Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Guide: Navigate Dragon Age Inquisition's Political Intrigue

“Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” in Dragon Age: Inquisition stands out as one of the most intricate and high-stakes main quests in the game. Set within the opulent Winter Palace, this quest throws you into the viper’s nest of Orlesian politics, where your choices directly influence the fate of Empress Celene and the nation itself. Success hinges not just on combat prowess, but on your ability to navigate social minefields and maintain a high court approval rating. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts,” ensuring you unlock the best possible outcomes and emerge as the true “Belle of the Ball.”

Understanding the Court of Orlais

Overview of “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” Quest

The Inquisition is summoned to the Winter Palace amidst whispers of an assassination plot targeting Empress Celene. Orlais is teetering on the brink of chaos, with Grand Duke Gaspard, Celene’s cousin, and Briala, a shadowy elven figure, vying for power. Your mission is to unravel the conspiracy, secure Celene’s safety, and restore order to Orlais – all while maintaining a facade of diplomatic grace.

Throughout “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts,” your court approval rating is paramount. This dynamic score dictates your access to areas, dialogue options, and ultimately, the quest’s ending. Achieving 100 approval not only unlocks the coveted “Belle of the Ball” trophy/achievement but also ensures you can manipulate events to your advantage. You’ll need to gather evidence of blackmail, uncover scandalous secrets, and collect Caprice coins and Halla statues to maximize your standing in the Orlesian court.

Pro-Tip: Before embarking on “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts,” create a backup save. This allows you to replay the quest if you’re unsatisfied with your initial outcome or approval rating, without having to restart your entire game. Saving at multiple points during the quest is also highly recommended for easy backtracking.

Decoding the Approval System

You begin “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” with a base approval rating of 40. However, this can fluctuate based on your Inquisitor’s race and actions within the Winter Palace. Certain races face prejudice within Orlesian society: Human mages, elves, and dwarves incur a 10-point approval penalty, while Qunari Inquisitors face a steeper 15-point deduction. Conversely, human rogues and warriors gain a 5-point bonus due to their perceived social standing.

Your approval rating is constantly visible in the top right corner of the screen, serving as a constant reminder of your standing. Letting your approval plummet to zero will result in immediate expulsion from Halamshiral, ending your quest prematurely.

Gaining Approval:

Diplomatic Dialogue: Choosing courteous and agreeable dialogue options when interacting with nobles is crucial. Flattery and playing along with courtly expectations often yield positive results.
Uncovering Scandalous Secrets: Throughout the Winter Palace, you’ll find “scandalous secrets.” Handing these over to Leliana will significantly boost your approval.
Caprice Coins and the Garden Fountain: Scattered throughout the palace are Caprice coins. Tossing these into the fountain in the Guest Garden is a repeatable way to incrementally increase your approval.
Timely Ballroom Attendance: Bells will periodically summon you back to the Grand Ballroom. Returning promptly after the second bell earns you a valuable +10 approval bonus for your punctuality and respect for courtly etiquette.

Losing Approval:

Rude or Insulting Dialogue: Conversely, choosing disrespectful or confrontational dialogue options will quickly erode your approval.
Trespassing in Restricted Areas: Venturing into off-limits areas like the Hall of Heroes or Royal Wing causes a steady decrease in your approval rating over time.
Tardiness to the Ballroom: Ignoring the bells and arriving late to the Grand Ballroom is considered a grave insult. Returning after the third bell results in a hefty -20 approval penalty.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Entering Halamshiral and Gathering Intel

Entering Halamshiral

Your arrival at Halamshiral, the Winter Palace, marks the beginning of “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.” You’re immediately greeted by Grand Duke Gaspard, Empress Celene’s ambitious cousin and political rival. Gaspard, seeking an alliance with the Inquisition should he ascend to the Orlesian throne, expresses his belief that Briala will attempt to disrupt the fragile peace talks.

