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The Last Straw (Siding with the Mages)
Dragon Age II

The Last Straw (Siding with the Mages)

Complete walkthrough for Dragon Age II's "The Last Straw" quest when siding with the Mages, including boss strategies for Orsino and Meredith, and item locations.

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Complete walkthrough for Dragon Age II's "The Last Straw" quest when siding with the Mages, including boss strategies for Orsino and Meredith, and item locations.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Speak with party members before departing. If Aveline is Captain of the Guard, you will not encounter Guardsmen. Loot all chests in the area.
  2. 2
    Speak with Orsino to proceed. You will need to fight your way out of the Gallows Prison, defeating an army of Templars. Orsino will then lose control.
  3. 3
    Boss Fight: Orsino
    • Drops: Staff of Violation, Orsino’s Signet Ring
  4. 4
    Resistances: Cold (Normal), Electric (Very Weak), Fire (Normal), Nature (Immune), Spirit (Very Weak)
  5. 5
    Abilities: Ground Slam, Blood Drain, Gut Throw, Blood Spurt, Wet End
  6. 6
    Immunities: Sleep, Knockdown, Immobilize, Paralyze, Enslavement
  7. 7
    Enter the Templar Hall and fight Shades and Rage Demons.
  8. 8
    Head north to find Sandal and your storage items.
  9. 9
    Head south, check the northern room for a booby-trapped corpse.
  10. 10
    Enter the eastern room to fight a Desire Demon and its allies. Loot the two chests.
  11. 11
    Move south to a corpse and more Templars. Loot them.
  12. 12
    Proceed to the main foyer, fighting more waves of Templars.
  13. 13
    Head to the western side of the Keep to find a corpse.
  14. 14
    Through the door, face an Arcane Horror and Abominations.
  15. 15
    In the northern room (Knight-Commander Meredith’s room), find a master chest containing the Templar Ceremonial Cumberbund.
  16. 16
    In Orsino’s room to the south, find a standard chest with a Dreamcatcher and Mark of the Fallen.
  17. 17
    At the far western end, face two Pride Demons and spawning Shades. Loot the pile of bones for the Shield of the Resolute.
  18. 18
    Enter the Gallows Courtyard.
  19. 19
    Boss Fight: Meredith
    • Drops: N/A
  20. 20
    Resistances: Cold (Very Weak), Electric (Normal), Fire (Normal), Nature (Normal), Spirit (Very Weak)
  21. 21
    Abilities: Rushing Strike, Energy Burst, Drop Thrust, Paralyze, Enslavement
  22. 22
    Immunities: Slow, Knockdown, Immobilize
Tips
  • During the first phase of the Orsino fight, focus on dealing damage. In the second phase, focus on the smaller, teleporting boss that summons enemies.
  • Focus on Meredith herself during her fight. Focus on the animated statues when she is not actively attacking.
  • Loot all chests and corpses found throughout the area.
  • Archaeologist: 50 XP (Discover 3 secret messages from the Band of Three each year in Kirkwall).
  • Conquerer: 15 XP (Defeated Meredith, knight-commander of Kirkwall's templars).
  • Champion of Kirkwall: 20 XP (Completed Dragon Age II).
  • Epic: 50 XP (Completed Dragon Age II twice, or once with a save imported from Dragon Age Origins).

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