Western Approach

For the keep located in this region, see Griffon Wing Keep.

Western Approach
Terrain	Canyon
Type	Desert
Location	Southwestern Orlais
Inhabitants	Grey Wardens (formerly) White Claws Venatori
Enemies	White Claws Venatori Hyenas Phoenixes Quillbacks Spiders Varghests Darkspawn Giants
Appearances	Dragon Age: Asunder Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Western Approach is a large, arid expanse in southwestern Orlais. Farther west lie the Hunterhorn Mountains and uninhabited steppes and forests.

Background

The wastes in The Approach were once a land of plenty. The rain came north over the Gamordan Peaks, turning the plains green and verdant for several months of the year. However, eight hundred years ago, that all changed. The Approach became the site of a major battle during the Second Blight. The darkspawn swarmed out of the Abyssal Rift, a great chasm to the south, and corrupted it with their foul blood never allowing for the land beyond to recover... even after the darkspawn were all driven back underground.

The Grey Wardens had Adamant Fortress erected by the dwarves to stand watch over the chasm. The region however became a stark and sad place with unstable purple sands looted with desolate rocky pillars engulfed in steep ridges. At night, the air grows still and the sky is alight with shimmering auroras— the time when darkspawn still come out of hiding.

The Orlesians at one point had iron towers built, over a hundred feet high, to mark a path in the badlands allowing for travelers to see the next when one is reached. The towers, now old, rusted and barely visible no longer pave a clear path to Adamant Fortress which stands on the lip of the chasm towering at the end of the path. Adamant eventually lay vacant by the Wardens due to the ever encroaching sands and intense howling winds.

The desolate badlands known as the Western Approach are as massive as they are barren. Bordered to the west by steps and crawling with monsters, The Approach is a place from which few explorers return and most avoid. The Grey Warden Fortress Adamant sits on the edge of a great chasm on The Approach's southern reaches, one of the few remaining signs that the greatest battles of the second Blight were fought here.

—Excerpt from the quest journal

Involvement

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This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.

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During the main quest Here Lies the Abyss, the Inquisitor sets out to follow the tracks of the disappearing Grey Wardens. After meeting Hawke in Skyhold, and being introduced to their Grey Warden ally in Crestwood, the Inquisitor learns that the Wardens have been gathering in a Tevinter tower in The Western Approach. While tracking down the Wardens, wildlife, White Claw Raiders, and Venatori will present a variety of threats amidst the sandy dunes, rocky outcrops, old Warden outposts and ancient Tevinter ruins.

When the Inquisitor finally catches up to the Grey Wardens, whom are intent on performing a ritual that will supposedly eliminate all Darkspawn, they discover that the Wardens are being led into a Venatori trap unbeknownst to Warden Commander Clarel. The ritual unveils that Venatori Magister Livius Erimond, is intending to bind all the Wardens to Corypheus' service. The Inquisitor can gain access to The Approach by completing the Investigate the Western Approach war table scouting operation in Skyhold.

Places

Regions

Map of the Western Approach

Note: The 25 regions below make up the Regions in the Approach collection. Discovering all of them grants 200 Influence.

Abyssal Ledge

Blight Overlook

The Canyons

Death Drink Springs

Dust Plains

Dustytop Fort

Echoback Canyon

Echoback Fort

Forgotten Mine

Gates of Andoral

Gates of Toth

Giant's Staircase

Griffon Wing Keep

Iska's Stand

Lost Spring Canyon

Lost Wash Creek

Still Ruins overview

Nazaire's Pass

Old Prison Road

Prison Ruins

Sand Flats

Sand Rock Mine

Shimmer Stone Mine

The Still Ruins

Valemont Pass

The Wastes

Additional places

Adamant Fortress

Coracavus

Inquisition camps

Craggy Ridge Camp

Echo Back Canyon Camp

Lost Spring Canyon Camp

Nazaire's Pass Camp

Characters

Alistair (conditional)

Warden-Commander Clarel

Overseer Crassius Servis

Professor Frederic of Serault

Griffon Wing Keep Merchant

Hawke

Jean-Marc Stroud (conditional)

Leo of Lucien Bay

Magister Livius Erimond

Loghain Mac Tir (conditional)

