The Frostback Mountain Pass is a section of Gherlen's Pass in the Frostback Mountains that leads to the gates of the dwarven city of Orzammar. Gherlen's Pass is the only safe route to cross the Frostback Mountains for year-round travel,[1] unlike the more treacherous Sulcher's Pass.
Orzammar is very segregationist and generally prohibits non-dwarves from entering the city.[2] Aside from some selected surface dwarves, Orzammar doesn't allow most traders inside Orzammar. Thus, most traders congregate outside the entrance to Orzammar at Frostback Mountain Pass, creating a lawless trading hub the size of a small city, and presumably seeking ways to bypass Orzammar's restrictions in order to hawk their wares.[3]
Involvement[]
On the Warden's first visit to the area, a group of bounty hunters will attack as soon as the party steps close to the bridge. Orzammar is locked down; if entry is sought, there will be a confrontation with Loghain's messengers. It can be resolved by fighting or intimidating the messengers.
Characters[]

Map of the area
- Ahren
- Brian
- Faryn
- Imrek
- Orzammar Guard
- Starrick the Apprentice
- Tornas the Deserter
Quests[]

Entrance
A Paragon of Her Kind
Dead Drops
Dereliction of Duty
False Witness
Notice of Termination
The Sword of the Beresaad
Enemies[]
- Loghain Soldiers
- Bodyguard (Lieutenant, Two-handed Warrior)
- Bodyguard (Lieutenant, Mage)
- Imrek (Lieutenant, Warrior)

Brian the False Witness
- Thugs (during Dereliction of Duty)
- Shady Thug (2)
- Tornas the Deserter
- False Witness
- Brian
- Bounty hunters
- Bounty hunter (Melee, Warrior)
- Bounty hunter (Crossbowman, Rogue)
- Bounty hunter (Mage)
Resources[]
Deathroot (3)
Notable items[]

Dragon Age Keep concept art of the gates of Orzammar
Knight Commander's Plate - source: Faryn's store.
Companion Gifts[]
Remarkable Topaz - source: Faryn's store.
Portrait of a Goosegirl - source: Faryn's store.
Codex entries[]
Codex entry: King Endrin Aeducan - source: after initial dialogue with the dwarven gate guard.
References[]
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 19
- ↑ According to Zevran Arainai's dialogue in Frostback Mountain Pass: "Are we going to get to enter Orzammar? I don't believe they allow non-dwarves within."
- ↑ According to Alistair's dialogue in Frostback Mountain Pass: "Most traders aren't allowed into Orzammar, so they just sort of... gather near the doors. There's no laws up here at all, I'm told."