Vigil's Keep: Exterior
(1) As your story begins, you reach the outskirts of Vigil's Keep, a Grey Warden stronghold south of Amaranthine, which you are set to take over as Warden-Commander (this is your title no matter if you arrive with a new character or an existing character). You travel with a Grey Warden recruit, the warrior Mhairi, and you both soon realize that something is definitely wrong when no one comes out to greet you. Within seconds, a soldier races out of the keep with darkspawn hot on his heels. Rally behind the soldier and slay the initial trio of genlocks.
(2) You can explore around the main gate and trigger a few darkspawn encounters if you like while hunting for the scattered loot. Once you pass by the main gate, prepare for three darkspawn to attack from different directions. The hurlock and shriek come from your left, and after a few seconds delay, the ogre charges from directly ahead. Let Mhairi take the brunt of the damage (unless your character is a warrior tank too), while you deal damage quickly to the ogre before it pounds you both.
(3) After clearing out the lower level, climb up the ladder and approach the closed gate. The gate explodes outward and knocks you off your feet. Fortunately, Mhairi is light on hers and she races ahead to intercept the two hurlocks who charge out. In the back, a genlock emissary will begin casting nasty AoE spells. Don't give him a chance. Interrupt with a disruptive attack such Paralyze, or charge straight for him and stun him with a melee talent. Keep the battle close to the shattered gate so you don't pull in any other enemies while you take these three down.
(4) If you head to the right, watch out for a major ambush when you enter the open courtyard. Hurlocks, a genlock, and a shriek all lurk in the area and love to converge as you approach. Deal with the shriek first, because it will appear behind you and try to deal damage to your exposed side.
(5) To the left after the shattered gate lies the portcullis entrance to the Inner Keep. Two hurlocks patrol the area, and you'll have to get through them to gain the exit point. If you can kill these two hurlocks before they kill the nearby Vigil's Keep soldier, the grateful soldier offers the "A Medical Necessity" side quest. See the "Vigil's Keep" section in the Side Quest chapter for complete details.