Western Approach

The Western Approach is a large, arid expanse in southwestern Orlais.^[1] Farther west lie the Hunterhorn Mountains and uninhabited steppes and forests.

Background Edit

This area was the site of a major battle during the Second Blight. The darkspawn swarmed out of the great chasm to the south named the Abyssal Rift and corrupted the land beyond recovery. Now it is a stark and sad place with unstable purple sands, occasional rocky pillars and ridges jutting out of them and strong howling winds. At night the air grows still and the sky is alight with shimmering auroras, but this is also the time when the darkspawn come out of hiding.

The Orlesians put iron towers at least a hundred feet high to mark the path in the badlands: a traveler who reaches one of them is able to see the next. The towers are now old and rusted. Adamant Fortress, built by the dwarves and used as a Grey Warden outpost, stands on the lip of the chasm.^[2]

Involvement Edit

Places Edit

Regions Edit

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
• 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 Edit

• Adamant Fortress

• Coracavus
  

Inquisition camps Edit

See Holding the Western Approach.

• Craggy Ridge Camp
• Echo Back Canyon Camp
• Lost Spring Canyon Camp
• Nazaire's Pass Camp

Characters Edit

• Crassius Servis
• Knight-Captain Rylen
• Livius Erimond
• Lucanus
• Macrinus
• Professor Frederic of Serault
• Griffon Wing Keep Merchant

Quests Edit

Main article: Quests (Inquisition)

Unlock the area by completing the Investigate the Western Approach War table operation.
The Abyssal High Dragon
Assault on Griffon Wing Keep
Draconology
Fortress Squatters
Frederic's Livelihood
The Heart of the Still Ruins
Holding the Western Approach
How to Lure a Dragon
Hunting Patterns
Into the Approach
A Manuscript of Some Authority
On the Chantry Trail
Sharper White Claws
A Stranger Rift in the Ruins
A Tevinter Relic Hunt
The Trouble with Darkspawn
The Venatori
This Water Tastes Funny

Rifts Edit

Main article: Fade rift

Rifts in the Canyons
Rifts in Echoback
Rifts in Sand and Dust
Rifts off the Pass

Requisitions Edit

Main article: Requisitions

Code Requisition in the Approach
Fauna Requisition in the Approach
Lazurite Survey in the Approach
Luster Survey in the Approach

War Table Operations Edit

Main article: War Table

Crossing the Sulphur Pits
Find the Source of Darkspawn
Translate the Dragon Text
Judgment: Recover Sold Artifacts
All That Glitters
Improving Morale
Deal with the Angry Varghests
Secure a Source of Water for Outpost
Investigate Ancient Laboratory

Collections Edit

Astrariums Edit

Astrariums in the Approach

Bottles Edit

Vintage: Warden Jairn - In "Dustytop Fort".
Vintage: Warden Eval'lal - In "Ritual Tower".
West Hill Brandy - On top of the tower above the Astrarium cave. Climb the southern half of the east rubble slope and then up the ladder.

High Dragons Edit

Abyssal High Dragon

Landmarks Edit

Landmarks in the Approach

Mosaics Edit

The Archdemon - 12/12 pieces
Freed Are Slaves - 2/12 pieces:

• In Coracavus, behind a locked door in the "Records Room".
  
• In the Still Ruins, behind a locked door, to the right of the first hall.
  

Shards Edit

Shards in the Approach

Skyhold Customizations Edit

• Tevinter Banner - In a chest in a room on the left side of the Main Chamber in the Still Ruins.
  Note: Requires Deft Hands, Fine Tools inquisition perk.

Creatures Edit

• Fennec
• Gurn

Enemies Edit

• Abyssal High Dragon
• Darkspawn
  • Ghouls
  • Hurlocks
  • Hurlock alphas
  • Hurlock archers
• Giants
• Hyenas
• Phoenixes
• Quillbacks
• Spiders
  • Giant spiders
  • Poisonous spiders
• Varghests
• Venatori
  • Venatori Mage (Mage)
  • Venatori Spellbinder (Mage)
  • Venatori Marksman (Archer)
  • Venatori Stalker (Rogue - Double Daggers)
  • Venatori Zealot (Warrior - One-Handed Weapon)
  • Venatori Gladiator (Warrior - Weapon and Tower Shield)
  • Venatori Brute (Warrior - Two-Handed Weapon)
• White Claws
  • White Claw Raiders (Archer)
  • White Claw Raider Escorts (One-Handed Warrior)
  • White Claw Raider Footpads (Double Dagger rogue)

