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Denerim is the capital of Ferelden as well as an arling of the kingdom and the seat of the annual Landsmeet. It is built around the base of a mountain known as Dragon's Peak. The Drakon River crosses the city from west to east before ending in the Amaranthine Ocean.

Denerim is considered a holy city to worshipers of Andraste, as it claims to be the place of her birth.[2][3]

Background[]

Denerim is by far the largest city in Ferelden by population, wealth and power. It is the seat of the Theirin family, the capital of Ferelden, the largest seaport, and, by ancient tradition, the meeting place of the Landsmeet.[2]

The proximity to Fort Drakon, the oldest and highest edifice in Denerim, indicates the social status of a person. Near the fortress can be found the Royal Palace, noble estates, chantries and homes of merchant princes. Almost all nobles who are capable of doing so maintain an estate within the city even if they use it only when a Landsmeet is called.[4][5]

Denerim was founded as an outpost on the borders of the Tevinter Imperium in the Ancient Age, and over time a city grew around it. Internationally, Denerim is most famous as the birthplace of Andraste. The monument erected to the prophet in the Palace District is however unassuming; a great rock adorned with a simple message of peace. Worshipers come from far and wide to touch the Birth Rock and to pray.[6]

BioWare canon
The following information is only mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop. Certain portions of this media may no longer reflect currently established lore.

Several Fereldan cities were once lone forts or castles where the region’s people could be gathered in case of attack. Over decades and ages, though, buildings grow up outside these fortifications as the dangers of war recede. This has been the case with Denerim. The core castle remains (and in fact, has grown into a full-fledged fortress) while the city has grown rapidly around it.[7]

H razikalea 0

Denerim heraldry

Today, most of the streets in Denerim are made of packed dirt, with only the wealthier streets being fully cobbled. Buildings have been laid down—and thus, streets and alleys formed—haphazardly, according to no common plan. At best, buildings are arranged according to their functions. Inns and taverns are found near the city’s gates; trade markets are surrounded by shops, warehouses, and guild-houses; and in between them all, houses are packed practically on top of one another.[7] The narrow streets of the Lower Docks have an almost labyrinthine quality, and the walled-off elven Alienage is so overpopulated that several purges have been required to keep order in the last decade alone.

Further down the hill, the Market District is the heart of Denerim’s bustling trade. Denerim’s Poor Quarter, near the base of the hill, has been accurately called a labyrinth, on top of being filthy from both the mud in the roads and the lack of a proper sewage system. The worst of the Poor Quarter is the Elven Alienage, which is walled off from the rest of the city.[7]

By civilized standards Fereldan cities are anarchic, and Denerim is no exception. The Fereldan penchant for personal freedom engenders a laissez-faire attitude towards law enforcement and public behavior in general. The King’s Patrol is intended more to defend the city and keep order rather than to enforce the laws, though it has expanded into the latter role, to a certain extent, over time. Even so, while the worst offenses are put down, petty crimes are often ignored and the citizenry left to their own recourses. Commerce is largely unregulated as long as taxes are paid. Businesses such as brothels and gambling halls are not only tolerated but expected.[8]

History[]

Denerim, the capital of Ferelden, originally began as an outpost of the ancient Tevinter Imperium. Its mages rose up a dark tower from the side of a mountain, a symbol of the Imperium's power. As the Imperium faded, the tower passed to the hands of the teyrns that ruled the region for a millennium. Today that tower still stands as Fort Drakon, immediately recognizable to any ship that approaches the rocky coast. The city that has sprung up around it has almost been carved out of the side of the mountain it rests on, and during the Dragon Age, its population has grown beyond the city's ability to cope.[6]

The city of Denerim used to host the local Circle of Magi in a tower. However, after the tower was razed, the Circle moved to Kinloch Hold in 3:87 Towers.[9]

Denerim used to belong to Teyrn Simeon, Calenhad Theirin's biggest rival in the bid for kingship over the nation that is now known as Ferelden. In 5:33 Exalted, Calenhad defeated Simeon in the Battle of the White Valley [10] and was named teyrn of Denerim.[11]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.


