Dragon Age 3 Inquisition: Introducing Skyhold

Skyhold is the Inquisitor’s base of operations in Dragon Age 3: Inquisition, and in keeping with the scope of the game, this will be a huge fortress befitting the Inquisitor’s position. Following the preview in GameInformer, Bioware has started a new blog series regarding Skyhold.

Within this base, you have your own tavern, a dungeon, a library, a garden (with potion makers on employ),a vault, kitchen, rookery, and more. Many, if not all of these locations, offer something to help you in your mission, such as rumors, potions, weapons and armor manufacturers, and more.

Of course, your seat of power rests in the throne room, where you lay judgements on enemies, allies, towns, and more, all in keeping with your mission to take on the Elder One. If there is any place in Skyhold more important than the throne room, it’s the  now famous war room, where you will meet with your party frequently to plan out your missions.

As the game continues, you will also find Skyhold dynamically change form. Murals will be painted to celebrate your accomplishments, and trophies and artifacts get collected and curated. Skyhold will progressively get bigger as you delve deeper.

You can direct some of these changes as well. Parts of Skyhold you can customize include adding a courtyard, towers, statues, windows, furniture, and drapery. You even have control over the heraldry the Inquisition will use.

Of course, these items will be gathered through the course of the game. Some you acquire simply from exploration, others from completing side quests, and some more need to be bought from merchants.

Amazingly, every character in Skyhold, from party members, occasional allies, to background characters, can be engaged with. Many of them have their own rooms you can visit, so that you can learn more  about them.

Skyhold alone promises hours upon hours of gameplay.

Dragon Age 3: Inquisition will be out for the PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 and PS4 on October 7, 2014.