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| − | The '''Second Blight''' began in the [[Anderfels]] with the corruption of [[Zazikel]], the [[Old God]] of Freedom<ref>{{Cite wot|147}}</ref> or the Dragon of Chaos, in 1:5 [[Divine Age|Divine]], and lasted 90 years.<ref name=" |
+ | The '''Second Blight''' began in the [[Anderfels]] with the corruption of [[Zazikel]], the [[Old God]] of Freedom<ref>{{Cite wot|147}}</ref> or the Dragon of Chaos, in 1:5 [[Divine Age|Divine]], and lasted 90 years.<ref name="wot156">{{Cite wot|156-157}}</ref> |
== History == |
== History == |
||
=== Beginning of the Blight === |
=== Beginning of the Blight === |
||
| − | Organized under Zazikel, the [[darkspawn]] poured out of mountains south of the Anderfels. |
+ | Organized under Zazikel, the [[darkspawn]] poured out of mountains south of the Anderfels. The city of [[Hossberg]] was hit first with the defenders slaughtered down to nearly one man before the Wardens managed to get word out.<ref>{{Cite wot|61}}</ref> |
| − | + | The darkspawn also emerged on the western ranges and moved east, eventually overrunning the entire [[Thedas]]. As a result the [[Tevinter Imperium]] abandoned the Anderfels in order better protect their core territories.<ref name="wot156"/><ref name="rpg163">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Core Rulebook, p. 163</ref> |
|
| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
||
| + | The darkspawn were better prepared for the [[Grey Wardens]] than during the previous [[Blight]], and the first attacks on the surface resulted in the utter destruction of [[Nordbotten]]—the very place where the Grey Wardens first appeared on the battlefield during the [[First Blight]], as a pointed message to their nemesis.<ref name="rpg5">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 2, p. 5</ref> |
||
=== Battle of Cumberland === |
=== Battle of Cumberland === |
||
| − | Learning about the Blight, [[Orlais|Orlesian]] [[Orlesian royalty and nobility|emperor]] [[Kordillus Drakon I|Drakon]] enlisted the help of the [[mage]]s and permitted them to use their full power against the darkspawn, leading to the signing of the [[Nevarran Accord]] with the [[Inquisition]] in 1:20, and the founding of the [[Circle of Magi]], the [[Templar Order]], and the [[Seekers of Truth]]. |
+ | Learning about the Blight, [[Orlais|Orlesian]] [[Orlesian royalty and nobility|emperor]] [[Kordillus Drakon I|Drakon]] enlisted the help of the [[mage]]s and permitted them to use their full power against the darkspawn, leading to the signing of the [[Nevarran Accord]] with the [[Inquisition]] in 1:20, and the founding of the [[Circle of Magi]], the [[Templar Order]], and the [[Seekers of Truth]].<ref>{{Cite wot|96}}</ref><ref name="rpg163"/> |
| − | The mages proved to be essential allies in battle, and the Orlesian army under Drakon's brilliant command won a series of significant victories |
+ | The mages proved to be essential allies in battle, and the Orlesian army under Drakon's brilliant command won a series of significant victories culminated in 1:16 in the destruction of a massive horde during the Battle of [[Cumberland]].<ref name="wot156"/><ref name="rpg168">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Core Rulebook, p. 168</ref> |
| − | + | Drakon's armies stood at the forefront of every major battle against the darkspawn. They always spread the [[Chant of Light]] with them.<ref name="wot156"/><ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Core Rulebook, p. 188</ref> |
|
| − | Throughout the entire time, the [[Elf#Dalish elves|elves of the Dales]] remained neutral and unhelpful. Tensions between humans and elves became especially high when the Orlesian city of [[Montsimmard]] was nearly destroyed by the darkspawn in 1:25 while the elven army watched nearby.<ref name=" |
+ | Throughout the entire time, the [[Elf#Dalish elves|elves of the Dales]] remained neutral and unhelpful. Tensions between humans and elves became especially high when the Orlesian city of [[Montsimmard]] was nearly destroyed by the darkspawn in 1:25 while the elven army watched nearby.<ref name="wot64">{{Cite wot|64}}</ref> |
{{SpoilerDAI| |
{{SpoilerDAI| |
||
