Dragon Age: Origins

This was, for me, the biggest pain. I tried to get it naturally through two play throughs and missed my chances each time. When this was essentially my last achievement and I couldn't find the most straightforward way - here it is, in my opinion. It took me 2 hrs and 20 minutes (of which 1 hr and 10 minutes was that particular origin story)

Note: There are SPOILERS. Also, this guide is written with the particular character I used. Other genders and races will likely follow a similiar path, however some dialog options may be different.

This achievement was accomplished using a City Elf Rogue (for what its worth).

START - Complete the origin story.
OSTAGAR - Zip through all of the story based dialog until the Joining quest where you must collect 3 vials of darkspawn blood and the warden treaties. This is optional, but I used the Duncan Experience Glitch until I was able to get a completed Coersion talent tree. Finally, complete the main story until you end up in Lothering.
LOTHERING - Once arriving here, immediately go to Dane's Refuge as soon as you gain control of your character. Get Leliana to join your party - SAVE.

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana.
RESPONSES:
2. I'd like to talk.
1. This vision of yours ...
1. What then?
2. And this made you want to help me?
1. The Chantry says the Maker has left us.
2. Believe what feels right to you, Leliana
RESULT: Leliana approves +4

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana
2. I'd like to talk.
1. What was life like in the Chantry cloister?
1. Condescending? How so?
3. I prefer your ideas to the ideas of the Chantry.
RESULT: Leliana approves +2

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana
2. I'd like to talk
1. What would someone like you be doing in Lothering's chantry?
2. You know, a beautiful charming woman like yourself.
1. Those initiates can't have been more lovely than you.
1. What did you do before that?
RESULT: Leliana approves +6 (Leliana is now interested in you)

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana.
2. I'd like to talk to you about something.
1. Why did you decide to come to Ferelden?
2. Why did she leave Ferelden then?
2. You were young, it's understandable.
RESULT: Leliana approves +1

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana.
2. I'd like to talk to you about something.
1. Do you miss anything about Orlais?
4. I've never been to Orlais.
3. Do you not have fine things now?
3. Oh, I love shoes!
2. Oh, that sounds so lovely.
1. You don't need fancy shoes to make you beautiful.
RESULT: Leliana approves +1

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana.
2. I'd like to talk to you about something.
1. You were a traveling minstrel. Do you have any tales to share?
2. Know any stories from Orlais?
2. That sounds interesting.
2. I saw that coming.
2. Did she win the tourney?
2. That's terrible.
2. Do you know any Fereldan legends?
1. Yes, I have heard of Flemeth.
1. Tell me the whole story.
1. What happened then?
3. There was another story I wanted to hear.
1. Do you know anything about the Dalish?
1. It didn't last.
1. What do you know about Andraste?
2. How did Andraste die?
2. Why did the Maker not save Her with His power?
3. Let's just move on.
RESULTS: Leliana approves +5

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana
2. I'd like to talk to you about something.
2. I heard that in Orlais, minstrels are often spies.
2. I don't remember.
2. What's the difference?
2. Do they spy on Ferelden?
2. You seem to know quite a bit about these bards.
3. I'd never leave that. It sounds too exciting.
RESULT: Leliana approves +2.

Speak with the owner of Dane's Refuge and buy all of the gifts he has for sale. Leave and turn right to speak with Sten in his cage. Tell him you will try and get the key. Travel back toward the Chantry.

In front of the Chantry message board is a merchant arguing with a Chantry member. Approach this crowd and a conversation will ensue. (Note: the presented dialog options will cause Morrigan to dissapprove - 3 if she is in your party).
2. Why would I want to help you?
4. You don't think you're being unscrupulous?
4. (Intimidate) Lower your prices, or lose your goods.
RESULT: Leliana approves +2.
Afterwards, speak with the merchant and buy his "Wine" gift.

Enter the Chantry and pick the lock on the chest in the back left. Give Lelina the "Bronze Symbol of Andraste" you just pilfered from the chest. RESULT: Leliana approves +10.

Cross the Chantry to the Revered Mother and speak with her. Depending on how much money you would like to part with - you will get improved approval rating for Leliana.
3. What tithe is acceptable?
4. (Leliana +4) I can offer five sovreigns.
3. (Leliana +2) Very well. Thirty silver it is.
2. (Leliana +1) I am sorry, but I only have ten silver.
(I only gave thirty silver in my play through)

Key in hand, go release Sten, save Bodic and leave Lothering.
Go to camp and have your scary dream. Speak with Bodic and purchase all of the gifts he has.

Leave camp and travel to the Brecillian Forest. Zip through the dialog to get the Dalish quest started. Speak with Valeron and purchase any gifts he has.

