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The Frostback Basin is a unique region near the southwestern border of Ferelden. Multiple terrain types can be found across The Basin as it lies near the base of the Frostback Mountains.

Background[]

The Basin is an overgrown wilderness filled with fiercely independent hunters known as Avvar. They settled in the southern mountains of Thedas, spreading their culture across the Basin. An ancient Tevinter ruin lay dormant, hidden away in the Basin in hopes of reawakening a mysterious darkness.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


The Jaws of Hakkon are re-formed in the aftermath of the Fifth Blight. Outraged at the Avvar gods for allowing his hold to be devastated by the Darkspawn, and at the lowlanders for refusing to aid the Avvar in their time of need, Gurd Harofsen forswears all of the Avvar gods and seeks out the stolen god, Hakkon. Harofsen molds his surviving kin in the ways of the Hakkonites of old and vows to unleash Hakkon upon the world once and for all.


Throughout history, few have dared explore the Frostback Basin. Ancient Tevinter ruins lie overgrown by thick forest, their purpose here forgotten. Rare expeditions in ages past returned with little information - or did not return at all. The exception is the Avvar, who have long travelled the basin, and, in more recent generations, established a hold along its steep mountain cliffs.

—Excerpt from the quest journal

Involvement[]

“We have found it. Hakkon himself welcomed us. An ancient Tevinter fortress, sheathed in a wall of ice. It was untouched by lowlanders, who could find no way to breach the walls. Our mages alone, blessed by Silent Hakkon with the gifts of ice, could part the wall for a few heartbeats, giving our people time to climb inside.” ―Gurd Harofsen


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


The reformed Inquisition launches an expedition to the Frostback Basin on the advice of Bram Kenric, a professor from the University of Orlais. Kenric had sent word to the Inquisition in regards to clues that had been discovered regarding the final resting place of the prior Inquisitor that led the Inquisition during the Divine Age. Kendric is tenured in the histories and formation of the last Inquisition; and is eager to uncover new evidence pertaining to Inquisitor Ameridan.

Ameridan's disappearance has remained a mystery to Orlesian scholars including the circumstances surrounding his sudden departure to the Basin. Kendric believes that the Basin contains all the needed clues to piece the enigma back together as the discovery would be beneficial to both academia and to the Inquisition. The Inquisitor rendezvous with Kendric at a newly set up Inquisition Camp established in the Frostback Basin. Kendric discloses that the region is home to two feuding Avvar tribes. Those that are allied with the Inquisition are found in Stone-Bear Hold; while those that are hostile call themselves the Jaws of Hakkon.

During their investigation, the Inquisitor learns that Ameridan came to the Basin on Emperor Drakon I's orders to stop an invasion of the lowlands by the original Jaws of Hakkon. To help them in their endeavor, the Hakkonites had bound the spirit of their god Hakkon Wintersbreath to a high dragon. As Orlais was already facing the Second Blight, a concurrent invasion from the Hakkonites would have proved devastating to the region.

Ameridan's mission proved triumphant as he succeeded in stopping the Hakkonites by binding himself to Hakkon's dragon form. Ameridan froze time itself around the both of them—knowing that they would bound to one another for all eternity.[1]

“The lowland warrior trapped our god in some strange magic the mages cannot understand. They say time is twisted upon itself, like a knot within a knot. They say it may be old Tevinter magic that made it possible... regardless the spirit of Hakkon remains in the dragon, that much is clear. Perhaps we can bring forth Hakkon himself and bind him anew―to another worthy beast.[2]

The modern-day Hakkonites have found a way to transfer Hakkon to another vessel, and are planning on finishing their predecessors' work of invading the lowlands. The Inquisitor enlists the aid of the Avvar at Stone-Bear Hold to assist with the assault of the Hakkonite fortress. The combined forces allow the Inquisitor to get inside to confront the cults leader, Gurd Harofsen. Though Harofsen is defeated, he successfully manages to complete the ritual, allowing for the massive dragon to break free from the fortress. Coincidentally, Inquisitor Ameridan is freed in the process as the magic that bound the two to one another was shattered.

