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The [[Grey Wardens]] had [[Adamant Fortress]] erected 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.<ref>Excerpt from [[Codex entry: The Western Approach]]</ref> |
The [[Grey Wardens]] had [[Adamant Fortress]] erected 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.<ref>Excerpt from [[Codex entry: The Western Approach]]</ref> |
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| − | The Orlesians at one point had iron towers built, over 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, built by the [[Dwarf|dwarves]] and used as a Warden outpost, which stands on the lip of the chasm at the end of the path.<ref>[http://www.dragonage.com/#!/en_US/news/the-fortress-of-adamant The Fortress of Adamant]. Dragon Age</ref> Adamant |
+ | The Orlesians at one point had iron towers built, over 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, built by the [[Dwarf|dwarves]] and used as a Warden outpost, which stands on the lip of the chasm at the end of the path.<ref>[http://www.dragonage.com/#!/en_US/news/the-fortress-of-adamant The Fortress of Adamant]. Dragon Age</ref> Adamant eventually lay vacant by the Wardens due to the ever encroaching sands and intense howling winds. |
{{Blockquote|''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}} |
{{Blockquote|''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}} |
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== Quests == |
== Quests == |
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+ | [[File:Still Ruins Overview.png|thumb|400px|Still Ruins overview]] |
{{:The Abyssal High Dragon|style=iconmini}}<br> |
{{:The Abyssal High Dragon|style=iconmini}}<br> |
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{{:Assault on Griffon Wing Keep|style=iconmini}}<br> |
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[[File:Bottles On The Wall icon.png|16px]] 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.<br> |
[[File:Bottles On The Wall icon.png|16px]] 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.<br> |
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=== [[Dragon Hunter]] === |
=== [[Dragon Hunter]] === |
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{{:Abyssal High Dragon|style=iconmini}}<br> |
{{:Abyssal High Dragon|style=iconmini}}<br> |
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== [[Crafting materials|Resources]] == |
== [[Crafting materials|Resources]] == |
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| − | [[File:Echoback Fort.png|thumb| |
+ | [[File:Echoback Fort.png|thumb|400px|Echoback Fort]] |
=== Herbs === |
=== Herbs === |
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{{:Amrita Vein|style=iconmini}}<br> |
{{:Amrita Vein|style=iconmini}}<br> |
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=== [[Memories of the Grey]] === |
=== [[Memories of the Grey]] === |
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| − | * ''Grey Warden Sword'' |
+ | * ''Grey Warden Sword'' - Found atop a wooden tower inside Dustytop Fort; southwest of the [[Holding the Western Approach|Nazaire's Pass Camp]], near one of the [[Rifts off the Pass|rifts off the pass]]. |
| − | * ''Vial of [[Archdemon]] Blood'' |
+ | * ''Vial of [[Archdemon]] Blood'' - Found in Echoback Fort. |
== Codex entries == |
== Codex entries == |
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Revision as of 03:18, 6 July 2020
- 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 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 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, built by the dwarves and used as a Warden outpost, which stands on the lip of the chasm 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, 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
- 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
Inquisition camps
- Craggy Ridge Camp
- Echo Back Canyon Camp
- Lost Spring Canyon Camp
- Nazaire's Pass Camp
Characters
- Crassius Servis
- Griffon Wing Keep Merchant
- Knight-Captain Rylen
- Livius Erimond
- Lucanus
- Macrinus
- Professor Frederic of Serault
Quests
Still Ruins overview
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
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
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
Creatures
Enemies
- Abyssal High Dragon
- Darkspawn
- Giant
- Hyena
- Phoenix
- Quillback
- Spiders
- Varghest
- 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)
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.
Griffon statues
Dragon Hunter
Landmarks
Mosaics
The Archdemon 12/12 pieces:
- See the Archdemon mosaic for detailed locations.
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
Skyhold Customizations
Tevinter Banner - Found in a chest located in a room off of the left side of the Main Chamber of the Still Ruins.
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
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, near the main gate.
Logging stands
- Northeast 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
- Shimmerstone Mine
- Southwest of Echoback Fort
- Southwest of Sand Rock 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 the Coracavus Holding Cells; found in the cell containing a hanged man.
Spirit Rune Schematic - In the Still Ruins in the Inner Sanctum, 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.
- Blizzard's Path - Looted from a chest in Echoback Fort.
- 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 during the side quest Assault on Griffon Wing Keep.
- 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 just after battling through Coracavus dungeon; see Western Approach 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 in the Coracavus Records Room behind a locked door.
- Tempest - Looted in the final room of the Still Ruins. Looted from the final room of the Still Ruins; see side side quest A Stranger Rift in the Ruins.
Memories of the Grey
- Grey Warden Sword - Found atop a wooden tower inside Dustytop Fort; southwest of the Nazaire's Pass Camp, near one of the rifts off the pass.
- Vial of Archdemon Blood - Found in Echoback Fort.
Codex entries
Codex entry: Adamant Fortress
Codex entry: A Missing Slave
Codex entry: Constellation: Fenrir
Codex entry: Constellation: Satinalis
Codex entry: Constellation: Toth
Codex entry: Coracavus
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: Responsible Blood Magic
Codex entry: Ritual Tower
Codex entry: Surviving the Western Approach
Codex entry: The Creation of a Phylactery
Codex entry: The Gate Guardians
Codex entry: The Secret Tongue of Slaves
Codex entry: The Still Ruins
Codex entry: The Western Approach
Note texts
A Blood-Spattered Note
A Crumpled Note
A Letter Found on a Grey Warden Mage
Ancient List of Prisoners
Ancient Tevinter
Ancient Warden Logbook
A Preserved Note
A Scrawled 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 Interrogation Notes
Faded Journal
Griffon Wing Keep (from Servis)
Griffon Wing Keep (to Servis)
Intercepted Venatori Message
Journal on Certain Experiments
Manifest
Memorial
Note from a Templar
Note of Slight Jealousy
Rebel Mage's Note
Research Notes
Scrawled Raider Note
Stern Note of Warning
Venatori Orders (to Cassius)
Venatori Orders (to Lucanus)
Venatori Plans
Written Note
Notes
- 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
Trivia
- In several published maps of Thedas, The Abyssal Rift is erroneously labeled as "The Abyssal Reach"; however; the former label is correct.[6]
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
- ↑ David Gaider (October 14, 2014). The Bittersweetest thing. Tumblr
