Black Emporium
	3-8-2011		-	PC
	3-11-2011		-

Nestled deep under Kirkwall, you'll find a market with a curious collection of items, some for sale, some for free, and ranging from the mundane to the mysterious! One artifact can even transform your very body, face, hair, eyes—all new! We've even granted you your very own mabari war hound to call to your side with a whistle—a boon in battle and a beloved pet at home. Visit the Black Emporium today, and you’ll be the envy of adventurers everywhere. Your invitation awaits!

The Black Emporium is DLC bonus content for Dragon Age II available to players who buy the game new. Though at first there seems like there is not a lot to offer in this content, you soon find there is more to this mysterious store than meets the eye.
First off there is the Emporium itself. There is so much stuff in here to look at and browse. Two unique shops are found within this place, each selling unique items, as well as several other things. One is the Emporiums Crating Materials, and the second is the Emporiums Relics and Antiques. The first sells unique potions, runes, and recipes, while the second sells some of the best weapons and arms in the game.
A unique feature of these shops is that items not purchased in a act carry over to the next act. Thus if you saw a item you wanted, but did not have the funds to get it, you do not have to worry about losing it through the progression of the story. Don't we wish all the shops were like that!
There is a chest also that has the shop owners discarded items free for the taking. Though not the greatest in the world, they are just right for the beginning adventurer.
Another unique feature is The Mirror of Transformation. Here you can redo your characters appearance, as many different times as you wish. And if you do it often enough, your companions will, in fact, comment on it! It was pretty funny to hear Anders make a comment about the characters changing eyeshadow.
There are many different lore Codex's to be found throughout in each act. These tell tales of old items and times. There is also two characters within this realm. A great stone golem named Thaddeus Gigantus Crumbum the Third, who serves as a bouncer of sorts, and the Urchin Child. Neither speak, but "They are not for sale" either.
Probably the best feature of this content is the addition of the faithful Mabari Hound. Though not a true character this time around, he can be summoned into battle by Hawke, similar to the Ranger talents in Origins. While not in combat, he spends his time in the Hawke home with the rest of the family. Also if you begin a new game after getting this DLC, the Mabari serves as the fourth party member automatically.
There is a lot to offer in this content. Perhaps more than most the ones for Origins, and it is completely free to anyone who purchases the game new. Definitely worth the time to download.

Discarded Weapons and Armor chest content

Song of Sorrows
Ancient Leather Cuirass
Helm of Appreciation
Gloves of the Unknowable Unknown