Dragon Age The Veilguard walkthrough: How to complete the An Academic Interest quest

An Academic Interest quest in Dragon Age The Veilguard is a side mission with some interesting puzzles and a challenging final boss. Before starting An Academic Interest, make sure you've completed the main quest, Something Wrong in the Wetlands. Once you're done, find Bastian in the southern part of Lavendel. He will inform you about a curse affecting the village, which only you can dispel. This will add the quest.

Once it is done, go to the spot to investigate the source of the curse at Gaspin Manor. This Venatori-occupied location holds clues to the Mourn Watch's ongoing troubles. This guide shares detailed steps to easily complete the An Academic Interest quest in Dragon Age The Veilguard.

How to reach the Gaspin Manor in the An Academic Interest quest in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Looking for Crossword hints & solutions? Check out latest NYT Mini Crossword Answers, LA Times Crossword Answers, and USA Today Crossword Answers

Head to the Old Crossroads area in the Hossberg Wetlands and follow the quest marker to the Cavernous Tunnels.

First Crystal Puzzle

Once there, you’ll see a Venatori barrier crystal that blocks your path. Don't interact with this crystal as it’s protected by a magical shield and will damage you.
Instead, move to your right into a small cave and locate a vulnerable crystal. Destroy it and then destroy the crystals that become vulnerable consequently. This will eventually clear the barrier and open the door.

After that, you will reach the entrance of the Gaspin Manor. After entering, you'll find yourself in a room with a large central crystal surrounded by three floating crystals. Eliminate Venatori enemies before interacting with the crystal puzzle.

How to solve it

The one on the leftmost side near the stairs.
The adjacent crystal to the right of the first one.
The crystal is located on top of the large central structure.

Be aware that if the floating crystals are left alone, they will respawn and explode, which will deal significant AoE damage to you.

Also Read: Dragon Age The Veilguard walkthrough: How to complete the Something’s Coming quest

How to solve the Crystal puzzles of An Academic Interest quest in Dragon Age the Veilguard

Solution for the crystal puzzles (Image via EA)

After solving the first puzzle, you will enter a hall with another invincible central crystal.

Destroy the vulnerable crystals in this sequence:

Begin with the crystal to the left of the stairs.
Next, break the one situated straight ahead of the stairs.
Move to the bridge on the right side, and destroy the crystal located there.
Finally, take out the crystal along the path leading to the small bridge.

After this, you will come out into a courtyard filled with Venatori warriors. Defeat them first before attempting the next puzzle.

Courtyard Crystal Order

The crystal to the left of the inactive water fountain.
The crystal directly above the fountain.
Go up the stairs behind the fountain, and destroy the crystal at the back.
Destroy the crystal in front of the previous one.
Lastly, break the crystal at the base of the stairs.
Return to your starting position and destroy the final crystal on the right side of the fountain.

After clearing the courtyard, continue into a small room below a platform. Destroy the crystal inside. Break the wooden objects on the right to reveal a blocked path you’ll use later. Head upstairs, take a turn, and find a crystal to destroy at the top of another staircase.

Smash two more crystals on your way down until you reach a building in the center. Enter, destroy the crystal inside, and continue to break the remaining ones until you open a small archway behind the previously blocked wooden path.

Enter through the archway and then move downstairs to find another archway blocked by a blue barrier. Once you're past it, you will encounter the final boss of the quest, Consuming Obsession.

The boss uses the following attacks:

Lightning Strikes: It raises its hand to cast multiple quick lightning strikes; dodge these to avoid damage.
Close-Range AoE: If you’re too close, it will unleash a small AoE attack, so maintain a medium range.
Ranged Magical Slashes: If you’re too far, the boss will aim and fire magical slashes that can deal significant damage.

Consider bringing Neve to cast Blizzard or Time Slow to manage the fight more effectively. Once Consuming Obsession is defeated, collect the rare/epic loot and read the note on the ground for additional lore.