Emprise du Lion

Emprise du Lion is an area in the Highlands of the Dales.^[1] It is a cold and craggy environment dotted with elven ruins.

Background Edit

Emprise du Lion is a snow-covered area formerly occupied by elves. Several ancient elven ruins including a large keep and multiple coliseums are located in the area. The hot springs in the Emprise have attracted dragons in recent years.

The ancient and the modern co-exist in the highlands of Emprise du Lion, where relics of the lost elven nation are scattered among bustling human villages. These hills are home to the village of Sahrnia, known throughout Orlais for its quarry, which produces azure granite of remarkable quality.

—Excerpt from the quest journal

Involvement Edit

Places Edit

Regions Edit

• Alphonse's Passage
• Drakon's Rise
• Drakon's Tower
• Elfsblood River
• Elfsblood Tower
• Elven Ruin
• Etienne's Ring
• Highgrove
• Judicael's Crossing
• Judicael's Ring
• Leontine's Ring
• Pools of Sun
• Sahrnia
• Sahrnia Quarry
• Suledin Keep
• Tower of Bone

Additional places Edit

• Valeska's Watch

Inquisition Camps Edit

• Highgrove Camp
• Sahrnia Camp
• Tower Camp

Characters Edit

• Baron Edouard Desjardins
• Imshael
• Michel de Chevin
• Mistress Poulin
• Suledin Keep Merchant

Quests Edit

A Timely Intervention
Breeding Grounds
Caged Confession
Call Me Imshael
Capturing Suledin Keep
Mama's Ring
Red Captors
Rocky Rescue
Rumors of the Sulevin Blade
Securing Safe Passage
Sifting Through Rubble
Stalker
Take Back the Lion
The Corruption of Sahrnia
They Shall Not Pass
Turning the Tables
Quarry Quandary
Valeska's Watch
Words not Hollow

Rifts Edit

Rifts at Drakon's Cleft
Rift at Elfsblood Tower
Rifts in the Springs
Rift on Frozen Water

Requisitions Edit

Bloodstone Survey in the Emprise
Brazier Requisition in the Emprise
Coat Requisition in the Emprise
Shelter Requisition in the Emprise

War table operations Edit

A Golden Opportunity
Deal with Lord Basile Maron
Emprise du Lion Resources
Gather Cloth
Gather Leather
Liberate Emprise du Lion
Restore Judicael's Crossing
Shelter Requisition in the Emprise

Creatures Edit

• August Ram
• Snoufleur

Enemies Edit

• Bear
  • Great Bear
• Hurlock alpha
• Ghoul
• Wolf
  • Black wolf
• Highland Ravager
• Hivernal
• Kaltenzahn
• Dragonling
• Red Templars
  • Red Templar
  • Red Templar Marksman
  • Red Templar Guard
  • Red Templar Shadow
  • Red Templar Horror
  • Red Templar Knight
  • Behemoth
• Despair demon
• Pride demon
• Greater Terror
• Lesser Terror
• Fearling

Collections Edit

Bottles on the Wall Edit

Legacy White Shear - Search near the entrance of the locked tower in Sahrnia quarry.
Abyssal Peach - Inside Suledin Keep, head past the cages and the first Giant encounter, search just before the lyrium tents.

Dragon Hunter Edit

Hivernal
Kaltenzahn
Highland Ravager

Landmarks Edit

Landmarks in the Emprise

Shards Edit

Shards in the Emprise

Skyhold Customizations Edit

Resources Edit

Herbs Edit

Leather Edit

Metal Edit

Notable items Edit

Elven artifacts Edit

• On a cliffside ledge east of Drakon's Tower and Valeska's Watch.
• Hidden within an arch directly north (or to the right of) the ocularum in the 2nd dragon ring near the Leontine's Steward region. The artifact is hidden from view; to access the artifact, jump down from the last archway in the ring to the large rock-ledge below.

Logging stands Edit

• South-east of the Highgrove Camp.
• The island at the center of the frozen lake, by an unmarked hunter campsite, and a tower with a locked door.

Memories of the Grey Edit

• Joining Chalice - Found on an altar in Valeska's Watch.
• Grey Warden Armor - In Valeska's Watch, found in the same room as the Valeska's Watch landmark.