With the destruction of Ameriden's grasp over Hakkon, the concept of time also returned to Ameriden's mortal form, allowing only a few final moments in his new reality. He discloses the circumstances regarding his mission and gives his blessing to the Inquisitor to finish what he couldn't. The Inquisitor confronts the ice dragon in hopes of finally freeing Hakkon Wintersbreath from centuries of confinement―the Inquisitor can gain access to The Basin by completing the Investigate Frostback Basin war table scouting operation in Skyhold.


Places[]

Frostback basin map

Map of the Frostback Basin

Note: The 22 regions below make up the Regions in Frostback collection. Discovering all of them grants 500 Influence.

Regions[]

Abandoned Jail
Ancient Culvert
Basin Floor
Boathouse
Cliffside Path
Cloudcap Lake
Eastern Riverbank
Endarsen Pass
Fortress Gates
The Lady's Rest The Lady's Rest
Lakeside Road
Nigel’s Point
The Old Drains
Overgrown Courtyard
Razikale’s Reach
Research Outpost
The Rockspit
The Shallows
Stone-Bear Hold Stone-Bear Hold
Swamp Kuldsdotten
Varsdotten River
Western Riverbank

Additional places[]

Lowland Fortress
Old Temple Old Temple

Inquisition camps[]

Basin Floor Camp
Canyon Camp
Cliffside Camp
Ridgline Camp
River Camp
Swampside Camp

Characters[]

Inquisition[]

Inquisitor Ameridan
Professor Bram Kenric
Colette
Scribe Dunwich
Lieutenant Farrow
Scout Grandin
Scout Harding
Knight-Templar Haron (mentioned)
Baron Havard-Pierre d'Amortisan
Alchemist Orinna (mentioned)
Dreamer Telana (mentioned)

Stone-Bear Hold[]

Trainer Arrken
Arvid Rolfsen
The Augur
Einar
Finn
Skald Fullna Hethsdotten
Gyda Myrdotten
Hask
Linna
Master of the Hunt
Parve
Runa
Sigrid Gulsdotten
Storvacker
Thane Svarah Sun-Hair

Merchants[]

Trader Helsdim
Stone-Bear Hold Crafting Materials Merchant
Stone-Bear Hold Weapons & Schematics Merchant

Jaws of Hakkon[]

Thane Gurd Harofsen

Quests[]

Ameridan's End Ameridan's End
Avvar Allies Avvar Allies
The Basin Beckons The Basin Beckons
Beasts at Bay Beasts at Bay
A Father's Name A Father's Name
Guests of the Hold Guests of the Hold
Hakkon Wintersbreath Hakkon Wintersbreath
Hakkon's Trials Hakkon's Trials
Holding Frostback Basin Holding Frostback Basin
In Exile In Exile
It Remains to be Seen It Remains to be Seen
Jawbreaker Jawbreaker
Jaws of Hakkon Jaws of Hakkon
Lead the Charge Lead the Charge
The Loss of a Friend The Loss of a Friend
The Mystery of Winter The Mystery of Winter
The Nox Morta The Nox Morta
On Ameridan's Trail On Ameridan's Trail
Storvacker Caged Storvacker Caged
They Came From Somewhere Else They Came From Somewhere Else
Up and Away Up and Away
What Yet Lingers What Yet Lingers
Where Once We Walked Where Once We Walked
Worthy of Publication Worthy of Publication

Rifts[]

Rifts Along the River Rifts Along the River
Rift in the Floor Rift in the Floor
Rifts in the Basin Rifts in the Basin
Rifts on the Bank Rifts on the Bank

War table operations[]

An Appeal to the Shaperate An Appeal to the Shaperate
A Conspiracy of Dunces A Conspiracy of Dunces
A Cultured Exchange A Cultured Exchange
Assuage Ameridan's Heirs Assuage Ameridan's Heirs
Celebrate With Ameridan's Heirs Celebrate With Ameridan's Heirs
Investigate Frostback Basin Investigate Frostback Basin
Send Relics of Tyrdda Bright-Axe Send Relics of Tyrdda Bright-Axe
Send Skywatcher to Stone-Bear Hold Send Skywatcher to Stone-Bear Hold
Too Grizzly To Bear Too Grizzly To Bear

