Dragon Age: Inquisition Stream Breakdown - Advisors, Quests, and Perks

Left to Right: Leliana, Cullen, Josephine Montilyet.

Left to Right: Leliana, Cullen, Josephine Montilyet.

After the Breach

On Monday, October 13, Bioware held a livestream to properly introduce the three advisors of the Inquisition in Dragon Age: Commander Cullen (Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2), Josephine Montilyet, and Sister Leliana (Dragon Age Origins, Leliana's Song, The Masked Empire, Asunder, Dragon Age 2). Additionally, Producer Cameron Lee and Creative Director Mike Laidlaw delved into the dialogue wheel, Inquisition Perks, and lots more.

Meeting the Advisors

Events Up to Now

Events in the gameplay start with a conversation with a female Dalish Inquisitor and Cassandra Pentaghast, walking in a long hall talking about the events at the Breach. To summarize: a great deal of magic went into tearing apart the Veil, but the Inquisitor (present at the Temple) was able to prevent the Breach from expanding, by using the mark on her hand. In order to permanently close the Breach, the Inquisition (and, more specifically, the Inquisitor) must gain more power and influence in order to cast more magic into the mark. 

Introductions

The Inquisitor meets three advisors for the Inquisition:

  • Commander Cullen
    • The Inquisitor's general and in charge of military support
    • States that he was a templar, and notes that he knows what they are "capable of"
    • Disagrees that rebel mages should be involved with anything the Inquisition is doing; believes templars can reduce the Breach themselves
  • Josephine Montilyet
    • Diplomatic woman
    • Greets the Elven Inquisitor in Elvhen, but does not know the language
    • Believes that the Inquisition needs more influence, as neither rebel mages nor templars will speak to the Inquisitor or the Inquisition
  • Sister Leliana
    • Spymaster for the Inquisition
    • Knew the Inquisitor prior to the gathering, possibly at the explosion at Haven
“The remaining clerics have called it blasphemy. And we–heretics–for harboring you.”
— Josephine Montilyet

The Chantry denounces the Inquisitor's dubbed name as "Herald of Andraste", a title set forth by people who saw the "woman in the rift" that reached out to the Inquisitor, thinking the bright figure as Andraste. Anyone that is affiliated with the Inquisitor, in other words the Inquisition, is seen as a heretic. While the Chantry has little military influence, and has "only words", their influence is strong enough to sway the rogue mages and templars away from the Inquisition.

Quests

Quite a number of quests were revealed during the demo. While some were detailed and shown, like the first quest Scout the Hinterlands which throws the Inquisitor into the largest region, others are small and related to sending advisors onto specific tasks.

In order to undertake these quests, the Inquisitor must spend power. Power is the currency that allows the Inquisitor to do huge objectives. Gaining power involves exploring, closing rifts, establishing camps, and other actions.

Main Quest: Scout the Hinterlands

Mother Giselle was last seen in the Hinterlands outside Redcliffe, tending refugees who fled the fighting between renegade templars and apostate mages. The latest reports suggest that the vicious struggle between the two groups has spread to the Hinterlands, catching the refugees-and Mother Giselle-in the middle. It is vital to protect her and, if possible, restore order to the area.

Scout Harding is lead in charge of scouting the area before your arrival. She is a Dwarven rogue, skilled at archery and partners with a hawk.

Lead Scout Harding is a Dwarven rogue, skilled in archery. She's super nice, too.

Lead Scout Harding is a Dwarven rogue, skilled in archery. She's super nice, too.

Scouting Report for "Scout the Hinterlands"
by Lead Scout Harding

We avoided the fighting as best we could-it's every bit as bad as we'd feared. The apostates are mad, attacking anything that moves, and it appears that the templars here aren't following anyone's orders any longer. We located Mother Giselle and are trying to protect her, but she refuses to leave the refugees until we've ensured their safety. That will be hard to do without troops to push the apostates and the templars out of the area.

Commander Cullen asked me to make inquiries of Master Dennet, a retired horsemaster of Redcliffe, who lives in the area. We tried to contact him about obtaining better horses for the Inquisition, but we've been unable to get through the fighting.

