- This article is about the location. For the quest, see Soldier's Peak (quest).
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 1Soldier'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.
Soldiers Peak after completing the quest.
Places
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 Wardens 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 three 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 Soldier's Peak: Chapter 2 in a book near the shelves..
- Second Floor
- Proceed up the stairs for a cutscene of Sophia Dryden instructing Avernus to summon Demons to bolster the Wardens' forces. When this 'flashback' ends you will be attacked by a Rage Demon (in an Abomination skin) and four Dead Wardens. The rage demon can heal itself, so take out the Dead Wardens first to make the fight simpler. A second wave consists of two greater rage demons (though not on the
). The former Rage Demon also drops Winter's Breath. After the battle Levi Dryden will approach you again and discuss how his great-granny allowed blood magic in the ranks of the Grey Wardens. - Proceed towards the shrine. Inside are two Shambling Skeletons and a Shambling Corpse, plus the Raspberry Jam which gives you the Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 3.
- Next will be the Commander's Quarters, where you will be interacting with Sophia Dryden's long-possessed body. Sophia's journal sits on the desk. The demon possessing Sophia's body will attempt to make a deal with the Warden. You may either consent to the proposal or fight and kill the demon on the spot.
- Proceed up the stairs for a cutscene of Sophia Dryden instructing Avernus to summon Demons to bolster the Wardens' forces. When this 'flashback' ends you will be attacked by a Rage Demon (in an Abomination skin) and four Dead Wardens. The rage demon can heal itself, so take out the Dead Wardens first to make the fight simpler. A second wave consists of two greater rage demons (though not on the
Avernus' Tower
- 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. You may interact with the bottle and decide whether its contents are worth keeping. (If swallowed, it permanently grants two free, unique tainted-blood talents based on the Warden's class.)
- The next room is the sanctum of the extremely long-lived Avernus, the nemesis Sophia Dryden has asked you to destroy. However, Avernus will negotiate to save his work (and life), perhaps even assuring a persuasive Warden of vengeance or justice. If cooperated with, he will ask you to accompany him into the Great Hall to finish his rituals and mend the local damage to the Veil. If you choose to kill him,
Morrigan disapproves (-5); if you allow him to continue his research, Wynne disapproves (-3). - In the same room is a corpse pinned to the wall with pikes; click on it to receive Codex entry: The History of Soldier's Peak: Chapter 4.
Returning to the Great Hall
 |
This article may need to be cleaned up to reach a higher standard of quality.
If you wish to discuss this, please do so at the talk page or improve the article and remove the {{cleanup}} tag.
|
If the Warden agreed to Sophia Dryden's proposal rather than kill her, she will accost the party at the door.
- If you have killed Avernus, you can remind Sophia 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 8 from the cache.
- If Avernus is still alive, Sophia is outraged.
- If Sophia is attacked here she will have two shambling skeletons at her disposal.
- Once she's defeated, Avernus begins to seal the Veil; four more waves of demons will make their way through before he finishes:
- Three lesser rage demons
- Four greater shades
- Two ash wraiths and two lesser rage demons
- Finally, a Desire Demon boss
- Once she's defeated, Avernus begins to seal the Veil; four more waves of demons will make their way through before he finishes:
- If Sophia is attacked here she will have two shambling skeletons at her disposal.
- Once the battle is complete, you can talk to Avernus again and pronounce your judgment on him.
On your way out near the stairs down is a painting over a fireplace. Reciting the Oath near it reveals Asturian's Stash of sword, belt, shield, armor and 1
50
). This can only be accomplished if all four of the codex entries about the history of Soldier's Peak have been collected.
Warning! Once you have completed the quest, make sure you pick up all desired loot before leaving the greater Soldier's Peak area. The next time you return, you'll only have access to the courtyard.
Characters
- 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
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.
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 Commmanders.
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: 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
Quests
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.