Key Takeaways:

1. Neve’s companion quests deepen her backstory and unlock powerful gameplay benefits, enhancing both story immersion and character bond.
2. Companion quests affect your relationships and game outcomes, including Neve’s final transformation into either a protector or hero of Dock Town.
3. Timing is crucial for initiating quests, as some are locked out based on story progression or major choices.

In the rich, sprawling world of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, your companions are more than just battle allies. They are complex characters with detailed backstories, and nurturing your bond with them can impact both the narrative and gameplay. Among these companions is Neve Gallus, a sharp-minded investigator from Minrathous. Completing her companion quests not only helps you gain her approval but also reveals her intricate personality and past, enhancing your experience of the game’s story.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through Neve’s companion quests step by step, ensuring you unlock all the story, rewards, and bonds she has to offer. Along the way, we’ll also explore why companion quests are critical to the game, delve into the overarching mechanics, and provide additional tips for managing other key characters.

Neve’s Companion Quests: A Breakdown

Neve’s storyline revolves around her investigative prowess, her ties to Dock Town’s dark underworld, and her pursuit of justice against Aelia, a cult leader with sinister motives. She has four primary companion quests, each adding layers to her character and advancing the story. Let’s explore them in detail.

1. A Study of Dock Town

• How to Start:
  After completing the “Shadow of Minrathous” mission, head to the Lighthouse, where you’ll find a yellow exclamation mark on Neve’s icon. Speak to her to initiate this quest.
• Quest Summary:
  Neve expresses an interest in revisiting Dock Town to gather intel and reconnect with her contacts. Depending on your previous choices (such as saving Treviso), this quest can take slightly different narrative turns.
  • Objective 1: Accompany Neve to Dock Town and investigate rumors.
  • Objective 2: Assist Neve in gathering documents and buying papers from a local vendor.
  • Objective 3: Meet her friends in the town’s underworld to uncover whispers of growing criminal activity.
• Key Outcome:
  Neve begins to unravel a web of criminal conspiracies in Dock Town, laying the groundwork for her future investigations.

2. Chasing Leads

• How to Start:
  Unlock this quest after completing the main story quest “Fire and Ice.” Speak with Neve to progress.
• Quest Summary:
  This quest focuses on advancing Neve’s investigation into Aelia’s cult and the mysterious Shadow Dragons faction. It’s largely a dialogue-heavy mission that moves her personal story forward.
  • Objective: Discuss Neve’s findings, which reveal a direct connection between Dock Town’s corruption and Aelia’s cult.
• Key Outcome:
  This quest is essential for setting up the climactic events in Neve’s storyline, including her final confrontation with Aelia.

3. A Clear Mind

• How to Start:
  After completing “Chasing Leads,” Neve becomes emotionally overwhelmed by the chaos in Dock Town. Speak to her again to start this outing-type quest.
• Quest Summary:
  This intimate quest allows Neve to reflect on her struggles and frustrations. She invites you to help her clear her mind by engaging in a therapeutic activity: skipping rocks by the docks.
  • Objective 1: Collect rocks along the shoreline with Neve.
  • Objective 2: Spend time with her, opening up a heartfelt conversation about her personal ambitions and sense of betrayal by Dock Town’s descent into chaos.
  • Objective 3: Help Neve piece together new insights into the cult’s operations, leading to a breakthrough in her investigation.
• Key Outcome:
  Neve experiences a personal transformation, regaining clarity and determination to confront Aelia.

4. The Returned Cultist Case

• How to Start:
  Speak with Neve after completing her previous quests and advancing the main story to a pivotal moment.
• Quest Summary:
  This is Neve’s climactic companion quest, culminating in a final showdown with Aelia and the Venatori cult.
  • Objective 1: Travel with Neve to Dock Town and infiltrate the Sanctum Lucasan, where Aelia is performing a blood ritual.
  • Objective 2: Battle waves of Venatori cultists as you make your way through the Thread Market and into the Sanctum.
  • Objective 3: Confront Aelia in a challenging boss fight.
• Choice at the End:
  You’ll face a critical decision that determines Neve’s future role in Dock Town:
  • “You bring Dock Town hope.” Neve becomes a heroic figure of inspiration, embodying justice and hope for the people.
  • “You protect Dock Town.” Neve takes on a shadowy, vigilante-like role, ensuring the town’s safety from the shadows.
• Key Outcome:
  Neve’s storyline concludes, and her character arc comes full circle. The choice you make here impacts her personality and her standing in Dock Town.

Why Companion Quests Matter

Companion quests aren’t just side missions; they’re an integral part of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Completing them offers numerous benefits:

1. Stronger Bonds: Maxing out your bond with companions unlocks new skills, improves combat synergy, and increases their chances of surviving critical moments.
2. Deeper Storytelling: These quests often reveal fascinating insights into the game’s lore and your companions’ backstories.
3. Game-Changing Outcomes: Decisions made during companion quests can affect major story events, relationships, and even the ending.

Tips for Managing Companion Relationships

• Prioritize Conversations: Check for yellow exclamation marks on the map when visiting the Lighthouse and other hubs. These indicate companions who are ready to initiate quests or dialogues.
• Monitor Bond Levels: Completing quests, sharing positive dialogue, and giving gifts are all ways to increase bond levels.
• Be Mindful of Choices: Your decisions throughout the game can strengthen or strain relationships. Companions with low approval may leave or die during key moments.

FAQs

1. Can I miss Neve’s companion quests?

Yes. Some of her quests, such as “A Study of Dock Town” and “Chasing Leads,” become unavailable if you advance the main story too far without completing them.

2. What happens if I make the wrong choice at the end of Neve’s questline?

There’s no objectively “wrong” choice, but your decision determines Neve’s final role in Dock Town (hero vs. protector). Pick the option that aligns with your vision of her character.

3. Do companion quests affect the ending of the game?

Yes. Completing companion quests strengthens bonds, unlocks bonuses, and ensures key characters survive pivotal story moments.

4. Can Neve be romanced?

While Neve is not a romanceable character, her deep friendship and trust are rewarding in their own right.