Enter the Brecillian Forest and stay on the futher left path. Kill the werewolves and wolves and continue to the alcove with the Great Bear. Kill the bear and pick up "Andraste's Grace" - a flower growing on the path. Leave the Brecillian Forest and Dalish camp back to the World Map. Go to the Party Camp.

At the Party Camp - a cutscene begins - I'm told its random, but it happened right away for me. The cutscene has Leliana entering into a conversation with you.
2. I knew you weren't telling me something.
2. You're a criminal?
2. So Marjolaine was a bard too?
2. Important documents?
2. Isn't that what bards do?
2. Most countries don't appreciate treason.
2. What happened then?
2. How unpleasant.
2. I don't think you would have.
2. Thank you for trusting me with this.
RESULT: Leliana approves +3.

Leave camp and head to Denerim. At this point a random encounter hit me. You are ambushed by some assassins - kill them and a dialog opens.
3. You had better have a good reason for this.
3. He probably means you, yes.
3. Don't just stop there. Tell us.
2. I think we should just kill him, just to be safe.
3. Sorry, time to die (Kill him.)
3. Or maybe the Orlesians.
3. Don't worry. I won't let anyone harm you.
1. We'll go as soon as possible.
RESULT: Leliana apporves +4.

Once arriving in Denerim - find Marjolaine and kill her. First house on the right. (Some guards, two mages, and Marjolaine)

Leave Denerim and go to the Party Camp. SAVE. (There are a couple of options, I will present the course that got me the achievement).

DIALOG: Talk with Leliana.
3. No, I thought you looked like you wanted to talk, though.
3. You're less talkative than usual.
3. Is there anything I can do?
1. But you said the Maker wanted you to leave.
1. You're not alone, Leliana.
2. It's only human. Don't punish yourself.
3. You are a good person. You always will be.
3. You strike to be good and that's what's important.
RESULT: Leliana approves +9

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana
3. There is still beauty to be found in this world.
2. Tell me the story.
2. That's a beautiful story.
2. If we lose hope in love, then we are truly lost.
1. Why is it a surprise?
RESULT: Leliana approves +3

GIVE Leliana "Andraste's Grace" and other gifts you've picked up. I got Leliana approves +16.

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana
2. I know what you mean.
2. It is not silly to seek moments to lay down your burdens.
2. You never have to feel afraid with me.
2. You're cute when you're embarrassed.
3. Someone like you being interested in me is flattering.
1. Thanks. You're so complimentary.
2. I've always wanted us to be more than just friends.
3. I thought you were comfortable around me.
3. (Kiss Leliana.)
RESULT: Leliana approves +9

DIALOG: Talk to Leliana
1. I'm glad your path led you here too.
1. Hmm, want some company?
1. Well, I'm not going to say no to sharing of blessings.
(Cue incredibly graphic partially nude sex scene - and best of all - achievement pops.)
The rest of the dialog options let you have a little morning action, but the goal was achieved.

Keep in mind there are multiple dialog options that likely work, but this method was the most straightforward for me and worked like a charm.

Hope it helps - sorry it was so long. Thanks for reading.

This achievement can be glitched for some, which the lead designer addressed on the Bioware forum here: http://daforums.bioware.com/forums/myviewtopic.html?topic=70...

Quoted:
"Ah, yes.

If you blow past a certain part of Leli's dialog, you can miss her talking about Bards and Orlais. There is a way to get it back, and keep the romance, though, and since I seem to see a few people in that spot, let me be your guide!

Note that this only works in the case where Leliana cares for you, but you have not heard her talk about a woman named Marjolaine. I won't spoil it more than that. And will try to keep the steps low-spoiler.

1) Sadly, you need to break up with her. Let her down easy, don't make her angry enough to leave the party.

2) This should open up the player option: "I hear, sometimes, in Orlais the minstrels are spies."

3) If her approval is still high, later on returning to the camp she will open with "I lied to you, you know...?"

4) Travel with her in your party. You will eventually be ambushed in something related to her.

5) Follow the lead to Denerim. Resolve!

6) Talk in camp, and work through her reactions. Eventually you'll see the player option: "Are you feeling any better about Marjolaine?"

7) There, you want to note that "she was special to you, wasn't she?"
If you follow that up with "I hope one day I can be that special to you...."

Well, you'll see."

Other than that, keep talking to Leliana regularly and be nice to her in the conversations. She's a "good" character, so if you're making quest decisions that could impact that world view, make sure she's not in your party when you do.