Creatures[]

Bogfisher
Nox Morta (a unique bogfisher)
Snoufleur
Tusket
Imbued Tusket

Hostile creatures[]

Gurgut
Fade-Touched gurgut
Ice Giant
Lurker
Fade-Touched lurker
Poison spider
Giant spider
Fade-Touched spider
Hakkon Wintersbreath
Frosted Gibbering horror

Enemies[]

Jaws of Hakkon

Collections[]

Astrariums[]

Astrariums in Frostback Basin Astrariums in Frostback Basin

Dragon Hunter[]

Hakkon Wintersbreath Hakkon Wintersbreath

Landmarks[]

Landmarks in Frostback Basin Landmarks in Frostback Basin

Shards[]

Shards in Frostback Basin Shards in Frostback Basin

Skyhold Customizations[]

The following Avvarcentric Skyhold customization items are available for purchase from Trader Helsdim in Stone-Bear Hold:

Avvar Glass Avvar Glass for 3136 Currency (Inquisition)
Avvar Bed Avvar Bed for 1426 Currency (Inquisition)
Avvar Throne Avvar Throne for 712 Currency (Inquisition)
Avvar Heraldry Avvar Heraldry for 712 Currency (Inquisition)
Avvar Drapery Avvar Drapery for 712 Currency (Inquisition)
Avvar Decor Avvar Decor for 712 Currency (Inquisition)

Resources[]

Herbs[]

Arbor Blessing Arbor Blessing
Deep Mushroom Deep Mushroom
Elfroot Elfroot
Felandaris Felandaris
Spindleweed Spindleweed
Embrium Embrium

Cloth[]

Avvar Cotton Avvar Cotton
Avvar Twill Avvar Twill
Silken Nether Cloth Silken Nether Cloth

Leather[]

Ice Dragon Hide Ice Dragon Hide
Imbued Tusket Hide Imbued Tusket Hide
Hardened Gurgut Skin Hardened Gurgut Skin
Hardened Tusket Skin Hardened Tusket Skin
Lurker Scales Lurker Scales
Craggy Skin Craggy Skin

Metal[]

Ice Dragon Bone Ice Dragon Bone
Veil Quartz Veil Quartz
Everite Everite
Silverite Silverite

Notable items[]

Veilfire glyphs[]

The following are all obtained by reading a hidden rune in the cave where Gyda Myrdotten is located:

Codex entry: The Death Codex entry: The Death
Codex entry: The Mourning Codex entry: The Mourning
Codex entry: The Return Codex entry: The Return

Loot[]

