STORY QUEST – What Pride Had Wrought
Recommended level: 16-19
Speak with the advisors in the War Room
Enter Skyhold and go to the war room to automatically trigger a scene with the advisors and Morrigan. She will inform you of what Corypheus is after in his search for elven artifacts.
Return to the War Room to confirm the plan of attack (Power required: 40)
After you are back in Skyhold, trigger the What Pride Had Wrought operation when you are ready to begin the story quest. To the Arbour Wilds!
After watching the scenes of your rallying forces, you will arrive at a camp on the edge of the Wilds. Your soldiers have been engaging Corypheus's forces, and now is the time to push through his ranks.
Reach the first blockade
You can take the time to talk to some of your allies before leaving the camp if you wish (such as Celene / whoever survived at the Winter Palace and Josephine). When you are prepared, leave the main camp via the stone trail to the South-East. You'll pass your seige weapons along the way and more troops surrounding them. You can continue the verse of a praying soldier here for some free experience.
Follow the stone trail to the East, after passing through a short tunnel, you will encounter your first enemies of the area. The main enemies you'll find here are (lv 19) red templar forces. These include red templars, red templar horrors, red templar marksmen and red templar behemoths. The good news is that most enemies along the path will be engaged in battle against your forces, so they will be distracted until you attack them directly.
Support your troops as you continue your path of extermination along the trail. A short distance onward, you'll reach the first blockade at the base of a massive waterfall.
Reach the second blockade
At the first blockade, a group of red templar will be waiting. Use the high ground to your advantage here to pick off some of the enemy forces before the rest can attack. When the battle is over begin your trek along the riverbed. The next group of enemies includes corrupted warden forces. Once the wardens are down, keep sloshing through the water along the river. Don't try to jump down the waterfall as it will just get you hurt. Instead, circle around it to the West to find a dirt trail leading North.
More red templar forces will be battling it out at the bottom of the slope. Crush them before taking the trail South where the river is blocked by massive tree roots. A camp of red templars will be hidden a short distance up the path here, so be ready for a decent size fight. Watch out for the backstabbing rogues and archers on the wall above the camp. In the center of the camp is a supply cache for you after the battle is done.
Tromp down the trail to the North from the camp and after a little while you'll run into another battle between the red templars and your forces. Cross the river afterwards and you'll reach the second blockade.
Reach the final blockade
Red templar behemoths will be massacring your forces below. Be cautious in engaging them and use the high ground here to avoid taking too much damage. Travel up the stone path to the North here, finding more red templar forces to engage along the way. Yet more enemy forces will be in battle as the trail turns to the East. The enemies include a couple of dual wielding rogues and a red templar behemoth. In the nearby ruin where the fighting was, you'll find another supply cache.
Head West and then North to find the river again and yet more enemy forces. It's starting to feel a bit like Dragon Age II here with it's massive numbers of enemies. After clearing them out, continue North along the riverbed. A little bit onwards and you will reach the final blockade.
Enter the Temple of Mythal
Use the stone wall stretching across the river to rain down ranged attacks on the red templar and warden enemies below. Climb the stone steps, past the two deer statues and resupply at the supply cache next to the massive doorway into the temple. Enter through the long entrance hall to reach the Temple itself and watch a cut-scene.
Find a way deeper into the temple
After reaching the Temple, you can talk with Morrigan to find out more about the temple and Corypheus. Once your prepations are complete, travel South to a large room with water all around and a stone dias in the center. Clamber up the steps to trigger a scene where Morrigan and Solas (if he is in your party) will translate some of the runes.
Complete the ritual to open the door
The ritual itself is really simple. Stepping on the squares on the dias lights them up. All you need to do is light up every square on the dias to complete the ritual. Shouldn't take more than a try or two to complete it.
Journey deeper into the temple
Climb the stone staircase to the South. A dead body on the steps can replenish your supplies if you need to. The Eastern rooms from the top of the stairs hold a little loot, and so does the balcony to the West. Open the glowing blue door up here to continue forward.