Red Jenny's Caches Edit

• Inside Sahrnia Quarry, northwest of the Sahrnia Quarry landmark.

Red lyrium veins Edit

• Near Drakon's Rise Camp
• Near Valeska's Watch
• Found midway between the Sahrnia and Highgrove Camps
• In the Sahrnia Quarry
• Found midway between the Highgrove and Drakon's Rise Camps, just west of the veinn found near Drakon's Rise Camp

Veilfire glyphs Edit

• Frost Rune SchematicFrost Rune Schematic

  ---

  Rune Schematic
  Adds cold damage to each weapon strike.
  - Found within the cave in Sahrnia Quarry, the entrance begins south of the Suledin Keep map marker. The Veilfire torch is located at the end of the cave, the glyph is roughly halfway through, almost directly west of the Suledin Keep map marker just past the loot box on a small ledge.
  Note: The illusory wall leading to the Ardent Blossom is located just west of the Veilfire torch; see side quest The Tiniest Cave for specifics.

Loot Edit

• Amulet of Death SyphonAmulet of Death Syphon

  ---

  Unique Amulet
  
  Every time an enemy dies nearby, the wearer of this amulet gains health and stamina. - see side quest Sifting Through Rubble
• Amulet of RenewalAmulet of Renewal

  ---

  Unique Amulet
  
  The wearer of this amulet regenerates mana or stamina at a higher rate. - Looted from Imshael; see side quest Call Me Imshael.
  Note: Trespasser required.
• Ardent BlossomArdent Blossom

  ---

  Unique Helmet
  "So I said to the fellow, 'You want a what?' And it turns out I heard him right the first time. A helmet of flowers, he said, with a vein of lyrium running through it to keep them flowers alive. I thought for sure this had to be some elven thing, something for frolicking in the woods, but no. It's for a duel, he said. Bloody Orlesians. Dwarven pride demanded I make the damned thing effective, at least."
  Requires: Level 19
  
  Armor: 39-41
  +24% Sunder When Hit - Found down the endless staircase near Suledin Keep, see side quest The Tiniest Cave.
• CalibanCaliban

  ---

  Unique Sword
  First wielded by Caliban, the most famous non-Pentaghast dragon hunter (he claimed to have slain the last dragon in the early Steel Age, notorious for his commoner heritage and sexual appetite. After the death of his lover, Queen Fionne Theirin, he went into self-imposed exile and, some say, trained a secret warrior order in the Frostback Mountains called the Calibanites.
  Requires: Level 20
  
  Damage: 195-202
  +14% Attack
  +16% Heal on Kill
  +5% extra damage for each enemy within 8 meters - Looted from the high dragon Kaltenzahn.
• Curse of MorracCurse of Morrac

  ---

  Rare Helmet
  This mask is not actually cursed, though many believe that the people associated with it are. The house of Morrac, the traditional rulers of Val Firmin, went through a period in the late Exalted Age where almost every member of their large family met a tragic end. It reached the point where the Morracs were shunned out of fear, justified or not, their "curse" might be contagious. Lady Louise de Morrac, wife of Count Evram, who had passed away from poisoned grapes only days before, made a public show of destroying the Morrac mask and having a new one crafted - something almost unheard of. The deaths stopped, and despite Lady Louise's efforts, the previous masks became a much-sought-after rarity.
  Requires: Level 14
  
  Armor: 27-28
  +6 Cunning
  +6 Dexterity - Found in Elfsblood Tower.
• Duke's ManeDuke's Mane

  ---

  Unique Helmet
  Requires: Level 19
  
  Armor: 45-46
  +14% Heal Bonus
  +8% Melee Defense
  +8 Strength - Looted from the Highland Ravager high dragon.
• Griffon Mace SchematicGriffon Mace Schematic

  ---

  Axe Schematic
  
  Damage: 140–150–179–189
  Damage: 17 Metal
  Utility: 6 Metal
  Offense: 4 Metal
  Utility: 4 Metal
  Masterwork: 1 Masterwork - Randomly available at the Suledin Keep Merchant for
  0000008317
  8317 .
  Note: Requires The Short List Inquisition perk.
• Keeper Robe SchematicKeeper Robe Schematic

