Forbidden Knowledge Dragon Age 2 Quest Walkthrough And Choices
In Dragon Age 2, the side quest Forbidden Knowledge presents players with a compelling series of choices and combat challenges centered around ancient malevolent texts. Unlocked during Act 2, this mission tasks Hawke with tracking down dark grimoires scattered throughout Kirkwall and its surrounding territories. Navigating these encounters carefully allows players to maximize character stat bonuses while ensuring their party remains intact.
Locating the Five Evil Tomes
To initiate the questline, Hawke must locate five Evil Tomes hidden across various regional dungeons and city areas. These books can be found inside the Viscount's Keep, the Chantry, the Bone Pit cave, the Wounded Coast, and Sundermount. Each location features ambient hazards and darkspawn or demon encounters that test your combat preparation.
Interacting with each grimoire triggers a dialogue prompt where Hawke can choose to either read or destroy the dark knowledge. Destroying the initial five tomes is essential if you wish to unlock the final confrontation in the Forgotten Lair located beneath Darktown. Players can also reference community walkthroughs or guides for detailed navigation steps across Kirkwall's maps.
Navigating the Forgotten Lair
Once all five grimoires are destroyed, the entrance to the Forgotten Lair opens up inside Darktown. Bringing a skilled Rogue equipped to disarm master-level traps is highly recommended before venturing into the lair. The final chamber houses the Fell Grimoire, guarded by the powerful demon Xebenkeck and her entourage.
Interacting with the Fell Grimoire presents the ultimate decision of the questline. Players can choose to destroy the book, destroying the demon's influence, or read it to claim additional stat points. Reading the final grimoire grants Hawke bonus attribute points, though it triggers an immediate battle with Xebenkeck.
Confronting Xebenkeck and Quest Rewards
The boss fight against Xebenkeck requires active crowd control and positioning, as she summons numerous Abominations and Shades. Retaining distance from the spawns while focusing fire on high-threat targets keeps your party alive during the encounter.
Defeating Xebenkeck yields substantial experience points and high-tier endgame equipment, including powerful staves for companion mages. Completing the quest successfully concludes one of Act 2's most rewarding narrative storylines. Balancing moral choices against character power rewards makes Forbidden Knowledge a standout quest in the campaign.