Dragon Age 2 Enemies Among Us: Quest Guide and Choices
Enemies Among Us is one of the most intriguing early-game main quests in Dragon Age 2, taking Hawke deep into the internal corruption and political tension of Kirkwall. The storyline begins in Act 1 after completing the main quest Tranquility, when a concerned woman named Macha asks for aid outside the Hightown Chantry. She fears for her brother Keran, a young templar recruit who has suddenly disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
Starting the Investigation in Kirkwall
To begin your search, head to the Gallows Courtyard to question the local templar recruits about Keran's whereabouts. The nervous responses from his fellow recruits lead Hawke toward Wilmod's Camp, where you encounter Knight-Captain Cullen in a tense confrontation. Battle erupts immediately as Wilmod falls under demonic sway, forcing Hawke to defeat several abominations alongside a powerful Rage Demon.
Following the encounter at the camp, your investigation directs you straight to The Blooming Rose in Hightown. Here, Hawke confronts Idunna, a blood mage hiding in plain sight while trying to manipulate key city figures. Confronting her effectively requires quick thinking to avoid being enthralled by her dangerous mind-control spell.
Dealing with Idunna and the Blood Mages
During the confrontation with Idunna, Hawke faces a critical decision regarding her ultimate fate. You can either spare her and turn her over to the templars or execute her on the spot for her crimes. Sparing Idunna opens up additional context and potential side quests in Act 2, making it a pivotal choice for story-focused players.
After dealing with Idunna, you track the true conspiracy to the Blood Mage Hideout in the city. Inside the sanctuary, Hawke must defeat Tarohne, the mastermind behind the demonic corruption within the templar ranks. Clearing out this hideout eliminates a severe threat to Kirkwall and frees the surviving captives.
Determining Keran's Fate with Cullen
After rescuing Keran from the sanctuary, Hawke must decide how to present the young recruit's situation to Knight-Captain Cullen at the Gallows. If you have Anders or Merrill in your active party, they can thoroughly examine Keran to verify whether any lingering demonic possession remains. Passing this inspection gives you solid proof that Keran is completely free from evil influence.
Validating Keran's innocence allows him to remain an active templar, unlocking the Act 2 side quest How to Frame a Templar later in your playthrough. On the other hand, expressing lingering suspicion or accusing him of vulnerability causes Cullen to discharge him from the order. Choosing to rob Keran of his status opens up a completely different Act 2 questline titled A Debt in the Family.
Consequences and Long-Term Impact
The choices made during Enemies Among Us ripple across multiple acts in Dragon Age 2. Sparing Idunna and clearing Keran's name provides the maximum amount of future side quests while offering valuable companion approval shifts. Players looking to optimize companion relationships should carefully consider party composition during key conversations to align with specific companion values.