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[[File:Orzammar concept art.png|right|350px|Concept art of a thaig]]
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[[File:Orzammar concept art.png|thumb|310px|Concept art of a thaig]]
   
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'''Thaig''' is a dwarven term used for their settlements and cities within the [[Deep Roads]]. Thaigs are often named after a [[Noble caste|noble]] [[Houses|house]] and in some cases founded by [[Paragons]].
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'''Thaig''' is a [[Dwarven languages and phrases|dwarven term]] used for their [[Thedas#Underground|underground]] settlements. They are connected with each other via the [[Deep Roads]]. Thaigs are often named after a prominent [[house]] and in some cases founded by [[Paragon]]s.
   
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Hewn from the rock of the Deep Roads itself, the physical structure of thaigs can last ages, even if many of them have been abandoned or destroyed by darkspawn raids, their inhabitants killed or fled.
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Hewn from the underground rock of [[Thedas]] itself, the physical structure of thaigs can last millenia, even if many of them have been abandoned or destroyed by [[darkspawn]] raids, their inhabitants killed or fled. This structure often allows the thaigs to serve as fortresses in addition to their other roles.
   
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== Background ==
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== History ==
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One of the first thaigs was the [[Primeval Thaig]], excavated many years before the first [[Blight]], but it is so old (over ten thousand years) that it seems to have been forgotten by dwarven history. A thaig named "First Thaig" is also mentioned in dwarven history, but, according to codex entries, the Primeval Thaig is considered much older.
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One of the first thaigs was the [[Primeval Thaig]], which is so ancient that its existence is not even recorded in the [[Dwarf|dwarven]] history. The [[Memories]] date back to the foundation of the "First Thaig" however the Primeval Thaig is considered much older.
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After the outbreak of the [[First Blight]] the darkspawn horde invaded the dwarven empire through the [[Deep Roads]] and a massive amount of thaigs were lost to the horde. Only the four major kingdoms of [[Orzammar]], [[Gundaar]], [[Hormak]] and [[Kal-Sharok]] managed to survive and sealing the Deep Roads was the only effective way used to delay the process. By -35 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]] (1165 TE) only the kingdoms of Orzammar and Kal-Sharok had not fallen.<ref name="prima">''[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide]]''</ref><ref name="cut">[[Codex entry: Cut to Kal Sharok]]</ref>
   
 
=== Great thaigs ===
 
=== Great thaigs ===
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The dwarven kingdoms originally consisted of twelve large thaigs and numerous smaller thaigs spanning the length and breadth of Thedas, but most have fallen. There are only two large thaigs still inhabited, [[Kal-Sharok]] and [[Orzammar]], the founding sister cities of the dwarven race. As the past and current seats of power and capitals of the empire, these two thaigs were, and are, considered "'''great thaigs'''" in comparison to the other thaigs, due to their importance to the race. Addionally, the fortress of [[Kal'Hirol]], once a center of learning for [[Smith caste|smiths]], was also a great thaig.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Fortress of Kal'Hirol]]</ref>
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The dwarven kingdoms originally consisted of twelve "great thaigs"<ref>According to a loading screen in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref> and numerous smaller thaigs spanning the length and breadth of Thedas, but most have fallen. There are only three great thaigs still inhabited, Kal-Sharok, Orzammar and the recently reclaimed [[Kal'Hirol]].<ref>[[Codex entry: The Fortress of Kal'Hirol]]</ref>
   
 
== Inhabited thaigs ==
 
== Inhabited thaigs ==
  +
In present day, these thaigs are still inhabited by dwarves.
* '''[[Kal-Sharok]]''': Kal-Sharok lies beneath the Hunterhorn Mountains between [[Orlais]] and the [[Anderfels]].
 
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* '''[[Orzammar]]''': Orzammar lies beneath the [[Frostback Mountains]] in [[Ferelden]].
 
