How to solve the bridge puzzle in the Gauntlet with ease

A brief guide on how to solve the tile puzzle in the third chamber of the Gauntlet during the Test of Faith quest. The right answers to the riddles of the first chamber are also included.

Introduction (the quest itself)

A Test of Faith is a quest that serves as part of the Urn of Sacred Ashes quest line, in which our heroes ventured into the cold and unwelcoming wilderness surrounding the imposing Frostback Mountains in search for a way to heal the dying Arl Eamon of Redcliffe.

Our heroes got past the mysterious and remote village of Haven, fought their way through the Drake-infested Caverns and the chilling Ruined temple, faced a hungry High Dragon, and eventually found their way into the Gauntlet, where they had to prove themselves victorious one final time!

This guide will cover mainly and thoroughly the third puzzle of the Gauntlet which revolves around ethereal bridges and neverending, magic chasms! In the last two sections of the guide you will find a brief solution of the first puzzle room (which involves cunning riddles) as well as a few words concerning the guide's author and his past published guides.

Now that we got that out of the way, let us proceed with the actual puzzle and how to solve this challenging ordeal in just three steps!

The gap below (The rules and the goal)

Once you get past the first two rooms (read the "Freebie" section below) you will come across your new challenge which requires careful planning. The room looks like this:


Your goal is to reach the other side of the room.

To do so, 3 (three) of your party members must step on the 12 (twelve) tiles surrounding the chasm in order for a bridge to materialise and 1 (one) must cross it and reach the other side of the chasm for the puzzle to be solved. Every time someone steps on a tile it will produce an ethereal block. If two party members step on two different tiles that activate the same block, that block will turn solid and can be used by the last member to stand on. If a block is vanished while someone's on it, he/she will be teleported at the entrance of the room instead of falling into the chasm below. Convenient, don't you think?

*If, for any reason, you don't have a full party (consisting of four members) non-hostile Ash Wraiths will appear to serve as temporary companions and, once the riddle is solved, they will leave this cruel world.

Before solving the puzzle let us number the tiles. Look back at the screenshot above. The tile next to my hero's right hand is tile Right 1 while the first on his left hand is tile Left 1. Exactly above it is Left 2 and so on.

Be sure to change party's stance to "Hold position" (H key, by default) and control each hero manually with W, A, S, D keys. To be sure everything's in order, the two circular indicators below your last party member's avatar must show a sign with four dots and a palm (screenshot below).


Ready? Let's have some fun!

That was quick! (Solving the puzzle in 3 steps)

• Position three of your party members on the following tiles: Left 3, Left 6, Right 2.
  This will make the first two bridge blocks solid. Position the fourth party member at the end of the second one.

• Move the party member that was on Left 3 to Right 4, and the one on Right 2 to Left 1. The third block will now be solid. Position the fourth member on it as shown below.

• Move the party member who was on Left 6 to Right 5, and the one on Right 4 to Left 5. The fourth and last block will now be solid. Move the fourth party member to the other side of the bridge. The puzzle is solved and the bridge will fully materialise. Well done!

Now all that's left is to press H (by default) to change party's stance to "Move freely" and everyone will join you on the other side of the chasm.

A freebie (Answering the riddles in the first trial correctly)

Eight spirits shall await you on the first room; each with a riddle. If you answer them correctly, the spirits will depart and gray smoke will be absorbed by the room's door. Answer all eight riddles to proceed. If you give a wrong answer, the spirits will be transformed into Ash Wraiths. As far as experience points are concerned, it's advisable to answer the riddles correctly instead of slaying the wraiths. Here are the riddles and their corresponding answers.

Ealisay
The smallest lark may carry it while the strongest man may not.
Correct answer: A tune

Brona
Echoes from a shadow realm; whispers of things yet to come. Thought's strange sister dwells in night; is swept away in morning light.
Correct answer: Dreams

Lady Vasilia
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. A debt of blood must be paid in full.
Correct answer: Vengeance

Thane Shartan
I'm neither guest or a trespasser be. In this place I belong, that belongs also to me.
Correct anwer: Home

Disciple Havard
The moans of the world stretch toward the sky's embrace. Veiled in white, like a bride greeting her groom.
Correct answer: Mountains

General Maferath
A poison of the soul, passion's cruel counterpart. From love she grows, til love lies slain.
Correct answer: Jealousy

Disciple Cathaire
No man has seen it, but all men know it. Lighter than air, sharper than any sword. Comes from nothing but will fell the strongest armies.
Correct answer: Hunger

Archon Hessarian
She wields the broken sword, and separates true kings from tyrants.
Correct Answer: Mercy

Voilà! The door is open and you may proceed to the next chamber!

One last thing (Who on earth is The Vintage Feeling?)

• This guide's branding image depicts the character Solas from Dragon Age: Inquisition. The image itself can be found at the following website: https://www.dragonage.com/en_US/characters/elves/solas

• Thank you for taking the time to read my guide. I'm Joseph; an avid fan of the Pen and Paper version of Vampire the Masquerade since the late '90s. I started writing guides a few years ago with a lore one on VtM: Bloodlines being the first. Three more guides followed. All of them received praise from the Steam community. You may find them here:
  
  http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=178356498
  http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=175885447
  http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=215066276
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2342240194
  
• I'm therefore obliged to all the Steam users who found the time to read this guide as well. I shall eagerly wait for your comments and constructive criticism in order to ameliorate this or any of my other guides. A big thanks to BioWare for offering us the opportunity to slay demons and heed the dragon call inside us in this addicting, stellar, immersive gem known as Dragon Age: Origins.
  
  
• If you found the guide to your liking, please leave a comment, upvote it, or add it to your favourites. It helps me and motivates me more than you can imagine!
  
  
• This guide may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the author.

Thanks for reading my guide and may the desire demons watch over you!

Updates, fixes, author notes

• 10/9/2016: fixed typographical errors

• 1/11/2016: replaced some screenshots

• 12/11/2016: fixed the introduction

• 23/11/2016: fixed typographical errors

• 1/12/2016: The guide has surpassed 500 views. Thank you all for the support!

• 31/7/2018: fixed errors of syntax and grammar

[The vintage feeling]

I'm glad I could help, Synik.
Thank you for reading!

[Synik]

2025 and this guide still pops up near the top of Google. Still works, thank you!

[The vintage feeling]

You are welcome!

[ani ´ᆺ`]

thank u so much for this guide!

[Aeolidae]

bless

[The vintage feeling]

@Javierpeperoni You are welcome!

[Javierpeperoni]

Dude for real thank you so much!!!

[The vintage feeling]

You are welcome, FieldOfFerns.
Thank you for your heart-warming comment.

[FieldOfFerns]

Thanks so much for this!
First playthrough I toughed it out with a pen and paper, but this run I had no patience (Al and Leli breathing down my neck lol)- your guide was an absolute lifesaver ^^. Hella props to you for taking the time to solve and flesh this out for us all.
Blessed be <3

[The vintage feeling]

You are welcome @EmoRevenger
Thanks for reading the guide!