After speaking with Gaspard, turn your attention to the noblewoman discreetly positioned in a corner nearby. Engage in conversation and select the “Interesting strategem” dialogue option to gain +5 approval.
Continue exploring the corner where the noblewoman was standing, near a lion statue (bottom right of the map). You’ll discover the noblewoman’s ring. Return it to her for another +5 approval boost.
Proceed up the western staircase. You’ll encounter your first eavesdropping opportunity. Listen to the noble conversations to gather intel. Afterwards, search the plant pot on this upper balcony to find the storage key.
Descend the stairs and turn right to locate the locked storage room. Use the storage key you just acquired to unlock the door and enter.
Inside the storage room, search the area to find your first Caprice coin in a pot. This initiates the “Throwing Away Money” side quest, encouraging you to collect more coins.
Examine the tabletop within the storage room to uncover your first scandalous secret. This triggers “The Great Blackmail Hunt” side quest, tasking you with finding 30 secrets throughout the Winter Palace for Leliana. Ensure you collect both the Caprice coin and scandalous secret now, as they are missable.
Ascend the eastern staircase and locate your first Halla statue. Collecting Halla statues starts the “Herd of Stone Halla” side quest. This first statue can unlock the eastern storage room downstairs, but it’s strategically wiser to conserve statues for later, more valuable doors within the palace.
Approach the palace doors to trigger a cutscene featuring Josephine. She provides valuable advice on navigating the treacherous waters of Orlesian courtly life. You’ll then find yourself in the vestibule.
In the vestibule, numerous nobles are gossiping – take advantage of these eavesdropping points. Depending on your party composition, you can also interact with your companions present. When you’re ready to proceed, speak with Gaspard again or directly interact with the Grand Ballroom door.

The Grand Ballroom Intrigue

Upon entering the Grand Ballroom, follow Duke Gaspard to meet Empress Celene and Grand Duchess Florianne. Attempting to warn Celene about the assassination plot at this juncture is futile, so maintain a composed demeanor.

During your initial dialogue with Celene and Florianne, your first dialogue choice impacts your approval. If you are playing as a human rogue or warrior, select the top dialogue option to gain +10 approval. Otherwise, choose the middle option for +5 approval. Subsequent dialogue choices in this conversation do not affect your court approval.
After your formal greeting, Leliana will request a private word. You now have another opportunity to mingle with the nobility and your companions in the Ballroom. If you possess the Nobility Knowledge perk and your court approval is at least 60, speak to Lady Mantillon and ask her to dance to receive +5 approval. Also, search for a couch nearby to find A Compendium of Orlesian Theater Vol. 1.
In the vestibule, Leliana reveals Empress Celene’s interest in mysticism and the presence of an occult advisor within her court. She tasks you with investigating this advisor, along with Gaspard and Briala, suggesting you begin your search in the guest wing.

Exploring the Hall of Heroes

The next phase of “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” requires you to locate three key items: the Cylinder Seal from the Hall of Heroes, the Negotiations from the upper Guest Gardens, and a letter from the Grand Library. These can be acquired in any order, but be aware that collecting the final item triggers the first bell, summoning you back to the Grand Ballroom.

For this guide, we’ll start with the Cylinder Seal in the Hall of Heroes. Return to the guest wing, and locate the Hall of Heroes in the northwest section of the map. Note that the Hall of Heroes is a restricted area, causing a gradual decrease in your approval while you are inside.

As you approach the staircase leading to the Hall of Heroes, be sure to collect the Caprice coin at the base of the steps. Then, eavesdrop on the whispering elves nearby to learn about a secret delivery scheduled for the upper garden. Take note of the locked door to the servant’s quarters in this area, as it will be relevant later.
Proceed into the western section of the guest wing and seek out Duke Germain. Speak to him and inquire about Grand Duke Gaspard being his nephew to earn +10 approval.
Locate another NPC pacing nearby – the Council of Heralds’ vassal. Engage in conversation and select “Philippe is a jerk!” for another +10 approval boost. More gossip can be eavesdropped on in this area. Also, find a Caprice coin situated between two lion statues in Duke Germain’s room.
Venture to the southwest area of the map, onto the balcony adjacent to the guest wing. Use your search function to locate the Cylinder Seal hidden in a nearby flowerpot. This secret missive hints at clandestine activities occurring in the servant’s quarters. However, let’s explore another location first.

