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By the time you reach the catacombs, you’re damp and chilly. Adding the tunnels’ eerie noises and unearthly glow to the mix has you trying—and failing—to remember why you chose this over a life where you could be having a hot bath right now or looking forward to a delicious plate of unidentified spiced meat.

You step into the entrance chamber, your footsteps echoing around you. The space sounds bigger than it really is… or is that just your imagination talking?

There’s no sign of anyone as you walk through the chamber and down the first tunnel. In fact, there’s no sign of anything at all until you round a corner and are suddenly faced with a pack of darkspawn, their eyes glowing a terrifying red in the half-dark. Your sword is up, Tarquin poised to leap forward, before you realize—they’re not attacking you.

Ashur holds up a hand and everyone stops moving, swords and staves at the ready. The darkspawn don’t move; they just stand where they are, watching you in sinister silence.

• If you fight the darkspawn, turn to page 107.
• If you wait to see what they’ll do, turn to page 109.