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Coracavus is an ancient Tevinter prison in the northern part of the Western Approach. Long-abandoned, it is now in ruins.

Background[]

The Trouble with Darkspawn Text Image 3

A list of former Coracavus prisoners

On the edge of the empire, they erected a prison: Coracavus, the dark pit. Far removed from the cultural heart of the Imperium, Coracavus held and meted out punishment to local peoples who denied Tevinter's claims to the region and to so-called "loyal" citizens who believed living on the fringes of civilization would grant them immunity from the Imperium's laws.[1].

Coracavus was used to house prisoners, whose crimes ranged from treason to public indecency, dating as far back as to before the Second Blight[2]. Political prisoners who could not be sentenced with execution were sent to Coracavus. It was widely known that bribes bought nothing and having the right name rewarded no leniency. Individuals hearing "Coracavus" passed as a judgment begged for death, which was considered a mercy.[3].

The prison was eventually abandoned and remained sealed until 9:41 Dragon when a Venatori expedition to the Western Approach, led by Crassius Servis, arrived and began to excavate it in search of lost Tevinter knowledge. To increase the pace of the work, the Venatori captured a Giant to take on the heavier excavating tasks.

Unbeknownst to the Venatori, the ancient Tevinters had unwittingly built Coracavus over an old entrance to the Deep Roads. The Venatori activity lured darkspawn out from the deep; they poured into the prison after workers breached a wall adjacent to one of the Roads. The Venatori sustained casualties after defeating the first wave of darkspawn; however, Servis ordered work be continued. A second wave of darkspawn followed and proved extremely challenging; they slaughtered the remaining workers, forcing the Venatori to abandon Coracavus and focus their efforts elsewhere.

Involvement[]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


When the Inquisitor arrives in the Western Approach, Servis and his minions have secured themselves in Echoback Canyon, inaccessible behind the Gates of Andoral and Toth. After capturing the Griffon Wing Keep, darkspawn emerge from the northern entrance of Coracavus, cut off from the rest of the area by hazardous Sulphur Pits, and begin roaming the region. Upon bridging the Sulphur Pits, the Inquisitor enters Coracavus, seals the tunnel from further darkspawn outpouring, and gains access to Echoback Canyon via the prison's Southern Exit.


Areas[]

Coracavus-Map

Map of Coracavus

North Prisoner Entrance
Guard's Hall
Holding Cells
Records Room
Front Corridor
South Entrance

The ruins can only be entered for the first time through the North Prisoner Entrance, which soon connects to the Guard's Hall. Here, stairs can be taken east (downward) into the Holding Cells or following the path forward through the hall will lead into the Records Room. The Records Room contains a few adjacent rooms and a locked room to the west. Continuing on the main path south through the hallway, the Front Corridor, will lead to a large outdoor courtyard. Passing through the door connects to the South Entrance, a large coliseum like courtyard, but be wary of the Giant guarding the area. Once defeated, opening the adjacent door to the south connects to a small hallway leading to Coracavus' southern exit back into the Approach.

Quests[]

The Trouble with Darkspawn The Trouble with Darkspawn

Enemies[]

Darkspawn
Giant

Collections[]

Mosaics[]

Freed are Slaves

Freed Are Slaves numbering

Freed Are Slaves Freed Are Slaves (piece #9) - behind the locked door in the Records Room.
Note: Requires Deft Hands, Fine Tools Inquisition perk.

Resources[]

Herbs[]

Vandal Aria Vandal Aria

Notable items[]

Veilfire glyphs[]

Spirit Rune Schematic Spirit Rune Schematic - in a torture cell, containing a hanged man, located to the right of the stairs in the Holding Cells.

Loot[]

Demon-Slaying Rune Demon-Slaying Rune - looted from a chest located next to the mosaic piece obtained behind the locked door in the Records Room.
Note: Requires Deft Hands, Fine Tools Inquisition perk.
Master Corrupting Rune Schematic Master Corrupting Rune Schematic - looted from a chest in Echoback Fort after exiting south from Coracavus back into the Approach; see side quest The Trouble with Darkspawn.
Superb Ring of Critical Damage Superb Ring of Critical Damage - looted from a chest located behind the locked door in the Records Room.
Note: Requires Deft Hands, Fine Tools Inquisition perk.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: Coracavus Codex entry: Coracavus
Codex entry: A Missing Slave Codex entry: A Missing Slave
Codex entry: The Secret Tongue of Slaves Codex entry: The Secret Tongue of Slaves

Note texts[]

The Trouble with Darkspawn Text Image 1

A note on giants at work.

Ancient List of Prisoners Ancient List of Prisoners
A Blood-Spattered Note A Blood-Spattered Note
A Crumpled Note A Crumpled Note
Faded Interrogation Notes Faded Interrogation Notes
Venatori Plans Venatori Plans

Notes[]

  • The giant is too large for the arch and will not enter the Front Corridor.
  • The South Entrance leads to the Echo Back Canyon Camp; the Gates of Toth and the gate's release lever are located southwest of the camp.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Taken from A Brief History of the Imperium, Vol. 3 by Tyrus Altim; excerpt from Codex entry: Coracavus
  2. Note: Ancient List of Prisoners
  3. A Brief History of the Imperium, Vol. 3 by Tyrus Altim; expanded from Codex entry: Coracavus
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