Changes: Soldier's Peak

Revision as of 05:28, 13 January 2019

Soldier's Peak is an ancient Grey Warden base that sits atop a maze of abandoned mining tunnels in northern Ferelden.

Map-Soldiers Peak Completed — Soldiers Peak after completing the quest.

Background

The Grey Warden base at Soldier's Peak was built in the middle of the Glory Age, several decades after the second Blight was ended. Warden-Commander Gaspar Asturian desired a fortified headquarters where his forces could train and live. The defeat of the archdemon Zazikel was fresh in the minds of the Fereldan people, and many were willing to donate gold to build Commander Asturian's fortress. Soldier's Peak was fully completed within 10 years, and dedicated to the Maker in 9:34 [sic] Glory.

—From Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 1

Storm Age

Main article: Battle of Soldier's Peak

In 7:5 Storm, Soldier's Peak was besieged by Fereldan soldiers loyal to King Arland Theirin, who were sent to kill Warden-Commander Sophia Dryden and her followers, who rebelled against the tyrannical king. After a bloody battle in which almost all the Wardens inside were killed, Soldier's Peak was abandoned and later forgotten. As a consequence of the battle, the Veil inside the keep was thinned, and the ruins were overrun by demons.

Involvement

Fifth Blight

Main article: Fifth Blight

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

As a youth, Levi Dryden was contacted in dreams by Avernus, the only survivor of the battle, who had lived hidden in one of the towers of the fortress for almost 200 years by using blood magic. Avernus called Levi to the fortress (though he wasn't aware of Levi's heritage as a Dryden) in order to attract the necessary reinforcements to finally break the 200 year deadlock. The twisting labyrinth of abandoned mine shafts that must be traversed to reach the keep were far too dangerous for Levi himself to journey through.

Some time before the Fifth Blight, Levi contacted Warden-Commander Duncan for help. Duncan promised he would help Levi, but the Fifth Blight arrived first on Ferelden and Duncan was forced to deal with it. When Duncan was struck down in the Battle of Ostagar, Levi sought out to find the last of the Fereldan Wardens, in hope that they would take up the promise that Duncan could not.

During the Fifth Blight, the Warden, their companions, and Levi traveled to Soldier's Peak to uncover the truth about Sophia Dryden and her rebellion. There, they met the old mage Warden, Avernus, and learned about the demon infestation. After clearing out the fortress and strengthening the Veil, the Warden left the fortress under the care of Levi. Levi and his brother Mikhael settled at Soldier's Peak and began to use it to store their merchant goods.

Quests

Soldier's Peak

Ancient History

Characters

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

Before sealing the Veil:
After sealing the veil:
- Levi Dryden
- Mikhael Dryden
- Avernus (if the Warden has allowed him to stay)

Enemies

Sophia Dryden
Avernus
Desire Demon
Rage demons
Skeleton archers
Many Dead Wardens

Notable items

Antique Warden Crossbow, an above average Crossbow.

Asturian's Might, the longsword of the Grey Warden Asturian.

Robes of Avernus, a robe that improves Blood Magic.

Shadow Belt, a belt that reduces hostility.

Starfang (greatsword), the two-handed greatsword or

Starfang (longsword), the longsword.

Warden Commander armor set, set of armor once worn by Warden Commanders.

Warden Tower Shield, a shield with a low random drop chance identical to Duncan's Shield.

Winter's Breath, a powerful magical staff.

Codex entries

Codex entry: A Letter From Bann Mathuin Wulff

Codex entry: A Plea from Commander Athlar

Codex entry: Avernus's Notes

Codex entry: Sophia Dryden

Codex entry: Sophia Dryden's Journal

Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 1

Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 2

Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 3

Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 4

Codex entry: The History of the Drydens

Special objects

Party Storage Chest: The only party storage chest in Origins. Make sure you've gathered all loot from inside before further map travel (after completing Warden's Keep); the doors will not open again.

Gallery

Trivia

In Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening, Mistress Woolsey will make mention of your successful efforts in reclaiming "The Keep" and uncovering its secrets.

