Skyhold

The fate of Empress Celene and, in turn, all of Orlais has been threatened. The Inquisition must intervene.

Back in Skyhold, the Inquisitor has a conversation with Leliana. She’s pleased with the Inquisition’s victory at Adamant but stresses the importance of preventing the assassination attempt on Empress Celene. Arrangements have been made for you to attend the masquerade ball being held at the Winter Palace in Halamshiral. Once there, you must uncover and disrupt the Venatori plot against the Imperial Court. Leliana suggests Corypheus may also be behind the conflict between the empress and her cousin, Grand Duke Gaspard. If Celene can be saved, she’ll be a powerful ally against Corypheus. If you haven’t spoken to Josephine since arriving in Skyhold, do so now. This will unlock the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts operation on the war table, allowing you to attend the ball in Halamshiral.

Gaining Power

Before you can attend the ball in Halamshiral, you must acquire a minimum of 30 power. If you’ve been completing side quests throughout your adventure, there’s a good chance you’re close to meeting this requirement—simply completing Here Lies the Abyss earns you six power. But if you still need to accumulate some power, put the masquerade ball aside for now and resume exploring the wildernesses you’ve unlocked thus far. Clearing out Crestwood and the Western Approach should give you enough power to attend the ball. Don’t forget revisiting the Hinterlands. If you haven’t already, the Fallow Mire and Storm Coast are worth scouting and exploring. Or if you’ve recovered at least one shard by using an ocularum, pay a visit to the Forbidden Oasis. But you’ll get the most power out of completing quests (and closing Fade rifts) in the Exalted Plains, Emerald Graves, and Emprise du Lion. Scouting these locales may cost power, but you’ll quickly earn back whatever you spent. Going forward, you’ll need more and more power to complete critical path operations on the war table, so now’s a good time to expand the Inquisition’s influence into locales you haven’t visited.

Recommended Quests

The War Room

When you have at least 30 power, go to the war table and select the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts operation, costing 30 power. Apparently, Empress Celene will be conducting peace talks at the ball, meeting with Grand Duke Gaspard and Ambassador Briala. Josephine feels the assassin must be hiding among one of these factions. It’s believed Corypheus is behind the assassination attempt. Killing Empress Celene will certainly have a destabilizing effect on Orlais, giving Corypheus and the Venatori the opening they’ve been waiting for. You must get the bottom of this plot and prevent Empress Celene from falling victim to this devious scheme. Select your party, then prepare yourself to delve deep into cutthroat Game of Orlesian politics.