 
* '''[[Kal-Sharok]]''': Kal-Sharok is the former capital of the dwarven empire, as well as the capital of the Kingdom of Kal-Sharok. It lies deep beneath the [[Hunterhorn Mountains]], between [[Orlais]] and [[Anderfels]].
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{{SpoilerDAOA|{{clear}}
 
 
* '''[[Orzammar]]''': Orzammar is the capital of the dwarves, as well as the capital of the Kingdom of Orzammar. It lies beneath the [[Frostback Mountains]], between [[Ferelden]] and Orlais.
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* '''[[Kal'Hirol]]''': Once a great thaig and center of smithing knowledge. Kal'Hirol can be visited in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening|Awakening]]'' and is reclaimed by the dwarves as mentioned in the [[Epilogue (Awakening)|epilogue]].}}
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* '''[[Kal'Hirol]]''': Once the center of smithing knowledge. Kal'Hirol was lost during the First Blight and reclaimed by the dwarves in 9:31 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]].
   
 
== Lost thaigs ==
 
== Lost thaigs ==
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In present day, these thaigs have been lost to the darkspawn.
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Several thaigs were lost to the [[darkspawn]] during the Blights and in the years between. Some of these have been explored by the [[Warden]] and [[Hawke]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' and ''[[Dragon Age II]]'' but the majority are known only by codex entries or from dialogue.
 
   
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* "'''[[Abandoned Thaig|Abandoned]]'''": A site of activity in ''Dragon Age II''.
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* "'''[[Abandoned Thaig|Abandoned]]'''": A thaig located beneath the west end of [[Sundermount]] in the [[Free Marches]].
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* '''[[Aeducan Thaig|Aeducan]]''': The ancestral thaig of the ruling [[House Aeducan|Aeducan]] royal family and site of activity in ''Dragon Age: Origins''.
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* '''[[Aeducan Thaig|Aeducan]]''': The ancestral thaig of [[House Aeducan]]. It is labeled as "'''Ruined Thaig'''" in ''[[A Tale of Orzammar]]'' [[Downloadable content (Origins)|DLC]] and the [[Dwarf Noble Origin]].
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* '''[[Amgarrak Thaig|Amgarrak]]''': A site of activity in the [[Golems of Amgarrak]] [[Downloadable content (Origins)|DLC]].
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* '''[[Amgarrak Thaig|Amgarrak]]''': A hidden thaig.
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* Fortress of '''[[Bownammar]]''', now the '''[[Dead Trenches]]''': Once the home of the Paragon [[Caridin]] and a site of activity in ''Dragon Age: Origins''.
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* '''[[Dead Trenches|Bownammar]]''', now known as the '''Dead Trenches''' or "'''City of the Dead'''", it is an ancient fortress designed by [[Paragon]] [[Caridin]] which used to be the former headquarters of the [[Legion of the Dead]]. Having passed possession between the Legion and the darkspawn for several centuries, it was lost to the darkspawn in 9:13 Dragon.<ref>{{Cite wot|141}}</ref>
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* '''[[Cadash Thaig|Cadash]]''': A thaig which was became a sanctuary for elven refugees from [[Arlathan]] and a site of activity in ''Dragon Age: Origins'' and the [[Witch Hunt]] [[Downloadable content (Origins)|DLC]].
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* '''[[Cadash Thaig#Background|Cad'halash]]''': An ancient settlement which at one point became a sanctuary for [[Elf|elven]] refugees from [[Arlathan]]. When this was discovered by the dwarves of Kal-Sharok, they destroyed the thaig in order to cover the evidence and not jeopardize their alliance with [[Tevinter Imperium]].
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* '''[[Cadash Thaig|Cadash]]''': It was built upon Cad'halash.
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* '''Darmallon''': According to legend, the gold and silver veins of Darmallon ran so deep they made the entire city sparkle. The glittering city of Darmallon was located below western Thedas.<ref>Mentioned by [[Bodahn Feddic]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' if asked what is his story while [[Party Camp|camping]].</ref>
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* '''Darmallon''': It was one of Thedas' greatest sources of gold.<ref>Based on [[Glittering Darmallon]] description.</ref> According to legend, the gold and silver veins of Darmallon ran so deep they made the entire city sparkle. The glittering city of Darmallon was located beneath western Thedas.<ref>Mentioned by [[Bodahn Feddic]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' if asked in the [[Party Camp]].</ref>
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* '''Gundaar''': In the [[Ancient Age|1155th]] year of the [[Tevinter Imperium]], [[Kings and Queens of Orzammar|High King]] Threestone declared it lost to the darkspawn, along with Kal-Sharok and Hormak.<ref name="Kal Sharok">[[Codex entry: Cut to Kal Sharok]]</ref> Shortly before its fall, the thaig appeared to have a ruler named King Jegrek, who was slain by the [[Warrior caste|warrior]] Beregrand.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Edge of Night]]</ref>
 