| − | In truth, the elves believed Drakon's empire to be no better than the Imperium and were content to watch the darkspawn destroy them. [[Ameridan]], the last [[Inquisitor]] of the first Inquisition, an elven mage and a close friend of Drakon's, believed otherwise, knowing that the Blight would destroy everything his people had gained. He would've rallied the elves against the Blight had not Drakon sent him on a mission to stop an [[Avvar]] cult called the [[Jaws of Hakkon (faction)|Jaws of Hakkon]], who had raised the god they worshipped in the form of a dragon for the purpose of attacking Orlais. Ameridan, discovering that the spirit the cultists intended to bind into the dragon would make the creature as powerful as [[Dumat]], and knowing that Orlais would not survive a combined invasion by the Avaar and the darkspawn, both under the command of a dragon-creature possessed of unimaginable power, managed to trap both himself and the dragon in a magical time field. As Drakon was too preoccupied fighting the Blight, he could not send a rescue and thus the elves remained neutral during the Blight.<ref>[[Where Once We Walked]]</ref> |
+ | In truth, the elves believed Drakon's empire to be no better than the Imperium and were content to watch the darkspawn destroy them. [[Ameridan]], the last [[Inquisitor]] of the first Inquisition, an elven mage and a close friend of Drakon's, believed otherwise, knowing that the Blight would destroy everything his people had gained. He would've rallied the elves against the Blight had not Drakon sent him on a mission to stop an [[Avvar]] cult called the [[Jaws of Hakkon (faction)|Jaws of Hakkon]], who had raised the god they worshipped in the form of a dragon for the purpose of attacking Orlais. Ameridan, discovering that the spirit the cultists intended to bind into the dragon would make the creature as powerful as [[Dumat]], and knowing that Orlais would not survive a combined invasion by the Avaar and the darkspawn, both under the command of a dragon-creature possessed of unimaginable power, managed to trap both himself and the dragon in a magical time field. As Drakon was too preoccupied fighting the Blight, he could not send a rescue and thus the elves remained neutral during the Blight.<ref>Mentioned during [[Where Once We Walked]] quest.</ref>}} |
| − | }} |
||
| − | In 1:31 the darkspawn |
+ | In 1:31 the darkspawn horde besieged [[Minrathous]], capital of Tevinter, but were defeated.<ref name="wot64"/> |
| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
||
| + | Although they failed to sack the city, the amount of resources required to keep the city from being overrun greatly weakened the Imperium.<ref name="rpg163"/> |
||
=== Siege of Weisshaupt === |
=== Siege of Weisshaupt === |
||
| − | + | The Orlesian armies marched northwards and relieved the Siege of [[Weisshaupt|Weisshaupt Fortress]] when the fortress was about to break. The Wardens were so impressed with Drakon that they converted to the [[Chantry]]. The united forces moved further north to salvage what was left of the Anderfels, leading to its conversion to the Chantry and annexation by the Orlesian Empire later that year.as Drakon wanted to conquer the weakened Tevinter, but then the emperor decided to aid the Grey Wardens instead.<ref>{{Cite wot|65-66, 157}}</ref><ref name="rpg168"/> |
|
| ⚫ | In 1:45 Emperor Drakon died of old age and was succeeded by his son [[Kordillus II]].<ref>{{Cite wot|67}}</ref> Unlike his father, Kordillus II did little to strengthen anyone's position in the face of the Blight, and by the time it came to an end, entire villages had been destroyed and many lives lost. He didn't possess his father's political savvy either, and in 1:65 Anderfels declared its independence.<ref name="wot70">{{Cite wot|70}}</ref> |
||
| − | The Orlesian armies marched northwards, as Drakon wanted to conquer the weakened Tevinter, but then the emperor decided to aid the Grey Wardens instead.<ref name="rpgc2"/> The Orlesian armies relieved the siege of Weisshaupt when the fortress was about to break. The Wardens were so impressed with Drakon that they converted to the [[Chantry]] almost immediately. The united forces moved further north to salvage what was left of the Anderfels, leading to its conversion to the Chantry and annexation by the Orlesian Empire later that year.<ref name="rpgc2"/><ref>{{Cite wot|65-66, 157}}</ref> |
||
| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
||
| − | |||