Navigating the Guest Garden

Head to the western area of the map to enter the Guest Garden. You’ll immediately encounter Celene’s ladies-in-waiting. They convey a message from Celene, promising her unwavering support to the Inquisition once Gaspard is neutralized.

After speaking with the ladies-in-waiting, explore the gardens. Locate the fountain and toss any Caprice coins you’ve collected into it to further increase your court approval. There are multiple eavesdropping points in the gardens, including one that can be used twice, so be sure to listen in to gather more scandalous secrets.
Approach the lattice structure beside the fountain and climb it to access the upper walkway area. This area is also restricted, so your approval will steadily decline. If you need a break, pause the game to halt approval loss. Turn right after climbing the lattice and follow the pathway to the right to find a Halla statue. Utilize your search function to find a nearby scandalous secret.
Return to the lattice and this time head west (turn left after climbing). Locate the Upper Garden Door and use one of your Halla statues to unlock it. Inside, you’ll discover a gruesome scene. Next to the bodies, you’ll find the Negotiations document you are seeking. This document reveals Gaspard’s attempt to collaborate with Celene against Briala. Collect the nearby loot and return to the lattice.

Unlocking the Grand Library Secrets

Head north, continuing forward as if you had just climbed the lattice, and enter the Grand Library. Search the bookshelf in the northwest corner and interact with the book you find. This will reveal a secret chamber. Once inside this chamber, DO NOT pick up the letter immediately, as doing so will trigger the first bell, forcing you to rush back to the Grand Ballroom prematurely.

Instead, grab a veilfire torch from the sconce in the secret chamber. Return to the main library where you’ll notice six urns on plinths. Clues scattered throughout the Winter Palace reveal the correct order to light these urns with veilfire. The solution is as follows:

1. Etienne I	2. Reville	3. Etienne II	4. Judicael I	5. Judicael II	6. Florian

Lighting the urns in this sequence opens another secret room. Inside, you’ll find a chest containing valuable loot, including a Confusion Grenade Recipe and a Masterwork Magister Staff Blade Schematic. After looting the chest, return to the Grand Library.
Explore the eastern section of the map. Note that one of the doors in this area remains locked unless your Inquisitor is a rogue with lockpicking skills. Search the accessible rooms to find more scandalous secrets and loot. Be sure to unlock the doors at the far east end of the map to create a faster route back to the Grand Library later.
Finally, return to the first secret room you discovered and pick up the letter. This action will trigger the first bell, summoning you back to the Grand Ballroom. The fastest return route is through the doors you unlocked on the eastern side of the map. Your approval rating will cease decreasing as soon as you enter the vestibule or Guest Garden.

Morrigan’s Intervention and the Servant’s Quarters

As you attempt to re-enter the Grand Ballroom, you’ll encounter Celene’s occult advisor – Morrigan, a familiar face from Dragon Age: Origins. Morrigan confides in you that she shares the Inquisition’s concerns about the threat to Celene’s life. She reveals that she recently eliminated a Tevinter agent within the Winter Palace and hands you a key found on the agent’s body. Unable to leave Celene’s side, she requests that you investigate further on her behalf.

