Ortan Thaig

Ortan Thaig is an ancient thaig located east of Caridin's Cross and is somewhere beneath Ferelden^[1]. It used to be the ancient home of House Ortan however it was lost to the darkspawn during the Fourth Blight.^[2]

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 to stay there even when he became a Paragon.

Involvement

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne.

Prince Maric Theirin, Loghain, Lady Rowan and Katriel travel through Ortan Thaig while they are trying to reach Gwaren before the Orlesian army can strike there. It is here that they are attacked by giant spiders, and Loghain burns their webs to escape.

Dragon Age: The Calling

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Calling.

Ortan Thaig is a prominent location that King Maric Theirin and his companions travel to. This time the thaig is empty. However when they enter the palace they find that the dwarven ruler sitting on the throne, now turned in a skeleton, is a demon which after a brief fight sends them in the Fade. As Nicolas refuses to leave the Fade, his body in the real world soon dies.

Dragon Age: Origins

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

As part of their quest to crown a new king, the Warden must journey through here. In order to visit this area, the Warden must first traverse Caridin's Cross. It is populated by darkspawn, shades, 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.

The first time the Warden encounters him he will hold a brief dialog with the Warden, then he'll run back to his cave as giant spiders circle the party. Ruck will trade with the Warden, being the only merchant to sell off items in the Deep Roads. If Zevran is present, he might force the Warden to mercy kill Ruck if the conversation goes on long enough.

In the area where Ruck is first seen, near the two bridges, is the chest containing the documents requested by Orta for Lost to the Memories.
This is also the resting place for Willem Trialmont who died in 7:5 Storm and his sword is involved in An Admirable Topsider quest.

There is also a place of power for the Places of Power quest next to the Altar of Sundering.

Characters

Ruck, a dwarf who turned into a ghoul.
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 (Shades, Normal) Ranged
Forgotten spirit (Shades, Normal) Melee - weapon and shield
Enraged spirit (Shades, 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.
Ruck (Dwarf, Lieutenant) Optional, when speaking to him in wrong way

Ortan Thaig another view — Underground river crossing the Ortan Thaig

Notable items

Topsider's Pommel — source: Vase (in Ruck's camp)

Notable gifts for companions:

Ale — source: Ruck

Etched Silver Symbol — source: Ruck

Special objects

Altar of Sundering — can be interacted during Asunder quest.
Warrior's Grave — can be interacted during An Admirable Topsider quest.

Codex entries

Codex entry: Caridin's Journal, source: Book

Codex entry: Topsider's Honor, source: Warrior's Grave

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)

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Ortan Thaig should be somewhere beneath Ferelden as the main characters in Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne crossed it in order to reach Gwaren from West Hill. Furthermore, the surface entrance near West Hill which is leading to the Deep Roads was again used by Maric Theirin and the Orlesian Grey Wardens years later in order to reach the thaig in Dragon Age: The Calling.
↑ Mentioned by Orta.

[location-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Ortan Thaig should be somewhere beneath Ferelden as the main characters in Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne crossed it in order to reach Gwaren from West Hill. Furthermore, the surface entrance near West Hill which is leading to the Deep Roads was again used by Maric Theirin and the Orlesian Grey Wardens years later in order to reach the thaig in Dragon Age: The Calling.

[2] Mentioned by Orta.

[1]

[2]