather have the option of giving them the chance to become something slightly different; Alastair with Dual weapons, for example, or Zevran a fully-fledged Thief/Assassin. In my next game Morrigan will have to be my main mage, but so many of her spell slots are used up already that I won't be able to get her to be the powerful Elemental mage I need.

I'm going to create a Rogue next time out, and do the Zevran romance. Tht way I'll have a true Thief/Assasin or maybe a Thief/Ranger.

Can anybody help me with my DLC downloads (Blood Armour, Shale)? They installed, apparently, as they show up as installed on the in-game menu, but they do not appear in my game.

Also, where are the DLC downloads stored on my Vista Machine? I can't see them anywhere, and I'd like to back them up.

hagatha, I don't have Vista, but in XP they are in My Documents>Dragon Age>Addins. Maybe you could do a search for Addins.

The blood armor should be in your inventory but I don't recall any evidence of Shale until you went to the Frostback Mountains and stumbled across her.

No, there's suposed to be a village that you go to to find Shale, and it never shows up on my map. I get the merchant who gives me the rod, and I get crystals and gifts that would be appropriate to Shale, I assume, but no Shale.

The Blood Armour is not in my inventory.

I can't find a file called Addins. The problem is that the official forums are so busy and so many people are having trouble that nobody answers questions like mine any more, assuming that the answers are in one of the FAQs, when they aren't. I saw the files download -- it took ages -- and they are showing up as installed. I can't download them again; my codes are used up. I just don't get the content.

It's very annoying. But as I say, I'm not spending another red cent on mmore downloads until I have these two working, and it isn't looking promising. I'm on my third runthrough of the gamne, and basically each time I've hoped the content will show up, but it never does.

When the merchant gives you the control rod, does he mention the golem? That's when the village should be available.

It can be difficult to find a file in Vista. They often seem to be hidden.

Also keep in mind that you have to "enable" the add-on by ticking a little block somewhere in your game's main menu. I never fiddled with it on my PC, only in the game's main menu.

Regarding the Blood Armour, only some of it (I seem to recall it was the helmet..or was it the cuirass?) shows up in inventory, and you have to buy the rest from the dwarf trader at your camp.

Shale's village, Honnleath, where you get Shale, should appear at the bottom left of your map, between the Frostback Mountains and Flemeth’s hut.

Hagatha

Have you tried looking in the Application Data folder or in the Games folder om your Vista machine.

Vista likes to keep files hidden in some starnge places - or in this case a folder called 'add-ins'.

As for the Blood Armour, I seem to have read that only the helmet will show up in your inventory.

Have you tried logging in, then logging out via the game's logging in-system?

The downloads are definitely ticked as enabled in the in-game Downloads menu. And little bits of the Shale download are showing up in my game, as I said -- the merchant, the Crystals, and some gems that weren't there previously. There is no new village on the map after I talk to the merchant who has the golem rod, just the regular places.

There is no sign of Blood armour anywhere; not in my inventory, not with the merchant at the camp.

I have logged in and out using the game. Often the game just automatically logs in.

Edit: Nothing in the Games folder.

Prgram Data has a Dragon Age folder which contains a dragon Age Updater Folder, but there is nothing in the subfolders within that folder, literally nothing, just three or four empty folders.

I have no folder called Application Data on my computer.

Hagatha, I found this in a Vista Forum.

C:\Users\<Your User Name>\AppData\

Thanks, but no sign of any Dragon Age download folders in there, either.

But I must have downloaded the files. They show up as Enabled, and some of the Shale stuff is in my game. I just don't see them anywhere.

This is driving me nuts. I swear I've spent almost as much time trying to get my downloads to work as I have playing the game. Very frustrating.

On my WinXP machine, I have to enable "show hidden files" in order to get to Application Data.

Could it be like that for you, hagatha ??

I have found the download files, finally, tucked away somwhere that makes no sense (thank you, Vista!) So they are on my computer, they show up an enabled in my game, I have bits and pieces of the Shale download but no Shale, and the Blood Armour is nowhere at all.

I think I'm just going to give up on this. I start to seethe with frustration and then I'm a bad mood when I try to go to bed. It isn't worth it. I just won't buy any of the other downloads. It's the only protest I can make. Not much, I agree, but it's all I can do.

Hagatha, sorry you are having so much trouble. Where did you find your files?

Hagatha - sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble with your free dlcs.