The key Morrigan provides unlocks the servant’s quarters. Return to the Hall of Heroes and use the key on the locked door you noted earlier. Entering the servant’s quarters initiates another restricted area, so your approval will again begin to decline slowly. Be prepared for combat and ensure your party is properly equipped with armor.
Your party members will automatically join you upon entering the servant’s quarters, a clear indication that combat is imminent.
Examine the corpses for additional dialogue with your companions. In the kitchen, located just north of your starting position in the servant’s quarters, you’ll find a Halla statue. To reach it, turn right in the initial room and take the northern door into the kitchen. You’ll need to jump onto the table to collect the statue. A codex entry can also be found nearby.
Head west and into the garden area. Before dropping down to the fountain level, check the back left corner for another Halla statue.
Approach the fountain to trigger a cutscene. You’ll discover a dead noble with a dagger bearing Gaspard’s crest lodged in his back. A harlequin will be witnessed killing a servant before your party is ambushed by a group of Venatori.

Tracking the Harlequin and Uncovering Briala’s Involvement

After dispatching the initial wave of Venatori, more enemies will appear as you progress through the servant’s quarters. Remain vigilant and eliminate them as needed.
Loot the area around the fountain. Continue north until you reach a staircase. Ascend the stairs and then climb a ladder to reach a balcony. Collect the Caprice coin on the balcony. Enter the door there to find a Halla statue in the small room.
Return to the fountain on the ground floor and move towards the west of the map. When you reach the vine-covered wall, turn left and pass through the archway. In the grand apartments, turn left again and enter the nearby bedroom to find another Caprice coin.
Exit the bedroom and proceed forward into the kitchen. You’ll find a supply cache here if you require it. Return to the previous room and head south. In the dining room, locate another Caprice coin on a small table next to some flowerpots.
Use the stairs in the dining room to reach the next floor. Clear out the rooms on this level, collecting loot as you go. Eventually, you’ll reach a hallway where you’ll encounter your target – the harlequin, along with more enemies. Defeat them all.
Briala will then approach, explaining that she arrived to avenge the deaths of her agents but found you had already intervened. Briala believes the Venatori are working for Gaspard. After Briala departs, collect the Halla statue nearby.
There is a locked Halla door on this upper level that requires three statues to open. Inside, you’ll find a Masterwork Crow Blade Schematic and an elven locket. The elven locket will unlock an additional dialogue option at the quest’s conclusion. Return to the ground floor, head south past Briala’s agents, and re-enter the Winter Palace.

Dancing with Florianne and Gathering Evidence

Head towards the Grand Ballroom, but delay your entrance until you hear the second bell. Entering after the second bell will grant you +10 approval. Your Inquisitor will make a comment indicating you’ve timed your arrival correctly.

Once inside the Ballroom, Florianne will approach. Your subsequent conversation with her can significantly impact your court approval. To maximize your approval, choose the following dialogue options in this specific order:

Answer	Approval Rating
“Let’s Dance.”	+10 Approval
“Why don’t you educate me?” (Or “Orlais’ war is Thedas’ war.” with nobility knowledge, or “Orlais is everyone’s business.” for a human rogue.)	+5 Approval
“Is that what we both want?”	+10 Approval
“Which am I to you?”	+5 Approval
“Who do you trust?”	+5 Approval
– “Isn’t everyone?”	– If approval is less than 50 you will lose -15 approval. – If it is more than 50 then you will gain +10 approval.

Florianne will suggest searching the Royal Wing for evidence against Gaspard. After your interaction with Florianne, your advisors will convene to discuss the situation.

Before proceeding to the Royal Wing, take this opportunity to speak with Leliana and hand in any scandalous secrets you’ve collected. You can also speak with Briala, who is on the balcony, and further interact with Celene’s ladies-in-waiting to progress a couple of side quests. Gaspard can be found on another balcony and is available for conversation, while Celene is on yet another balcony but is currently unavailable for interaction.
If you acquired the elven locket, make sure to discuss it with Briala and Celene’s ladies-in-waiting. This will trigger a cutscene with Celene and unlock the possibility of pursuing an ending where Celene and Briala reconcile.
Head towards the Hall of Heroes. Trick Ambassador Anton and his companions into speaking with Cullen to gain a further +10 Approval. Alternatively, if you are playing as an elf, you can enlist the whispering elves nearby to distract Ambassador Anton, but this will not increase your approval rating.
Regardless of your approach with Ambassador Anton, proceed into the Trophy Room, another restricted area. Move towards the rear door, enter the office, and grab the Secret Orders. This document provides blackmail evidence against Gaspard. Return to the Hall of Heroes to stop your approval from decreasing.

