LAIR OF THE WEREWOLVES

The Warden enters the Werewolf Lair through a passage in the Lower Ruins, arriving into the northern-most room (Werewolves Lair Map, L1) of the level, a small safe area separated from the main room ahead by a door (the corpses can be looted for Corpse Gall). Beyond the door, a large group of werewolves, including shadow werewolves, stand guard and will attack as soon as the Warden opens the door.

Shadow werewolves use stealth and will try to Overwhelm your companions. Once this group is defeated, the party can explore the large room ahead: be careful of traps and more werewolves (including hidden shadow werewolves) just ahead. The companions can use the barricades for cover and to lure the werewolves closer when the party is ready. The flights of stairs to the sides may yield some loot, but lead nowhere. The only option is to move forward and down the stairs headed south.

Past the door at the bottom of these stairs, the party will meet the Gatekeeper (Werewolves Lair Map, L2) accompanied by three other werewolves. He has been sent by The Lady to offer an opportunity to parley. If the party agrees to parley, he will take them to the Lady of the Forest. The alternative, of course, is to attack the werewolves. If you fight the Gatekeeper, more werewolves will join him from adjacent rooms (total of 7 ordinary, 4 rabid, and 2 shadow), resulting in a very tough battle. Against 13 enemies who can chain knockback and Overwhelm your party, it is best that you have a lot of AOE (Area of Effect) damage at your disposal, so that you can take them out quickly. Other than that, a good tactic is to retreat back to the stairs outside the entrance door.

There is a glitch at the door threshold that prevents the AI from pathing through it. On PC, you cannot order your party to move to the other side of the door by clicking in the area; you have to take control of each party member and manually move them with the keyboard, one by one. This glitch prevents the werewolves from simply rushing after the party, allowing you to deal with one or a few of them at a time.

If Wynne is in the party and you refuse to parley she objects.

  • If you can persuade Wynne approves (+1).

  • If you tell her you won't risk talking with the werewolves Wynne disapproves (-1).

  • If you let Wynne change your mind Wynne approves (+4).

At this point, the Warden has choices about how the quest line will be completed.

Note: If the Warden decides to parley, the Gatekeeper will let the party through to the next room via a cut scene. Be sure to return to this room (and, explore its side rooms) after the next set of interactions or conclusion of the main quest, in order to pick up a Scroll of Banastor and a revenant phylactery, part of The Black Vials quest.

The Warden’s Choices

There are three possible outcomes that can be achieved from this point forward, based on choices made in the remaining encounters. Each outcome can be achieved with varying degrees of finesse and approval changes.

  • Side with the elves and Zathrian, and attack the werewolves. The elves are cured and will honour the treaties and help battle the Blight.

  • Side with the werewolves and attack Zathrian. The werewolves will help battle the Blight. The elves are not cured.

  • Side with the elves and the werewolves. The curse is lifted and the werewolves become human. The elves are cured, will honour the treaties, and will help battle the Blight.

Note: Siding with the elves or with the werewolves is easy to achieve. Siding with both requires specific conditions described below, and can be easy to overlook. Saving the game before encountering the Lady of the Forest and separate save before later meeting Zathrian is recommended.

The conversation with The Lady of the Forest (Werewolves Lair Map, L3) will explain the origin of the conflict between the werewolves and the Dalish elves: Zathrian cursed (into werewolf form) a group of human settlers who had murdered his son and raped his daughter. The werewolves currently in the forest are not the original criminals, but unfortunates who wandered into the forest since. The Lady asks the Warden to bring Zathrian to the chamber so they may talk.

Refuse to Bring Zathrian

On initial parley with the Lady, refuse to bring Zathrian to her and decide to find Witherfang 'the hard way'.

  • If Alistair is in the party Alistair disapproves (-3).

  • If Zevran is in the party Zevran disapproves (-3).

The Lady transforms into Witherfang, who attacks along with Swiftrunner and 8 werewolves. Witherfang's howl ability can knock you down so avoid her until you kill Swiftrunner and the werewolves. If the Gatekeeper is left alive, he will attack with 3 werewolves after Witherfang's group is dealt with.

