Winter Palace

The Winter Palace is a palace in Orlais built on the ruins of ancient elven grounds in the city of Halamshiral. As early as 2:30 Glory, only ten years after the Exalted Marches led to the conquest of the Dales, the site where the Winter Palace would be built had become a seasonal retreat for the Imperial Court. This remains a tradition for Orlais' high nobility even today.

Background Edit

After the glorious reclamation of the Dales, the elven capital lay empty and in ruins for years, a haven for bandits and highwaymen and all manner of miscreants. The land lay unused until the Exalted Age, when Alphonse Valmont, the very Lion himself, declared that a palace should be built there in honor of the valiant actions of his brothers in besting the armies of false Emperor Xavier Drakon. Originally called Chateau Lion, it was designed as a grand retreat for the emperor's brothers and their families.

The city of Halamshiral grew around the palace. The first records of its existence appear in the Storm Age, when Emperor Cyril granted the title of marquis to Ser Reginald Montclair for "administration of Halamshiral."

An elven uprising destroyed Chateau Lion in the Blessed Age. When Emperor Judicael I rebuilt it, he named the new retreat the Winter Palace. It was designed more for the emperor and his immediate family than for any cadet branches of House Valmont, and became the heart of the Imperial Court in the darkest months of winter.

—An excerpt from Architectual History of Orlais, Volume I by Elodie Ferrneau
—From Codex entry: Halamshiral

Involvement Edit

Dragon Age: The Masked EmpireEdit

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Masked Empire.

Empress Celene is magically transported to the Winter Palace by the eluvians. Celene learns from the palace's Seneschal that Comte Pierre has handed over Halamshiral to Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons and is requesting that the palace guards surrender also. Celene summons Pierre to the Winter Palace to discuss terms. Upon discovering Celene is free, Comte Pierre immediately surrenders the city to her and re-affirms his loyalty to the Empress.

Dragon Age: Inquisition Edit

The Winter Palace is only accessible during the quest Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.

The Winter Palace was chosen to hold the peace talks between the two sides of the War of the Lions. The Inquisitor attends the costume party to find an assassin hiding among the guests.

TrespasserEdit

This section contains spoilers for:
Trespasser.

In 9:44 Dragon, Ferelden, Orlais and the Chantry come together to call an Exalted Council to determine the fate of the Inquisition as an independent order. The Winter Palace is chosen as the site to hold the council.

Quests Edit

Main quests Edit

Main article: Quests (Inquisition)

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts

Side quests Edit

The Great Blackmail Hunt

Herd of Stone Halla

Red Jenny's Stashes

Throwing Away Money

Trespasser DLC quests Edit

Main article: Trespasser

Main quests Edit

Trespasser

Side quests Edit

Note: These do not show up in the Quest Log.

Merchants Edit

Trespasser

Winter Palace Merchant

Enemies Edit

Harlequin
Venatori
- Venatori Mage
- Venatori Spellbinder
- Venatori Marksman - (Archer)
- Venatori Zealot - (Warrior - One-Handed Weapon)

Crafting Materials Edit

Herbs Edit

Elfroot

Embrium

Royal Elfroot

Notable items Edit

Skyhold Customizations Edit

Orlesian Banner - In a small chest in the "Guest Garden", behind the Lower Garden Door.

Note: Requires 3 Halla Statues to access.

Loot Edit

Confusion Grenade Recipe - In the "Secret Study" in the Grand Library.
Crescent Slicer - Dropped by the Harlequin in the Grand Apartments.
Masterwork Crow Blade Schematic - Inside Celene's Vault.
Masterwork Magister Staff Blade Schematic - In the "Secret Study" in the Grand Library.

Synchronization Edit

Golden NugGolden Nug

Codex entries Edit

Codex entry: Briala
Codex entry: A Compendium of Orlesian Theater
Codex entry: Council of Heralds
Codex entry: Empress Celene Valmont
Codex entry: A Ghoulish Delight
Codex entry: Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons
Codex entry: Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons
Codex entry: Halamshiral
Codex entry: Jeshavis, Mother of Orlais
Codex entry: The Lion of Orlais (Inquisition)
Codex entry: Mad Emperor Reville
Codex entry: Morrigan (Inquisition)
Codex entry: Orlesian Caprice Coins
Codex entry: Superstitions of the Royal Family
Codex entry: Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts
Codex entry: Winter Palace

Trespasser Codex entries Edit

Note texts Edit

The Art of the Winter Palace (Bronto)
The Art of the Winter Palace (Deepstalker)
The Art of the Winter Palace (Guest Garden)
Diary of a Nosy Servant
Halamshiral Investigation - Clues (Briala)
Halamshiral Investigation - Clues (Celene)
Halamshiral Investigation - Clues (Gaspard)
Halamshiral Investigation - Clues (Grand Library)
Halamshiral Investigation - Clues (Trophy Room)

Trespasser Other texts Edit

Dedication
The Gilded Horn's Drink List
Sera's Past and Now Things

Notes Edit

Formal Attire can be destroyed, forcing a character to wear default clothes during the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts quest.
During Trespasser, where the Winter Palace serves as a base camp, falling damage is turned off as it is in Skyhold.