DAO Watchguard Of The Reaching Quest Guide And Key Objectives

The Watchguard of the Reaching is an unmarked quest in Dragon Age: Origins that rewards thorough exploration within the Circle Tower. Players must solve environmental riddles and gather specific codex entries to summon an ancient threat hidden within the mages' sanctuary. Completing this secret task provides valuable loot and extra lore for diligent adventurers.
Initiating the Unmarked Quest in the Circle Tower
To begin this hidden assignment, you must explore the senior mages' quarters and apprentice rooms located inside the Circle Tower. Interacting with notes and specific statues scattered across the floors unlocks necessary background entries. Reading these texts carefully is essential for understanding how to perform the ritual correctly.
Make sure to clear out hostile enemies on each level before attempting to interact with the interactive objects. Clearing the area prevents combat interruptions while you read the necessary codex logs and position your party members. Taking your time during this initial phase guarantees that no key clues are accidentally overlooked.
Interacting with the Statues in the Correct Sequence
The core objective involves interacting with specific statues located on the third floor of the tower in a strict order. Approaching the statues out of order will result in a minor spell failure, requiring you to restart the process. Each correct interaction produces a subtle visual cue indicating progress.
After touching the three main statues on the third floor, players must head down to the first floor near the main hall entrance. Activating the final statue near the door completes the sequence and triggers the final phase of the quest. Following these steps systematically ensures the hidden creature will appear as intended.
Conquering Shah Wyrd and Claiming Rewards
Once the sequence is successfully completed, travel down to the basement level near the entrance doors to encounter Shah Wyrd. This powerful demon attacks immediately upon approach, requiring your party to be fully prepared for a tough battle. Utilizing crowd control spells and maintaining high fire resistance will help manage the boss's offensive attacks.
Defeating Shah Wyrd rewards players with the Yusaris broadsword, a powerful weapon particularly effective against dragons. This unique reward makes taking the extra time to solve the mystery entirely worthwhile for melee characters. Successfully finishing the battle brings closure to one of the game's most interesting secret objectives.