| + | The darkspawn besieged Weisshaupt in 1:33. The Grey Wardens held their ground, but without enough supplies and with the darkspawn horde on their doorstep increasing, it would have been only a matter of time before even the elite Grey Wardens succumbed to hunger or exhaustion. On the other hand, Emperor Drakon wanted to conquer the weakened Tevinter, but he decided to aid the Grey Wardens instead.<ref name="rpg168"/> |
||
| ⚫ | In 1:45 Emperor Drakon died of old age and was succeeded by his son [[Kordillus II]].<ref>{{Cite wot|67}}</ref> Unlike his father, Kordillus II did little to strengthen anyone's position in the face of the Blight, and by the time it came to an end, entire villages had been destroyed and many lives lost. He didn't possess his father's political savvy either, and in 1:65 Anderfels declared its independence.<ref name=" |
||
=== Unification of Alamarri === |
=== Unification of Alamarri === |
||
| − | In 1:40 the [[Alamarri]] warrior [[Hafter]] united the tribes in the [[Ferelden|Fereldan Valley]] against the darkspawn.<ref>{{Cite wot|66}}</ref> He first defeated the darkspawn armies, and in 1:50, the combined forces of [[Chasind Wilder|Chasind]] and [[Avvar]] who were hoping to use the Blight for their advantage.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Dogs of War]]</ref> Hafter was named the first [[Ferelden#Teyrn/Teyrna|teyrn]] of the Alamarri.<ref name=" |
+ | In 1:40 the [[Alamarri]] warrior [[Hafter]] united the tribes in the [[Ferelden|Fereldan Valley]] against the darkspawn.<ref>{{Cite wot|66}}</ref> He first defeated the darkspawn armies, and in 1:50, the combined forces of [[Chasind Wilder|Chasind]] and [[Avvar]] who were hoping to use the Blight for their advantage.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Dogs of War]]</ref> Hafter was named the first [[Ferelden#Teyrn/Teyrna|teyrn]] of the Alamarri.<ref name="wot70"/> |
=== Battles in the Western Approach === |
=== Battles in the Western Approach === |
||
| − | The [[Western Approach]] was the site of several major battles during the Second Blight, and the Wardens build many fortresses in the area to face the darkspawn.<ref>See [[Landmarks in the Approach]]</ref> The hordes swarmed out of the great chasm to the south named the Abyssal Rift. [[Adamant Fortress]], built by [[Dwarf|dwarves]] and used as a Grey Warden outpost, soon became a symbol of the Grey Warden's courage and skill.<ref>[http://www.dragonage.com/#!/en_US/news/the-fortress-of-adamant The Fortress of Adamant]. Dragon Age.</ref> |
+ | The [[Western Approach]] was the site of several major battles during the Second Blight, and the Wardens build many fortresses in the area to face the darkspawn.<ref>See [[Landmarks in the Approach]].</ref> The hordes swarmed out of the great chasm to the south named the Abyssal Rift. [[Adamant Fortress]], built by [[Dwarf|dwarves]] and used as a Grey Warden outpost, soon became a symbol of the Grey Warden's courage and skill.<ref>[http://www.dragonage.com/#!/en_US/news/the-fortress-of-adamant The Fortress of Adamant]. Dragon Age.</ref> |
=== Battle of Starkhaven === |
=== Battle of Starkhaven === |
||
| − | In 1:95, the last battle of the Second Blight was fought at [[Starkhaven]] with a human army led by the Wardens.<ref name=" |
+ | In 1:95, the last battle of the Second Blight was fought at [[Starkhaven]] with a human army led by the Wardens.<ref name="wot156"/> The Wardens had planned a trap for Zazikel in Starkhaven, but found out that the [[Archdemon]] had somehow been aware of the assault, and they found themselves surrounded by darkspawn instead.<ref name="wot20">{{Cite wot2|20}}</ref> Both sides suffered heavy losses, but Zazikel was finally slain by the Grey Warden [[Corin]]. His mage lover and fellow Warden [[Neriah]] sacrificed herself, using her own body to shield Corin from an [[Emissary|emissary's]] bolt. She died instantly, but allowed Corin to cut his way through the darkspawn and plunge his blade into the Archdemon, killing both himself and the beast, thus ending the Second Blight.<ref name="wot20"/><ref>[[Codex entry: Vestments of Sacrifice]]</ref> |
== Aftermath == |
== Aftermath == |
||
| − | With the slaying of the Archdemon, the darkspawn were forced underground. The following period became known as the Rebuilding. Trade, culture and religion flourished, and the next age was named [[Glory Age|Glory]], predicting a grand rebirth of the world. Many believed the Second Blight to be the last.<ref name=" |