Crafting materials Edit

Herbs Edit

Amrita VeinAmrita Vein

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Tier 3 Rare Herb

Blood LotusBlood Lotus

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Tier 1 Common Herb

DeathrootDeathroot

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Tier 2 Common Herb

Deep MushroomDeep Mushroom

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Tier 2 Common Herb

DragonthornDragonthorn

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Tier 1 Rare Herb

ElfrootElfroot

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Tier 1 Common Herb

Ghoul's BeardGhoul's Beard

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Tier 2 Rare Herb

SpindleweedSpindleweed

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Tier 1 Common Herb

WitherstalkWitherstalk

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Tier 1 Rare Herb

Leather Edit

Canine LeatherCanine Leather

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Leather

Fennec FurFennec Fur

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Leather

Phoenix ScalesPhoenix Scales

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Leather

Quillback LeatherQuillback Leather

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Leather

Rough HideRough Hide

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Leather

Metals Edit

LazuriteLazurite

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Metal

Paragon's LusterParagon's Luster

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Metal

SerpentstoneSerpentstone

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Metal

Notable items Edit

Elven artifacts Edit

• In the "Main Chamber" of the Still Ruins.
• In the far western corner of the hidden Astrarium room.
• In Griffon Wing Keep, near the main gate.

Logging stands Edit

• North-east of "Lost Spring Canyon Camp"
• East of "Craggy Ridge Camp", near "Valemont Pass" and "Lost Wash Creek". Walk up a little slope from the river.

Quarries Edit

• "Shimmerstone Mine"
• South-west of "Echoback Fort"
• South-west of "Sand Rock Mine"

Veilfire glyphs Edit

Fire Rune SchematicFire Rune Schematic

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Rune Schematic
Adds fire damage to each weapon strike.
- In the Astrarium cave (revealed by completing Astrariums in the Approach).
Frost Rune SchematicFrost Rune Schematic

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Rune Schematic
Adds cold damage to each weapon strike.
- In a small cave accessible from the center of "Echoback Fort".
Spirit Rune SchematicSpirit Rune Schematic

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Rune Schematic
Adds spirit damage to each weapon strike.
- In the Coracavus Holding Cells in the cell containing a hanged man.
Spirit Rune SchematicSpirit Rune Schematic

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Rune Schematic
Adds spirit damage to each weapon strike.
- In the Still Ruins in the Inner Sanctum (unlocked by the The Heart of the Still Ruins quest), on a plaque behind the magic staff.

Loot Edit

Aegis of the OrderAegis of the Order

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Unique Shield
"The Templar Order protects the innocents who wield magic and who suffer at its hands. No one can truly command magic, so how can we blame those who cannot control it? We must watch without judging, harness their power when it benefits us, and contain it when it does not. Our calling is to be the shield between the unnatural and the folly of man."
—Knight-Commander Ilyas Berasa of Rivain, 8:61 Blessed
Requires: Level 6

Armor: 14
+2 Constitution
+30% Front Defense
+4% Magic Defense
+2% Ranged Defense
Heal 15% of damage taken over 10 seconds - Looted from within the same cave as The Thing in the Dark landmark.
Cowl of the OverseerCowl of the Overseer

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Unique Helmet
An "overseer" was a position common within the ancient Tevinter Imperium, given solely to mages of altus rank. They were sent to distant outposts, usually important mines and strategically important forts, and given authority to act on the Magisterium's behalf with impunity.
Requires: Level 8

Armor: 21
+7% Cold Resistance
+7% Fire Resistance
+4% Magic Defense - Looted from Macrinus during Assault on Griffon Wing Keep quest.
Griffon PlateGriffon Plate

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Unique Heavy Armor
Requires: Level 5

Armor: 123-131
+3% Melee Defense
+2 Strength
+2 Willpower - Acquired in the cave revealed from Astrariums in the Approach quest.
Kitty's CollarKitty's Collar

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Unique Amulet
A narrow leather band embossed with a design popular in Honnleath some years ago. A tuft of orange fur is caught in the buckle. Spirits whisper across the Veil, but their voices are unclear. Briefly, they conjure the memory of a little girl.

-100% Damage Resistance (All)
Guardian Spirit: Block one melee attack every 30 Seconds
On Dying: 75% chance to heal for half health
Resist a lethal strike once every 60 seconds - Looted from Macrinus during Assault on Griffon Wing Keep quest.
Master Cleansing Rune SchematicMaster Cleansing Rune Schematic

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Rune Schematic
Inflicts bonus damage against red templars and darkspawn on each weapon strike.
- Looted from Lucanus in the Still Ruins.

Master Corrupting Rune Schematic - Looted from a chest in the Echoback Fort in the area after the Coracavus dungeon.