  ---

  Light Armor Schematic
  
  Armor: 187–219–244–269
  Armor: 21 Cloth
  Utility: 12 Cloth
  Defense: 8 Cloth
  Defense: 8 Leather
  Masterwork: 1 Masterwork - Looted from the Highland Ravager high dragon.
• KnightslayerKnightslayer

  ---

  Unique Dual-Blade Dagger
  The most famous elven criminal in Orlais was Alidda of Halamshiral, arrested in 4:45 Black for slaying three chevaliers. The trial, presided over by Divine Clemence I, revealed that Alidda had slain twelve chevaliers, in retaliation for the "graduation" tradition that sent knights into the slums to attack elves out past curfew. Alidda escaped and killed twenty more chevaliers, two in single combat, before she was cornered and, to avoid capture, cut her throat with her own dagger.
  Requires: Level 13
  
  Damage: 74-76 AoE
  +32 Damage vs. Living
  +5% Armor Penetration
  +9% Critical Damage Bonus
  +5% Guard Damage Bonus - Looted from a corpse inside Valeska's Watch.
• March of the EverlastingMarch of the Everlasting

  ---

  Unique Shield
  This shield may have been forged in Arlathan, like the varterrals that guard ancient elven tombs. If so, it fell into the hands of Tevinter conquerors, who reshaped it with their own magic. During the Black Age's Exalted Marches, Orlesian Circle Mages re-enchanted it and gave it to the chevaliers.
  Requires: Level 17
  
  Armor: 29
  +30 Front Defense
  +27 Maximum Health
  +8% Melee Defense
  +4 Strength
  +5% extra damage for each enemy within 8 meters - Looted from Imshael; see side quest Call Me Imshael.
• Masterwork Battlemage ArmorMasterwork Battlemage Armor

  ---

  Unique Light Armor
  Requires: Level 19
  
  Armor: 222-229
  +6 Magic
  +17% Magic Defense
  Abilities cost 7.5% less mana/stamina - Looted from the Highland Ravager high dragon.
• Masterwork Battlemaster ArmorMasterwork Battlemaster Armor

  ---

  Unique Heavy Armor
  Requires: Level 19
  
  Armor: 254-264
  +9% Heal Bonus
  +11% Melee Defense
  +11% Ranged Defense
  Increase maximum stamina by 15 - Looted from the high dragon Hivernal.
• Masterwork Prowler ArmorMasterwork Prowler Armor

  ---

  Unique Medium Armor
  Requires: Level 19
  
  Armor: 238-247
  +6% Bleed on Being Hit
  +6 Dexterity
  +11% Ranged Defense
  Abilities cost 20% less mana/stamina if not being hit for 5 seconds - Looted from the high dragon Kaltenzahn.
• Pure Spirit EssencePure Spirit Essence

  ---

  Rune Material
  (x3) - Possible reward from Imshael; see side quest Call Me Imshael.
• Rebuke of the SunderlandRebuke of the Sunderland

  ---

  Unique Greataxe
  Forged both well and true, though as far as it has traveled, it has never truly left the will of its master. An axe that demands an accounting, the approval of some faraway smithy granted or rebuked with every swing.
  Requires: Level 14
  
  Damage: 196-206 AoE
  +8% Bleed on Hit
  +24% Critical Chance
  +7.5% extra damage for each enemy within 8 meters - Found in Elfsblood Tower.
• Sad SplintersSad Splinters

  ---

  Other
  The despondent remains of a once-proud keep door.
  - Looted from the destroyed gate remains; see side quest Capturing Suledin Keep.
• Staff of the VoidStaff of the Void

  ---

  Unique Staff
  A weapon that stills the air around it. The inscription is old Tevinter Imperium: "There is strength in absence. Absence of weakness, and of limitation. Absence of caution, and of mercy. The Void has always been within."
  Requires: Level 17
  
  Damage: 65-66 Electricity
  +6% Attack
  +6% Critical Chance
  +36 Magic
  10% chance to grant 2 seconds of Walking Fortress - Looted from the high dragon Hivernal.
• Superb Cleansing Rune SchematicSuperb Cleansing Rune Schematic

  ---

  Rune Schematic
  Inflicts bonus damage against red templars and darkspawn on each weapon strike.
  - Available for purchase from the Suledin Keep Merchant for
  0000007294
  7294 .
• Superb Corrupting RuneSuperb Corrupting Rune

  ---

  Unique Rune
  Inflicts bonus damage against humanoids, beasts, and animals on each weapon strike.
  