Accuser's Staff Accuser's Staff - looted from the sarcophagus inside The Mystery of Winter chamber.
Armor of the Dragon Hunter Armor of the Dragon Hunter - acquired in The Old Temple upon completing the main quest Ameridan's End if the Inquisitor is a rogue.
Avvar War-Maul Avvar War-Maul - looted from a massive Avvar warrior found in Razikale's Reach, see main quest On Ameridan's Trail and from Gurd Harofsen after becoming a Revenant in the Old Temple; see main quest Ameridan's End.
Bitter Axe Bitter Axe - looted from Fade rifts.
Compound Crossbow Arms Compound Crossbow Arms - looted from a pile of bones located near the Fade-Touched lurker found northwest of the initial starting camp established; see side quest A Father's Name.
Dhal Vallasan Dhal Vallasan - available at the Weapons and Schematics Merchant in Stone-Bear Hold for 16508 Currency (Inquisition) and looted from a chest next to the Varsdotten River fast travel marker; see main quest On Ameridan's Trail.
Hakkon's Wisdom Hakkon's Wisdom - looted from the high dragon Hakkon Wintersbreath.
Hakkon's Honor Hakkon's Honor - acquired in the cave revealed from unlocking Astrariums in Frostback Basin.
Hakkon's Mercy Hakkon's Mercy - looted from a chest inside the west vault at Razikale's Reach upon the correct completion of the floor puzzle; see main quest On Ameridan's Trail.
Hakkon's Valor Hakkon's Valor - acquired upon a second completion in Stone-Bear Hold's arena, after completing the side quest Hakkon's Trials.
Hakkon's Wrath Hakkon's Wrath - looted from the Ice Giant.
Heartstring Bow Heartstring Bow - looted from a skeleton after opening the Fade rift in The Lady's Rest.
Helm of the Dragon Hunter Helm of the Dragon Hunter - looted off the corpse of the Nox Morta in Swamp Kuldsdotten if the Inquisitor is a dwarf, elf or human; see side quest the Nox Morta.
Knight's Hunting Blade Knight's Hunting Blade - looted from a corpse located near the Fade-Touched gurgut in Swamp Kuldsdotten (northwest of the Swampside Inquisition Camp, near the Fade-Touched gurgut); see side quest A Father's Name.
Master Cooldown Amulet Master Cooldown Amulet - looted from the high dragon Hakkon Wintersbreath.
Master Stamina Amulet Master Stamina Amulet - looted from Fade rifts.
Master Belt of Focus Master Belt of Focus - looted from a pile of bones located near the Fade-Touched lurker found northwest of the initial starting camp established; see side quest A Father's Name.
Master Belt of Grenades Master Belt of Grenades - looted from a chest, behind the eastern most locked door, in the Abandoned Jail during the main quest Storvacker Caged.
Master Belt of Tonics Master Belt of Tonics - looted from the high dragon Hakkon Wintersbreath.
Master Guard Belt Master Guard Belt - looted from a corpse dangling on a wall located southwest from the Mystery of Winter temple door.
Masterwork Enchanter Staff Schematic Masterwork Enchanter Staff Schematic - looted from a nearby corpse after defeating the Fade-Touched spider; see side quest A Father's Name.
Masterwork Grey Warden Shield Schematic Masterwork Grey Warden Shield Schematic - looted from a corpse located in Swamp Kuldsdotten (northwest of the Swampside Inquisition Camp, near the Fade-Touched gurgut); see side quest A Father's Name.
Masterwork Jagged Battleaxe Schematic Masterwork Jagged Battleaxe Schematic - acquired in the cave revealed from unlocking Astrariums in Frostback Basin.
Plate Mail of the Dragon Hunter Plate Mail of the Dragon Hunter - acquired in the Old Temple upon completing the main quest Ameridan's End if the Inquisitor is a warrior.
Ritual Breaker Ritual Breaker - available at the Stone-Bear Hold Weapons and Schematics Merchant in Stone-Bear Hold for 13192 Currency (Inquisition).
Saboteur's Knife Saboteur's Knife - available at the Weapons and Schematics Merchant in Stone-Bear Hold for 8572 Currency (Inquisition).
Savage Thorn Savage Thorn - looted from the fade rift in Endarsen Pass.
Scepter of Razikale Scepter of Razikale - looted from a chest behind the western most locked door in the Abandoned Jail; see main quest Storvacker Caged.
Skywatcher's Cleaver Skywatcher's Cleaver - looted from a pile of bones located near the Fade-Touched lurker found northwest of the initial starting camp established.
Swift Greataxe Swift Greataxe - looted upon sealing a rift; see side quest Rift in the Floor.