Advisors Suggestions

  • Cullen: N/A
  • Josephine: N/A
  • Leliana: If Giselle dies, any hope of Chantry support dies with her. My scouts will slip past the fighting, find her, and protect her with their lives.

Operations, or Advisor-specific Quests

Mission operations are completed by one advisor of your choice. An advisor can only undertake one mission at a time and will perform said mission for a set time. Some advisors will finish the mission in a shorter amount of time. Depending on which advisor engages the operation, the Inquisitor may receive different rewards. Or different repercussions.

Operation: Contact Clan Lavellan

The quest Contact Clan Lavellan is one of the Inquisitor background stories exclusive towards a certain race/class Inquisitor. In the case of the demo, which included a Dalish Elf from the clan Lavellan, one of the quests directly involves the clan from which the Inquisitor originates from.

Clan Lavellan offers greetings to the Inquisition and wishes it well in sealing the Breach that has opened in the sky. While some Dalish clans hate humans and wish nothing to do with them, Clan Lavellan has always dealt fairly with all and wished only for peace. That said, we have on occasion been forced to defend ourselves from those who saw us only as potential victims.

It has come to our attention that a member of our clan is being held captive by your Inquisition. She went to the Conclave only to observe the peace talks between your mages and templars, and we find it highly unlikely that she intentionally violated your customs. If she has been charged with a crime, we would appreciate hearing of it. If not, it would ease our concerns to hear from her to know that she remains with the Inquisition of her own will. 

We await your reply.
Keeper Istimaethoriel Lavellan

Advisor Suggestions

  • Cullen (12 Minutes): My troops can deliver news of your safety and make it clear that the Inquisition should be taken seriously.
  • Josephine (15 Minutes): Your people must be approached carefully. One of our elven scribes could deliver a message and share news of the Inquisition's fair treatment.
  • Leliana (15 Minutes): The Dalish respect deeds, not words. Let my elven agents deliver something the clan needs as a show of good faith.

[Ashe's Speculation: Choosing Cullen's suggestion would reduce the time by 3 minutes, but considering the second part noticeably marks the objective of making sure the Inquisition is "taken seriously", this can foreshadow a negative impact on the relationship between the Lavellan clan and the Inquisition. Some advisors may be ill-suited for certain situations, while others are much more amiable.]

Ruffles = Josephine. As per usual, Varric always gives those he knows endearing nicknames.

Ruffles = Josephine. As per usual, Varric always gives those he knows endearing nicknames.

Operation: Hard in Hightown 3: Varric's Revenge

Ruffles, I need a favor. Actually, let's call it a loan, since I'll pay it back. I got a letter from my editor in Kirkwall today. She tells me that "Hard in Hightown 3: The Punchening" appeared in print from an Antivan printer a couple weeks ago. I'll give you a moment to contemplate the horror that is that title.

I had my contacts in the Merchants Guild look for the author a couple years back. The best they could find out after spending a couple hundred gold was that "Pyrral Bhelenforth" is a pen name. I could've told...

Advisors Suggestions

  • Josephine (15 Minutes): I could ask a friend in Antiva City to look into this matter, I suppose.
  • Leliana (12 Minutes): If this author has evaded the Merchants Guild, the Crows would might be a better choice for investigating him.

Operation: Know Thy Enemy

  • Give Minaeve an item to research.

Operation: Vigilance on the Coast

  • Power Required - 4
  • Go to the War Table to scout the Storm Coast
Different perks require different requirements. Some require the player to claim a keep. Others require power.

Different perks require different requirements. Some require the player to claim a keep. Others require power.