If the Warden returns to the cleared keep with Shale as a party member, there will be a group of three ravens on the ground who hop around and follow Shale. It's not possible to interact with them, but anytime Shale moves the ravens are quick to follow.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 |terrain       = Mountains
 |type          = Fortress
-|location      = [[World Map]]
+|location      = [[World map (Origins)|World map]]
 |inhabitants   = [[Levi Dryden]], [[Mikhael Dryden]] (once quest is complete)
-|appearances   = [[Dragon Age: Origins]]  - [[Warden's Keep]] DLC
+|appearances   = [[Dragon Age: Origins]]  - [[Warden's Keep]]
 }}</onlyinclude>
-{{about|the location|the quest|Soldier's Peak (quest)}}
-{{:Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 1|style=codexexcerpt|excerptonly=true}}
-'''Soldier's Peak''' is a location in the ''[[Warden's Keep]]'' [[DLC]] for ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''. It is an old [[Grey Warden]] base and sits atop a maze of abandoned mining tunnels.
+'''Soldier's Peak''' is  an ancient [[Grey Warden]] base that sits atop a maze of abandoned mining tunnels in northern [[Ferelden]].
 [[File:Map-Soldiers Peak Completed.png|thumb|270px|Soldiers Peak after completing the quest.]]
-== Places ==
+==Background==
+{{:Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 1|style=codexexcerpt|excerptonly=true}}
-=== Outside courtyard ====
-*The Statue in the southwest corner outside the fortress unlocks [[Ancient History]] and [[Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 1]]
-**[[Warden]] Master Scout, can drop [[Antique Warden Crossbow]]
-=== The Keep ===
-#First Floor
-#*Among the ghost of [[Sophia Dryden]], [[Avernus]] and others appear when the player enters the Keep and can be killed by AOE spells for 12 XP. This halts her conversing with [[Avernus]] and the other [[Warden]]s that causes their ghosts to just stand there until you go upstairs or back outside. [[Sophia Dryden]] then confronts her soldiers how they have defeated the [[Blight]] and why they should not surrender to [[King Arland]]'s mere mortal armies. Once she finished talking [[Levi Dryden]] will approach you to discuss how her great-great-grandmother stood bravely to fight against the rebellion even with they were starving. However, the cutscene does not occur if you kill her ghost. Meanwhile, within the same room you  can find the [[Statement of Defiance]] banner to the right (east) of the door as you enter. The banner entails a lot of the tyranny of [[King Arland]] and the revolts of [[Grey Wardens]] among with the fallen comrades.
-#*Proceed to the Break Room. Inside you will find [[Arcane Horror]], which will have 2 lesser [[Rage Demon]] guarding him. To your right, is a bar by the door, you can find a note on top of it which can lead to the [[Codex entry: A Letter From Bann Mathuin Wulff]]. Shortly after the battle is finished [[Levi Dryden]] will open the door that leads upstairs if you didn't do so. The door to the left (west) is the Barracks. Inside, you will be attacked by 3 [[Warden Skeleton]], and the undead [[Commander Athlar]]. Within the same room you can find a locked [[chest]] by the door, a weapon stand, and the [[Codex entry: A Plea from Commander Athlar]]. The door to the right (east) leads to a hallway.
-#*Proceed to along the hallway. To your right a door leads to the Kitchen. There is nothing inside but a [[chest]] containing some weapon or armor.
-#*The Library (shown on the map as "Archives") is the last room. Once you go inside you will be greeted by Warden Skeletons, Warden Corpses, and a Warden Scribe (who will come in 3 waves). After the battle, you can activate the cutscene with the [[Archivist]] and his assistant, waiting for their final hour while he was transcribing the events, by reading the [[Archivist's Book]]. Also there's the [[Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 2]] in a book near the shelves in the same room.
-#Second Floor
-#*Proceed up the 2 flights of stairs, and a cutscene will pop up of [[Sophia Dryden]] instructing [[Avenus]] to summon [[Demons]] to fight along their side. At the end of cutscene, you will be attacked by a [[Rage Demon]] which has an [[Abomination]] skin, which resist spirit damage, plus 4 [[Dead Warden]]s. The [[Rage Demon]] will heal itself, so take out the Dead Wardens first to make the fight simpler (freezing works well to prevent healing). This is followed with another 2 Greater [[Rage Demon]]s (Note: {{platform|ps3}} These two demons do not appear). The former [[Rage Demon]] also drops [[Winter's Breath]]. After the battle [[Levi Dryden]] will approach you again to discuss how his great-granny allowed blood magic in the ranks of the [[Grey Warden]].