Lucanus

Prelate Macrinus

Commander Rylen

Quests

A Manuscript of Some Authority

Griffon statues

Assault on Griffon Wing Keep

A Stranger Rift in the Ruins

A Tevinter Relic Hunt

Draconology

Fortress Squatters

Frederic's Livelihood

Holding the Western Approach

How to Lure a Dragon

Hunting Patterns

Into the Approach

On the Chantry Trail

Sharper White Claws

The Abyssal High Dragon

The Heart of the Still Ruins

The Trouble with Darkspawn

The Venatori

This Water Tastes Funny

Rifts

Rifts in the Canyons

Rifts in Echoback

Rifts in Sand and Dust

Rifts off the Pass

Requisitions

Code Requisition in the Approach

Fauna Requisition in the Approach

Lazurite Survey in the Approach

Luster Survey in the Approach

War table operations

All That Glitters

Crossing the Sulphur Pits

Deal with the Angry Varghests

Find the Source of Darkspawn

Gather Metals

Improving Morale

Investigate Ancient Laboratory

Investigate the Western Approach

Judgment: Recover Sold Artifacts

Secure a Source of Water for Outpost

Translate the Dragon Text

Western Approach Resources

Creatures

Fennec

Gurn

Hostile creatures

Hyena

Phoenix

Quillback

Giant spider

Poisonous spider

Varghest

Giant

Abyssal High Dragon

Enemies

White Claws

• White Claw Raiders (Rogue - Archer)
• White Claw Raider Escorts (Warrior - One-Handed Sword)
• White Claw Raider Footpads (Rogue - Double Daggers)

Venatori

• Venatori Mage (Mage)
• Venatori Spellbinder (Mage)
• Venatori Marksman (Rogue - Archer)
• Venatori Stalker (Rogue - Double Daggers)
• Venatori Zealot (Warrior - One-Handed Sword)
• Venatori Gladiator (Warrior - Mace and Tower Shield)
• Venatori Brute (Warrior - Two-Handed Great Axe)

Darkspawn

• Ghoul
• Hurlock
• Hurlock alpha
• Hurlock archer

Collections

Astrariums

Astrariums in the Approach

Bottles on the Wall

Vintage: Warden Jairn - search inside Dustytop Fort.

Vintage: Warden Eval'lal - search inside the Ritual Tower.

West Hill Brandy - search the top of the tower directly above the Astrarium cave; climb the southern half of the east rubble slope and then traverse up the ladder.

Dragon Hunter

Abyssal High Dragon

Landmarks

Landmarks in the Approach

Mosaics

The Archdemon numbering

The Archdemon (12 pieces) - see the Archdemon mosaic for detailed locations.

Freed are Slaves numbering

Freed Are Slaves (piece #8) - found in the Still Ruins, in the locked room, just to the right of the first hall encountered.

Freed Are Slaves (piece #9) - found in Coracavus, behind a locked door in the Records Room.

Note: Requires Deft Hands, Fine Tools Inquisition perk.

Shards

Shards in the Approach

Skyhold Customizations

Grey Warden Banner - found in a chest at the second siege point, where Hawke is encountered in Adamant Fortress; see main quest Here Lies the Abyss.

Tevinter Banner - found in a chest located in a room off of the left side of the Main Chamber of the Still Ruins.

Note: Requires Deft Hands, Fine Tools Inquisition perk.

Inquisition Banner - capture Griffon Wing Keep (conditional: awarded after the Inquisitor captures their first keep)

Inquisition Banner Crown - capture all three keeps: Caer Bronach, Griffon Wing Keep, and Suledin Keep.

Resources

Echoback Fort

Herbs

Amrita Vein

Blood Lotus

Deathroot

Deep Mushroom

Dragonthorn

Elfroot

Ghoul's Beard

Spindleweed

Vandal Aria (only found in Coracavus)

Witherstalk

Leather

Canine Leather

Fennec Fur

Phoenix Scales

Quillback Leather

Rough Hide

Metals

Lazurite

Paragon's Luster

Serpentstone

Notable items

Elven artifacts

• In the Main Chamber of the Still Ruins.

• In the far western corner of the hidden astrarium room.

• In Griffon Wing Keep; head up the stairway located directly to the right of keep's main gate.

Logging stands

• Northeast of the Lost Spring Canyon Inquisition Camp.

• East by southeast of the Craggy Ridge Inquisition Camp, or directly northwest from The Lost Idol landmark and head up the tiny slope from the riverbank.

Memories of the Grey

• Grey Warden Sword - found atop a wooden tower inside Dustytop Fort; southwest of the Nazaire's Pass Inquisition Camp, near one of the rifts off the pass.

• Vial of Archdemon Blood - found in Echoback Fort; see side quest The Trouble with Darkspawn.

Quarries

• At Shimmer Stone Mine

• Southwest of Echoback Fort

• Southwest of Sand Rock Mine

Red lyrium veins

• Inside Sand Rock Mine

• Inside the Forgotten Mine

• Inside Shimmer Stone Mine

Veilfire glyphs

Fire Rune Schematic - acquired in the cave revealed from unlocking Astrariums in the Approach.

Frost Rune Schematic - in a small cave accessible from the center of Echoback Fort.

Spirit Rune Schematic - in Coracavus' Holding Cells; found in the cell containing the hanged man.

Spirit Rune Schematic - in the Inner Sanctum of the Still Ruins, on a plaque behind the magic staff; see side quest The Heart of the Still Ruins.

Loot

Aegis of the Order - looted from within the same cave as the Thing in the Dark landmark.

