- For the keep located in this region, see Griffon Wing Keep.
The Western Approach is a large, arid expanse in southwestern Orlais.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5] 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[]
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, who are intent on performing a ritual that will help them eliminate the remaining Old Gods, they discover that Warden Commander Clarel is unwittingly being led into a Venatori trap by Magister Livius Erimond. Erimond is in fact a member of the Venatori and a servant of Corypheus who intends to bing the Warden mages to Corypheus' service. The Inquisitor can gain access to The Approach by completing the Investigate the Western Approach war table scouting operation in Skyhold.
Further investigation reveals that the Venatori are trying to access the Still Ruins, the site of an ancient Tevinter magical experiment, and capture the Abyssal High Dragon, a task which requires them keeping Professor Frederic of Serault alive. There is also evidence that the Red Templars have recently abandoned their mining efforts and relocated to Emprise du Lion.
Places[]
Regions[]

Map of the Western Approach
- 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[]
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[6]
- 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[]
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[]
Hostile creatures[]
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
Collections[]
Astrariums[]
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[]
Landmarks[]
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[]
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[]
Metals[]
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 perkSad 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 perkSuperb Belt of Magic Defense - randomly available at the Griffon Wing Keep Merchant for 14495
.
Note: Requires The Short List Inquisition perkSuperb 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[]
Coracavus[]
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[]
Coracavus[]
Ancient List of Prisoners
A Blood-Spattered Note
A Crumpled Note
Faded Interrogation Notes
Venatori Plans
Still Ruins[]
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.[7]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 182
- ↑ Taken from Codex entry: The Western Approach
- ↑ Expanded from Codex entry: The Western Approach
- ↑ Excerpt from Codex entry: The Western Approach
- ↑ The Fortress of Adamant. Dragon Age
- ↑ He is encountered during Cassandra Pentaghast's companion queest Unfinished Business.
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 305, "A list of errata by Brother Genitivi"