Map of the Area
Ortan Thaig is located in the Deep Roads, east of Caridin’s Cross.
Background
This is where the Paragon Branka took her entire House in order to search for the Anvil of the Void. It was the birthplace of the great Paragon Caridin and he preferred it to the Thaig he was given when he became a Paragon.
In order to unlock this area, you must first traverse Caridin's Cross. It is populated by Spirits, Spiders and Golems. Ruck can be found in the north-eastern area near the bridges. Talking to him nets some information about Branka, and is also necessary to complete the quest A Mother's Hope.
In the area where you first meet Ruck, near the two bridges, is the chest containing the documents requested by Orta for Lost to the Memories.
The final resting place for the An Admirable Topsider is also in this Thaig.
You can find a place of power for the Places of Power quest next to the altar of sunder (it's nearby Ruck; you've got two bridges on the other side of the river, altar is before the bridge which is located lower).
Characters
- Ruck The first time you encounter him he will just hold a brief dialog with The Warden, then he'll run away and a lot of Giant Spiders will be summoned around you.
- Fade Beast When on the quest Asunder and using the Altar of Sundering to summon him.
Enemies
- Genlocks (Darkspawn,Normal)
- Genlock Emissarys (Darkspawn,Normal)
- Hurlocks (Darkspawn,Normal)
- Thaig Crawler (Animal,Critter)
- Giant Spiders (Animal,Normal)
- Poisonous Spiders (Animal,Normal)
- Giant Poisonous Spider (Animal,Lieutenant)
- Ogre (Darkspawn,Lieutenant)
- Shriek Alpha (Darkspawn,Lieutenant) (Assassin)
- Stone Golem (Golem,Lieutenant)
- Indignant Spirit (Dwarf,Normal) Ranged
- Forgotten Spirit (Dwarf,Normal) Melee - Weapon and Shield
- Enraged Spirit (Dwarf,Normal) Melee - Two Handed Weapon.
- Corrupted Spider (Animal,Boss)
- Corrupted Spider Queen (Animal,Boss)
- Fade Beast (Demon, Boss) Optional, when on the quest Asunder and choosing to fight the demon.
Items
Topsider's Pommel, source: Vase, giving the quest An Admirable Topsider
Notable gifts for companions:
Etched Silver Symbol, source: Ruck.
Containers
Darkspawn vs. spiders area
- Chest (Dwarven, Normal) - locked
- Darkspawn Corpse (Darkspawn, Critter)
- Darkspawn Corpse (Darkspawn, Critter)
- Darkspawn Corpse (Darkspawn, Critter)
- Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
- Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
- Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
Ruins
- Broken Chest (Dwarven, Normal)
- Broken Chest (Dwarven, Normal)
- Broken Chest (Dwarven, Elite)
- Chest (Dwarven, Normal) - locked
- Chest (Dwarven, Normal) - locked
- Darkspawn Corpse (Darkspawn, Critter)
- Darkspawn Corpse (Darkspawn, Critter)
- Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
- Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
- Ortan Thaig Chest (Special) - Ortan Records
- Vase (Special) - Topsider's Pommel
Spider lair
- Chest (Dwarven, Elite) - locked
- Chest (Ferelden, Elite) - locked
- Chest (Dwarven, Normal) - locked
- Cocoon (Special) - contains Smith's Heart
- Fractured Stone (Stone, Normal)
Codex Entries
Codex Entry: Topsiders Honor, source: Warrior's Grave
Codex Entry: Caridin's Journal, source: Book
Involved In
Exits
Dead Trenches, Walking to the end of the area unlocks.