  +50 Damage vs. Living - Possible reward from Imshael; see side quest Call Me Imshael.
• Superior Grenades BeltSuperior Grenades Belt

  ---

  Unique Belt
  Increases the maximum capacity of all grenades by the specified amount.
  
  +3 Extra Grenade(s) - Looted from the high dragon Hivernal.
• Superior Guard BeltSuperior Guard Belt

  ---

  Unique Belt
  Increases maximum guard by the specified amount.
  
  +30 Guard Max - Looted from the Highland Ravager high dragon.
• Superior Potions BeltSuperior Potions Belt

  ---

  Unique Belt
  Increases the maximum capacity of each non-healing potion by the specified amount.
  
  +3 Extra Potion(s) - Looted from the high dragon Kaltenzahn.
• Walking DeathWalking Death

  ---

  Unique Dagger
  The well-worn hilt bears the marks of the Nevarran Mortalitasi. The order makes an art of mummification, and their tools are imbued with magicks that blur the moment between life and death, though death is no less certain.
  Requires: Level 17
  
  Damage: 124-128
  +21% Armor Penetration
  +4% Attack
  10% chance to apply Walking Bomb for 5 seconds, with detonation of 50% weapon damage - Looted from the Highland Ravager high dragon.
• WintersbreathWintersbreath

  ---

  Unique Shield
  Egon Wintersbreath, one of history's greatest dwarven warriors, achieved Paragon status in his own lifetime, leading the defense of the Kingdom of Hormak during the First Blight until it fell in -35 Ancient. When word came that Orzammar would seal its passages from the other kingdoms, he dropped his hammer and left for the surface, grieving, "I would rather die under an alien sky than be buried in the Stone that betrayed us."
  Requires: Level 15
  
  Armor: 26
  +3 Constitution
  +30% Front Defense
  +20 Guard Max
  +6% Ranged Defense
  Berserk: +10% damage bonus, +100% damage from all sources - Looted from a corpse inside Valeska's Watch.
• YavanalisYavanalis

  ---

  Unique Staff
  Following the Dalish clans' diaspora from Halamshiral in the Glory Age, one of the Keepers became famous for his vicious attacks on Orlesians. Known among humans as "the Pale Demon," he blasted unprotected merchants or soldiers with a blizzard from his staff, even in summer. The attacks lasted until chevaliers killed the Keeper and his entire clan.
  Requires: Level 20
  
  Damage: 76-77 Cold
  +72% Barrier Damage Bonus
  +7% Heal on Kill
  +20% focus gain - Randomly available at the Suledin Keep Merchant for
  0000017148
  17148 .
  Note: Requires The Short List Inquisition perk.

Codex entries Edit

Codex entry: Emprise du Lion
Codex entry: Exhuming Bodies by Moonlight
Codex entry: In Death
Codex entry: Judicael's Crossing
Codex entry: Suledin Keep Documents
Codex entry: Tower of Bone
Codex entry: Trading with Kal-Sharok
Codex entry: Valeska's Watch

Notes Edit

• There is a small unmarked cave south of Highgrove Camp: when following the path through Alphonse's Passage west from Drakon's Rise Camp, it is visible in the bend of passage due south of Highgrove Camp. It has frozen bodies hanging from the ceiling, weapons scattered on the ground, a pyramid shaped box with a note that says "DON'T TOUCH MY PYRAMID" and a loot chest (See gallery picture below).

Trivia Edit

• In French, "Emprise du Lion" is translated as the "Lion's Grip".

Bugs Edit

• xboxonepcps4 The glyph may be rendered inside of the cave wall and not visible, but can still be interacted with. ^{[confirmation needed]}
• pc Southwest of the Tower Camp there is an icon of a locked door next to a tower corresponding to the locked door underground at Valeska's Watch. This icon may not correctly disappear from the map after the door is opened.

Gallery Edit

References Edit

1. ↑ Emprise du Lion official reveal
2. ↑ From the writings of Knight-Captain Fornier:; excerpt from Codex entry: Suledin Keep Documents
3. ↑ From the writings of Knight-Captain Fornier:; excerpt from Codex entry: Suledin Keep Documents