Unwelcome Guests Quest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard – A Complete Walkthrough

Key Takeaways:

1. The “Unwelcome Guests” quest involves clearing out Venatori enemies in the Necropolis Halls and offers substantial rewards for completion.
2. Two key locations, the Path of Sighs and the Cascades, are central to eliminating the Venatori forces.
3. Strategic use of abilities, environmental clues, and defeating the Burgeoning Malice boss are essential for success.

If you’re diving into Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the “Unwelcome Guests” side quest is a must-play adventure in the Necropolis Halls region. This quest, while optional, is rich in lore, strategic combat, and worthwhile rewards that boost both your resources and influence. Here’s an in-depth walkthrough to ensure you complete it seamlessly.

Starting the Unwelcome Guests Quest

To begin, head to the Necropolis Halls, which you unlock during your exploration of the Hollow Belfry. Navigate to the Lower Hollow Belfry, where you’ll find Myrna and Vorgoth, leaders of the Mourn Watch. Speak with them to activate the quest.

You can also trigger the quest after recruiting Emmrich, another key figure in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This quest ties into his storyline and the broader efforts to cleanse the Necropolis of Venatori interference.

First Objective: Defeating the First Venatori Group

Location: Northeast of the Hollow Belfry

The first group of Venatori enemies is located just northeast of the Hollow Belfry. Follow the right-hand path to a door sealed with a red Venatori crystal. Destroy the crystal using any weapon or ability, and proceed through the now-open path.

Once inside, you’ll encounter:

• Four Venatori Soldiers – Vulnerable to cold but resistant to fire.
• Red Lyrium Barriers – Block key passages and conceal treasures.

Combat Tips:

1. Target the Venatori Soldiers first, as their melee attacks can overwhelm.
2. Destroy the surrounding red lyrium crystals to weaken barriers and open up pathways for exploration.
3. Use cold-based spells or abilities for an edge in combat.

After clearing the area, dismantle the triple red lyrium barrier. Behind it, you’ll find:

• A Memento (lore-rich artifact).
• A Codex item (adds story depth and unlocks information).

Destroy any remaining barriers in the area to improve navigation. This also makes it easier to traverse between the Hollow Belfry and subsequent locations.

Second Objective: Confronting the Second Venatori Group

Pathway Options:

To locate the second group of Venatori, you can choose between two routes:

1. Direct Path – From the northeast exit of the Hollow Belfry, circle clockwise along the Path of Sighs.
2. Spectral Court Route – A quicker option, but you’ll need to defeat Burgeoning Malice, a mini-boss, to proceed.

Defeating Burgeoning Malice (Optional Mini-Boss)

Located in the Spectral Court, Burgeoning Malice is a formidable foe. This boss fight is a test of patience and strategy, as it uses devastating AOE (area of effect) attacks.

Tips for Victory:

• Use ranged attacks and spells to stay out of harm’s way.
• Utilize the environment for cover to avoid its AOE abilities.
• Focus on interrupts to prevent its charge-up attacks.

Venatori Group in the Cascades

After defeating Burgeoning Malice, head southward to the Cascades. Here, you’ll face:

• Three Venatori Soldiers
• One Cult Mage – Requires destroying a red lyrium crystal to weaken its defenses.
• Lesser Voltaic Shade – Despite its name, it is vulnerable to cold and resistant to necrotic damage.

Strategy for the Cascades Fight:

• Prioritize the Cult Mage by breaking the crystal shielding it.
• Eliminate the Venatori Soldiers while using available cover.
• Save the Lesser Voltaic Shade for last, as it is slower but hits harder.

Rewards for Completing the Quest

Upon defeating both groups of Venatori, the quest concludes, and you’ll earn the following rewards:

• 500 XP – Helps level up your character quickly.
• 200 Gold – A solid boost to your funds.
• 5 Fade-Touched Ore – Valuable for crafting and upgrades.
• +50 Mourn Watch Strength – Strengthens alliances with the Mourn Watch.
• +50 Shadow Dragons Strength – Enhances influence with the Shadow Dragons faction.

Bonus: The Cascades Brazier Puzzle

In the Cascades room, you’ll notice four green braziers, one of which is broken. Solving this puzzle is optional but grants additional rewards.

How to Solve It:

1. Interact with the standing braziers, which release wisps.
2. Light all three braziers in the room:
   • One near the east corner of the room (same wall as the broken brazier).
   • One on the southwest wall in the north corner.
   • One in the west corner, left of the exit to the Spectral Court.
3. After lighting all three, the broken brazier will glow orange. Use Placate Mischief to release a wisp.
4. Guide the wisp to the nearby node to unlock a hidden door.

Behind the Door:

• A Memento painting (valuable collectible).
• A chest with additional loot.
• A skeleton to interact with (if Emmrich is in your party). This boosts your bond with him, though it doesn’t grant XP or items.

FAQs

Q: Is the “Unwelcome Guests” quest mandatory?
No, it’s an optional side quest, but completing it significantly enhances your resources, lore understanding, and faction strength.

Q: What’s the best approach to the Venatori fights?
Leverage elemental weaknesses (cold against Venatori Soldiers) and prioritize eliminating crystal-based barriers to reduce enemy advantages.

Q: Can I replay this quest?
No, but you can revisit the Necropolis Halls for exploration and to collect missed items or solve puzzles like the Cascades brazier challenge.

Q: What are the benefits of solving the Cascades Brazier Puzzle?
It unlocks a hidden room with a collectible Memento, loot, and additional dialogue that deepens the storyline.