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* '''Felhammar''': The thaig fell during the First Blight.<ref>Based on [[Dwyn's Sword]] description.</ref>
* '''Gwaren''': A dwarven outpost built near the Amaranthine Ocean in order to access salt and the sea lanes. A flourishing [[Gwaren|human settlement]] was built above which helped the dwarves. After the Deep Roads were overrun by darkspawn, the outpost was abandoned and sealed, however its name is still being used by the human town.
 
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* '''Gundaar''': The capital of the Kingdom of Gundaar, it fell to the darkspawn within a decade after -40 Ancient (1160 TE) relatively at the same time with the kingdom of Hormak.<ref name="prima"/><ref name="cut"/> Shortly before its fall, the thaig was ruled by [[Dwarven royalty|King]] Jegrek, who was slain by the [[Warrior caste|warrior]] [[Beregrand]] in a [[Provings|Proving]] match, an action which considerably weakened the kingdom. It is also known that the Deep Roads directly connected it with the Aeducan Thaig.<ref>[[Note: The Lost Outpost Plaque]]</ref>
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* '''Heidrun''': Amrun, a member of the [[Legion of the Dead]], has written about an encounter deep in an old mineshaft beneath the thaig, down which he and his men had chased an [[Emissary]]. Their fight awoke an [[ancient rock wraith]], which killed the darkspawn and collapsed the tunnel.<ref>[[Codex entry: Rock Wraith]]</ref>
 
 
* '''Gwaren''': A dwarven outpost built near the Amaranthine Ocean in order for them to gain access to salt and the sea lanes. A flourishing [[Gwaren|human settlement]] was built above which collaborated with the dwarves. After the Deep Roads were overrun by darkspawn, the outpost was abandoned and sealed, however its name is still being used by the human town.
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* '''Hormak''': One of the thaigs lost in the 1155th year of the Tevinter Imperium, along with Kal-Sharok and Gundaar.<ref name="Kal Sharok"/>
 
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* '''[[Ruins of Heidrun Thaig|Heidrun]]''': Built before the First Blight, this thaig was named after Paragon Heidrun.<ref>[[Landmarks in the Deep Roads#Monument to Heidrun the Deep|Monument to Heidrun the Deep]]</ref> It served as an important [[lyrium]] mining source for the dwarven empire.<ref name>[[Codex entry: Heidrun Thaig]]</ref> In 9:41 Dragon [[the Inquisitor]] may [[The Descent (quest)|visit]] the ruins of the thaig.
* '''Kal'Barosh''': A thaig located south of Kal'Hirol. It fell shortly before Kal'Hirol was overrun by the darkspawn horde as well.<ref name="Dailan">[[Codex entry: Dailan's Journal]]</ref>
 
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* '''Hormak''': The capital of the Kingdom of Hormak, it fell to the darkspawn in -35 Ancient (1165 TE). The legendary Paragon Egon Winterbreath is known to have led the thaig's defences until its fall.<ref name="prima"/><ref name="cut"/><ref>Based on [[Wintersbreath (Inquisition)]] description.</ref>
* '''Kobaliman''': An expedition was organized to recover the thaig, but only one survivor, Captain [[Roshen]], came back.<ref>Mentioned by the [[Proving Master]] of Orzammar in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref>
 