On the onset of the Fifth Blight, Arl Urien Kendells, the arl of Denerim at the time and one of King Cailan Theirin's closest advisors, answered King Cailan's call to arms in Ferelden's war against the darkspawn. Urien and his troops marched with King Cailan to face the darkspawn amassing in the south of Ferelden. In the end, Arl Urien was ultimately among the casualties of the Battle of Ostagar.

However Bodahn Feddic also mentions a rumor that Arl Urien "never reached Ostagar" and that his son, Vaughan Kendells, hired the Antivan Crows to kill the Arl before he ever reached the battle so he could claim the Arling for himself.[12]

After his death, the Arling of Denerim was given to Arl Rendon Howe by Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir, with Howe claiming that Arl Urien's heir, Vaughan Kendells, was killed during the revolt in the Denerim Alienage. This may indeed be correct, if playing the City Elf Origin; otherwise it is a ruse meant to allow Howe to consolidate power and Vaughan was instead imprisoned in the dungeon of the Arl of Denerim's estate.

Rendon Howe has shown himself to be a ruthless, callous, and iron-fisted lord. He ordered a mass murder of the City Elves in the Denerim Alienage under the pretense of putting down an elven riot. The purge and the ensuing riots were so violent that the alienage's orphanage became haunted by demons not long after.[13]

To make matters worse, sometime after the Battle of Ostagar, infected Blight refugees arrived in Denerim seeking safe shelter and spread the illness to the elves resulting in the deaths of many [14] and prompting a quarantine of the alienage itself.

Arl Howe has also ordered the kidnapping, torture, and imprisonment of many Fereldan citizens—some of which are political prisoners that could threaten Teyrn Loghain's rule.[15] Arl Howe's brutality earns him the sobriquet "The Butcher of Denerim", his ill reputation becoming notorious as far as the Free Marches.[16] Rendon Howe has even avoided paying his workmen for their services, causing a crowd of his workers to gather outside his Denerim estate to demand their remuneration.[17] Howe is also implied to be embezzling funds from Denerim's treasury behind Loghain's back.

In 9:30 Dragon, Arl Eamon calls for an extraordinary Landsmeet to put an end to the Fereldan Civil War and settle the matter of succession following King Cailan's death at the Battle of Ostagar. When The Warden and Arl Eamon arrived at Denerim, they received word from Queen Anora's servant, Erlina, that Rendon Howe has imprisoned Queen Anora and is threatening to murder her—all in order to falsely incriminate Eamon's faction and sully their reputation at the Landsmeet. Unable to jeopardize their standing at the Landsmeet, the Warden infiltrated the Arl of Denerim's Estate and rescued Queen Anora from captivity—killing Arl Howe in the process.[18]

Once secure in the Arl of Redcliffe's Estate, Queen Anora attempts to negotiate an alliance with the Warden in exchange for their support in maintaining her position as queen of Ferelden. As a gesture of goodwill, Anora directs the Warden to investigate the unrest in the Denerim Alienage, which she believes her father may have had a hand in causing and may find something that could sway the Landsmeet. After investigating the Denerim Alienage, the Warden found evidence proving that Loghain had invited Tevinter Imperium slavers into the Alienage and was selling city elves into slavery in order to fund his war.[19]

The Warden and Loghain presented their cases to the Landsmeet, hoping to win over the nobles of Ferelden to their respective side. However, when it became clear that the losing side would not surrender peacefully, it was decided that a traditional Fereldan duel would decide the leadership of the country. Ultimately Loghain was deposed when a champion of the Eamon faction defeated him in single combat; and with Ferelden now united against the Blight, the new monarch of Ferelden appointed the Warden as commander of the Fereldan coalition forces.[20]

In 9:31, Denerim is attacked by the darkspawn horde. The Warden leads the army they have gathered to Denerim's gates in an effort to save it from utter destruction. After fighting their way through the city, the Warden vanquishes the Archdemon Urthemiel on top of Fort Drakon, thus putting an end to the Fifth Blight.



