Premium Content

Navigate Dragon Age II's Premium Content: learn about The Black Emporium, its unique items, and valuable crafting materials. Your guide to unlocking the best gear and lore.

Alright, let's talk about the Premium Content section in Dragon Age II. It's basically a special area called The Black Emporium that you can access early on. Think of it as a bonus shop and lore dump rolled into one. You'll get a quest to visit it from the Writing Desk in Gamlen’s House, and from there, it's a quick trip from the Kirkwall map.

Once you're inside, you'll find a treasure trove of codex entries. Keep an eye out for things like Andraste in Nude Repose - Invisible, The Pickled Apples of Arlathan, The Box of Screaming, and A Vessel of Tears. These give you extra bits of lore about the world of Thedas, which is always cool.

Don't forget to check the box of discarded weapons and armor near the entrance. It's a great spot to snag some decent early-game gear like the Song of Sorrows, Ancient Leather Curaiss, Helm of Appreciation, Gloves of the Unknowable Unknown, and a Ring of Unheeded Wisdom. Seriously, grabbing these can give you a nice little boost right off the bat.

The Emporium also boasts two shops that are definitely worth your time and gold. The first is the Emporium’s Crafting Materials shop. Here you can pick up some useful elixirs and recipes:

The second shop is the Emporium’s Relics and Antiques. This is where you'll find some unique weapons, armor, and accessories. Some of the standout items include:

It's worth noting that the source text mentions a quest called 'Retribution' related to the 'The Exiled Prince' DLC, but it seems separate from the Black Emporium content itself. Also, the guide itself was released on July 23, 2014, and last updated on December 7, 2020, by Greg Boccia for PC, PS3, and XB 360.