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* '''[[Kal Repartha]]''': A thaig on the surface not recorded in the Memories. It was founded by Paragon Fairel in the [[Hissing Wastes]] after a disastrous conflict between two thaigs. Old writings reveal that this thaig must have been founded before 700 TE, thus before the First Blight. By 9:41 Dragon, only half-buried ruins remain of the thaig.<ref>[[Codex entry: A Journal on Dwarven Ruins]]</ref>
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*'''Kul-Baras''': According to a [[Codex entry: Longbow of the Avvars|codex entry]], this was the dwarven fortress the [[Architect]] used as base of operation during the events of [[Dragon Age: The Calling|The Calling]].
 
 
* '''Kal'Barosh''': A thaig located south of Kal'Hirol. It fell shortly before Kal'Hirol was overrun by the darkspawn horde.<ref name="Dailan">[[Codex entry: Dailan's Journal]]</ref>
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* '''[[Ortan Thaig|Ortan]]''': This thaig is a site of activity in both [[Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne|The Stolen Throne]] novel and in ''Dragon Age: Origins''.
 
 
* '''Kobaliman''': Before the events of the [[Fifth Blight]], an expedition was organized to recover the thaig, but only one survivor, Captain [[Roshen]], came back.<ref>Mentioned by the [[Proving Master]] before fighting him in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref>
* '''[[Primeval Thaig|Primeval]]''': A site of activity in ''Dragon Age II''.
 
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* '''[[Kul-Baras]]''': A dwarven fortress located beneath Ferelden. It was used by [[the Architect]] as its base of operations at 9:10 Dragon. A [[Grey Wardens|Grey Warden]] expedition some years later found it empty.
* '''Revann''': In 5:10 [[Exalted Age|Exalted]], the explorer Faruma [[House Helmi|Helmi]] found a strange scrawling by unknown hands on a wall there, mentioning the [[profane]], indicating that such creatures lingered in the thaig.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Profane]]</ref>
 
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* '''[[Valdasine Thaig|Valdasine]]''': Once the home of the wealthy [[Miner caste]] House Valdasine.
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* '''[[Ortan Thaig|Ortan]]''': The ancestral home of [[House Ortan]] located beneath Ferelden.
 
* '''[[Primeval Thaig|Primeval]]''': A very ancient thaig with major differences from the rest.
* '''Varen''': A thaig located south of Kal'Hirol. It fell shortly before Kal'Hirol was overrun by the darkspawn horde as well.<ref name="Dailan" />
 
 
* '''Revann''': In 5:10 [[Exalted Age|Exalted]], the explorer Faruma [[House Helmi|Helmi]] found a strange scrawling by unknown hands on a wall there, mentioning the [[Rock wraith|profane]], indicating that such creatures lingered in the thaig.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Profane]]</ref>
* '''Zygmunt''': [[Shaper Czibor]] can trace his lineage directly to House Zygmunt from this thaig, which was lost 13 generations ago.<ref>During ''Dragon Age: Origins'', this thaig is mentioned by Czibor if the Warden heard that [[Harrowmont]] and the Shaper are related by [[Vartag Gavorn]] and asked the [[Shaperate of Memories|Shaper of Memories]] about it.</ref>
 
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* '''[[Valammar]]''': A former trading post in the immediate vicinity to the surface and the ferelden settlement [[Redcliffe]]. In 9:41 Dragon, it was used by the [[Carta]] as a base to smuggle [[lyrium]].
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* '''Valdasine''': Once the home of the wealthy [[Mining caste|mining]] House Valdasine.<ref>[[Codex entry: Valdasine]]</ref>
 
* '''Varen''': A thaig located south of Kal'Hirol. It fell shortly before Kal'Hirol was overrun by the darkspawn horde.<ref name="Dailan"/>
 