Obtained from Witherfang's corpse:

  • Heart of the Forest (automatically added to inventory)

  • Heart of Witherfang

  • Expert Cold Iron Rune

Search this area before taking the exit to the east (Werewolves Lair Map, L4). Go south up the stairs; Zathrian is waiting in the next room. He thanks you for getting Witherfang's heart and apologizes for lying to you. No matter what you say he says he should get back to the Dalish Camp and invites you to come with him (if you say you'll find your own way back, he says he is not letting the heart out of his sight, and you are automatically taken to the Dalish Camp with him and not given the opportunity to kill Zathrian and deal with Lanaya instead).

Note: In this plot line (vs. siding with him and killing the werewolves, see below), Zathrian states that he is the only one who can use the wolf's heart to cure the hunters. Thus, you cannot kill him, since he mentions that there will be no Dalish support for the Blight.

At the Dalish Camp Zathrian tells you that the heart has cured the hunters. He pledges the elves' support to fight the Blight.

Even if you didn't ask for a reward, Zathrian gives you one. You receive: Griffon's Beak

Agree to Bring Zathrian

She shows you an exit to the surface to the east (you can first search this room). When you are ready to see Zathrian take the door to the east. Find Zathrian; he explains that the Lady is actually Witherfang and shows no remorse for creating the curse. He says he will only go to see the Lady if you safeguard him from harm.

  • Offer Zathrian your protection, or say you don't think it will come to that. He agrees to speak with the Lady.

  • Refuse Zathrian your protection. You have to agree to kill the werewolves.

  • If Morrigan is in the party Morrigan approves (+2)

  • If Shale is in the party Shale approves (+4)

Return to the Lady of the Forest with Zathrian. During their conversation, the Lady reveals that Zathrian used his own blood to create the curse. Because of this, as long as the curse remains, Zathrian also remains alive. His death will not end the curse, however.

Side With Witherfang

When Zathrian meets the Lady of the Forest, he will eventually say "See? They turn on you as quickly. Do what you have come here to do, Grey Warden, or get out of my way."

"You'll end that curse if I have to force you myself!"

  • If Alistair is in the party Alistair approves (+2)

  • If Leliana is in the party Leliana approves (+6)

  • If Morrigan is in the party Morrigan approves (+2)

  • If Oghren is in the party Oghren disapproves (-5) (this also happens if you tell Zathrian "I don't care, Zathrian. I won't help you do this."

  • If Shale is in the party Shale approves (+4)

  • If Sten is in the party and you had told Zathrian that you would kill the werewolves to get him to meet with Witherfang but told the Lady of the Forest that you don't support him and just made sure he came Sten approves (+2)

Zathrian attacks and summons 2 greater shades and 3 wild sylvans. During this fight Witherfang, Swiftrunner and the werewolves are paralyzed. A dispel magic effect (e.g., from Cleanse Area or Dispel Magic) can dispel the paralysis, allowing Witherfang and the werewolves to attack Zathrian (this may crash the game [confirmation needed]). Mana Clash is particularly effective against Zathrian.

Zathrian's available spells include:

  • Misdirection Hex

  • Vulnerability Hex

  • Winter's Grasp

  • Cone of Cold

  • Blizzard

  • Shock

  • Chain Lightning

  • Blood Magic

  • Blood Wound

Aside from dispelling the paralysis on Witherfang and the werewolves, the most effective strategy here is to focus fire on Zathrian, ignoring all other enemies, since the fight is ended when his health reaches 0. Glyph of Neutralization may be used to interrupt his casting briefly, but will result in him using Blood Magic (as with most enemy mages encountered in the game), which simply adds Blood Wound, an extremely dangerous spell, to his toolbox. Alternatively, another good strategy is to have the entire party quickly run into one of the side hallways to the left and right of the map. Zathrian always casts Blizzard into the middle of the room, and this will prevent him from chasing after the party. The wild sylvans will also take heavy damage from the blizzard because of their low movement speed. This should give you time to take out the two shades, then the wild sylvans if they are still alive. During this time, Zathrian will simply attack the paralyzed werewolves in the room.

