REDCLIFFE CASTLE
Castle Redcliffe has stood for far longer than the village it protects. Since the days of the Alamarri clans, the castle has guarded the main pass through the Frostback Mountains into Orlais. Redcliffe Castle is the first and last line of defense for the sole land route into Ferelden, and the country has never fallen to any force that did not first take Redcliffe.
It was here that the Avvar hill folk came to strike at the lowlands to the east, and it was this castle that the Orlesian Empire needed to control before conquering Ferelden. That was no easy task, for while the folk of Redcliffe may be simple, they are also proud of their ancient role as Ferelden's protectors from incursion. "There is iron in the hills, as there is in the people" goes the local saying, and no one disbelieves it.
Walkthrough
After using the secret passage, open the first door to three enraged corpses waiting to attack. After this fight, you find Jowan (Redcliffe Castle Basement M, 2) (former colleague of the magi Warden) in a cell.Talking to him garners some information about what is happening in the castle, as well as codex entries on apostates and blood magic if they weren't previously unlocked.
Jowan will tell the Warden that he used the guise of tutoring Connor to poison Arl Eamon, and that Loghain directed him to do so in exchange for amnesty (Jowan being a condemned blood mage). He insists, however, that he did not do anything to summon the undead, despite the arlessa's claims. She has had him tortured and locked up. Jowan expresses the desire to right his wrongs, and asks the Warden to release him. You must decide what to do with Jowan.
Kill Jowan
If you choose to kill Jowan and side with the templars during the Broken Circle, it is impossible to save Connor's life.
If Morrigan is in the party, she objects:
Persuade her that he must be killed disapproval (-5)
Tell her this has nothing to do with her disapproval (-10)
Let her change your mind
If Jowan accepts his fate and you kill him:
Alistair approves (+2) if hardened, otherwise disapproval (-5)
Leliana disapproves (-3)
Sten approves (+7)
If you change your mind and say "I can't kill you.":
Leliana approves (+2)
Morrigan approves (+5) - this is on top of the approval decrease from when you decided to kill Jowan
If you change your mind and say "No, forget it. Just stay here.":
Morrigan approves (+5) - this is on top of the approval decrease from when you decided to kill Jowan
The dialogue ends, and he stays in the cell. You can restart the conversation with him and decide again to free, kill, or leave him
Free Jowan and tell him you never want to see him again:
If you choose to let go of Jowan and side with the templars during the Broken Circle, it is impossible to save Connor's life. On the other hand, this is the only way to get the Jowan's Intention quest.
If Alistair is in the party, he objects:
Persuade him that you won't leave Jowan here to die
Tell him that he can hunt Jowan down if he likes disapproval (-10)
Let him change your mind
Morrigan approves (+7)
Sten disapproves (-5)
Wynne disapproves (-5)
This will result in Jowan leaving and he will not appear later when you decide what to do about Connor.
Free Jowan and tell him to come with you:
He refuses your request. You now have the option of telling him to help but not to make things worse. He disappears, but since he promises to find a way to fix the undead problem, he shows up later with an alternative solution to help Connor.
Alistair disapproves (-5)
Leliana approves (+2)
Morrigan approves (+7)
Sten disapproves (-3)
Free Jowan and let him go:
He stays, admitting his mistake. Then, "going to find some way to fix it," he disappears, but shows up later with an alternative solution to help Connor.
Alistair disapproves (-5)
Leliana disapproves (-3)
Morrigan approves (+7)
Sten disapproves (-3)
Leave Jowan in his cell:
He remains there until you change your mind, or Bann Teagan retrieves him later.
Once you're done with Jowan you can move on exploring the basement.
Be careful in the next room of the basement, because other zombies will surprise you once you're close enough to the stairs. I would recommend retreating to the corridor where Jowan was being held so that your team won't be attacked from several directions at the same time. Once you've dealt with all the monsters use the stairs to travel to Main Floor of Redcliffe Castle (Redcliffe Castle M, 3). Here (Redcliffe Castle M, 1) you'll also have to remain cautious, because a mini-boss (greater shade) will be guarding one of the nearby rooms. Try using different spells during all the battles with the shades, because they're more vulnerable to magic.
Start moving east and don't forget to inspect smaller rooms found along the way, especially since one of these areas is going to be an armory (Redcliffe Castle M, 2). Use your lockpicking skills to get in there and collect useful things.