+ | With the slaying of the Archdemon, the darkspawn were forced underground. The following period became known as the Rebuilding. Trade, culture and religion flourished, and the next age was named [[Glory Age|Glory]], predicting a grand rebirth of the world. Many believed the Second Blight to be the last.<ref name="wot156"/><ref>{{Cite wot|72}}</ref> |
While the newly formed Chantry was overshadowed by the Blight, it continued to spread rapidly throughout the next hundred years. Despite the glorious triumph of the Orlesians in many battles, the Orlesian empire began its slow decline. The Anderfels remained independent. |
While the newly formed Chantry was overshadowed by the Blight, it continued to spread rapidly throughout the next hundred years. Despite the glorious triumph of the Orlesians in many battles, the Orlesian empire began its slow decline. The Anderfels remained independent. |
||
| Line 72: | Line 75: | ||
== Notes == |
== Notes == |
||
| − | * The sources differ on what city was sacked by the darkspawn during initial attack. ''[[Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1|World of Thedas]]'' states that it was Hossberg, while ''Traveller's Guide'' and ''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)|Dragon Age RPG]]'' mention that it was Nordbotten. |
+ | * The sources differ on what city was sacked by the darkspawn during initial attack. ''[[Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1|The World of Thedas]]'' states that it was Hossberg, while ''Traveller's Guide'' and ''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)|Dragon Age RPG]]'' mention that it was Nordbotten. |
== See also == |
== See also == |
||
| − | {{:Codex entry: The Tale of Iloren|style=iconmini}} |
+ | {{:Codex entry: The Tale of Iloren|style=iconmini}}<br> |
* [[Note: A Letter Written in A Shaking Hand]] |
* [[Note: A Letter Written in A Shaking Hand]] |
||
Revision as of 14:13, 24 February 2020
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The Second Blight began in the Anderfels with the corruption of Zazikel, the Old God of Freedom[1] or the Dragon of Chaos, in 1:5 Divine, and lasted 90 years.[2]
History
Beginning of the Blight
Organized under Zazikel, the darkspawn poured out of mountains south of the Anderfels. The city of Hossberg was hit first with the defenders slaughtered down to nearly one man before the Wardens managed to get word out.[3]
The darkspawn also emerged on the western ranges and moved east, eventually overrunning the entire Thedas. As a result the Tevinter Imperium abandoned the Anderfels in order better protect their core territories.[2][4]
The darkspawn were better prepared for the Grey Wardens than during the previous Blight, and the first attacks on the surface resulted in the utter destruction of Nordbotten—the very place where the Grey Wardens first appeared on the battlefield during the First Blight, as a pointed message to their nemesis.[5]
Battle of Cumberland
Learning about the Blight, Orlesian emperor Drakon enlisted the help of the mages and permitted them to use their full power against the darkspawn, leading to the signing of the Nevarran Accord with the Inquisition in 1:20, and the founding of the Circle of Magi, the Templar Order, and the Seekers of Truth.[6][4]
The mages proved to be essential allies in battle, and the Orlesian army under Drakon's brilliant command won a series of significant victories culminated in 1:16 in the destruction of a massive horde during the Battle of Cumberland.[2][7]
Drakon's armies stood at the forefront of every major battle against the darkspawn. They always spread the Chant of Light with them.[2][8]
Throughout the entire time, the elves of the Dales remained neutral and unhelpful. Tensions between humans and elves became especially high when the Orlesian city of Montsimmard was nearly destroyed by the darkspawn in 1:25 while the elven army watched nearby.[9]
In 1:31 the darkspawn horde besieged Minrathous, capital of Tevinter, but were defeated.[9]
Although they failed to sack the city, the amount of resources required to keep the city from being overrun greatly weakened the Imperium.[4]
Siege of Weisshaupt