Inquisition Perks

Four Types of Perks

  • Forces - Endurance training fit for a soldier
  • Secrets - Developing keen eyes and an inquisitive mind
  • Connections - Training in the Fine Arts of persuasion
  • Inquisition - Improved coordination and infrastructure

Forces - Perks

  • Underworld Knowledge
    • Detailed study of underworld customs and their brutal but practical applications. Opens up new dialogue options related to criminal activities and grants +50% XP for each codex entry unlocked.
  • Massache's Method
    • A methodology developed by an Orlesian blademaster and used by chevaliers to analyze their own performance in combat. Grants a 5% increase in XP earned from killing foes.
  • Rider's Posture
    • Training in proper weight distribution during hard riding significantly increases resistance to being unseated.
  • Antivan-Stitched Saddle
    • Proper tack of fine Antivan leather, custom-fitted to both horse and rider, significantly increases resistance to being unseated.
  • Advanced Focus
    • Increase maximum focus from 100 to 200. Second- tier Focus effect for abilities can now be triggered.
  • Master Focus
    • Increase maximum focus for all party members from 200 to 300. Third-tier focus effect for abilities can now be triggered.
  • True Grit
    • Harsh environment training can be dangerous, but will harden anyone into a survivor. All party members gain a 10% increase to all defenses.
  • More Healing Potions
    • Increase the maximum number of potions the party can carry by 4.
  • Mage Schematics
    • Many mages from all over Thedas have joined the Inquisition, hoping for some degree of order and protection. Reverse engineering their robes and staves will provide new, rare schematics.
  • Rogue Schematics
    • Many of Leliana's new agents bring gear from their previous employers. Gathering their collective gains will provide new, rare schematics.
  • Warrior Schematics

Secrets - Perks

  • Arcane Knowledge
    • A detailed study of magic and the places and creatures that interact with it. Opens up new dialogue options related to the Fade or Arcane studies. Grants +50% XP for each codex entry unlocked.
  • Optimal Cutting
    • Detailed studies show how to get the maximum useable harvest from each plant. Grants a 10% chance to receive extra herbs with each harvest.
  • Eagle-Eyed
    • Training in spotting where the pattern breaks, in nature or in civilization. Grants a significant increase to the discovery range of the searching action.
  • Enhanced Studies
    • Bolster the number of researchers working to study those who stand against the Inquisition. Grants an additional +50% for each foe studied, including those already completed (applied retroactively).
  • Deft Hands, Fine Tools
    • The training, gear, and experience working with Master locksmiths needed to tackle the toughest and most ingenious locking mechanisms. Allows all rogues in the party to open masterwork locks.
  • Forward Scouts
    • With access to a forward training camp, the Inquisition's scouts can receive training to cover a wider area and identify items of interest to the Inquisitor. Reveals additional landmarks and points of interest on the maps of every area.
  • Trainee Herbalists
    • Gain a collection of Tier 1 herbs.
  • Veteran Herbalists
    • Survival and harsh environment training will push Inquisition herbalists to gather more exotic and rare plants. As part of the training push, a large collection of uncommon herbs will be delivered for personal use.
  • Master Herbalists
    • Combat training, top-line equipment, and experience in both allows Inquisition herbalists to find the rarest specimens. A large collection of rare herbs will be delivered for personal use.

Inquisition - Perks

  • History Knowledge
    • Detailed study of Thedas's past. Opens up new dialogue options related to history and the Chantry. Grants an additional +50% XP for each codex entry found.
  • Antivan Tailoring
    • Antivan tailors are famed for their ability to hide pockets seamlessly in garments. A few words to the Inquisition's friends to the north, and its forces can carry more items in the field. Increases inventory capacity by 15.
  • Imperial Court Tailoring
    • The best tailors of Val Royeaux, experienced in the intracies of the Grand Game, can add hidden compartments to armor and clothing, allowing even more items to be carried at once. Increases inventory capacity by 15.
  • Tempered Glass Flasks
    • Better techniques in glassworking make more durable flasks, allowing more potions to be carried safely at one time. Adds one more potion slot for all party members.
  • Exclusive Training
    • Gain 1 combat ability point, for the Inquisitor only.

To be continued...with the next Hero of Thedas trailer breakdown! Be sure to keep track of all in-depth analysis and lore here on LadyInsanity.com and Youtube.com/Ladyxinsanity. Support Ashe even more by becoming a patron on Patreon.com/Ashe!

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