Venturing into the Royal Wing

The Royal Wing is another restricted area, so be mindful of your declining court approval. Access the Royal Wing by ascending the eastern stairs in the north end of the vestibule. Crucially, DO NOT enter the southeastern area of this map (the Jardin de Reverie area) until instructed to do so, as this will advance the storyline.

Re-equip your armor. Upon entering the Royal Wing, grab the scandalous secret immediately to your left.
Ascend the stairs and enter the Royal Quarters. Take the next two right turns (the second time through a door) to find yourself in a room containing lootable containers, another scandalous secret, and a Halla statue.
Head back outside and past the locked door. Proceed towards the next door on the right; you’ll hear a scream emanating from within.
Enter this room to witness another harlequin attacking an elven servant. Defeat the harlequin and speak to the servant to obtain blackmail evidence against Briala. This room also contains more lootable containers and another Halla statue.
Exit through the southern passageway and follow the hallway (ignore the door with someone yelling on the other side). Go down the stairs to collect another Halla statue.
Return to the room where the harlequin attacked the elven servant and head into the northern area of the map (to your right as you exit the harlequin’s room). You’ll need five Halla statues to unlock the Empress’s Private Quarters. Enter and you’ll find a soldier tied to her bed.
Speak with the soldier and ask him to testify against Celene to acquire blackmail evidence against her. This evidence is crucial for negotiating a truce between all parties at the quest’s end. Find a Caprice coin near the bed and a scandalous secret nearby before leaving.
Exit Celene’s chambers and turn right to explore the western side of the map. Continue west to find a scandalous secret at the bottom of a set of stairs. Head back up the stairs and turn left. Enter the first door on your left and search the area for a scandalous secret and a Halla statue.
Exit this room and move towards the south of the map, then head west into a square balcony area. From the balcony, move north and enter a room through an open window to find another Halla statue.
Return to the vestibule and hand in your scandalous secrets to Leliana. Toss any remaining Caprice coins into the fountain to replenish your approval rating. Afterwards, return to the Royal Wing. Proceed to the southeastern area through the double doors opposite the square balcony area to advance the storyline. Ensure your armor is equipped before entering.
Upon entering the Jardin de Reverie, you will be ambushed by Florianne. She reveals her alliance with Corypheus and her plan to assassinate Celene in the Grand Ballroom while you are occupied. After Florianne departs, a Fade rift will appear. You must defeat all enemies and close the rift.
Once the rift is sealed, your companions will free Gaspard’s men. Speak with Gaspard’s mercenary captain and convince him to testify against Gaspard to obtain your final piece of blackmail evidence. Head south from the Jardin de Reverie and fight your way through a small room. Collect the loot and head west to exit this map area.
On the next map, you can head north where more enemies await, guarding two Lower Royal Wing Doors. One door bears a mage icon, the other a warrior icon. Each requires 5 Halla statues to open and contains loot, with a chance of rare items. However, if you opened Celene’s private chambers, you likely won’t have enough statues to open either door.
Regardless of whether you open the Lower Royal Wing Doors, head west and open the door to enter a large courtyard. Heading north in the courtyard leads to a kitchen with a supply cache, and the adjacent dining room contains lootable containers. Then, head south from the courtyard, open the door, and turn right to rejoin your party.