* '''Zygmunt''': [[Shaperate|Shaper]] [[Czibor]] can trace his lineage directly to House Zygmunt from this thaig, which was lost thirteen generations ago before the events of the Fifth Blight.<ref>Mentioned in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' by [[Czibor]] if [[the Warden]] heard that [[Pyral Harrowmont|Harrowmont]] and the Shaper are related by [[Vartag Gavorn]] and asked Czibor about it.</ref>
   
 
== Thaigs of unknown status ==
 
== Thaigs of unknown status ==
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In present day, the status of these thaigs is not known:
* '''Rousten''': The ancestral home of House Rousten. During the events of the [[Fifth Blight]] it is likely uninhabited and used only for mining activities.<ref>[[Varick]] works as a miner in that mine in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref>
 
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* '''Sharokovar''': The Assembly of [[Kal-Sharok]] meets in this thaig<ref>''Dragon Age'' RPG Game Master's Guide, set 2, pg. 64</ref>
 
 
* '''Rousten''': The ancestral home of House Rousten. During the events of the Fifth Blight it is likely uninhabited and used only for mining activities.<ref>[[Varick]] works as a miner there in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''. It should be noted that he uses the term "old" to describe the thaig.</ref>
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{{Tabletop RPG material}}
 
* '''Sharokovar''': The [[Assembly]] of [[Kal-Sharok]] meets in this thaig.<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Game Master's Guide, set 2, p. 64</ref>
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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<references/>
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{{Scroll box|<references/>}}
   
 
{{Dwarves}}
 
{{Dwarves}}

Revision as of 18:56, 20 February 2020

Orzammar concept art

Concept art of a thaig

Thaig is a dwarven term used for their underground settlements. They are connected with each other via the Deep Roads. Thaigs are often named after a prominent house and in some cases founded by Paragons.

Hewn from the underground rock of Thedas itself, the physical structure of thaigs can last millenia, even if many of them have been abandoned or destroyed by darkspawn raids, their inhabitants killed or fled. This structure often allows the thaigs to serve as fortresses in addition to their other roles.

History

One of the first thaigs was the Primeval Thaig, which is so ancient that its existence is not even recorded in the dwarven history. The Memories date back to the foundation of the "First Thaig" however the Primeval Thaig is considered much older.

After the outbreak of the First Blight the darkspawn horde invaded the dwarven empire through the Deep Roads and a massive amount of thaigs were lost to the horde. Only the four major kingdoms of Orzammar, Gundaar, Hormak and Kal-Sharok managed to survive and sealing the Deep Roads was the only effective way used to delay the process. By -35 Ancient (1165 TE) only the kingdoms of Orzammar and Kal-Sharok had not fallen.[1][2]

Great thaigs

The dwarven kingdoms originally consisted of twelve "great thaigs"[3] and numerous smaller thaigs spanning the length and breadth of Thedas, but most have fallen. There are only three great thaigs still inhabited, Kal-Sharok, Orzammar and the recently reclaimed Kal'Hirol.[4]

Inhabited thaigs

In present day, these thaigs are still inhabited by dwarves.

  • Kal-Sharok: Kal-Sharok is the former capital of the dwarven empire, as well as the capital of the Kingdom of Kal-Sharok. It lies deep beneath the Hunterhorn Mountains, between Orlais and Anderfels.
  • Orzammar: Orzammar is the capital of the dwarves, as well as the capital of the Kingdom of Orzammar. It lies beneath the Frostback Mountains, between Ferelden and Orlais.
  • Kal'Hirol: Once the center of smithing knowledge. Kal'Hirol was lost during the First Blight and reclaimed by the dwarves in 9:31 Dragon.

Lost thaigs

In present day, these thaigs have been lost to the darkspawn.

