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Dragon Age II eGuide
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Contents

  • Maps
    • Maps
      • Introduction to Maps
      • Blightlands
      • Hightown (Day)
      • Hightown (Night)
      • Lowtown (Day)
      • Lowtown (Night)
      • Docks (Day)
      • Docks (Night)
      • Gallows Courtyard
      • Darktown
      • The Hanged Man (Day)
      • The Hanged Man (Night)
      • Houses
      • The Blooming Rose
      • Hawke Estate
      • The Chantry
      • Viscount's Keep
      • Merril's Home
      • The Deep Roads
      • Primeval Ruins
      • Ancient Crypt
      • Sundermount
      • The Wounded Coast
      • Sundermount Caverns
      • The Bone Pit
      • Caves and Mines (1)
      • Caves and Mines (2)
      • Dungeons
      • Sewers
      • Lairs
      • Sanctuary & Hideouts
      • Foundries
      • Alleys (1)
      • Alleys (2)
      • Warehouses
      • Caverns (1)
      • Caverns (2)
      • Mansions (1)
      • Mansions (2)
      • Estates
      • Random Encounters
      • Random Encounters 2
      • Random Encounters 3
      • Templar Hall
      • The Black Emporium
      • Gallows Prison
  • Essentials
    • Strategy & Analysis
      • Useful Features
      • The Dialogue System
      • Friendship & Rivalry
      • Attributes
      • Resistances
      • Elements
      • Status Effects
      • Cross-Class Combos
      • Character Roles
      • Party Builds
      • Tactics
      • Combat Strategy
      • Nightmare Difficulty
      • Threat Management
      • Companion Analysis
    • Abilities
      • Introduction to Abilities
      • Warrior Abilities
      • Rogue Abilities
      • Mage abilities
    • Inventory
      • Introduction
      • Equipment Properties
      • Warrior Weapons
      • Mage Weapons
      • Rogue Weapons
      • Mage Armor
      • Warrior Armor
      • Rogue Armor
      • Armor Sets
      • Generated Equipment
      • Unique Accessories
      • Special Items
      • Shops
      • Crafting
    • Bestiary
      • Introduction
      • Ranks
      • Enemy Identification
      • Enemies
    • Extra Help for Act 1
      • Using the World Map
      • Gamlen’s House
      • Act 1 Companions
      • Act 1 Optional Activities
      • Act 1 Merchants
      • Maximizing Damage
      • Essential Purchases
      • Miscellany
      • Achievements & Trophies
      • Ancient Rock Wraith
    • Extra help for Act 2
      • Companion relationships
      • Essential Purchases
      • Miscellany
      • Optional Activites
      • The Arishok
      • Achievements and Trophies
    • Extra help for Act 3
      • Recommended Purchases
      • Optional Activities
      • Achievements & Trophies
      • Orsino
      • Final Battle
    • Unlockables
      • Achievements and Trophies
    • Dragon Age Encyclopedia
      • Introduction
      • Major Groups & Organizations
      • Dragon Age: Origins
      • Dragon Age II
      • Writing as a Cornerstone
  • Walkthrough
    • Prologue
      • Escape from The Blight
      • Creating Hawke
      • XP & Level Up
      • Companions
      • Quests & Miscellany
    • Act One
      • The Deep Roads Expedition
    • Act Two
      • Demands of the Qun
    • Act Three
      • The Last Straw
    • Act One Quests
      • Main Plot Quests
      • Secondary Quests
      • Companion Quests
      • Side Quests
    • Act Two Quests
      • Main plot quests
      • Secondary Quests
      • Companion Quests
      • Side Quests
    • Act Three Quests
      • Main plot quests
      • Secondary Quests
      • Companion Quests
      • Side Quests
    • Miscellaneous Activities
      • Additional Encoutners
  • DLC
    • Quests
      • The Exiled Prince
  • Extras
    • Extras
      • Achievements & Trophies
      • Dragon Age Encyclopedia
      • Races and Religion
      • Major Characters
      • Story Recap

Dragon Age II Guide › Essentials › Extra Help for Act 1

Gamlen’s House

Though Hawke’s uncle may not be the most convivial host, this hovel acts as your base of operations during the events of Act 1. Paying a visit will instantly cure any existing injuries and allow you to reselect your party members.

  • Interact with the Writing Desk to collect letters sent to Hawke. Though some missives only reflect plot developments (such as the letter that awaits you on first visit from the employer you chose at the end of the Prologue), reading many of these will trigger a quest or unlock the possibility of interaction in the game world. An animated envelope will appear next to Gamlen’s House on the World Map whenever new mail arrives.
  • The chest marked Storage can be used to safely stash items for future retrieval. This is extremely useful when you wish to save powerful weapons, armor or accessories until Hawke or his companions meet the usage requirements.
  • Bethany or Carver can be found here when not travelling with your party. If you have access to Dog, you have one opportunity to rename him here. Miss it in Act 1, and you have to settle for the default monicker.

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