The Arl of Redcliffe
Defend the village, enter the castle and resolve Connor’s possession.
Redcliffe has two connected phases: defend the village at night, then solve the possession crisis in the castle. Your earlier Circle decision can unlock the least destructive resolution for Connor.
Route at a glance
Speak with Bann Teagan
Enter the village and meet Teagan in the chantry. Agree to help prepare the defense. Do not trigger nightfall until you have spoken with the militia leaders and villagers you want involved.
Improve the defenses
Speak with Murdock and Ser Perth, then recruit help around town. Resolve the blacksmith issue so he supports the militia, check the tavern for additional manpower, and use persuasion where possible. Better preparation reduces casualties.
Start the night battle
Tell the defenders you are ready. Fight the first waves near the windmill/upper approach. Hold chokepoints and eliminate dangerous undead before chasing stragglers.
Move to the chantry square
When a messenger calls for help downhill, follow immediately. The second phase centers on the village square. Keep enemies off fragile militia and use area control on clustered undead.
Enter Redcliffe Castle
After the village survives, use the secret access route associated with the mill. Clear the lower castle, free prisoners where appropriate, and speak with Jowan if he is present.
Reach Connor and Isolde
Fight through the castle interior and confront the possessed child situation. Listen to Jowan, Isolde and Teagan before committing because several solutions permanently change who lives.
Use Circle help for the safest route
If the Circle of Magi survives and supports you, you can leave temporarily to request their help. This permits a mage to enter the Fade without sacrificing Isolde. The game allows the trip despite the urgency described in dialogue.
Defeat the Desire Demon in the Fade
Choose the mage who enters the Fade, work through the Fade encounters, and confront the demon controlling Connor. Refusing its bargains and defeating it frees Connor cleanly.
Continue the Arl quest
With Connor resolved, the next problem is Arl Eamon’s illness. Follow the Brother Genitivi/Haven lead toward the Urn of Sacred Ashes, then return with the cure.
- If you want the no-sacrifice Connor solution, Broken Circle must end with access to willing Circle mages.
- If the village defense is collapsing, focus on keeping enemies away from militia rather than spreading the party across multiple small targets.
- Defending Redcliffe immediately is safest; leaving after committing to the defense can cause village casualties.
- Connor/Isolde outcomes have later epilogue and dialogue consequences.