The Dereliction of Duty side quest in Dragon Age Origins provides players with an intriguing opportunity to track down runaway Templars across Ferelden. Given by the Chantry board or internal factions, this task tests your tracking skills and combat readiness. Finding these deserters requires exploring key areas while deciding how to deal with those who abandoned their sacred vows.
Starting the Quest and Locating Deserters
To begin Dereliction of Duty, you must first accept the contract from the Blackstone Irregulars or related quest notice boards. The objective tasks the Grey Warden with hunting down three specific Templar deserters who fled their posts during the Fifth Blight. Each target is located in a different major hub across the map, requiring travel between key regions.
The targets can be found in Denerim, the Lake Calenhad Docks, and the Frostback Mountains near Orzammar. Searching these regions thoroughly will reveal the deserters hiding among civilians or in secluded spots. Preparing your party with strong crowd control and physical defense will make these encounters far easier.
Confronting the Deserters in Combat
When you approach each deserter, dialogue options will quickly escalate into hostile encounters. Templars possess powerful abilities such as Holy Smite and Cleanse Aura, which can disrupt your mages and deal significant area damage. It is critical to target them quickly using melee disablers or ranged attacks.
Focusing fire on the main target before taking down their cohorts prevents your spellcasters from getting silenced repeatedly. Keeping health potions ready and utilizing ice or stun magic ensures your party stays alive. Defeating all three deserters fulfills the combat requirements of the quest.
Quest Completion and Rewards
After successfully defeating the deserters, return to the representative who issued the contract to claim your reward. Completing the task grants valuable experience points and sovereign currency to fund your journey. It also improves your standing with faction boards scattered throughout the realm.
While the quest leaves little room for peaceful resolutions, it offers essential resources for middle-game progression. Gathering extra loot from the fallen enemies provides useful equipment and gear to sell. Navigating these side contracts efficiently helps maximize your team's combat effectiveness overall.