Masterwork Enchanter MailMasterwork Enchanter Mail

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Unique Light Armor
Requires: Level 9

Armor: 126-133
+9% Fire Resistance
+3 Magic
+8% Magic Defense
+6 Willpower
+5% Extra Focus for each Enemy within 8 Meters - Acquired in the cave revealed from unlocking Astrariums in the Approach.
Nameless BladeNameless Blade

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Unique Dual-Blade Dagger
This knife was wielded by a Grey Warden who lived through the Third Blight. Once it was etched with the Warden's name, but time and use have rendered the inscription unreadable.
Requires: Level 12

Damage: 70-72 AoE
+12% Armor Penetration
+3 Strength
+5% extra damage for each enemy within 8 meters - Looted from the Abyssal High Dragon.
Pyre of the ForgottenPyre of the Forgotten

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Unique Staff
The Forgotten Ones belong to the ancient Elven pantheon, but their names were lost after the Great Betrayal. Their worship continued in the shadows, despite efforts to stamp it out in the old Dalish kingdom. This staff belonged to a priest of those gods, specifically Daern'thal.
Requires: Level 18

Damage: 68-70 Fire
+14% Armor Penetration
+16% Attack
+14% Guard Damage Bonus - Randomly sold by the Griffon Wing Keep Merchant for 21433 . Sad SplintersSad Splinters

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The despondent remains of a once-proud keep door.
- Looted after destroying the keep gate during Assault on Griffon Wing Keep quest.
Superb Amulet of MagicSuperb Amulet of Magic

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Unique Amulet

+10 Magic - Randomly sold by the Griffon Wing Keep Merchant in the Western Approach for 14495 . Superb Belt of Magic DefenseSuperb Belt of Magic Defense

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Unique Belt

+10% Magic Defense - Randomly sold by the Griffon Wing Keep Merchant in the Western Approach for 14495 . Superb Ring of Armor PenetrationSuperb Ring of Armor Penetration

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Unique Ring

+20% Armor Penetration - Looted from the Abyssal High Dragon.
Superb Ring of Critical DamageSuperb Ring of Critical Damage

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Unique Ring

+20% Critical Damage Bonus - Looted within a chest in the Coracavus Records Room behind a locked door.
TempestTempest

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Unique Staff
The Lady of the Skies reigns over the sky and the dead, and the Avvar lay out bodies to her, to be buried in the air itself. The ice and snow are her gifts, defending her people from invaders, and her protective rage is merciless.
Requires: Level 12

Damage: 49-50 Cold
+10 Spirit Damage
+5% Critical Chance
+6% Heal on Kill
+9 Willpower - Looted in the final room of the Still Ruins.

Codex entries Edit

Codex entry: Adamant Fortress
Codex entry: Constellation: Fenrir
Codex entry: Constellation: Satinalis
Codex entry: Constellation: Toth
Codex entry: Coracavus
Codex entry: The Creation of a Phylactery
Codex entry: The Gate Guardians
Codex entry: Magister Erimond
Codex entry: A Missing Slave
Codex entry: Old Chantry Trail Signs
Codex entry: Our Lady of the Anderfels
Codex entry: Professor Frederic of Serault
Codex entry: Responsible Blood Magic
Codex entry: Ritual Tower
Codex entry: The Secret Tongue of Slaves
Codex entry: The Still Ruins
Codex entry: Surviving the Western Approach
Codex entry: The Western Approach

Note texts Edit

Ancient List of Prisoners
Ancient Tevinter
Ancient Warden Logbook
Barely Readable Unsent Letter
A Blood-Spattered Note
Chantry Logbook
A Crumpled Note
Elegantly Penned Note
Elegantly Written Letter
Elegantly Written Note (about research team)
Elegantly Written Note (about Wardens)
Faded Interrogation Notes
Faded Journal
Griffon Wing Keep (from Servis)
Griffon Wing Keep (to Servis)
Intercepted Venatori Message
Journal on Certain Experiments
A Letter Found on a Grey Warden Mage
Manifest
Memorial
Note from a Templar
Note of Slight Jealousy
A Preserved Note
Rebel Mage's Note
Research Notes
A Scrawled Note
Scrawled Raider Note
Stern Note of Warning
Venatori Orders (to Cassius)
Venatori Orders (to Lucanus)
Venatori Plans
Written Note

Notes Edit

• There are two gates in the Approach: "The Gate of Toth" and "The Gate of Andoral" each one can be opened only from the northern side which requires completion of the Find the Source of Darkspawn War Table operation.
• There is a sizeable stash of money next to a skeleton right above the Echo Back Canyon Camp. In order to reach it you need to jump on the broken floor (as it can be seen on the left side of the picture) with a mount.

Gallery Edit

Trivia Edit

• In several published maps of Thedas, The Abyssal Rift is erroneously labeled as "The Abyssal Reach". The former label is the correct one.^[3]

References Edit

1. ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 182
2. ↑ The Fortress of Adamant. Dragon Age.
3. ↑ David Gaider (October 14, 2014). The Bittersweetest thing. Tumblr.