Dragon Age Origins: Anvil of the Void Dragon Age: Origins Guide

Last update: 07 June 2024

Received from: Prince Bhelen [Orzammar - Diamond quarter - Royal Palace] or Lord Harrowmont [Orzammar - Diamond quarter - Harrowmont's mansion]

Description: This is a common quest for both Harrowmont and Bhelen and you shouldn't expect any changes depending on who gave you the order to start this mission. Once the quest has appeared in your journal travel to [Orzammar - Commons] and proceed towards an outpost being guarded by the miners (M48, 10). Notice that a friendly dwarf Oghren has stopped you and you'll have a chance to add him to your team. I would recommend that you start using his abilities right away, especially since he'll be wearing good armor. Once you've gone past the miners head to the exit (M48, 11) and choose [Caridin's cross] from the map of the Deep Roads. Continue by reading the description of Paragon of her kind (Orzammar quests category) quest. This will allow you to find out how to get to the anvil.

You'll resume this quest after you've reached the last chamber of [Anvil of the Void] area (M59, 9). It would be a good idea to save your game before entering the cavern, because you'll have to decide how this quest should end. The most obvious solution is to align yourself with Caridin, hoping of destroying the anvil forever. Doing this would result in a huge battle taking place between you and Branda. You should also know she would have several golems at her side and that Caridin would remain inactive during the battle.

As soon as this battle has started focus on defeating less powerful creatures, because otherwise they would destroy friendly golems. Just as before focus on attacking single targets, so it won't take long before each golem id destroyed. Some of the attacked golems are going to be mini-bosses and you'll have to be more careful while trying to defeat them. Branda should be the last person you'll want to attack. Don't forget to heal your team members during the battle, especially since most of golem's attacks are going to be powerful. Once all the hostile units have been eliminated talk to Caridin and wait for him to forge a crown for you. He'll soon commit suicide and the anvil is going to be destroyed. Go to the Main quests category and keep reading the description of Paragon of her kind quest to find out what should be done next.

An alternative solution is to align yourself with Branda in hopes of preserving the anvil for further use. In this case golems would become your enemies and Caridin would be one of them (main boss). Notice that you would have several golems at your side, however Branda would remain inactive until the end of the battle.

This version of the battle is going to be very similar to the one described above. Start off by eliminating mini-bosses attacking your golems. Once you've solved that problem focus on defeating some of the weaker golems. Caridin should the last entity you decide to attack. Once it's gone talk to Branda and she'll forge a crown for you. Notice that you can now allow her to keep using the anvil or you can convince her (persuasion, intimidation) that she should change her mind and destroy it. You can also encourage her to commit suicide if you want to. Go to the Main quests category and read the description of Paragon of her kind quest to find out what should be done next.