Black City

The Black City, formerly known as the Golden City, is a city in the Fade, said to be the former seat of the Maker or the realm of the Old Gods, depending on the religious perspective.

The Chantry teaches that the Maker created the Golden City for His mortal children to enter when they died. Now there is no more heaven for souls to pass into after death. Those who worship the Maker are gathered to His side while those who do not must wander endlessly in Oblivion. This is not a form of punishment, but a consequence of human corruption. The Chantry believes that when the Chant of Light is sung from the four corners of the world, He will return, rebuild the city, and make the mortal world a paradise.

The Black City


In -395 Ancient (800 TE) a group of powerful Tevinter magisters, believed to be the followers of the Old God Dumat, opened a gate into the Golden City with blood magic and entered it physically. The city turned black, and the mages were cast back as the first darkspawn, triggering the First Blight.

The Black City is the one constant geographical feature within the Fade. At any time, a dreamer or mage can look up and see it in the sky, always in the distance. Actually traveling to the Black City from elsewhere in the Fade is impossible; no matter the actions of the dreamer, it remains equidistant from all other points of reference.

The Black City is visible in the background when visiting the fade in the Grey Warden storyline. It is difficult to see and is partially hidden beyond other floating islands. If Solas is in your party he will comment that he has never seen The Black City so close before.