  • "Abandoned": A thaig located beneath the west end of Sundermount in the Free Marches.
  • Aeducan: The ancestral thaig of House Aeducan. It is labeled as "Ruined Thaig" in A Tale of Orzammar DLC and the Dwarf Noble Origin.
  • Amgarrak: A hidden thaig.
  • Bownammar, now known as the Dead Trenches or "City of the Dead", it is an ancient fortress designed by Paragon Caridin which used to be the former headquarters of the Legion of the Dead. Having passed possession between the Legion and the darkspawn for several centuries, it was lost to the darkspawn in 9:13 Dragon.[5]
  • Cad'halash: An ancient settlement which at one point became a sanctuary for elven refugees from Arlathan. When this was discovered by the dwarves of Kal-Sharok, they destroyed the thaig in order to cover the evidence and not jeopardize their alliance with Tevinter Imperium.
  • Cadash: It was built upon Cad'halash.
  • Darmallon: It was one of Thedas' greatest sources of gold.[6] According to legend, the gold and silver veins of Darmallon ran so deep they made the entire city sparkle. The glittering city of Darmallon was located beneath western Thedas.[7]
  • Felhammar: The thaig fell during the First Blight.[8]
  • Gundaar: The capital of the Kingdom of Gundaar, it fell to the darkspawn within a decade after -40 Ancient (1160 TE) relatively at the same time with the kingdom of Hormak.[1][2] Shortly before its fall, the thaig was ruled by King Jegrek, who was slain by the warrior Beregrand in a Proving match, an action which considerably weakened the kingdom. It is also known that the Deep Roads directly connected it with the Aeducan Thaig.[9]
  • Gwaren: A dwarven outpost built near the Amaranthine Ocean in order for them to gain access to salt and the sea lanes. A flourishing human settlement was built above which collaborated with the dwarves. After the Deep Roads were overrun by darkspawn, the outpost was abandoned and sealed, however its name is still being used by the human town.
  • Heidrun: Built before the First Blight, this thaig was named after Paragon Heidrun.[10] It served as an important lyrium mining source for the dwarven empire.[11] In 9:41 Dragon the Inquisitor may visit the ruins of the thaig.
  • Hormak: The capital of the Kingdom of Hormak, it fell to the darkspawn in -35 Ancient (1165 TE). The legendary Paragon Egon Winterbreath is known to have led the thaig's defences until its fall.[1][2][12]
  • Kal Repartha: A thaig on the surface not recorded in the Memories. It was founded by Paragon Fairel in the Hissing Wastes after a disastrous conflict between two thaigs. Old writings reveal that this thaig must have been founded before 700 TE, thus before the First Blight. By 9:41 Dragon, only half-buried ruins remain of the thaig.[13]
  • Kal'Barosh: A thaig located south of Kal'Hirol. It fell shortly before Kal'Hirol was overrun by the darkspawn horde.[14]
  • Kobaliman: Before the events of the Fifth Blight, an expedition was organized to recover the thaig, but only one survivor, Captain Roshen, came back.[15]
  • Kul-Baras: A dwarven fortress located beneath Ferelden. It was used by the Architect as its base of operations at 9:10 Dragon. A Grey Warden expedition some years later found it empty.
  • Ortan: The ancestral home of House Ortan located beneath Ferelden.
  • Primeval: A very ancient thaig with major differences from the rest.
  • Revann: In 5:10 Exalted, the explorer Faruma Helmi found a strange scrawling by unknown hands on a wall there, mentioning the profane, indicating that such creatures lingered in the thaig.[16]
  • Valammar: A former trading post in the immediate vicinity to the surface and the ferelden settlement Redcliffe. In 9:41 Dragon, it was used by the Carta as a base to smuggle lyrium.
  • Valdasine: Once the home of the wealthy mining House Valdasine.[17]
  • Varen: A thaig located south of Kal'Hirol. It fell shortly before Kal'Hirol was overrun by the darkspawn horde.[14]
  • Zygmunt: Shaper Czibor can trace his lineage directly to House Zygmunt from this thaig, which was lost thirteen generations ago before the events of the Fifth Blight.[18]

Thaigs of unknown status

In present day, the status of these thaigs is not known:

  • Rousten: The ancestral home of House Rousten. During the events of the Fifth Blight it is likely uninhabited and used only for mining activities.[19]
BioWare canon
The following information is only mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop. Certain portions of this media may no longer reflect currently established lore.

References