If you wanted to save Valena, then she can be found at the Main Floor of the Redcliffe Castle (Redcliffe Castle M, 3), hiding in a small room. The Warden may speak to her and tell her about the tunnel; tell her to simply run; or tell her to stay in the room until it is safe. Whatever the decision, Valena will run from the castle and can be found safely at Blacksmith's Store. If Valena is not found by the time the situation with Connor is resolved, she will disappear from the castle and be counted as dead.
Watch out for other mini-bosses in the area, including a devouring corpse and a mabari (one of the northern rooms of the castle). There are also plenty of traps in the area, including a powerful trap in one of the main corridors. Eventually you'll have to reach a staircase leading back to Redcliffe castle Basement (Redcliffe Castle M, 4). Use it instead of heading south, because you shouldn't attack the main group unless you've rejoined with allied units. Take your time in the cellar (Redcliffe Castle Basement M, 4) and once you're done exploring use the stairs leading to Redcliffe castle's Courtyard (Redcliffe Castle Basement M, 5).
I would recommend that you leave most of the team behind (Redcliffe Castle Courtyard M, 1) and use a warrior or a camouflaged rogue here. Move this person to the north-west and pull the lever (Redcliffe Castle Courtyard M, 2) before you're caught by the monsters. A nearby gate is going to be raised which will allow allied units to join the battle. Start attacking enemy forces and watch out for a mini-boss (revenant). I would recommend attacking this beast from a large distance and you should also prevent your team members from standing too close to each other, so they won't lose too much health if an explosion occurs near their position. Once the revenant is dead focus on eliminating hostile archers.
Eliminate all the monsters and once it's safe talk to Sir Perth (Redcliffe Castle Courtyard M, 3). It would be a good idea to agree to his proposal and to join him and the other men on an assault on the castle.
You'll soon automatically return to Redcliffe castle's Main floor (Redcliffe Castle M, 5) and you'll have a chance to talk to possessed Connor. This scene will end with the boy escaping to his room and you having to engage possessed guards in combat. In the early stages of this battle you should be focused on injuring Teagan who will act as a typical mini-boss. Achieving victory here shouldn't be a problem, so you should pay more attention to choosing how this quest should end. All the choices can be made during the conversation with Teagan.
Jowan is alive and available:
If Jowan is still in his cell, then Isolde suggests bringing him to see if he knows anything. Teagan brings him in and Isolde blames him for everything; Jowan admits poisoning the Arl and says he wants to help.
If you let Jowan go but did not tell him you never wanted to see him again, then Jowan appears during the conversation. Isolde is furious that you set him free but he wants to help and Teagan says she is as much to blame as Jowan.
Once he's present, Jowan says the easiest solution is to kill Connor, but there is another possibility; a mage could enter the Fade and kill the demon there. He says he could use blood magic to do it but someone would have to sacrifice themself. Isolde volunteers, but Bann Teagan leaves the decision up to you. If you have no mage companions and your Warden is not a mage either, you will have no one to send into the Fade this way and thus, it's not an option. If you have not completed Broken Circle or you have completed it and gotten the mages' support, there is another option – going to the Circle Tower and asking for the mages' help. This is the only way to save both Isolde and Connor. You can now also explore the rest of the castle if you go that route (asking for the mages' help at the Tower).
Jowan is either dead or gone:
Isolde says that Jowan may know something of this demon; when you tell her that he is gone she asks what happened to him. It doesn't matter what you say to her; neither Teagan nor Isolde know what to do. Morrigan or Wynne, or a magi Warden will suggest that there is another possibility besides killing Connor; a mage could enter the Fade and kill the demon there. This would require many mages and a lot of lyrium. If you have completed Broken Circle and sided with the mages, or have not started Broken Circle yet, then you can suggest getting the Mages' support (by doing the ritual using lyrium and not someone's lifeforce, the only way to save both Isolde and Connor). However, if you have completed Broken Circle and sided with the templars then this is not an option, forcing you to either take Jowan's offer or kill Connor.
Teagan wants you to decide what to do. If you decide to do Jowan's ritual now (via sacrifice), then you will not be able to explore the rest of the castle, at least not immediately, and once you return from the Fade, all enemies in the castle are gone. Tell him you need more time to consider if you don't want to go that route. Should you choose any other option, you're free to explore the rest of the castle.