This section contains spoilers for:
Witch Hunt.


By 9:32, Denerim has fully recovered from the war. Trade has been restored and pilgrims visit once again the birthplace of Andraste. However, the Alienage still lags behind, and its buildings are still not repaired.



This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


If the Inquisitor allies with the Qunari in Demands of the Qun, a Venatori plot to burn the city down is uncovered. This plot can be successfully thwarted depending on war table actions. If not stopped, Denerim will take significant damage.



This section contains spoilers for:
Trespasser.


In 9:44 Dragon, barrels of gaatlok are found hidden in Denerim's palace as part of a Qunari plot to take out the southern leadership and pave the way for their invasion. The Inquisitor discovers the plot during the Exalted Council and the barrels are removed before they can be detonated.


Map[]

The PearlWarehouseMarket DistrictArl of Redcliffe's EstateThe AlienageFort DrakonBann of West Hill's EstateK's HideoutDeserted BuildingDark AlleyRansom Drop LocationRun-Down Back StreetArl of Denerim's EstateRoyal PalaceCity GatesDirty Back AlleyArl of Denerim's EstateMap - Denerim
About this image

Click (or mouse over) any location for details.

Places[]

Abandoned Orphanage Abandoned Orphanage
Alarith's Store Alarith's Store
Arl of Redcliffe's Estate Arl of Redcliffe's Estate
Arl of Denerim's Estate Arl of Denerim's Estate
Arl of Denerim's Estate Dungeon Arl of Denerim's Estate Dungeon
Back Alley Back Alley (random encounter)
South Wing of Bann Franderel's Estate South Wing of Bann Franderel's Estate
Cyrion's Home Cyrion's Home
D's Hideout D's Hideout
Dark Alley Dark Alley
Denerim City Gates Denerim City Gates
Denerim Market District Denerim Market District
Deserted Building Deserted Building
Dirty Back Alley Dirty Back Alley
Dirty Hovel Dirty Hovel
Elven Alienage Elven Alienage
Fort Drakon Fort Drakon
Genitivi's Home Genitivi's Home
Gnawed Noble Tavern Gnawed Noble Tavern
K's Hideout K's Hideout
Marjolaine's Home Marjolaine's Home
Market Warehouse Market Warehouse
Palace District Palace District
Ransom Drop Location Ransom Drop Location (part of the quest Trial of the Crows)
Royal Palace Royal Palace
Run-Down Alley Run-Down Alley
Run-Down Apartments Run-Down Apartments
Run-Down Back Street Run-Down Back Street
Side Street Side Street (scripted encounter)
Tevinter Hospice Tevinter Hospice
Tevinter Warehouse Tevinter Warehouse
The Pearl The Pearl
Valendrian's Home Valendrian's Home
Wade's Emporium Wade's Emporium
Wonders of Thedas Wonders of Thedas

Quests[]

Favors for Certain Interested Parties[]

Correspondence Interruptus Correspondence Interruptus
Solving Problems Solving Problems
Negotiation Aids Negotiation Aids
Sign of Safe Passage Sign of Safe Passage
Untraceable Untraceable
False Witness False Witness
Dead Drops Dead Drops
Harsh Decisions Harsh Decisions
New Ground New Ground

Chanter's Board[]

Back Alley Justice Back Alley Justice
Fazzil's Request Fazzil's Request
Loghain's Push Loghain's Push
Missing in Action Missing in Action
Note: Aside from Loghain's Push, all of the quests given by the board in Denerim will appear under the "Denerim" heading in the Journal, rather than the "Chanter's Board" heading.

