70

From the catacombs, you head straight to the Grand Proving Arena. Everyone in Minrathous is familiar with it—a great, ancient structure, once the pride of the city, based on dwarven designs and built with the assistance of dwarven architects. The terraced gardens hung around its exterior contain plants from every corner of Thedas and possibly beyond, some of which exist nowhere else. The arena itself is a miracle of glass and stone and crystal, polished to perfection and available only to those who can afford the entrance fee.

Tonight, that’s all of you.

When you arrive, though, you have to weigh your odds. You could enter through the hanging gardens, but they’re a maze at the best of times, let alone in the dark of night and crawling with Venatori. Going straight to the arena would be quicker, but it would also leave you bottlenecked in the corridors and exposed everywhere else—a risk you’re not sure you can afford to take.

Ashur favors the cautious approach; Tarquin prefers speed. Dorian appears to be distracted, perhaps with thoughts of his new friend, so you’ll have to be the tie-breaker.

• To go through the hanging gardens, turn to page 71.
• To head straight for the arena, turn to page 89.
• Just here for fun? Turn to page 68.