#deep roads

Thedas as a whole

These maps were provided by Gaider in an interview where he discusses the making of Thedas as a map. [Source]

They show Thedas before an artist got their hands on it. David's attempt to layout the world of Dragon Age and how it changed and morphed through out the timeline. Kingdoms as they rose and fell, early names of things, and also just the general geography. He drew one map and then photocopied it multiple times to make these maps.

This is the first official map of Thedas that was ever revealed to the world. First seen in the Collector's Guide of the Dragon Age: Origins game guide. This map is also used on the Dragon Age Keep. (I'm working on a high res version pulled from the Keep and I will add it here.)

Additionally, it is the map that was used to print out the large map that hung in the BioWare lunch room during the production of DAI, shown in the BioWare 25 Years of Stories and Secrets.

The second official map of Thedas was in the Dragon Age 2 game guide. Which is similar to the above two but has different icon markers. (If you have a higher res scan of this lemme know!)

This is the third official map of Thedas we were ever provided. Given through the former BSN network by David Gaider. It was provided after the release of Dragon Age 2, and is the first time we see that Cumberland has moved from its original location. This is also the map that is used for the Inquisition cloth map.

This is the fourth map of Thedas we were given access to that I could find, and the most high rez version comes from the World of Thedas Volume 1. However, this map has been shown multiple times before and was also used for the promotion of Dragon Age: Inquisition.

This next map is the bane of my existence. I have been LOOKING for since 2021 on my old blog for more info on this cause it was from the 2014 Inquisition website. But this was the map used for the promo of Inquisition on the old Dragon Age website.

This version of the map is different than the previous five maps and was shown at the end of Trespasser. This is the map that the Inquisitor stabs. On this Redcliffe Castle has been moved to the coastline, the Kinloch Circle is nearer to the western coast of Lake Calenhad, Haven is at its original location from dao as well as other minor location from the game, Kirkwall and Andoral's Reach are not on the map, The Wyrs are named The Hasana, and it includes several locations that aren't on the previous maps such as: Trehurn in the Anderfels, Donark Steep, and Mount Volca in the Donarks.

This map was released in 2020, it is the map done by Francesca Baerald. It was first shown in the Tevinter Nights novel, was a limited run print through Dark Horse, a puzzle, and is used through out the game of Dragon Age: the Veilguard. It is also the map used for the Duel Weild Studios blanket.

The next map was teased at in the 2023 DA Day trailer that announced the coming marketing for what would be Dragon Age the Veilguard. It was fully released in 2024 with the Art of Dragon Age the Veilguard, Rook's Coffer that was sold in the BioWare store, and various concept art.

The base of this map seems to come from the stylized map done by Volta, that focuses on the landmarks of Thedas. [Source]

There was additionally, another version that was released with the art book, it is a mesh of various styles. It closely resembles the map released with Rook's Coffer in terms of final locations. This one puts the Eluvian icon (presumably meant to represent the Lighthouse) off to the side, removing what we know what was supposed to represent the Black Emporium's main island and eluvian network.

We then see another version of this map used in the Rook's Coffer, the physical collection released with Dragon Age the Veilguard. This map is a combination of the 2d simplistic style created by Volta and the final locations shown in the art book version.

A highly stylized and thematic map done for Dragon Age the Veilguard that focuses on the traversable lands of the game. But it does show the entirety of Thedas. I was done by Francesca Baerald. (If I get a chance to scan mine or a higher quality image is posted at some point, I will edit that in here.)

This one is concept art but one I feel is worth showing as this is likely the only look at the possible world outside of Thedas we'll see. But this shows how far they envisioned the land south of Ferelden and Orlais going, the lands to the east of Amaranthine Ocean, and how the continent continued going west and expanding. As well as some islands. Though it should be noted that the way this is drawn doesn't match up with the Tevinter Nights map of Thedas - where we were shown more of Thedas than we'd seen before and is finished, official art. Below is concept art, and a sketch to give an idea, not final art.

That said it can be reconciled a fair bit with official art, that doesn't alter too much of this drafted layout.

And finally there is this map from Veilguard. This is pulled from the game files and is the world map that we see. The final version of all the maps we see above from concept to merch. We also see more Par Vollen and it is a bit different. It is neat.

Deep Roads

In Dragon Age: Origins, the in game map of the Deep Roads includes the traditional top down view as well as a depth map in the bottom left hand corner. This has only been used in dao.

Released in the Dragon Age Tabletop adventure Buried Pasts.

Still here? No turning back. Okay good. Welcome.

SO ANWAY. I'm on a second playthrough now, trying out new options and classes and things. I get around to that point where you start to get companion quests fired up and Lace's kicks in earlier than a lot of them to me at least. Ya go down to the Deep Roads where nothing good ever happens. And my first time through, visiting Kal-Sharok I distinctly remember it being... fine. Like there were darkspawn and stuff but that's just the deep roads and they cranked the gross factor on the darkspawn anyway, so... what gives? Where are my bad vibes and sad times now of going down in the deep roads where nothing good ever happens? Enter playthrough numero dos. I'm picking through Kal-Sharok, really getting up in there. Trying to find all the things I missed. I was standing at the precipice before delving down into the Deep Roads. And my eye snags on this fucking thing:

Now, y'all with color coordination skills may note that all the bad guys and evil shit down here is red-coded. In my brain, I was just thinking to myself. Huh... that looks like a Venatori crystal. ... I don't remember there being Venatori on Lace's quest. So naturally, I'm curious. I continue on, and try to get up closer to get a better angle.

Huh.. that doesn't look like a venatori smashy smashy crystal... that looks like a person... And then ALL AT ONCE I recall where her questline continues and how there's angry Red Lyrium Titan Lace by the end of her questline AND that Valta mentions 'something has found Lace' when we're talking to them and then we get jumped. There's no shot that's angry lyrium Lace... right..? So now like any sane person, I'm on my guard the entire rest of that quest. And I was fucking right to be BECAUSE SHE STALKS YOU THE ENTIRE TIME. I eventually remembered as I was playing you can zoom in with the photo mode they blessed us with and could see Lace. But they stalk you through the entire area until you get to the chamber where Valta is. I don't know if I caught them all, and I am too frightened to go back and find it so I dump all my findings here for the community to scream with me about.