The Jade Ham The Jade Ham - rewarded upon completing Send Relics of Tyrdda Bright-Axe war table operation.
Torn Page Torn Page - looted from the Revenant version of Gurd Harofsen in the Old Temple; see main quest Ameridan's End (unlocks Codex entry: Journal of Gurd Harofsen Codex entry: Journal of Gurd Harofsen).
Vestments of the Dragon Hunter Vestments of the Dragon Hunter - acquired in The Old Temple upon completing the main quest Ameridan's End if the Inquisitor is a mage.
Vitaar of the Dragon Hunter Vitaar of the Dragon Hunter - looted off the corpse of the Nox Morta in Swamp Kuldsdotten if the Inquisitor is a qunari; see side quest the Nox Morta.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: A Celebration Of Wardens Codex entry: A Celebration Of Wardens
Codex entry: A Good Marriage Codex entry: A Good Marriage
Codex entry: A Letter to Harding Codex entry: A Letter to Harding
Codex entry: A Tradition of Rebirth Codex entry: A Tradition of Rebirth
Codex entry: Ameridan and the Mage Codex entry: Ameridan and the Mage
Codex entry: Ancient Document Protected in a Scroll Case Codex entry: Ancient Document Protected in a Scroll Case
Codex entry: Arboreal Fort Codex entry: Arboreal Fort
Codex entry: At What Cost Codex entry: At What Cost
Codex entry: Ballad of the Murderer's Gold Codex entry: Ballad of the Murderer's Gold
Codex entry: Blood-Stained Shrine Codex entry: Blood-Stained Shrine
Codex entry: Colette's Notes Codex entry: Colette's Notes
Codex entry: Constellation: Belenas Codex entry: Constellation: Belenas
Codex entry: Constellation: Fulmenos Codex entry: Constellation: Fulmenos
Codex entry: Constellation: Visus Codex entry: Constellation: Visus
Codex entry: From a Mage's Journal Codex entry: From a Mage's Journal
Codex entry: Frostback Basin Codex entry: Frostback Basin
Codex entry: Geldauran's Claim Codex entry: Geldauran's Claim
Codex entry: Inquisitor Ameridan Codex entry: Inquisitor Ameridan
Codex entry: Journal of Gurd Harofsen Codex entry: Journal of Gurd Harofsen
Codex entry: Leather-Bound Hakkonite Journal Codex entry: Leather-Bound Hakkonite Journal
Codex entry: Mouth of Echoes Codex entry: Mouth of Echoes
Codex entry: Mysteries of the Frostback Basin Codex entry: Mysteries of the Frostback Basin
Codex entry: Nigel's Point Codex entry: Nigel's Point
Codex entry: On Avvar Cuisine Codex entry: On Avvar Cuisine
Codex entry: Pages near an Old Campfire Codex entry: Pages near an Old Campfire
Codex entry: Questions of Accuracy Codex entry: Questions of Accuracy
Codex entry: Razikale's Reach Codex entry: Razikale's Reach
Codex entry: Scout Harding Codex entry: Scout Harding
Codex entry: Storvacker Codex entry: Storvacker
Codex entry: Tale of Hryngnar, Ice-Troll Codex entry: Tale of Hryngnar, Ice-Troll
Codex entry: Thane Svarah Sun-Hair Codex entry: Thane Svarah Sun-Hair
Codex entry: The Death Codex entry: The Death
Codex entry: The Frozen Gate Codex entry: The Frozen Gate
Codex entry: The Hunt of the Fell Wolf Codex entry: The Hunt of the Fell Wolf
Codex entry: The Mourning Codex entry: The Mourning
Codex entry: The Naming of Stone-Bear Hold Codex entry: The Naming of Stone-Bear Hold
Codex entry: The Return Codex entry: The Return
Codex entry: Two Marked in Battle Codex entry: Two Marked in Battle
Codex entry: Unfallen Shack Codex entry: Unfallen Shack

Note texts[]

A Baffled Note A Baffled Note
Field Notes Field Notes
From the Journal of Havard-Pierre d'Amortisan From the Journal of Havard-Pierre d'Amortisan
Grandin's Orders Grandin's Orders
A Half-Chewed Label A Half-Chewed Label
Journal of the Giant Watcher Journal of the Giant Watcher
Letter Found near Many Corpses Letter Found near Many Corpses
A Memory Saved A Memory Saved
Messages Left at the Outpost Messages Left at the Outpost
A Neatly Penned Note A Neatly Penned Note
Property of Colette Property of Colette
Sketches Found in a Meat Shop Sketches Found in a Meat Shop
Soldier's Note Soldier's Note
Tevinter Carving (The Old Drains) Tevinter Carving (The Old Drains)
Tevinter Carving (Razikale's Reach) Tevinter Carving (Razikale's Reach)
Tevinter Inscription Tevinter Inscription
Torn Page Torn Page
An Unsent Letter (Jace) An Unsent Letter (Jace)
A Warning A Warning

Notes[]

Trivia[]

  • After the completion of Ameridan's End, the basin will turn from day to night (see gallery below).

See also[]

Gallery[]

References[]

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