Decision Time and Quest Endings

Confronting Florianne and the Final Debate

Upon returning to the Grand Ballroom, Cullen will speak with the Inquisitor and ask for your plan of action. To expose Florianne without further bloodshed, choose the “I’ll talk with Florianne” option. This option is only available if your approval rating is 85 or higher and should push you to 100 approval, unlocking the “Belle of the Ball” achievement.
If the “I’ll talk with Florianne” option is unavailable, you must choose between “Detain the duchess” to save Celene or “Wait for Florianne to attack,” which will result in Celene’s death. Choosing either of these options will force you to fight Florianne directly.

Once Florianne is dealt with, you’ll find yourself in a tense debate with Celene (if she survived), Gaspard, and Briala. The quest’s ending offers several possibilities, contingent upon your actions and choices throughout “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts,” as well as your decisions in this final conversation.

Outcomes and Consequences

Option	Result
Public truce	If Celene is alive, you can leverage the blackmail evidence against all three parties (provided you have 85+ approval) to convince them to forge a public truce and work together. This is often considered the “best” outcome.
Celene remains the ruler	If Celene survives, use the blackmail evidence against Gaspard to implicate him. He will be executed unless you intervene, leaving Celene as the sole ruler.
Celene and Briala rule together	If Celene survives and you collected the elven locket and discussed it with Briala and the ladies-in-waiting, you can orchestrate a reconciliation between Celene and Briala. Choose the “Briala helped stop Florianne” option to give Briala credit, and use the blackmail evidence against Gaspard. Then, request Briala’s reward by choosing “What about Briala’s reward?” If you spare Gaspard in this scenario, Celene will rule alongside Briala. If you execute Gaspard, Celene will rule alone with Briala’s support.
Gaspard becomes the new ruler	If Celene dies, use the blackmail evidence against Briala and support Gaspard as the new ruler of Orlais.
Gaspard and Briala rule together	If Celene dies, use the blackmail evidence to persuade Gaspard to allow Briala to rule alongside him. Gaspard will become Emperor, but Briala will wield significant power from behind the scenes.

Following the resolution of Orlesian politics, Morrigan will officially join the Inquisition as a liaison. You’ll have a final dance with your chosen romance partner (if applicable) before returning to Skyhold.

The table below summarizes the companion approval changes based on the various outcomes of “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.” Varric is the only companion whose approval is unaffected by this quest.

Companion	Approval Rating
Blackwall	– Greatly disapproves of you supporting Gaspard. – Disapproves of you supporting Briala. – Slightly approves of no one dying. – Approves of Florianne being arrested. – Approves of Celene being saved. – Greatly disapproves of Celene dying.
Cassandra	– Greatly approves of you supporting Gaspard. – Greatly disapproves of you supporting Briala. – Approves of you reconciling Briala and Celene. – Slightly disapproves of no one dying. – Approves of Celene dying.
Cole	– Greatly disapproves of you supporting Gaspard. – Greatly approves of you supporting Briala. – Greatly approves of you reconciling Briala and Celene. – Greatly approves of no one dying. – Greatly approves of Cele being saved. – Disapproves of Celene dying
Dorian	– Disapproves of you supporting Gaspard. – Approves of you supporting Briala. – Greatly approves of you reconciling Briala and Celene. – Greatly approves of Florianne being arrested. – Approves of Celene dying.
The Iron Bull	– Greatly disapproves of you supporting Gaspard. – Approves of you supporting Celene. – Approves of Florianne being arrested. – Approves of Celene dying.
Sera	– Slightly approves of you supporting Gaspard. – Disapproves of you supporting Briala. – Approves of no one dying. – Approves of Cele being saved. – Greatly approves of Celene dying.
Solas	– Slightly approves of you supporting Briala.
Varric	No approval change.
Vivienne	– Slightly disapproves of you supporting Gaspard. – Greatly disapproves of you supporting Briala.

Embarking on “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” is a defining moment in Dragon Age: Inquisition. By following this guide and carefully managing your court approval, you can navigate the treacherous political landscape of Orlais, secure the best possible outcome, and shape the destiny of the Inquisition and Thedas itself.

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Guide: Navigate Dragon Age Inquisition’s Political Intrigue