Choose the only path behind the guardsman and find yourself into a open courtyard (left). Here you'll find Captain Ewald having a conversation with a group of agitated Ferelden deserters. Irregardless of what response you choose you'll eventually tell him about your uncle Gamlen who lives in the city. Knowing this Captain Ewald will tell you that he will find your uncle for you. Thinking that your group is getting in the city and theirs not, the Ferelden deserters will try to force their way into the city. Here's your chance to help the captain fend off this aggitated deserters and maybe get on the captains good side. The fact that Captain Ewald and his men will help you in this fight makes things easier for you. First focus your attack on the Deserter Leader then finish off the rest.

When the fight is over Captain Ewald promises to look for your uncle and bring him to you. After 3 days of waiting your uncle will show up only to find out that he has trouble greasing some palms so that your family could get in the city and to make things worst he already sold the family estate to pay his debts. To top it all the only solution your uncle could think of is to ask someone to pay off for you entry to the city with the catch that you and your sibling will be sold into indentured servitude for a year. You won't have any option but to accept this fate.

Here you have two options. Either accept the job from Meeran of the Red Iron Mercenaries or Athenril the smuggler. Either way your soon to be employer will give you a quest to complete as a test before letting you into their group. If you choose Meeran and be a mercenary he will ask you to kill a noble named Friedrich. Or if you you choose Athenril, she will ask you to extort a merchant named Cavril.

OPTION 1 - Be a Smuggler




You'll find Athenril standing in the northern part of Gallows Courtyard. Immidiately express your  willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done or ask for more questions if you like. After accepting the task she will send you to a merchant named Cavril to collect the money he owns her. Approach Cavril in the middle of the courtyard. Here's the list of your option in dealing with the merchant and its accompanying results.

• Aveline? - Aveline will step in and threaten the merchant. This won't lead up to a fight and will earn you Aveline (+10) Friendship
• There's no need for violence - This will result in fighting the merchants group netting you with added xp.
• I could be persuaded to go - If you already have failed the task from Meeran he will refuse and you'll fight his bodyguards, if not he will pay up the bribe and you have to ask Meeran fo help instead. Whichever you  choose will gain  you and added Aveline (+5) Rivalry. 
• You need to pay what you owe - This will also ends up in a fight with the merchants bodyguards that'll give you added xp and gain Aveline (+5) Rivalry.

If your choice leads up to a fight with Cavril's bodyguard. Captain Ewald and his men will join and help you in the fight. In this case focus your attack first on the 2 merchant bodyguards and then finish off the rest of the mercenaries that will join the fight.

Whatever the solution you choose, Cavril will end up giving you a key that opens up his merchants chest. Take the money inside the chest and return to Athenril.

Depending on what action you chose, returning to Athenril will have two different scenario. If you accept the bribe from the merchant. You'll see her being arrested by the city guards which will result of her hunting you in later game. If not then she'll thank you for a job well done and inform you that she'll make the arrangement for your family's entrance to the city.

OPTION 2 - Be a Mercenary

You'll find Meeran standing in the middle part of the Gallows Courtyard, just behind from where your uncle and mother is standing. You may immediately offer your help or ask more questions. Meeran will send you to kill a noble named Friedrich and his men. You'll easily find them on the southern part of the map

If you already failed your task with the smuggler they will immediately attack your group without questions. If not then you'll have two options in your conversation with Friedrich. If you choose the lower right dialogue then you'll immediately fight the nobles group and it will result in gaining an Aveline (+5) Rivalry.

Choosing to talk first will result in having four more dialogue options. Here the list of your options and their corresponding consequences.

Concentrate on eliminating one enemy at a time. If you're having trouble you can run into the middle of the courtyard to make Captain Ewald fight with you. If Friedrich joins the fight you may check his corpse for an additional loot. After this return to Meeran.

Depending on your actions. Returning to Meeran will result in two different scenarios. If you accepted the bribe from Friedrich, he will just express his disgust that the traitor escapes then leave without helping you. If not, then he will welcome you to the Red Iron Mercenaries and promise to make arrangements for your families entrance to the city.

Completing either the smuggler or mercenaries task will essentially complete The Destruction of Lothering Quest and nets you with +400 xp. You can find a codex entry Kirkwall - The Gallows  by the stairs in the middle of the courtyard. To continue with the games story go back to your Uncle Gamlen and inform him of your success.

Another cinematic ensues. A year has passed and you've just completed your one year service to your desired group. On the next cut-scene you'll see Hawke being rejected by Bartrand. After that is your formal introduction to the now familiar dwarf named Varric Tethras. I suggest to ask him as many question as possible to have a better grip of the story. At the end of this. Varric will join your party and your officially in the games Act 1.

MAIN PLOT QUEST UNLOCKED : A New Home?