-#*Within the same room, near the staircase, there' an [[Asturian's Portrait]] on top of the furnace. Recite the [[Grey Warden]] Oath and it will unravel an [[Asturian's Stash]] (Note: Not immediately available).
-#*Proceed towards the shrine. When you go inside you will be attacked by 2 [[Shambling Skeleton]]s and a [[Shambling Corpse]]. There you can find the [[Raspberry Jam]] which gives you the [[Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 3]].
-#*Next will be the [[Commander's Quarters]] also the last room in the floor. Once you go in you will be interacting with [[Sophia Dryden]]'s possessed body. Refer to her page for more information. Within the same room you will find [[Codex entry: Sophia Dryden's Journal]] on top of the desk.
-=== Arvenus' Tower ===
+===Storm Age===
+{{Main|Battle of Soldier's Peak}}
-*Enter the tower and proceed to the Study room. In the room you can find Ability Notes, which will start a short cutscene showing some of his experiments, an [[Alchemical Concoction]] and a [[Book]] containing [[Codex entry: Avernus's Notes]]. Meanwhile, you can interact with the [[Alchemical Concoction]] and drink it at your own risk. It adds new blood-based skills (for example, for a [[Rogue]] it adds the sustained talent [[The Tainted Blade]]).
+In 7:5 [[Storm Age|Storm]], Soldier's Peak was besieged by Fereldan soldiers loyal to King [[Arland Theirin]], who were sent to kill [[Commander of the Grey|Warden-Commander]] [[Sophia Dryden]] and her followers, who rebelled against the tyrannical king. After a bloody battle in which almost all the Wardens inside were killed, Soldier's Peak was abandoned and later forgotten. As a consequence of the battle, the [[Veil]] inside the keep was thinned, and the ruins were overrun by [[demon]]s.
-*The next room is the Sanctum of the old [[Avernus]]. You interact with him in a cutscene. He is the nemesis [[Sophia Dryden]] has asked you to destroy. However, [[Avernus]] will reason out and promise you he will give your vengeance or justice once he has corrected his doings. If you agreed with his agreement he will ask you to accompany him into the Great Hall to finish his rituals and destroy the [[Demons]]. If you choose to kill him, however, Morrigan will disapprove {{Approval|-5}}.
-*In the same room you can find a corpse pinned in the wall with pikes, click on it to receive update of [[Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 4]].
+== Involvement ==
-=== The Great Hall ===
+===Fifth Blight===
-*Upon returning to the Great Hall, [[Sophia Dryden]] intercepts you right at the door. If you let [[Avernus]] live, she is outraged.
+{{Main|Fifth Blight}}
-**You will then be given a last chance who you want to fight along with. ''(I suggest you side with [[Avernus]] and kill [[Sophia Dryden]] to eliminate more proceedings)''
+{{SpoilerDAO|As a youth, [[Levi Dryden]] was contacted in dreams by [[Avernus]], the only survivor of the battle, who had lived hidden in one of the towers of the fortress for almost 200 years by using [[blood magic]]. Avernus called Levi to the fortress (though he wasn't aware of Levi's heritage as a Dryden) in order to attract the necessary reinforcements to finally break the 200 year deadlock. The twisting labyrinth of abandoned mine shafts that must be traversed to reach the keep were far too dangerous for Levi himself to journey through.
-**[[Sophia Dryden]] will then have 2 [[Shambling skeleton]]s to fight with her.
-**Once she's defeated you will be dragged out to the main hall with [[Avernus]] cutscene performing the Sealing of the Veil. He will be summoning the circle as part of Sealing the Veil.
+Some time before the [[Fifth Blight]], Levi contacted Warden-Commander [[Duncan]] for help. Duncan promised he would help Levi, but the Fifth Blight arrived first on Ferelden and Duncan was forced to deal with it. When Duncan was struck down in the [[Battle of Ostagar]], Levi sought out to find the last of the Fereldan Wardens, in hope that they would take up the promise that Duncan could not.
-**#Closing of first circle will release 3 lesser [[Rage Demon]]s
-**#Second circle will release 4 Greater [[Shades]]