The Orlesian armies marched northwards and relieved the Siege of Weisshaupt Fortress when the fortress was about to break. The Wardens were so impressed with Drakon that they converted to the Chantry. The united forces moved further north to salvage what was left of the Anderfels, leading to its conversion to the Chantry and annexation by the Orlesian Empire later that year.as Drakon wanted to conquer the weakened Tevinter, but then the emperor decided to aid the Grey Wardens instead.[11][7]
In 1:45 Emperor Drakon died of old age and was succeeded by his son Kordillus II.[12] Unlike his father, Kordillus II did little to strengthen anyone's position in the face of the Blight, and by the time it came to an end, entire villages had been destroyed and many lives lost. He didn't possess his father's political savvy either, and in 1:65 Anderfels declared its independence.[13]
The darkspawn besieged Weisshaupt in 1:33. The Grey Wardens held their ground, but without enough supplies and with the darkspawn horde on their doorstep increasing, it would have been only a matter of time before even the elite Grey Wardens succumbed to hunger or exhaustion. On the other hand, Emperor Drakon wanted to conquer the weakened Tevinter, but he decided to aid the Grey Wardens instead.[7]
Unification of Alamarri
In 1:40 the Alamarri warrior Hafter united the tribes in the Fereldan Valley against the darkspawn.[14] He first defeated the darkspawn armies, and in 1:50, the combined forces of Chasind and Avvar who were hoping to use the Blight for their advantage.[15] Hafter was named the first teyrn of the Alamarri.[13]
Battles in the Western Approach
The Western Approach was the site of several major battles during the Second Blight, and the Wardens build many fortresses in the area to face the darkspawn.[16] The hordes swarmed out of the great chasm to the south named the Abyssal Rift. Adamant Fortress, built by dwarves and used as a Grey Warden outpost, soon became a symbol of the Grey Warden's courage and skill.[17]
Battle of Starkhaven
In 1:95, the last battle of the Second Blight was fought at Starkhaven with a human army led by the Wardens.[2] The Wardens had planned a trap for Zazikel in Starkhaven, but found out that the Archdemon had somehow been aware of the assault, and they found themselves surrounded by darkspawn instead.[18] Both sides suffered heavy losses, but Zazikel was finally slain by the Grey Warden Corin. His mage lover and fellow Warden Neriah sacrificed herself, using her own body to shield Corin from an emissary's bolt. She died instantly, but allowed Corin to cut his way through the darkspawn and plunge his blade into the Archdemon, killing both himself and the beast, thus ending the Second Blight.[18][19]
Aftermath
With the slaying of the Archdemon, the darkspawn were forced underground. The following period became known as the Rebuilding. Trade, culture and religion flourished, and the next age was named Glory, predicting a grand rebirth of the world. Many believed the Second Blight to be the last.[2][20]
While the newly formed Chantry was overshadowed by the Blight, it continued to spread rapidly throughout the next hundred years. Despite the glorious triumph of the Orlesians in many battles, the Orlesian empire began its slow decline. The Anderfels remained independent.
Since the Second Blight, the land in the Western Approach is corrupted beyond recovery and the Veil is exceptionally thin in the region.[21][22]
Notable participants
- Corin, Grey Warden
- Neriah, Grey Warden
- Kordillus Drakon, first Emperor of Orlais
- Kordillus II, second Emperor of Orlais
- Hafter, Teyrn of the Alamarri
- Galineus, Tevinter Lord and General[23]
Notes
- The sources differ on what city was sacked by the darkspawn during initial attack. The World of Thedas states that it was Hossberg, while Traveller's Guide and Dragon Age RPG mention that it was Nordbotten.
See also
Codex entry: The Tale of Iloren
References
| 1:01 Divine 1195 TE 7600 FA |
Second Blight (1:05–95) · Emperor Kordillus Drakon I (−36 Anc.–1:45) · Nevarran Accord (1:20) · Hafter becomes teyrn (1:50) · Astyth the Grey (†1:95) | 1:99 Divine 1293 TE 7698 FA |
| Timeline · Calendar | ||
| Ancient Age · Divine Age · Glory Age · Towers Age · Black Age · Exalted Age · Steel Age · Storm Age · Blessed Age · Dragon Age | ||
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