The Blackstone Irregulars[]

Restocking the Guild Restocking the Guild
Notices of Death Notices of Death

The Mages' Collective[]

Blood of Warning Blood of Warning
Have You Seen Me? Have You Seen Me?
The Scrolls of Banastor The Scrolls of Banastor

Before the Landsmeet[]

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before Swine
The Crimson Oars The Crimson Oars
Friends of Red Jenny Friends of Red Jenny
Back Alley Justice Back Alley Justice
Drake Scale Armor Drake Scale Armor
Dragon Scale Armor Dragon Scale Armor
Forgotten Verses Forgotten Verses
Honor Bound Honor Bound
The Last Request The Last Request
Unbound Unbound
The Trial of Crows The Trial of Crows
Crime Wave Crime Wave

 During the Landsmeet[]

Rescue the Queen Rescue the Queen
Captured! Captured!
Missing in Action Missing in Action
Tortured Noble Tortured Noble
Lost Templar Lost Templar
Something Wicked Something Wicked
Hearing Voices Hearing Voices
Fazzil's Request Fazzil's Request

Companion remarks[]

One of your companions may make interesting remarks at certain spots:

  • Entering the main market square
  • Approaching the Wonders of Thedas
  • Display in the back of the Wonders of Thedas
  • Entering the Gnawed Noble Tavern
  • Entering The Pearl brothel
  • Fountain outside Eamon's estate
  • Entering Alienage gate
  • At the vhenadahl tree in the Alienage

Banter[]

Party banter may be triggered at the following spots:

  • Northwest part of the market district, just south of entrance
  • Entrance to Arl Eamon's Estate
  • Inside Wade's Emporium
  • In the side corridor of the Gnawed Noble Tavern

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: Denerim Codex entry: Denerim
Codex entry: Politics of Ferelden Codex entry: Politics of Ferelden
Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1 Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1
Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 2 Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 2
Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 3 Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 3
Codex entry: Freedom's Promise Codex entry: Freedom's Promise

Notes[]

  • In order to leave Denerim, at the bottom of the map, click on the scroll 'Wide open world'. Unlike other locations, Denerim does not have an exit location.

Trivia[]

  • For a period during the Orlesian occupation of Ferelden, the City of Amaranthine was the capital instead of Denerim.[21]
  • Denerim used to be the teyrnir of the King, but it was reduced to an arling, as the King's domain is all of Ferelden.[22]
  • A branch of the Imperial Highway ends in Denerim, which is also its easternmost point.
  • "Where Willows Wail" is a lullaby local to Denerim and villages to the south. It was originally cataloged with other poems of war common to the Alamarri, though recent discoveries suggest an older elven connection.[23]

When waked, we walked where willows wail,
Whose withered windings wont wassail.
We weary-worn with wited wale,
were wavering with wanion ward.
When wishing waned, we wighters warred.
When wolfen wan, we wastrels warred.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Searle, Mike. "Traveler's Guide: Ferelden Details", Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Codex entry: Denerim
  3. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 34
  4. Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide
  5. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 47
  6. 6.0 6.1 Denerim. Bioware Wiki.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Blood in Ferelden, p. 90
  8. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Blood in Ferelden, pp. 90-91
  9. Kinloch Hold. BioWare wiki.
  10. Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 2
  11. Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1
  12. This rumor is mentioned even if playing the City Elf Origin and choosing to kill Vaughan, indicating that the alleged plans were made prior to the events at Ostagar and likely those of the origin story as well.
  13. According to dialogue with Ser Otto.
  14. According to dialogue with Shianni during Unrest in the Alienage.
  15. As evidenced by the imprisonment and torture of Riordan, Oswyn, Irminric Eremon, Vaughan Kendells, and Soris
  16. The title is mentioned by Hawke in Dragon Age II if Anders is not in the party during the conversation with Delilah Howe.
  17. According to Erlina's dialogue during Rescue the Queen
  18. Rescue the Queen
  19. Unrest in the Alienage
  20. The Landsmeet
  21. Codex entry: The Port City of Amaranthine
  22. Codex entry: Politics of Ferelden
  23. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 201.

External links[]

BioWare's Denerim Page

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