One of the earlier choices you’ll make in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is whether to Save or Leave Mayor Julius during the Shadow’s Crossing main quest. At first glance, it may seem like a simple moral choice to build your Rook’s personality, or win the approval of a companion, but there’s a secret side quest that only appears after making one decision.
Reaching the Mayor Julius Choice¶
The choice to save or leave Mayor Julius to his death comes during the Shadow’s Crossing main quest and is unmissable. To reach that point, you’ll need to uncover the mystery behind the town of D’Meta’s Crossing and figure out why the Blight has infected this humble locale.
It’s a brief mission where you’ll need to find the missing Veil Jumpers. Here are the steps during the mission:
- Find the villagers
- Investigate the town square
- Search for surviving Veil Jumpers
- Find a survivor
Choice: Save Mayor Julius or Leave Him to Die¶
After finding the Mayor of D’Meta’s Crossing alive but trapped and at risk of death from a rather angry dragon, you’ll uncover the fact that Mayor Julius has been hearing voices of the Elven Gods, tasking him with allowing the Blight to infect his town. He’s clearly distraught by his actions, but it’s up to you whether he should live or die for allowing the death of his villagers.
Saving Mayor Julius rewards you with Neve’s approval, as well as allowing him to live with his consequences.
Consequences of Saving Mayor Julius¶
Saving Mayor Julius doesn’t seem to have many consequences. After saving him, you’ll win more approval from Neve at the cost of having Bellara disapprove. You’ll set him free, and continue your adventure, returning to let the Veil Jumpers know about the death of those in D’Meta’s Crossing.
Consequences of Leaving Mayor Julius¶
On the other hand, leaving Mayor Julius to die at the hands of the Blight and the pesky dragons will win Bellara’s approval, and unlock an exclusive side quest - A Growing Corruption.
A Growing Corruption takes place in the Arlathan Forest during Act 2 of the game, and will start once you interact with one of the three blights in the area. In this side quest, you’ll investigate attacks in the area, and fight a boss that may seem familiar…
(1 of 2) A giant mess of Blight starts the ‘A Growing Corruption’ quest.
A giant mess of Blight starts the ‘A Growing Corruption’ quest. (left), After leaving him to die, the Blighted Mayor becomes a boss exclusive to this choice. (right)
In fact, the boss at the end of the side quest is none other than Mayor Julius himself. He didn’t die during the events of Shadow’s Crossing - instead, he’s become Blighted himself, attacking the Athalon Forest as the Blighted Mayor. Defeating him will complete the quest, and grant you a stronger bond with the Grey Wardens and Veil Jumpers.
So, if you’re looking for some more content, you should probably leave the Mayor to die - even if you’re wanting your Rook to be a more forgiving protagonist.
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There is also a 3rd choice, but only if you play a Grey Warden (release the Major and send him to Gray Wardens to fight the Blight as his redemption and punishment). If you send the mayor to the Wardens, he will appear in the mission Lives Spared at Hossberg Wetlands.