As for Shale, have you tried covering all the exits from the maps(s)? I seem to remember that you can go to Honnleath, after Ostagar?

As for the blood armour, I think the Helmet? shows in your inventory after a certain period of time.

Also, if you're up to it, please try this:

Please press start - run - then write services.msc - find and locate the DAupdaterservice - then please rightclick this.
Then make sure the service is set to Start.
Then please select properties - and make sure the service is set to start automatically.

There should be a drop down menu with a little arrow to the right of it.

Karsten I will try that, if I can find any of it on my Vista machine.

The Blood Armour helmet definitely never showed up in my inventory.

Edit: well the AutoUpdater was not set on Automatic, but after I set it to Auto it made no difference.

Also, it's too late in this game because the merchant didn't even give me the golem rod. He did, in my last game, but this timje I was so annoyed that the village didn't show up again I didn't even bother checking to see that I recieved the rod.

It just isn't going to work.

So what you are saying, is that your map does not show the town with the golem icon, as seen on this map at bottom left?
Map Here



What a pity, Hagatha, Shale is great fun, and the armour is useful for later on. However, you can still enjoy the game without them, there's tons of other content.

No, that town never shows up on my map. All I get is the Crystals, and merchants have gems.

Too bad. I like the game a lot, but I'm now really leery about downloading any of the other expansions.

Very strange. I hope a solution appears somewhere along the way for you, Hagatha. I wonder what an uninstall and a re-install would do; however I realise you've already spent a lot of time on this, and probably you've reached your limit of hassle that you can stand with just meeting up with frustration.

Maybe one day when you have a lot of time and patience at hand...

Yes, I should probably let it go. I even tried installing the DLCs manually and that didn't work, either. There's something that just doesn't work.

But thanks so much for trying to give me a hand. I do appreciate it.

Edit: EUREKA! Jenny100 found a solution to a technical issue with manually installing the downloads, and I now have Blood Armour. It may be too late for Shale in this game, as I don't have the GOlem Rod, but maybe next time.

Hagatha just a thought but have you gone back to the merchant and checked to see if you have the dialogue trees still to get the rod?

Oldman, I don't, but rod or no, Shale is active and ready to go.

Obviously the problem I was having was a Vista issue. Something else downloaded, very fast, just before all of this started working. As though I only had part of the downloads and the rest installed just now.

Anyway, Shale is unexpected. How interesting, a golem, um, girlfriend, to swap fashion tips with. And how easy to get her approval rating up to max. I might take her back with me into the Deep Roads along with Morrigan and Oghren, for that final fight.

Definitely take Shale with you into the Deep Roads;

Yaaay! Hooray for you, Hagatha! Yes, take her with, you might then be able to trigger her personal quest, which is rather nice!

Only problem is that my party with Oghren, Shale Morrigan and Self (rogue/duellist) is not strong enough to get past TWO stone golems, let alone the whole bunch. I don't know how to use Shale's skills, but none of them look very useful so far.

Hagatha,

I remember that room too well... and not fondly. I brought Wynne - specced with Cone of Cold - instead of Morrigan. That way, not only could she heal the party (needed quite often) but she could freeze the golems as the rest of the team took them on. Moving through the room slowly, I was able to have only 2-3 golems attacking at the same time - couple of times I got lucky and only had one attacking. Made the battle much easier. In the end, only Shale was left standing.

Sounds like a good strategy!

Shale was always my strongest warrior. I never saw her down. Pity you never had a chance to try out her powers. Her slam is good, her throwing rocks is good, and her buffing powers are also good.
I always found Morrigan rather indispensable. If you had Morrigan, you could always throw a shield around someone who can draw aggro (like herself, for instance), and have Shale slam them as they attack her. Or you can have her put a paralyze on the boss while you clean up the rest of the room; ..-and so on.

In this game I wanted only one mage so that I could have a well-balanced party. I gave Morrigan Spirit Healer at level 14. She is now on the third tier of that specialty and is pretty much unbeatable, with her Healing and her Mind spells and the four levels of Cold and Electricity. By the time we get to the end of the game she will be a real powerhouse, and Wynne can rest her old bones.

My dual-wielding Assassin/Duelist/Thief is also unstoppable. I gave her an iron Constitution so I can send her into combat with Alistair without worrying too much.

Oh no ... help me help me!

