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History Of The Elves Explored In New Screens
by Joe Juba on May 13, 2014 at 10:10 AM

The latest batch of screenshots focuses strongly on the environments players can look forward to when Dragon Age: Inquisition releases on October 7th. In particular, these new screens show off two distinct environments central to the history of the elves in Thedas.

The more lush of the two locations is the Emerald Graves. "The Emerald Graves are a mix of the old elven burial ground and a noble, Orlesian playground," says senior environment artist Andrew Farrell in a post on the Dragon Age: Inquisition website. "You've got the lower section of the forest, which is a bit more civilized with road signs and abandoned Orlesian estates, and then as you get higher up, you come to the ancient elven areas." Elves no longer fill the paths of the forest, which is instead populated by wild beasts like bears, wolves, and other more exotic creatures. The area’s many caves also hide some “gigantic” enemies that might pose a serious threat to the party, particularly if confronted early on in the game. 

The stony and snowy Emprise du Lion location is a stark contrast to the forests of the Emerald Graves, but it also holds roots to the history of the elven people. It’s scattered with elven ruins, including an impressive stronghold that will no doubt figure into the storyline that the player encounters in the area. “The red templars are up to something, and the Inquisition comes in to check it out," Farrell says "When you arrive, there's an area for you to explore, but if you want to get to the heart of what's happening, you're going to have to push through an army."

Take a look at the new screens and share your thoughts in the comments below.