Defeat Calpernia's minions
After heading inside, you will be attacked by Venatori forces. The battle should be pretty quick, as they are only a handful of them. Once the battle is over, a scene will take control and you will have a chat on how to progress.
Follow Calpernia through the hole or perform the rituals *This choice affects the route you take and the rewards you pick up along the way. Overall the better route for items is to perform the rituals (unique bow + amulet of power – Solas), compared to the (unique armor) if you drop down the hole
HOLE PATH:
Make it through the crypts
Drop down and open the door in front of you. Inside are more venatori zealots and marksmen. Break down a magic barrier in the room to the East to find another room further East with another barrier and a veilfire brazier next to it. Pick up a veilfire torch and enter the room to find a rune to examine and some low level loot.
Leave the room and approach the door opposite to find it can only be lockpicked by a rogue. Inside is a small room with some loot – Vir Banal'ras (unique armour) inside. Lockpick the door inside here to find another magical barrier at the South end of the main room. A few venatori zealots and a stalker will be waiting inside. Circle through the rooms here for some loot and you should arrive back in the main room. Head up the stairs directly to the North and you will arrive at the quest marker.
As you enter the next room, you will be interrogated by the temple elves about your purpose in the Temple.
"They are my enemies."
"Our slumber?"
"First tell me who you are."
[investigate] "You're actual ancient elves?" (Solas+)
[investigate] "What is the well?" (Solas+)
[special – if Solas is in the party] "Solas, talk to him." (Solas+)
"We mean you no harm."
"That well could be useful."
"We came to stop Corypheus."
Fight through the temple's inner sanctum to the well of sorrows
You will be attacked immediately afterwards by a squad of six sentinel archers. Melee characters should rush them with knockdown and interrupt attacks to reduce damage taken. Ranged characters should find cover before engaging them. Once the battle is over, you'll find the doors to the small side rooms can only be opened if you performed the rituals. Dang. Open the East door and then the door beyond to find the venatori and sentinels engaged in battle.
Eliminate both sides before heading East once more. In the next room you come to, you will need to use advanced search to locate a hidden lever. There is also a body in here to replenish your supplies. Walk through the now open door to the South, then open the door in the room beyond. Climb the stairs for another large battle between sentinels and venatori. Wipe out both sides once again and open the only other door in the room.
A set of stairs winds upwards in front of you. Follow it to the top and through the doors for another battle between the two warring factions. Open the door to the South afterwards to reach the well of sorrows.
Stop Calpernia from using the well of sorrows
A body lies at the top of the stairs here to resupply if you need it. Head down the stairs to meet Calpernia and her forces. You will have the chance to talk to her a little here.
"We need to talk."
"It's a little late for that."
"You've been duped."
"That will end in disaster!"
"Why are you the vessel?"
"Not if I take the well first."
"I'd rather just kill you." *Ends conversation and attacks, skip down to the boss section below
"Corypheus plans to bind you." *Convinces Calpernia that Corypheus is a liar
"You did this for Tevinter?"
"Then rebuild Tevinter." (Solas-, Cassandra-) *Acquire staff of corruption – Calpernia leaves without a fight, skip past the boss section below
"I still have to destroy you." *Ends conversation and attacks
Boss: Calpernia
Calpernia will begin the battle with four supporting venatori zealots and a mage. She herself is a powerful mage capable of casting barrier and powerful fire magic. If you are a rogue with the ability to evade, you can act as a decoy and let her concentrate on you while you dodge her attacks. Everyone else can attack her and the venatori freely. Otherwise, let the warrior do the tanking as normal while you quickly put down her supporting forces and then focus fire on her.
She will perform multiple summons during the battle at set life percentages: At 80% she will revive a sentinel champion (two handed warrior). At 60% and 30% she will summon a rage demon to fight your party. She will also use projectile flame attacks, a wall of fire spell, barrier abilities, teleportation and a whole party stun ability (around 3 second duration).
