You're wandering through the Coast of Sharksmouth, the sun is hitting the water just right, and you realize something is off. There’s a map in your inventory. Or maybe you haven't found it yet. Either way, the Dragon Age Veilguard treasure of Sharksmouth Mountain isn't just one chest sitting in the open waiting for you to trip over it. It’s a multi-step scavenger hunt that feels like BioWare’s love letter to classic RPG exploration. Honestly, it’s refreshing. After hours of heavy narrative lifting and choosing between your companions' existential crises, hunting for loot is a nice palette cleanser.
Most players roll into the Rivain Coast thinking they’ll just follow a quest marker and be done. It doesn't work that way. The "Treasure of Sharksmouth Mountain" is actually tied to a specific side quest called "The Treasure of Sharksmouth Mountain," which triggers after you poke around the beach area. You’ve got to be observant. If you’re the type of player who just sprints from objective to objective, you’re going to miss the small environmental cues that make this hunt actually work.
Getting the Quest Started in Rivain
You can't just climb a mountain and hope for the best. First, you need the map. You’ll find this near the Warden Castle area or along the shoreline, often tucked away in a small shipwreck or a crate that looks entirely too mundane to hold anything important. Once you pick up the "Scrawled Map," Rook will comment on it. This is your green light. The map itself is a bit of a doodle—vague landmarks, a few squiggles that represent rocks, and the classic "X" marks the spot. It’s charming in a "someone drew this while being chased by Antivan Crows" kind of way.
The first real hurdle is the verticality. Sharksmouth Mountain isn't a straight shot. You’ll be doing a lot of climbing, dropping down into hidden alcoves, and using your companions' abilities to clear paths. If you brought Taash along, you’re in luck. Her ability to melt specific barriers or handle draconic obstacles makes this whole process significantly smoother. You’ll spend a good chunk of time navigating the Lava Caves and the high ridges. Watch your step. The fall damage in The Veilguard isn't always lethal, but it’s annoying enough to kill your momentum when you’re mid-climb.
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Solving the Sharksmouth Mountain Puzzles
The "treasure" isn't just a pile of gold. It’s a series of caches. To get the big payoff, you have to interact with three specific statues or "points of interest" scattered across the mountain’s face. These aren't highlighted with big glowing beacons. Instead, look for the Red-Painted Markings. These are subtle. They look like weathered paint on the rock, almost like graffiti from a previous group of explorers who didn't make it.
The Hidden Cave Sequence
One of the trickiest parts involves a hidden entrance behind a waterfall. Yeah, it’s a trope. But BioWare executed it well here. You have to jump across a series of slippery basalt pillars to reach a cave opening that leads into the heart of the mountain. Inside, you’ll face a few rounds of Venatori or local wildlife, depending on your world state and level. They aren't tough, but in the cramped quarters of a cave, their AOE attacks can get spicy.
Once the room is clear, don't just grab the chest and leave. Look up. There’s a lever hidden near the ceiling that drops a ladder. This leads to the "true" hoard.
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- The First Cache: Located near the old lookout post. You’ll need to bust through some wooden debris.
- The Second Cache: Tucked under a stone archway halfway up the main trail. It’s easy to walk right past it if you're looking at the view.
- The Final Hoard: This requires the "Sharksmouth Key," which you get from defeating the mini-boss at the summit.
The boss isn't a dragon, thankfully—you’ve got enough of those to deal with—but it’s a beefy elite warrior with a shield that’ll test your parry timing. Use your abilities to strip his armor quickly. Once he’s down, the key opens the vault at the back of the arena.
What’s Actually in the Box?
Is the Dragon Age Veilguard treasure of Sharksmouth Mountain worth the effort? Mostly, yes. You aren't getting a game-breaking "Sword of One-Hitting Everything," but you are getting high-tier unique gear that scales with your level. Usually, it’s a piece of armor with specific resistance to Fire or Necrotic damage, which is incredibly helpful for the mid-to-late game encounters in the Shadow Dragons' questline. You’ll also find a healthy amount of Gold and Valuables that you can dump at the faction merchants to increase your reputation.
Reputation is the real currency here. By turning in the artifacts found in the mountain, you’re boosting your standing with the Lords of Fortune. They love this stuff. Higher reputation means better shop inventories, which eventually leads to the actual "best" gear in the game. Think of Sharksmouth as a stepping stone. It’s a way to gear up Rook and your favorite companion while seeing a part of Rivain that isn't just sand and seawater.
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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
I've seen people get stuck because they try to "cheese" the climbing mechanics. Don't. The game uses specific "clamber" points for a reason. If you try to Skyrim-hop your way up a cliffside, you’ll likely hit an invisible wall or get stuck in a geometry hole. Stick to the paths marked by white paint or hanging ropes.
Another big one: ignoring the spirits. In the Veil-heavy areas of the mountain, you’ll see flickering lights. These are often clues. Follow them. They aren't just for atmosphere; they usually lead to a small satchel or a lore note that adds context to the treasure's origin. It turns out the "treasure" has a bit of a tragic history involving a failed mutiny and a very angry Captain.
Actionable Next Steps for Treasure Hunters
- Check your Map: Make sure you’ve actually picked up the "Scrawled Map" item from the camp near the shore. The quest won't track properly without it.
- Bring the Right Crew: Taash is great for environmental interaction, but Bellara can also help with some of the ancient elven tech remnants you might stumble across near the peaks.
- Look Down: A lot of the mountain's secrets are in pits or lower ledges you have to drop onto. If you're only looking up, you're missing half the loot.
- Sell to the Right People: Don't just sell the "Relics of Sharksmouth" to any merchant. Take them back to the Lords of Fortune hub to maximize your faction gains.
- Upgrade the Gear Immediately: The unique items found here often have empty rune slots. Head back to the Lighthouse and visit the Caretaker to slot in some damage buffs before your next big mission.
The treasure hunt is a great way to break up the tension of the main plot. It rewards patience over raw combat power. Take your time, enjoy the Rivain scenery, and make sure you loot every single urn in that final vault. You never know which one is hiding that last bit of gold you need for your next armor upgrade.