I am completely in love with this game, I've played thru twice already. I'm on my third time and I have to ask this ... does that dog bark non-stop thru the whole game??

The first time I played, I was an elf and missed my opportunity at Ostagar. The second time, I acquired him and at camp he barked so non-stop that I had to actually start over and not accept him.

I'm playing this time as a human and I have him from the start. I love this dog, he's a great warrior! And I love dogs, but I'll be darned if I want to hear a dog barking all the time! When I go to camp, I want to talk to my new friends but I can't think straight because of the barking.

Does he stop barking, ever??

I just realized I posted this on the awakening announcement instead of the regular thread ... oops! Sorry! It's the dog, the barking is driving me to distraction!

Let's wait for an arf arf help.
I moved your post to the 'regular' thread.

I think there's a mod, maybe on Dragon Age Nexus?, that will calm down the dog a bit. Or you might need to edit an .ini file in the da settings, I think?

Many people on the DA forums at Bioware's social site have also complained about the dog barking...

Thanks Karsten, you're right, there are alot of people complaining about the bark bark bark. It really is just awful.

I guess I'll start over and this time I'll just leave the dog in the kitchen!

Thanks for moving me MaG, you're a doll!

Just in case anyone else wonders about this, I've tried 3 times to do the Human Noble without getting Dog the Barker and it doesn't seem possible. No matter where I go, the subject pops up and the quest is added on. This is really sad because I just can't take it. This doesn't make me a very Noble Human does it?

I quite like the dog and make a point of talking to him every time I went to camp. And the party member's reaction to him is funny.

I'm a bit miffed that after the coronation Dog is the only party member you can't speak to. Tht seems odd, to me. But I always get the suspicion that Dog is going away with Sten. He is a war dog, and Sten is a soldier for life, and a Mabari would never be happy settled down in a castle. Sten and Dog understand each other, and they would make good comapanions for one another. So I just pretend that Dog has switched allegiance and is going away, and that's why he doesn;t greet me at the end.

I've not started the game myself yet but one of my pals, who was complaining about the dog, found this ....

[I don't know where she found it and I haven't been in touch with her again yet to know if it solved the problem.]

"When present as a 5th party member, you can tell the dog to leave or call him
back by using a new Dog Whistle item which will appear in your inventory after
you aquire the dog as a companion."

Does it mean you can maybe be without the dog - even if only on a temporary basis ??

As far as I know, David Gaider (the lead writer) has said on the Bioware forums that Dog isn't going anywhere.

And yes, you can tell the Dog to leave, to go on searches for you...and then call him back again.

Many people on the Bioware forums are very sad about the fact that Dog, their most trusted companion, wasn't there to greet them at the end of the game...

I love my war dog barking, reminds me of my own puppies. LOL I also send him to search for things and he comes up with some good things. I love the way he rolls over on his back and you tickle him. I love the war paint. Will the new extension still waiting for more news be released in March still? Will the war dog be in it also?

Yes, the new expansion will still be released in March (actually today in the US and CAN and on Friday in Europe).
Sadly - the war dog is not in the expansion.

The expansion - Awakening is set in Amarathine (to the north of Ferelden). Here's a (short) preview of DA: Awakening http://www.atomicgamer.com/articles/1003/dragon-age-origins-awakening-preview. ( Source: http://www.rpgwatch.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10131 )

Note that can't use any of the DLC from Origins in Awakening...

Rumor has it that more dragon age will be released in 2011, I think...

Karsten

Karsten

Did you know that the people in Ferelden celebrates April 1st,too? It is called Satinalia.
(according to a post from Bioware's Victor Wacter). In honour of this Bioware has released a DLC that contains 1) Prank Gifts or 2) Gift Packs. You can also buy a combo with both of those. There's a hand puppet you can give to Alistair and watch him do a puppet show.

Here's a snip from Victor's post:
(source:
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/94/index/2017890/1)



Personally, I can't wait to see what kind of puppet show, Alistair would stage...

Wow, now that is a good marketing ploy

Sadly, the expansion has not yet been released here in BC. Fortunately, Mass Effect 2 has my attention until I can get my hands on a copy of Awakening.

I loved my war doggie, Mr. TiggyWinkle. The war paints never showed up on him, though. Must have been a bug. I enjoyed the reactions of the other party members with Mr. T.

Edit...the expansion is here, and I have it! I'll finish my ME2 first, though.