Once you've managed to defeat her, the battle ends and you can investigate the well of sorrow.
(Obtain staff of corruption (unique staff))
"Calpernia is gone. We're done."
"Back off, Morrigan."
"We need that well."
"I'm sorry."
"So it stays locked away?"
"It is lost already."
"Well done."
"This was wrong."
"Nothing we can do now."
"I didn't tell you to kill him!"
"Be careful."
"That's not good."
"Back away. Now."
"You really want this?"
"Perhaps nobody should use it."
"How can I trust you?"
*NOTE: This choice affects an achievement. To obtain the achievement "On burning wings" on a later story quest, you must have the Inquisitor drink from the well.
[Arcane knowledge – Inquisition perk] "I know the well's danger."
"What does everyone else think?"
"Morrigan, the well is yours." (Solas++) *Morrigan drinks
"I'll use the well myself." (Solas–) *The inquisitor drinks
If the Inquisitor drank from the well:
"We still need you." (Sera—, Dorian-, Cassandra+, Vivienne+++)
"It won't go to waste." (Sera—, Dorian+, Vivienne+++)
"The Inquisition needs this." (Sera—, Dorian-, Cassandra+, Vivienne+++)
"Your aid is worth any price."
"Is that a yes or a no?"
"Answer me!"
After this, a scene will take over and you will leave the Temple and return to Skyhold. At the war table, you'll discuss matters with your advisors.
If the Inquisitor drank from the well:
"It's trying to, I think"
"I can barely understand it."
"I hear something."
"I'm doing my best."
"Then help me understand."
"The decision was made."
"It's all we can do."
"Certain? No."
"We must prepare for the worst."
If Morrigan drank from the well:
"Then he's coming here?"
"You seem certain."
"Neither will I."
"How powerful is he?"
"That doesn't sound good."
"Even he can be killed."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, is that all?"
"He won't let us."
(+4000 Influence, +5 Power)
After this, you will be in the corridor at Skyhold and the quest will be over.
RITUAL PATH:
Ignore the hole in the ground and pass through the door to the West. Here, you'll find another one of those plate floors like the one you used to open the door earlier. This one is more complex, so I've included images as solutions to make life easier:
The last ritual is particularly complicated. The orange spaces can be freely walked over without a reset. The left wall will be lowered by pulling the lever, raising the right one and vice versa. Make sure the right wall is down before you begin. Pull the lever when you reach the orange area for the second time to access the far left part of the area.
(Solas++, Cassandra–, Iron Bull–) for solving the puzzles
Journey still deeper into the temple
Now that all the rituals are done, the door at the south end of the room is unlocked. Pass through it to continue.
As you enter the next room, you will be interrogated by the temple elves about your purpose in the Temple.
"They are my enemies."
"Our slumber?"
"First tell me who you are."
[investigate] "You're actual ancient elves?" (Solas+)
[investigate] "What is the well?" (Solas+)
[special – if Solas is in the party] "Solas, talk to him." (Solas+)
"We mean you no harm." *Elves will offer you the choice of allying with you against the venatori forces below
"That well could be useful."
"We came to stop Corypheus."
"We may need that well." *Refuse the alliance and battle the elves and venatori in the fights ahead
"We will ally." (Solas+++, Cole+++) *This will ally you with the elves and they will help you against the venatori forces. You can still use the well later by betraying them
"I don't trust them." *Refuse the alliance and battle the elves and venatori in the fights ahead
Follow the sentinel guide to the well of sorrows
A sentinel guide will appear in the Eastern doorway from the room. Follow him into a room to the North-East with a Longbow of the Griffon (unique bow) and an amulet of power (+1 ability point – Solas). The next room (the north east corner) holds more loot and a veilfire brazier. If you take the veilfire torch, you can examine some ancient elven writings on a wall in the next two rooms to the South.
