The main quest Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts in Dragon Age: Inquisition presents players with one of the most political and consequence-heavy storylines in the game. Navigating the Winter Palace ball requires balancing court approval while uncovering scandalous secrets about Empress Celene, Grand Duke Gaspard, and Ambassador Briala. Achieving the absolute best resolution demands thorough exploration, careful dialogue choices, and strategic gathering of hidden evidence throughout the palace.
Understanding the Truce Resolution
Many players consider the public truce between Celene, Gaspard, and Briala to be the optimal narrative resolution. Forcefully uniting all three factions under the Inquisition's command ensures long-term political stability for Orlais. To unlock this specific outcome, the Inquisitor must recover all secret blackmail materials tied to each major political figure before the final confrontation.
Gathering sufficient evidence requires exploring restricted areas of the Winter Palace without allowing Court Approval to drop completely. You must locate the high-value secrets hidden in the Guest Garden, Royal Wing, and servant quarters. Managing your time in restricted zones ensures you have enough leverage to dictate terms during the climax.
Prerequisites and Required Collectibles
To successfully reconcile the three leaders, players must collect specific key items during the event. You need to find the knife tied to Gaspard's treasonous plot, as well as the scandalous locket hidden in the Royal Wing. Additionally, maintaining a Court Approval rating of 85 or higher is essential for executing the most favorable dialogue branches.
Exploring every nook and cranny rewards players with Halla Statuettes needed to unlock secure doors. Prioritize opening doors that conceal political scandal rather than simple loot chests to secure maximum leverage. Keep an eye out for eavesdropping locations to gather background intelligence on court nobles.
Navigating the Final Climax
When Grand Duchess Florianne launches her assassination attempt against Empress Celene, you must choose how to intervene. Publicly exposing Florianne before she strikes allows you to defeat her while preserving the Empress's life and maintaining high court standing. After resolving the immediate threat, present your gathered blackmail to all three leaders simultaneously.
By confronting Celene, Gaspard, and Briala together, you can force them into a public alliance under the supervision of the Inquisition. This outcome keeps Orlais united against upcoming threats while maximizing moral stability and war table resources for your campaign. Planning your path carefully guarantees a successful resolution for your playthrough.