Go west, where six Suits of armor will instantly attack you. Any knight that entered the castle with you will join the battle if you fall back and get their attention. In the room to the south are the Chamberlain and some enraged corpses and shambling corpses; the Chamberlain has the Redcliffe Vault Key, required to unlock the vault upstairs. In the Arl's Study room, furthest to the west you can find Alistair's Mother's Amulet. Go upstairs.
Upper Floor
In the rooms before you find Connor, you are attacked by devouring corpses and shambling corpses, more chances to pick up Corpse Galls. You can find:
The Guerrins of Ferelden (Wynn Gift)
Stone Dragon Statuette (Alistair Gift)
The vault; unlocking this door requires the key from the Chamberlain downstairs. Unlocking the door gets you 50 XP and a good selection of weapons and armor, including:
Eamon's Shield
Chevalier's Mace
The Fox's Bow
Silver-Framed Still Life (Sten Gift)
In one of the north-eastern rooms you find Connor. You can converse with him to learn more about his situation and his plea "to stop the bad lady from hurting anyone else."
Major Storyline Spoilers Ahead for this area, if you want to continue role playing and figure it our yourself. Skip ahead of the What to do with Connor.
If you decide then that "it's best to end this" or that you "have no choice," he will lose control and transform into a desire demon, which ultimately leads to the first option below. Also, if you try to enter the Arl's Bedroom north of Connor, he will immediately transform into a desire demon.
What To Do With Connor
At this point you have to make a decision on what to do with Connor.
1 Choice is to Kill Connor: Desire Demon fight
You can tell Teagan and Isolde of your decision if you want, but it is not required. If you tell them:
If Leliana is in the party she asks if there is another way:
Persuade her that this is for the best
Tell her this is what you're doing disapproval (-5)
Ask if there are other options, which lets you change your mind; if you still decide to kill Connor there is no approval change
Shale approves (+4)
Sten approves (+4)
Wynne disapproves (-3)
If you decide to kill Connor without giving the boy a chance to survive proceed to the western room where you'll have to defeat a large group of animated knights. Killing these opponents won't be an easy thing, so you should consider retreating to the previous area where allied units can assist you in achieving victory. Once you've won entered the western room for the second time and use the stairs leading to the Upper floor (Redcliffe Castle M, 6).
In the rooms before you find Connor, you are attacked by devouring corpses and shambling corpses, more chances to pick up Corpse Galls. You can find:
The Guerrins of Ferelden (Wynn Gift)
Stone Dragon Statuette (Alistair Gift)
The vault; unlocking this door requires the key from the Chamberlain downstairs. Unlocking the door gets you 50 XP and a good selection of weapons and armor, including:
Eamon's Shield
Chevalier's Mace
The Fox's Bow
Silver-Framed Still Life
You'll be moving east here and naturally new enemy units will stand in your way. Keep pushing forward and use a lot healing spells and potions to prevent team members from dying. Save your game prior to entering the last room where Connor will be waiting for you (Redcliffe Castle M, 7). He'll soon transform into a lust demon and you'll have to take part in a boss battle.
This battle will have several phases. Each time you've sufficiently injured the demon you'll be forced to take out a small group of weaker creatures. Keep using mostly ice spells on the main demon and the same goes with smaller rage demons. Don't forget to monitor health bars of your men and women, because it would be even harder to win if someone would to die here. After you've defeated Connor you'll be given a chance between killing him yourself and letting his mother to deal the final blow. Finishing this quest will activate the next one - Urn of Sacred Ashes.
Kill Connor: aftermath and party approval
Isolde runs in and begs you not to kill Connor. No matter what other options she suggests, Connor is killed.
Knock out Isolde and kill Connor:
Morrigan approves (+4)
Oghren disapproves (-20) if is in the party, otherwise (-10)
Sten approves (+4) whether he is in the party or not
Wynne disapproves (-5) whether she is in the party or not
Zevran approves (+6) if he's in the party, otherwise (+4)
Let Isolde kill Connor:
Leliana approves (+1)
Morrigan approves (+4)
Oghren disapproves (-10)
Wynne approves (+1)
Zevran approves (+2)
Refuse to let Isolde kill Connor and kill him yourself (without knocking her out):
Leliana disapproves (-2) if she's in the party, otherwise (-3)
Morrigan approves (+4)
Oghren disapproves (-15) if he's in the party, otherwise (-5)
Sten approves (+4) whether he is in the party or not
Wynne approves (+1)
Zevran approves (+4) if he's in the party, otherwise (+2)
2nd Choice is Jowan's Ritual to Save Connor
In order to unlock this ending you would have to keep Jowan alive and present Isolde with an opportunity to save her son's life. The next step will be to choose the person who will fight the demon.