Note: Requires the completion of the war table operation Crossing the Sulphur Pits.

Blizzard's Path - looted from a chest in Echoback Fort; see side quest The Trouble with Darkspawn.

Cowl of the Overseer - looted from Macrinus; see side quest Assault on Griffon Wing Keep.

Griffon Plate - acquired in the cave revealed from Astrariums in the Approach.

Note: Trespasser required.

Kitty's Collar - looted from Macrinus; see side quest Assault on Griffon Wing Keep.

Note: Requires installation of Patch 10.

Master Cleansing Rune Schematic - looted from Lucanus in the Still Ruins; see side quest A Tevinter Relic Hunt.

Master Corrupting Rune Schematic - looted from a chest in Echoback Fort; see side quest The Trouble with Darkspawn.

Masterwork Enchanter Mail - acquired in the cave revealed from unlocking Astrariums in the Approach.

Masterwork Vanguard Mail - looted from a chest at the top of Shimmer Stone Mine.

Nameless Blade - looted from the Abyssal High Dragon.

Pyre of the Forgotten - randomly available at the Griffon Wing Keep Merchant for 21433 .

Note: Requires The Short List Inquisition perk

Sad Splinters - looted after destroying the keep gate during the side quest Assault on Griffon Wing Keep.

Superb Amulet of Magic - randomly available at the Griffon Wing Keep Merchant for 14495 .

Note: Requires The Short List Inquisition perk

Superb Belt of Magic Defense - randomly available at the Griffon Wing Keep Merchant for 14495 .

Note: Requires The Short List Inquisition perk

Superb Ring of Armor Penetration - looted from the Abyssal High Dragon.

Superb Ring of Critical Damage - looted from a chest behind a locked door in Coracavus' Records Room; see side quest The Trouble with Darkspawn.

Note: Requires Deft Hands, Fine Tools Inquisition perk.

Tempest - looted from the Inner Sanctum of the Still Ruins; see side side quest A Stranger Rift in the Ruins.

Codex entries

Codex entry: Constellation: Fenrir

Codex entry: Constellation: Satinalis

Codex entry: Constellation: Toth

Codex entry: The Creation of a Phylactery

Codex entry: The Gate Guardians

Codex entry: Magister Erimond

Codex entry: Old Chantry Trail Signs

Codex entry: Our Lady of the Anderfels

Codex entry: Professor Frederic of Serault

Codex entry: Ritual Tower

Codex entry: Surviving the Western Approach

Codex entry: The Western Approach

Adamant Fortress

Codex entry: Adamant Fortress

Codex entry: A Letter from Warden-Commander Clarel

Coracavus

Codex entry: Coracavus

Codex entry: A Missing Slave

Codex entry: The Secret Tongue of Slaves

Still Ruins

Codex entry: Responsible Blood Magic

Codex entry: The Still Ruins

Note texts

A Letter Found on a Grey Warden Mage

Almost Illegible Note

Ancient Tevinter

Ancient Warden Logbook

A Preserved Note

Barely Readable Unsent Letter

Chantry Logbook

Elegantly Penned Note

Elegantly Written Letter

Elegantly Written Note (about research team)

Elegantly Written Note (about Wardens)

Faded Journal

Griffon Wing Keep (from Servis)

Griffon Wing Keep (to Servis)

Intercepted Venatori Message

Manifest

Memorial

Note from a Templar

Note of Slight Jealousy

Rebel Mage's Note

A Scrawled Note

Scrawled Raider Note

Stern Note of Warning

Venatori Orders (to Cassius)

Written Note

Adamant Fortress

Inscription Upon a Trebuchet Stone

An Unsigned Letter (Adamant)

Coracavus

Ancient List of Prisoners

A Blood-Spattered Note

A Crumpled Note

Faded Interrogation Notes

Venatori Plans

Still Ruins

Journal on Certain Experiments

Research Notes

Venatori Orders (to Lucanus)

Notes

• There are two gates in the Approach: the Gate of Toth and the Gate of Andoral, both can be opened from the northern side; however, this requires completion of the war Table operation Find the Source of Darkspawn.
• There is a sizeable stash of gold next to a skeleton situated directly above the Echo Back Canyon Inquisition Camp. In order to reach the cache (see here) use a mount to traverse to the top of the mountain edge via the eastern side. There is small nook in the foundation that can be used to access the area. Jumping on the cracked edge with a mount will allow for the player to reach the platform after several successful jumps. Missing the crack while attempting to jump will simply result in falling to desert floor.

Trivia

• In several published maps of Thedas, "the Abyssal Rift" is erroneously labeled "the Abyssal Reach"; however; the former label is correct.

Gallery

Adamant Fortress

Another view of Adamant fortress

Coracavus Exterior

Grey Warden Keep

Tevinter Ritual Tower

The Gate Guardians

Shimmer Stone Mine

Poisonous gas from the Sulphur Pits

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