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SebastianSB
174,218
Achievement won on 19 Mar 11TA Score for this game: 1,502
Posted on 20 March 11 at 04:28, Edited on 30 March 11 at 03:45
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This solution has 120 positive votes and 0 negative votes. Please log in to vote. |
There are four secret messages in each of the game's three acts. You cannot revisit a previous act, so make sure you get them all before you move on. You only seem to need three from each act in order to unlock the achievement, but it's pretty easy to get all four so why not? Every time you get one of the secret messages it gets added to a Codex entry in your Journal. You can find that entry here:
Pause Menu > Journal > Codex > Lore > The Enigma of Kirkwall
For each secret message I've included a location, description, pictures, and the first words of the message. If you're unsure whether you have certain messages, check that Codex entry and compare it to the quotes I've included in this solution. Each message will be added to that Codex entry as you find them.
I recommend reading the descriptions of all four messages as soon as you start each act. Some are only available during certain quests and can be missed.
ACT I
1. The Bone Pit
“It is as we thought. The quarries of Kirkwall...”
- As you approach the southeastern corner of the Bone Pit you’ll see a some boulders blocking a path on your left. The letter should be near the middle one.
2. The Gallows
“Ancient Tevinter lore is hard to come by, but there's history...”
- Go to the northernmost room in the Gallows and the secret letter will be in a pile of rubble in an alley to your right (to the west).
3. Lowtown (Night)
"In the back alleys of Lowtown you can find extraordinary things..."
- As you enter the Elven Alienage in Lowtown at night head straight ahead. There will be a secret letter near the sewer entrance.
4. Viscount’s Keep
“The viscount is suspicious, but the bribe was sufficient...”
- In the northwest section of Viscount's Keep there's a room with a desk and chairs, Stand behind the desk and face the pair of dressers that are next to the paintings. Hit A. If that doesn't bring anything up then move around a bit while mashing the A button. This one's a little hard to find but it's right in that area. If you only have three of the four secret letters this is probably the one you're missing.
ACT 2
1. Chantry
“Ironically, the Chantry has the best records on the Imperium…”
- Head upstairs in the Chantry and you’ll find it on the end of a long table in front of a fireplace in the northeast corner.
2. Darktown
“After pursuing another dead end, we were attacked by maleficarum…”
- In a small pile of rubble directly to your right as you enter Darktown. There should be a pair of people talking in front of it. (westernmost room)
3. The Docks
“A master mason made a comment that set my mind afire…”
- Go to the Qunari Compound in the northeast corner of The Docks. You’ll find it in a pile of rubble upstairs to the north.
4. Gallows Dungeon (“Dissent”)
“A maze of caves, sewers, and hidden passages! We found three Tevinter…”
- After you complete the Qun main quest at the beginning of the act you’ll get a companion quest for Anders called “Dissent.” Speak with Anders in northern Darktown, then travel to the Gallows Dungeon in southern Darktown. Play through the dungeon normally until you reach your objective. When you get to the end of the dungeon turn right (west) before you leave and you’ll find the item at the end of the passage.
ACT 3
1. Sewers ("Justice")
“It is well known that the Veil is thin in Kirkwall, small wonder…”
- The companion quest “Justice” will become available at the beginning of Act 3. Speak with Anders in his Darktown clinic, then go to the Sewers in southern Darktown. Go down the stairs to the south and you’ll find the Band of Three message in an alcove to the southwest.
2. Smetty’s Fish Guttery (“Gamlen’s Greatest Treasure”)
“A recent trove was uncovered. This one was big, perhaps the archon’s…”
- Once you have the secondary quest “Gamlen’s Greatest Treasure” go to Gamlen’s home in Lowtown. Read the note on his table, then speak to him. This will lead to a series of tiny quests where you travel around Kirkwall, get in a small fight in central Darktown, visit the elven alienage, and then finally end up at Smetty’s Fish Guttery. Once you’re inside you’ll find the secret message on the dock to the west.
3. Templar Hall (“On The Loose”)
“Access has not been easy, and I fear my disguise will not bear great…”
- During the main story of Act 3 you’ll get the quest On The Loose, which asks you to speak to Knight-Commander Meredith at the Templar Hall in the Gallows. Go to the Gallows on the Kirkwall Map, then the Templar Hall. Go up the stairs to your left (west), but walk past the room the quest tells you to enter. Enter the next room after that and you’ll find the secret message next to the door inside.
4. The Docks (“Last Straw”)
“We went to the center of it all. F. is dead and I am alone…”
- This becomes available after the point of no return in the main story. You’ll visit the Gallows to see the First Enchanter arguing with Knight-Commander Meredith, a bunch of dramatic things happen, you make big decisions, etc. Once you end up at the Docks you’ll fight a random blood mage that summons a bunch of shades and a pride demon. After the fight turn right (east) and you’ll find the final secret message in plain sight.
If you have any questions, post a comment and I'll try to help out. |
Silver Scorpian
166,157
Achievement won on 13 Mar 11TA Score for this game: 1,111
Posted on 10 March 11 at 21:18, Edited on 14 March 11 at 02:16
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This solution has 21 positive votes and 4 negative votes. Please log in to vote. |
| Here are some videos showing exactly where the locations of each secret message from the Band of Three in Acts 1 and 2 for the Archeologist Achievement.
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Mercutio0305
117,329
Achievement won on 12 Mar 11TA Score for this game: 2,113
Posted on 12 March 11 at 10:00
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This solution has 10 positive votes and 5 negative votes. Please log in to vote. |
Video is not from me, found it on youtube
shows all the secret letters from the band of three, in all acts
credit goes to "xero ice"
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