There are three options: the Warden (only if they are a mage), Morrigan, or Wynne if Broken Circle has been completed. Once this is decided, the ritual can begin. A grim cutscene will ensue. Jowan begins the spell and Isolde readies herself; in an instant, the arlessa is killed as if run through by an invisible spear. Your chosen mage is wounded and hurled to the floor; apparently lifeless, they will depart from the physical world and journey into the realm of the Fade.
Alistair disapproves (-10) whether he's in the party or not
Leliana disapproves (-3)
Morrigan disapproves (-1) if she's the one going into the Fade, otherwise (+2)
Shale disapproves (-5)
Wynne disapproves (-20) if she's the one going into the Fade, otherwise (-10)
Start exploring this realm and ignore ghosts seen along the way, because they won't attack you. Arl Eamon will appear near the area where you've started (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 2), however talking to him is not mandatory. Use the nearby portal and keep heading forward until you locate Connor's hideout (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 3).
It's important how you'll respond to Connor's initial statement, because sooner or later you'll have to defeat a demon hiding in his body for the first time. This duel is going to be extremely easy, however you should try ending it as soon as possible. I would recommend using ice spells, because not only they'll deal a lot of damage but you'll also freeze your opponent.
You'll have to defeat the demon a few more times (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 4). Each time you'll be forced to use a portal and to find Connor's new hideout. Notice that later on the demon will not be alone, because smaller creatures will appear around him. Always focus on the main boss and once it's gone deal with the remaining enemy forces. Defeating the demon in the last location (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 5) will result in your character returning back from the Fade and finishing this quest will activate the next one - Urn of Sacred Ashes.
Final Option is Travel to the Circle Tower for help
This is by far the most time-consuming solution, but if you manage to pull it off you'll save both Connor and his mother. During the conversation with Teagan, Isolde and Jowan you'll have to come up with a plan of asking the mages in the Circle tower for help. Leave Redcliffe castle, travel to Lake Calenhad docks and from there reach the tower. You can find more information on how to get there by reading the description of an another main quest - Broken circle. You can only ask the mages for help AFTER you've defeated Uldred.
It's also important that during your final conversation with Greagoir you convince the templar that he should leave the tower under mage's control (otherwise Irving would be sent to prison). Talk to Irving and tell him about the boy. The enchanter will be more than happy to help and he'll immediately travel to the castle.
You should follow Irving by returning to Redcliffe castle's Main floor (Redcliffe Castle M, 5). Approach the people standing here and initiate a new conversation. You'll have to decide who should travel to the Fade to rescue Connor and you'll be allowed to choose between Jowan, Irving and the mages in your team. It doesn't really matter which person it's going to be, because no one will die aside from the demon. Depending on who you choose does change the dialogue options with the demon.
Choosing any of these options will result in the Warden fighting the demon:
"There will be no discussion."
"No, I will not deal with you."
"I want you to pay for your atrocities."
"I want nothing from you."
"I say no deal."
"No. Our talk is done here."
Otherwise, the demon will grant the Warden one of these four rewards, in exchange for being allowed to return to Connor later.
"Arcane secrets. I want to know specialized blood magic." This unlocks the Blood Mage specialization, which will appear in the specializations the next time you level up.
"I'll take pleasure, demon. Show me what you've got." This initiates a kissing scene between the demon and Warden.
"Pleasure is empty. I want the love of those around me." With this choice you can boost one of your companions' approval ratings by (+20).
"Keep it simple. Something to increase my talents." You get a Tome of Ethereal Suggestion (+1 talent/spell).
If you choose the option, "(Intimidate) How about you leave and I do not destroy you.", a second, harder intimidate test is presented: "(Intimidate) On the contrary, I believe you can offer more." Passing this will result in the demon leaving Connor for good (proven true by the epilogue), while still granting you a reward. Master Coercion may be necessary to force the demon's hand.