After the fight, Zathrian will agree to lift the curse, sacrificing himself and the Lady of the Forest (Zathrian's body disappears). The werewolves transform back to humans and leave the forest.

  • If Wynne is in the party Wynne approves (+7) (this does not happen until after the curse is lifted).

Obtained by asking Swiftrunner for a reward:

  • Swiftrunner's Shield

You may also decide to double-cross the ex-werewolves and attack them, even after getting a reward.

Return to the Dalish Camp. Lanaya, the new Keeper, tells you that "the curse is over, and no one else will be subjected to it." She pledges the elves' support to fight the Blight.

Note: Even though the werewolf curse is lifted amiably, Lanaya will mention the use of 'the wolf's heart' to cure the hunters, when talking to her at the Dalish camp; almost exact words from Zathrian.

Side With Zathrian

If Leliana is in the party Leliana disapproves (-10); if persuaded successfully, (-3)

  • If Morrigan is in the party Morrigan approves (+2)

  • If Morrigan is in the party and you told Zathrian upstairs that you would kill the werewolves and you immediately tell The Lady that you support Zathrian ("I do. I came for the heart, and that's it.") Morrigan approves (+4)

  • If Oghren is in the party Oghren approves (+4)

  • If Wynne is in the party she says we cannot support Zathrian:

    • If you tell her to do as you say or leave Wynne disapproves (-15)

    • If you can persuade you may be able to convince her that this is not our fight.

    • If you agree with her and tell Zathrian to end the curse then you side with Swiftrunner Wynne approves (+2)

The Lady transforms into Witherfang and attacks along with Swiftrunner and 8 werewolves. Attack Swiftrunner and the werewolves before attacking Witherfang; Zathrian can keep Witherfang busy for most of the fight, but he may use Cone of Cold and may accidentally freeze you.

You get (from Witherfang's corpse):

  • Heart of Witherfang

  • Expert Cold Iron Rune

Zathrian takes Witherfang's heart and thanks you. If you ask, he tells you that if he had died, Lanaya knows how to use the heart to cure the hunters. Zathrian says he should get back to the Dalish Camp and invites you to come with him.

  • Stay and explore; he leaves saying that he will talk to you when you return to the Dalish Camp.

  • Return to the Dalish Camp with Zathrian.

  • Double-cross Zathrian and attack him. Zathrian attacks, and he summons 2 greater shades and 3 wild sylvans (Mana Clash is particularly effective against Zathrian).

    • If Zevran is in the party Zevran approves (+4)

    • You get (from Zathrian's corpse):

      • Heart of the Forest - automatically added to inventory

      • Magister's Staff

      • Keeper's Ring

Return to the Dalish Camp. Zathrian or Lanaya (if you killed Zathrian) tells you that the heart has cured the hunters and pledges the elves' support to fight the Blight.

If Zathrian is still alive then you get:

  • Griffon's Beak

Kill Zathrian & The Elves

If you can persuade, you may be able to convince the Lady to kill Zathrian and the elves (requires Expert Coercion).

Note: This is the only way to get a werewolf army instead of a Dalish elf army, but it also means you have to kill the Dalish elves, including Varathorn, the only merchant that sells unlimited Deathroot, Elfroot and Toxin Extracts.

  • If Morrigan is in the party Morrigan approves (+4).

Note: If you let Wynne or Zevran change your mind then you still get Morrigan's Approval change.

  • If Wynne is in the party she thinks you are mad:

    • If you tell her it's no less than Zathrian deserves Wynne disapproves (-5).

    • If you tell her to back off Wynne disapproves (-15).

    • If you can persuade you may be able to convince her that you're here to fight the darkspawn, not to help the elves Wynne disapproves (-3).

    • If you agree with her Wynne approves (+1) and you have to either agree to bring Zathrian or refuse to bring him.

  • If Zevran is in the party he asks if you're truly going to do this.

    • If you tell him that he's going to help he says his mother was Dalish and begs you not to do this.

      • If you tell him it's already done Zevran disapproves (-15).

      • If you agree with him Zevran disapproves (-1) and you have to either agree to bring Zathrian or refuse to bring him.

