How to Get Isabella to Return the Relic in Dragon Age 2: A Comprehensive Guide
Getting Isabella to return the relic in Dragon Age 2 is a critical point in the narrative, heavily impacting your relationship with the character and the game’s events. The most straightforward answer is that Isabella will return the relic at the end of Act 2 if you have either a very high Friendship or Rivalry score with her, or if you have romanced her. This return happens after you’ve battled the Arishok’s men in the Viscount’s throne room. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics and address common questions surrounding this critical event.
Understanding Isabella’s Return in Act 2
Friendship and Rivalry Thresholds
The key to ensuring Isabella’s return hinges on your relationship with her. You need to achieve a Friendship or Rivalry score of fifty or greater by the end of Act 2. This means actively engaging with her, making choices in conversations that either bolster her positive opinion of you (Friendship) or challenge and antagonize her (Rivalry). It’s important to note that a neutral relationship will not suffice. You must pursue one extreme or the other. If your meter sits in the middle, she won’t return.
The Importance of Her Final Act 2 Companion Quest
In addition to the relationship score, you must also complete Isabella’s final Act 2 companion quest. This quest is essential for her return, irrespective of your Friendship/Rivalry score. It’s a crucial stepping stone to unlocking her return in Act 2’s climax.
The Romance Route
If you have successfully romanced Isabella, she will return the relic even if you have not completed the “Questioning Beliefs” quest, which is related to the Qunari. This makes romancing her a reliable way to ensure her return, bypassing the strict Friendship/Rivalry threshold requirements.
Isabella’s Return in Act 3
Isabella’s story doesn’t end in Act 2. At the start of Act 3, a quest will trigger, indicating that she has reappeared at the Hanged Man. Visiting the tavern will initiate a conversation, after which she will rejoin your party as a companion. This is regardless of the events of Act 2 and her possession of the relic, ensuring she remains a part of your adventure.
The Relic Choice: Give It to Isabella or the Qunari?
Giving the Relic to Isabella
If you choose to give the relic to Isabella, she will express profound gratitude and offer a significant boost to your relationship. This will also be met with general approval from other party members. However, when you enter the Foundry, you’ll encounter a hostile scenario with Qunari and Tevinter enemies. Isabella will leave to protect the relic, and you’ll have to deal with the ensuing chaos.
Withholding the Relic From Isabella
If you choose not to give her the relic, Isabella will inform you of her predicament: that Castillon intends to kill her unless she retrieves the relic. This choice impacts her personal narrative and sets the stage for potential conflict with her and those pursuing her.
Consequences of Handing Over Isabella to the Arishok
You have an option to give Isabella to the Arishok, which will resolve the conflict peacefully with the Qunari, who then leave. However, she will not be on your team. It will later be revealed that Isabella somehow manages to escape, but she will no longer be available as a party member because you have betrayed her. If you choose to keep Isabella you will need to fight and kill the Arishok and his forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I recruit Isabella initially?
Isabella is recruited in Act 1 after the “Tranquility” quest. You’ll find her at the Hanged Man, where she will be engaged in a brawl. After the scene, she’ll join your party.
2. Can you romance Isabella as a female Hawke?
Yes, Isabella can be romanced regardless of Hawke’s gender. This is similar to other companions like Merrill, Anders, and Fenris.
3. What happens if I have a neutral relationship with Isabella?
If you have neither high Friendship nor Rivalry with Isabella (a neutral relationship), she will not return the relic in Act 2 and thus will not return to your party until Act 3.
4. Does giving the relic to Isabella affect my relationship with the Qunari?
Yes. Giving the relic to Isabella will anger the Qunari and result in conflict. They will accuse you of aiding her theft.
5. What happens if Isabella is captured by the Arishok?
If you hand Isabella over to the Arishok, she will be removed from your party, although she does later escape the Qun. This is a permanent change to her party status.
6. Does romancing Fenris prevent romancing Isabella?
No, you can romance Isabella and Fenris independently of each other, unless you are playing the PS3 version, in which the game has a bug that might cause you to be unable to pursue the romance to the end. In all other platforms you can romance more than one companion.
7. Can I max out both Friendship and Rivalry with Isabella?
No, you must choose one path. You cannot have a high score in both. You either need a high Friendship score or a high Rivalry score to ensure her return in Act 2.
8. What is Isabella’s full name?
Isabella’s birth name is Naishe, but she adopted the pseudonym “Isabela”.
9. How many “Queens” does Isabella need for her quest?
For one of her quests, Isabella needs a total of 10 “Queens”. You can collect the Queens in the maintenace tunnels.
10. Does my choice of giving the relic impact the story in Act 3?
While the choice impacts your relationship with Isabella and prompts different events in the Foundry, the overall story of Act 3 is unaffected by your decision. She will always rejoin at the start of Act 3.
11. What if I start a romance with Isabella and then break up?
If you break up with Isabella after romancing her, she will still return in Act 2 if your relationship was positive enough at the time of the break up. A previous romantic bond can ensure her return despite any later issues.
12. Does the “Questioning Beliefs” quest affect her return if I’m romancing her?
If you’re romancing Isabella, the “Questioning Beliefs” quest does not need to be completed for her to return with the relic at the end of Act 2. The romance overrides this requirement.
13. Is it better to give the relic to Isabella or the Qunari?
This is a player-driven decision. Giving it to Isabella results in a warmer relationship but also more conflict with the Qunari. Giving it back to the Qunari placates them and prevents immediate conflict but breaks Isabella’s trust and leaves her vulnerable.
14. Does having a high rivalry with Isabella impact her return?
Yes, a high Rivalry score (50 or greater) will ensure her return just as a high Friendship score or romance would.
15. Does Isabella’s return change anything after Act 3?
No. Isabella’s return in Act 3 and her interactions following her return do not change any major endings in Dragon Age 2.
By following this guide and understanding the various factors affecting Isabella’s actions, you can confidently navigate the complexities of her character arc and make the choices that best fit your playthrough.