The Dragon Age Wiki details the gifts that Leliana likes here: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Gifts

This Might help SPOILERS ALERT

Leliana may be difficult to start a relationship with; however, she will with either a male or a female (male is easier). If you are male, when you talk to Leliana initially about her time in the cloister, you just have to talk to her in camp. You don’t even have to be at warm. Follow these dialogue choices:

“I’d like to talk.”
“What was someone like you doing in Lothering’s Chantry?”
“You know, a beautiful charming woman like yourself.”
“Those initiates can’t have been more lovely than you.”
Romance will be started.

GIRL ONLY PART

If your approval is 50+ with Leliana and you are female, you can talk to her in camp she’ll say (only once), “I...have I ever told you I really like the way you wear your hair?” Respond with the following dialogue choices:

“My hair? Thank-you.”
“Dear Maker!”
“Well we are friends aren’t we?”
“And do you enjoy the company of other women?”
“I think I might giggle and maybe look coy?”
Romance will be started.


BOTH

If you finish the Marjolaine personal quest, talk to Leliana. She’ll say something like, “I know that look—you have something on your mind don’t you?” Respond with the following dialogue choices:

“We need to talk.”
“Are you feeling better?”
“Er, I think I see what you mean.”
“She was special to you wasn’t she?”
“I’m sorry it ended so badly.”
“Everyone changes unfortunately.”
“I can only hope to one day be as special as she was to you.”
Romance will be started.
If you’re looking to seduce Leliana, you have to be in a romance with her and she has to be in love with you, which means you have to have your approval at 100. Talk to her in camp. If she gives you the line, “It has been some time since I left Lothering. When I stepped out of the cloister I had no idea where my path would lead.” Keep being nice and eventually she’ll invite you to her tent. This only happens once.


Did you follow those choices, if not you are stuck at the permanent friend status and never able to do the lover status if not well... there is always next playthough

This is just a general guide on what you want to do. If you want the detailed choices, see Freamwhole's guide above.

Also, for random encounters, make sure you level up Morrigan and get her group heal and revival abilities. With a strong mage, no one can bother you. You will encounter assassins sent by Leliana's foe, Marjolaine. They should be easy to get past. Just kill most of them and tell them to back off.

1.) Start the game.
2.) Complete the Origins story. Just a few simple battles and some dialogue.
3.) In Ostagar, collect the three vials of darkspawn blood and the treaties and hand them over to Duncan. Then go through the ritual to become a Grey Warden.
4.) Fight through the Tower of Ishal. Here, you'll meet Morrigan. Later, she'll join your party and you'll have the option of romancing her.
5.) Head through the town of Bannorn to Lothering. There's no fights or anything here you just automatically make it to Lothering.
6.) Get past the guards. If you used Duncan Quest Glitch and fully upgraded Coercion, then you'll be able to easily persruade or intimidate them.
7.) In the middle of the village there will be a tavern called Dane's refuge where you'll meet Leliana. Get her to join your party.
8.) Talk about her vision ability.
9.) Talk about her chantry membership.
10.) Talk about Ferelden and Orlais.
11.) Speak to Sten who's in a cage on one side of the wooden fence in the center of the village. Agree to free him.
12.) Head into the big Chantry in the lower right part of the village and talk to the Revered Mother. Offer her a tithe. This will net you some approval points. Then persuade her to give you the keys to Sten.
13.) Before you head out, have Lelina open up the locked chest in the back left of the chantry from the entrance. Then pick up and give her the Bronze Symbol of Andraste. This will give you a lot of approval.
14.) Free Sten and save the merchants Bodahn and Sandal.
15.) Enter the Brecillian Outskirts, agree to help the Dalish elfs and enter the forest on the right side. Go in and stay on the left hand side, fight the great bear and pick up the flower on the path called Andraste's grace.
16.) When you return to the party camp, a cutscene will begin. Allow Leliana to reveal her criminal past. This should greatly increase her approval.
17.) Now head over to Denerim. The first house on your right is Marjolaine's. It will be clearly labeled as Leliana's quest location. Once you head in you should be able to convince her to leave.
18.) Once you return to the party camp, go to the rest of the dialogue.
19.) Then tell her there is still beauty to be found in the world.
20.) You should be close to being able to romance her now. If not, give her all of the gifts you've gathered.
21.) Once you've reached a high enough approval rating, the dialogue will become more and more romantic. If this happens, you're on the right track. You should now be able to romance Leliana. I got really close and had to purchase one more gift, but once that threshold is reached, you should be good to go.
22.) If you need more gifts, try to meet up with Tegrin. He usually carries a few. You’ll encounter him randomly as you travel. Just keep traveling between locations and you'll quickly find him.

Note: Make sure to break up with Morrigan before the final conversation if you've romanced her in the same playthrough. Otherwise, Leliana will ask about your relationship with her, causing you to lose 13 approval points.