You will head West and then South again into a room full of water. Continue West with your guide and up a flight of steps. Look inside the small alcove here for more loot. There is a nearby door you will have to open to continue onward. Inside, the sentinels will be facing off against the venatori. Give them a hand and then walk through both sets of doors to the South to reach the well of sorrow.
Stop Calpernia from using the well of sorrows
A body lies at the top of the stairs here to resupply if you need it. Head down the stairs to meet Calpernia and her forces. You will have the chance to talk to her a little here.
"We need to talk."
"It's a little late for that."
"You've been duped."
"That will end in disaster!"
"Why are you the vessel?"
"Not if I take the well first."
"I'd rather just kill you." *Ends conversation and attacks, skip down to the boss section below
"Corypheus plans to bind you." *Convinces Calpernia that Corypheus is a liar
"You did this for Tevinter?"
"Then rebuild Tevinter." (Solas-, Cassandra-) *Acquire staff of corruption – Calpernia leaves without a fight, skip past the boss section below
"I still have to destroy you." *Ends conversation and attacks
Boss: Calpernia
Calpernia will begin the battle with four supporting venatori zealots and a mage. She herself is a powerful mage capable of casting barrier and powerful fire magic. If you are a rogue with the ability to evade, you can act as a decoy and let her concentrate on you while you dodge her attacks. Everyone else can attack her and the venatori freely. Otherwise, let the warrior do the tanking as normal while you quickly put down her supporting forces and then focus fire on her.
She will perform multiple summons during the battle at set life percentages: At 80% she will revive a sentinel champion (two handed warrior). At 60% and 30% she will summon a rage demon to fight your party. She will also use projectile flame attacks, a wall of fire spell, barrier abilities, teleportation and a whole party stun ability (around 3 second duration).
Once you've managed to defeat her, the battle ends and you can investigate the well of sorrow.
(Obtain staff of corruption (unique staff))
"Calpernia is gone. We're done."
"Back off, Morrigan."
"We need that well."
"I'm sorry."
"So it stays locked away?"
"It is lost already."
"If you'll allow it."
"What of the price?"
"If it will help."
[investigate] "What happened to Mythal?"
[investigate] "Where will you go?"
"Thank you."
"That's it? No more duty?"
"Fight Corypheus with us."
(Cassandra++)
"Be careful."
"That's not good."
"Back away. Now."
"You really want this?"
"Perhaps nobody should use it."
"How can I trust you?"
*NOTE: This choice affects an achievement. To obtain the achievement "On burning wings" on a later story quest, you must have the Inquisitor drink from the well.
[Arcane knowledge – Inquisition perk] "I know the well's danger."
"What does everyone else think?"
"Morrigan, the well is yours." (Solas++) *Morrigan drinks
"I'll use the well myself." (Solas–) *The Inquisitor drinks
If the Inquisitor chooses to drink from the well:
"We still need you." (Iron Bull++, Sera—, Dorian-, Cassandra+, Vivienne+++)
"It won't go to waste." (Iron Bull++, Sera—, Cassandra+, Dorian+, Vivienne+++)
"The Inquisition needs this." (Iron Bull++, Sera—, Dorian-, Cassandra+, Vivienne+++)
"Your aid is worth any price."
"Is that a yes or a no?"
"Answer me!"
After this, a scene will take over and you will leave the Temple and return to Skyhold. At the war table, you'll discuss matters with your advisors.
If the Inquisitor drank from the well:
"It's trying to, I think"
"I can barely understand it."
"I hear something."
"I'm doing my best."
"Then help me understand."
"The decision was made."
"It's all we can do."
"Certain? No."
"We must prepare for the worst."
If Morrigan drank from the well:
"Then he's coming here?"
"You seem certain."
"Neither will I."
"How powerful is he?"
"That doesn't sound good."
"Even he can be killed."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, is that all?"
"He won't let us."
(+4000 Influence, +5 Power)
After this, you will be in the corridor at Skyhold and the quest will be over.