Act of Mercy is one of the pivotal Act 1 main quests in Dragon Age 2 that highlights the growing tension between mages and templars in Kirkwall. Players receive this assignment through Ser Thrask, a sympathetic templar who seeks a peaceful resolution with a group of rogue apostates hiding in nearby caves. Navigating this mission carefully is essential, as the choices Hawke makes here significantly impact companion approval ratings and future storyline developments.
How to Unlock Act of Mercy in Dragon Age 2
To begin this quest, Hawke must first complete several preliminary main quests in Act 1, including Enemies Among Us and Wayward Son. Once the prerequisite requirements are met, Ser Thrask will reach out to ask for assistance in dealing with the escaped Starkhaven mages. Accepting the task allows Hawke to travel to the secluded cavern location on the World Map to begin negotiations.
Before heading out, players should carefully select their party members based on their intended approach to the conflict. Characters like Anders and Merrill generally favor protecting the mages, whereas Fenris and Aveline lean toward supporting templar authority. Bringing Varric along is also beneficial, as his charming dialogue options can open unique diplomatic solutions during negotiations.
Navigating the Caverns and Meeting Grace
Inside the cave, Hawke encounters Decimus, a powerful blood mage leading the group of apostates. Confronting Decimus inevitably leads to a fight, as his paranoia prevents him from trusting Hawke or Ser Thrask's intentions. After defeating Decimus and his blood magic summons, Hawke meets Grace, who assumes leadership over the surviving mages.
Grace urges Hawke to help the remaining apostates escape from Kirkwall before more templars arrive on the scene. She asks Hawke to either lie to Ser Thrask or eliminate him to secure their freedom. Hawke must make an immediate decision regarding whether to aid the mages' flight or hand them over to the Circle.
Dealing with Ser Thrask and Knight-Captain Karras
If Hawke chooses to assist Grace, they can lie to Ser Thrask upon exiting the cavern, claiming that all mages perished during the confrontation. However, Knight-Captain Karras soon arrives with additional templar reinforcements to audit the site. At this point, Hawke can either persuade Karras to stand down, use Varric's quick wit to de-escalate, or engage in violent combat against the templars.
Alternatively, Hawke can side with Karras and surrender the apostates back into templar custody. While this option satisfies strictly pro-templar companions, it results in a grim outcome for the escapees. Players who prefer a balanced playthrough must weigh these moral dilemmas carefully before making a final commitment.
Long-Term Consequences of Your Decisions
The resolution of Act of Mercy influences several secondary quests and dialogue interactions throughout Act 2 and Act 3. Helping Grace escape unlocks specific follow-up quests in later chapters, whereas handing the mages over changes how certain characters treat Hawke in Kirkwall. These branching outcomes showcase how early choices in Dragon Age 2 ripple throughout Hawke's entire journey.
