Dead Trenches

The Dead Trenches is an underground fortress, accessible via the Deep Roads only after Ortan Thaig has been traversed.

Background Edit

Bownammar, also known as the City of the Dead was once the headquarters of the Legion of the Dead. The fortress was reclaimed by the dwarves and lost again to the darkspawn so many times that even the Memories cannot track it.^[1] Eventually it was permanently lost in 9:13 Dragon only with great regret.^[2] It is now called the Dead Trenches. Paragon Caridin designed it long ago and it is considered one of the finest works of the dwarves.

Involvement Edit

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

The first bridge contains a wave of darkspawn being fought by the Legion of the Dead. Halfway through the second bridge, the Warden will be ambushed by a large number of Shrieks.

In the final area, the Warden will face a broodmother.

Characters

Kardol and some Legionnaires of the The Legion of the Dead. They are fighting on the bridge when the Warden approaches, after the first battle the Warden can speak with Kardol about his mission there and the Blight.
Hespith: A member of House Branka. She is located in the small room just before the final large open area.
Laryn: A member of House Branka, now turned into a broodmother.

Quests Edit

A Paragon of Her Kind
An Admirable Topsider
The Dead Caste
The Gangue Shade
The Shaper's Life

Enemies Edit

Genlock (Darkspawn, Normal and Critter versions.)
Genlock alpha (Darkspawn, Lieutenant)
Genlock emissary (Darkspawn, Lieutenant) - Mage
Genlock forge master (Darkspawn, Boss) When defeated drops, Forge Master's Hammer, Spear-Thrower and over 4 .
Hurlock (Darkspawn, Normal)
Hurlock alpha (Darkspawn, Lieutenant)
Hurlock emissary (Darkspawn, Lieutenant) - Mage
Ancient darkspawn (Darkspawn, Boss) Appears only if the Warrior's Grave in Ortan Thaig has been examined. When defeated, drops Topsider's Blade, Grey Warden Helmet and some random loot. It will also update the quest An Admirable Topsider.
Shriek (Darkspawn, Normal)
Ogre (Darkspawn, Lieutenant)
Bronto (Beast, Lieutenant)
Corrupted spider (Animal, Normal)
Devouring skeleton (Skeleton, Normal)
Broodmother (Darkspawn, Boss) While fighting her, more Shrieks, Hurlocks and Genlocks will move in. Defeating her unlocks the exit of the instance to Anvil of the Void and yields Codex entry: Broodmother, the items Rock-Knocker, Effort and Ring of Selection plus random levelled loot.
Broodmother tentacle (Darkspawn, Lieutenant)
Legion spirit (Shades, Normal) They attack only after the Helm of the Legion is taken from the Legionnaire altar.
Gangue shade (Shades, Boss) Summoned during The Gangue Shade quest.

Notable items Edit

Legionnaire statue I — A statue found in a Legion of the Dead mausoleum

Armor of the Legion, source: Sarcophagus

Boots of the Legion, source: Sarcophagus

Gloves of the Legion, source: Sarcophagus

Helm of the Legion, source: Legionnaire Altar

Legionnaire Key, source: Legionnaire Altar

Dead Caste Insignia, source: coffin - part of the Dead Caste side-quest

Topsider's Blade, source: dropped by the Ancient darkspawn in the south-central tunnel on the map (only available after acquiring An Admirable Topsider quest from the Warrior's Grave in Ortan Thaig).

Forge Master's Hammer, source: corpse of genlock forge master

Spear-Thrower, source: corpse of genlock forge master

Effort, source: corpse of broodmother

Ring of Selection, source: corpse of broodmother

Codex entries Edit

Codex entry: Load Limit Reached, source: Rubble
Codex entry: Orzammar History: Chapter Two, source: Statue (Paragon Branka)
Codex entry: Stalata Negat, source: multiple Runestones
Codex entry: The Dead Caste, source: x3 Sarcophagi and Legionnaire Altar
Codex entry: The Gangue Shade, source: Legion of the Dead Relic
Codex entry: The Shaper's Life, source: Runestone

Containers Edit

Legionnaire statue II — A statue of a legionnaire

Broken Chest (Darkspawn, Normal)
Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
Fractured Stone (Stone, Critter)
Fractured Stone (Stone, Critter)
Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)

Mausoleums

Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Critter)
Sarcophagus (Special) - Boots of the Legion
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Critter)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Elite)
Chest (Darkspawn, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Special) - Gloves of the Legion
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)

Forge Master's camp

The Corruption

Sarcophagus (Special) - Armor of the Legion
Fractured Stone (Stone, Elite)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Sarcophagus (Dwarven, Normal)
Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
Chest (Darkspawn, Boss) - locked (60 XP)
Chest (Darkspawn, Normal) - locked
Fleshy Sack (Generic, Critter)

Bownammar

Fractured Stone (Stone, Elite)
Legionnaire Altar (Special) - Helm of the Legion
Fleshy Sack (Generic, Critter)
Sarcophagus (Special) - Dead Caste Insignia
Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)

Special objects Edit

x2 Pressure Plates (detect/disarm for 40 XP)
An automatically resetting tripwire, unless disarmed (40 XP difficulty); in order for a rogue to disable it, switch to 3rd-person top-down view and then move the mouse pointer along the tripwire to either side and into the wall until the disarm icon appears. (PC Only)
Ominous Door: Locked, needs a key that can be found in the southernmost room of the final large area in the Legionnaire Altar.

Notes Edit

You must have received the quest to find Branka in order to get to the Dead Trenches. This area is only accessible once you have found Branka's journal in Ortan Thaig. Getting through the Dead Trenches leads to Anvil of the Void.

References Edit

↑ Mentioned by Oghren while in this location.
↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 141

[0] Mentioned by Oghren while in this location.

[1] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 141

[1]

[2]

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