+During the Fifth Blight, [[the Warden]], their [[Companions (Origins)|companions]], and Levi traveled to Soldier's Peak to uncover the truth about Sophia Dryden and her rebellion. There, they met the old mage Warden, Avernus, and learned about the demon infestation. After clearing out the fortress and strengthening the Veil, the Warden left the fortress under the care of Levi. Levi and his brother [[Mikhael Dryden|Mikhael]] settled at Soldier's Peak and began to use it to store their merchant goods.
-**#Third circle will release 2 [[Ash Wraiths]] and 2 lesser [[Rage Demon]]s, and lastly the
+}}
-**#Final circle will release the [[Desire Demon]].
-**Once the battle is complete you will have to talk to [[Avernus]] again and cast your judgement on him.
+== Quests ==
-*If you killed [[Avernus]], then you can remind her of the payment you were promised. She will tell you where it is. At that point, if you take the conversation choice, "So our deal...?", you can then choose to kill her. Assuming the veil was already sealed, you will only have to deal with her. This option yields the most XP, plus you get the 8{{g}} from the Dryden cache.
+{{:Soldier's Peak (quest)|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+{{:Ancient History|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
 == Characters ==
 {{SpoilerDAO|
 {{clr}}
-* Before sealing the veil:
+* Before sealing the [[Veil]]:
 ** [[Sophia Dryden]]
 ** [[Avernus]]
 ** [[Levi Dryden]]
 * After sealing the veil:
-** [[Levi Dryden]]
+** Levi Dryden
 ** [[Mikhael Dryden]]
-** [[Avernus]] (if the Warden has allowed him to stay)
+** Avernus (if the Warden has allowed him to stay)
 == Enemies ==
@@ Line 71: / Line 58: @@
 }}
-== Objects ==
+== Notable items ==
-* [[Party Storage Chest]]: The only party storage chest in Origins. '''''Ensure you looted everything in the area before leaving the new [[Warden's Keep]] or else it will be all cleared out on your return.
-'''''
-== Items ==
 {{:Antique Warden Crossbow|style=iconmini}}, an above average Crossbow.{{clrl}}
 {{:Asturian's Might|style=iconmini}}, the longsword of the Grey Warden Asturian.{{clrl}}
@@ Line 82: / Line 65: @@
 {{:Starfang (greatsword)|style=iconmini}}, the two-handed greatsword '''or'''{{clrl}}
 {{:Starfang (longsword)|style=iconmini}}, the longsword.{{clrl}}
-{{:Warden Commander Armor Set|style=iconmini}}, set of armor once worn by Warden Commmanders.{{clrl}}
+{{:Warden Commander Armor Set|style=iconmini}}, set of armor once worn by Warden Commanders.{{clrl}}
 {{:Warden's Tower Shield|style=iconmini}}, a shield with a low random drop chance identical to [[Duncan's Shield]].{{clrl}}
 {{:Winter's Breath|style=iconmini}}, a powerful magical staff.{{clrl}}
@@ Line 98: / Line 81: @@
 {{:Codex entry: The History of the Drydens|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-== Quests ==
+== Special objects ==
+* [[Party Storage Chest]]: The only party storage chest in ''Origins. '''Make sure you've gathered all loot from inside before further map travel (after completing Warden's Keep); the doors will not open again.'''''
-{{:Soldier's Peak (quest)|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
-{{:Ancient History|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
+== Gallery ==
+<gallery widths="180" orientation="square" captionalign="left">
+Soldier's Peak Entrance Hall.png| Entrance Hall
+Soldier's Peak Common Area.png|Second Floor Common Area
+Soldier's Peak Warden-Commander's Office.png| Warden-Commander's Office
+Soldier's Peak Tower Exterior.png| Soldier's Peak Tower
+Soldier's Peak Tower interior.png| Tower Interior
+Avernus-tower.png|Avernus's Tower Map
+First-floor.png|First Floor of Soldier's Peak Map
+Second-floor.png|Second Floor of Soldier's Peak Map
+</gallery>
 == Trivia ==
 * In ''[[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]]'', [[Mistress Woolsey]] will make mention of your successful efforts in reclaiming "The Keep" and uncovering its secrets.
-* If the Warden returns to the cleared keep with Shale as a party member, there will be a group of three ravens on the ground who hop around and follow Shale. It's not possible to interact with them, but anytime Shale moves the ravens are quick to follow.
+* If the Warden returns to the cleared keep with [[Shale]] as a party member, there will be a group of three ravens on the ground who hop around and follow Shale. It's not possible to interact with them, but anytime Shale moves the ravens are quick to follow.
 == See also ==
-* [[King Arland]]
+* King [[Arland Theirin|Arland]]
+{{Grey Wardens}}
 [[Category:Dragon Age: Origins locations]]
-[[Category:Locations]]
+[[Category:Fortresses]]
 [[Category:Warden's Keep]]
+[[Category:Ferelden]]