Like many Dragon Age followers, Iβm doing a replay earlier than the brand new sport comes out later in October. Iβm on my third playthrough of Dragon Age: Inquisition, and regardless that Iβm lastly working the sport on a pc that may help mods for nice-looking lengthy hair and prettier garments, one thing is lacking from the best model of my Inquisitor. So I took it upon myself to trace down one of many sportβs most elusive objects: the Ardent Blossom, a flower crown helmet that you just solely get after finishing a sequence of unintuitive quests.
I solely realized that this merchandise existed on this most up-to-date playthrough, and I found it by trawling the Dragon Age wiki. I grew to become intent on getting my arms on it, particularly since Iβve spent years drawing and commissioning artwork of my character carrying the same flower crown, regardless of being utterly unaware I may get one within the sport. Since Iβd already performed by means of this sport twice, I made a decision to ignore any logical plot development this time, simply to get my arms on the dang flower crown.
And eventually, after sinking hours in and trekking throughout a number of completely different areas, my character can now twirl round along with her stunning (and truly fairly highly effective) flower crown each within the sport and on my cellphone wallpaper. All it took wasβ¦ nicelyβ¦
Picture: BioWare/Digital Arts by way of gamerlifemedia
I primarily used the information on the Dragon Age wiki (and a few useful Reddit threads) to seek out this helmet. First, I journeyed to an unmarked spot within the Emerald Graves area. For the reason that quest doesnβt activate till you do a really particular motion (extra on that in a bit), I estimated the place to land primarily based on a map I discovered on the Dragon Age wiki to seek out the precise spot. And so I discovered it, as foretold, beneath an elven mural and behind a thicket of bushes. There lay a tiny, tiny cave (the hunt is, fittingly, known as βThe Tiniest Caveβ), which regarded extra like a wee rock formation.
After which, I jumped on it 50 instances.
Now, the instructions I used to be following mentioned βround 50β instances and I positively misplaced rely round 15, so for my journalistic integrity, Iβm going to notice that it was really βround 50β instances. I spammed the leap button till a voice line was triggered. Lastly, the hunt popped up on my log.
Picture: BioWare/Digital Arts by way of gamerlifemedia
Then got here half two: discovering 10 Crystal Grace flowers.
These flowers are fairly uncommon in-game. I knew, vaguely, which maps they appeared on, however I needed to seek the advice of the web to seek out precisely the place they have been so I didnβt sink too a lot time into wandering the Hinterlands. Sadly, they have been concentrated in a really bear-filled space of the map, which meant that whereas my character went off choosing flowers, her get together was out killing bears. We do what we should for the aesthetic.
As soon as all 10 flowers have been in hand, I went again to the cave to deposit them. Then, the cave spat out one other cryptic line: βThe steps! The steps that go down. Means, method down. Iβll be there. Youβll be there.β
The clue is so obscure, however in keeping with the wiki, it factors to a hidden collapse Emprise Du Lion, a totally separate area. Itβs additionally one of many extra complicated maps within the sport, since thereβs a ton of tunnels and different topography within the mountainous panorama. Regardless, I made my approach to that space, zipping by means of the principle quest strains so I may get to that particular level deep on the map. I’d as nicely thwart the Purple Lyrium mining operation whereas Iβm there, however actually I used to be beelining to the underside a part of Suledin Hold.
Observe: You do not really must beat the enemies within the Hold and declare it to get to this space. I didnβt understand that, so I wasted a while on that aspect quest.
Picture: BioWare/Digital Arts by way of gamerlifemedia
Iβve performed this sport twice earlier than, and to be sincere, up till my newfound and self-imposed mission, I used to be getting a bit fatigued with exploring the massive maps Iβd seen earlier than and checking off the quests that Iβd already carried out. I nonetheless love Dragon Age: Inquisition, so that is no fault of the sport, however moderately my very own longing for one thing new. The Ardent Blossom gave my trek by means of Thedas a brand new perspective. Iβm even extra excited for The Veilguard now, as a result of my love for this world has been totally rekindled.
That being mentioned, it was nonetheless a bitch and a half to seek out my approach to the underside a part of the fortress, as a result of even on my third playthrough, the mountainous areas of the sport are nonetheless onerous to learn on the map. And from there, I needed to discover a particular juncture of fallen wooden, leap on a platform, and enter an illusory wall to get into an odd tunnel.
Now, in a creepy dungeon, I may comply with the directions of the mysterious voice. Specifically to go βdown, method, method down.β
I went down so many flights of eerie, darkish stairs that I misplaced rely. Till I lastly reached a tiny little room that was principally only a single platform of stone tile in full and utter darknessβ¦
Picture: BioWare/Digital Arts by way of gamerlifemedia
And there it was! My coveted flower crown!
However I wasnβt leveled up sufficient to really equip it. Fortunately, that downside mounted itself after one other predominant quest and several other (most likely extra related to the principle story) aspect quests. And now, lastly, my Inquisitor is actually at peak kind.
That’s, till I can create her within the Veilguard character creatorβ¦
Dragon Age: The Veilguard will probably be launched Oct. 31 on PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, and Xbox Collection X.