      • If you can persuade you may be able to convince him this is the best way Zevran disapproves (-5)

    • Otherwise he says his mother was Dalish and begs you not to do this.

    • If you tell him it's already done Zevran disapproves (-10)

    • If you agree with him Zevran approves (+4) and you have to either agree to bring Zathrian or refuse to bring him.

    • If you can persuade you may be able to convince him this is the best way.

You appear at the Dalish Camp with the Lady, Swiftrunner, and the werewolves. Zathrian approaches to talk but no matter what you say he refuses to lift the curse. You have to fight Zathrian, Mithra, Lanaya, and all the elves in the camp.

Zathrian likes to use cold spells (Cone of Cold and Blizzard) so avoid him—let Witherfang fight him—and focus on the other elves first (Mana Clash is particularly effective against Zathrian).

You get (from elven corpses):

  • Magister's Staff

  • Keeper's Ring

  • Dalish Longbow

  • Varathorn's Dar'Misu

  • Elfrope

  • 24 Silver 80 Bronze

The Lady of the Forest and the werewolves will pledge to fight the Blight.

Rewards

  • 1250 XP - upon receiving either the Magical Werewolf Pelt or the Oak Branch

  • 1500 XP - upon completion of this quest at the Dalish Camp by getting army support for the Blight, either from Zathrian/Lanaya and the Dalish elves or from The Lady of the Forest and the werewolves

Siding With The Dalish Elves

  • Griffon's Beak - from Zathrian

Siding With The Werewolves & The Curse is Lifted

  • Swiftrunner's Shield - from Swiftrunner

Results

If you sided with the elves, all the ailing Dalish hunters are cured once you return to camp. Zathrian (or Lanaya, if he died) will honor the Grey Warden treaties and pledge the Dalish army to help you battle the Blight. At this point, Emissary Caron will appear in your Party Camp and you can turn in crafting materials to the Dalish army. If Zathrian did not lift the curse (and wasn't double-crossed), he will later appear in Redcliffe Castle prior to the Final Onslaught, and will fight alongside you against the Archdemon.

Emissary Bulfa

After Arl Eamon recovers, Cassian will also be located in the Redcliffe Castle as he and his group were sent ahead by the Lady of the Forest. The Lady herself will later appear in Redcliffe Castle prior to the Final Onslaught, and Swiftrunner will fight alongside you against the Archdemon.

Emissary Caron

If instead you convinced the werewolves to kill the elves, the werewolves will pledge themselves to help you battle the Blight. At this point, Emissary Bulfa will appear in your Party Camp and you can feed him a single nug (though no caged nugs are actually removed from your inventory).

Cassian

Note: Of course, this will also mean you lose access to the only infinite source of elfroot, deathroot and toxin extracts in the game, Varathorn. So stock up in advance if you intend to follow this path, or download an appropriate mod that replaces Varathorn with a werewolf merchant that can accomplish the same thing.

  • If you chose to side with both and convinced Zathrian to sacrifice himself and lift the curse, the humans will disperse and the elves will honor the treaties. All werewolves that have not been slain will also be removed from the Werewolf Lair and the Brecilian Forest, except from the East Brecilian Forest.

Regardless of how you completed this quest, you can now freely open the chest by the Keeper's aravel to obtain the Song Book, which grants Codex entry: In Uthenera. It's not possible to open this chest if you slaughter the elves (chest is no longer interactive), but Leliana will sing the song in camp anyway.

The next time you enter the middle of the West Brecilian Forest (north from the entrance, then straight across the bridges by the waterfall), you will be confronted by Panowen (whose husband was slain by the werewolves) and several Dalish hunters. If you lifted the curse or sided with the werewolves, she will attack you unless you can persuade her that Zathrian was to blame (in which case she gives you the Silverleaf ring). If instead you killed the werewolves, she will thank you and bestow the ring as a reward.

And lastly, the next time you speak with Leliana at the party camp, she will sing "In Uthenera".

Note: Remember to return to the Werewolf Lair after completing this quest to pick up the remaining loot. There are several locked chests that can give you XP, plus you can kill some "friendly" werewolves with AOE spells (if you sided with them) for even more XP.