In order to get to the demon you need to start exploring this realm and ignore ghosts seen along the way, because they won't attack you. Arl Eamon will appear near the area where you've started (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 2), however talking to him is not mandatory. Use the nearby portal and keep heading forward until you locate Connor's hideout (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 3).
It's important how you'll respond to Connor's initial statement, because sooner or later you'll have to defeat a demon hiding in his body for the first time. This duel is going to be extremely easy, however you should try ending it as soon as possible. I would recommend using ice spells, because not only they'll deal a lot of damage but you'll also freeze your opponent.
You'll have to defeat the demon a few more times (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 4). Each time you'll be forced to use a portal and to find Connor's new hideout. Notice that later on the demon will not be alone, because smaller creatures will appear around him. Always focus on the main boss and once it's gone deal with the remaining enemy forces. Defeating the demon in the last location (Redcliffe Castle Fade M, 5) will result in your character returning back from the Fade and finishing this quest will activate the next one - Urn of Sacred Ashe
Approval for this final choice
Alistair approves (+4)
Leliana approves (+2)
Oghren disapproves (-3)
Sten disapproves (-10)
Wynne approves (+4)
Result
Once the demon has departed, a cutscene presents the state of Redcliffe. Teagan is leading the rebuilding effort since the arl is still sick (albeit in what seems to be a stable condition).
Jowan
If Jowan is still alive and helped send someone into the Fade then Teagan asks for advice in dealing with him.
If you say Jowan should be executed Teagan asks if you are sure.
If you say you'd prefer to do it yourself he says Jowan is back in his cell and you can kill him yourself.
Otherwise no matter what you say Teagan has Jowan killed immediately.
If you say Jowan should be released, or that it's not Teagan's decision to make and then say that Teagan is right, then Jowan is imprisoned again. If you go to his cell he is there but you cannot have a conversation with him nor kill him.
No matter what else you say, Teagan imprisons him again until the arl can make a decision. If this is the case, Jowan is not found in his cell.
If Teagan gave you permission to kill Jowan then you can visit him in his cell in the dungeon. He accepts his fate and tries to explain his actions.
If you kill him saying "I hereby execute you for your crimes":
Alistair disapproves (-5)
Leliana disapproves (-3)
Morrigan disapproves (-5)
Sten approves (+7)
If you kill him after saying "I'm sorry," there are no approval changes. This option is available for magi Wardens.
If he's not killed, he stays in his cell; cannot free him.
Alistair’s Reaction
Upon arriving in camp after resolving the situation with Connor, Alistair will confront the Warden about it. If the Warden chose to kill Connor, or allowed Jowan to use blood magic to reach the Fade, Alistair will angrily confront her/him about it; you can attempt to mitigate Alistair's reaction, or fan the flames.
Allowing Jowan to use blood magic may trigger Alistair to lose (-10) immediately, and during the camp conversation, up to an additional (-41) can be lost.
If Alistair was in the party and the Warden killed Connor, (-41) from the camp conversation may be lost. However, if the Warden assures Alistair that the act was not enjoyed, Alistair may acknowledge the choice as necessary, and only (-6) will be lost; this may be affected by the way in which the Warden speaks to Connor and Isolde during the quest.
If Alistair was not in the party when Connor was killed or Jowan used blood magic, he will still confront the Warden in camp. He can be persuaded that the Warden did the best they could, leading to a loss of only (-9) or, even less, (-6) if the Warden succeeds in persuading him that there was no other option.
If Alistair was in the party when Connor was killed or Jowan was allowed to use blood magic, he will confront the Warden at the camp. If the Warden picks the option "I think that turned out quite well, don't you?" in response to the confrontation, Alistair will thank the Warden for saving the Arl's family, even though either Connor or Isolde was killed. Alistair will gain (+7) from this conversation. However, on this same response can invoke a possible (-13).
If the Circle of Magi was called in, which resulted in Connor and his mother living, then when Alistair confronts you, he will thank you rather than be angry and you gain (+7).
The Urn of Sacred Ashes
Once you decide what you're going to do with Connor, this quest become more prevalent, unless you have already completed it as speaking with Ser Donal had advised you were to start when you were in Lothering.
As Teagan (and Isolde, if she is alive) says the only hope for healing the arl is the Urn of Sacred Ashes. If The Urn of Sacred Ashes is already completed, you can present the ashes to them immediately.