56 réponses à ce sujet

[Mac007]

So this has been bugging me since when I first played, but I figured out a few points that don't make much sense.
 
Why is there nobody else at Skyhold? It seems like it would be a perfect Orlesian outpost, with it being so close to the Ferelden border. Also, why does Solas know where it is? I guess it's possible he might know because of

Spoiler

him being Fen'Harel.

 

And lastly, how is it in such good condition? It's clearly pretty beat up on the inside, but structurally it held up amazingly given the probable wind all around it.

 

Thanks guys, and I guess it's possible I missed something in the game

[esh1996]

'Why is it in such good condition?' - Dwarven Structural Engineering, 'nough said.

[katerinafm]

Doesn't Solas say that he dreamed about it or something? At least, that would be the assumption.

[Mac007]

Doesn't Solas say that he dreamed about it or something? At least, that would be the assumption.

Just rewatched the scene on YouTube, he doesn't say that (but it is a pretty good idea). Also it's possible someone was there until very recently, as you can see a few flags/banners flying the very first time you see it, from the mountains.

[Just My Moniker]

Its an old elven ruin, protected by magic. And it is mentioned that people have used from time to time.

[Gervaise]

The codex on Skyhold explains that it has been previously occupied, repeatedly.   Which begs the question, why did they leave?    Strangely enough I kept having a dream about Skyhold in which there was something rather nasty underneath it.    It is rather remote so you would imagine that may be people got tired of hauling supplies up there or enemies simply cut their supply lines, something that apparently Cory and his Venatori never thought of.   Until we defeated the barbarians at the Fallow Mire and then opened a way through the mountains, the only way to get from there to Orlais or Ferelden (depending on which side of the mountains you think it is) would be to go down to the plain and then round by the coast, so not much use as an outpost for either side since their forces would still have to travel by the usual route.

 

The name is a translation of the elvish, which meant literally the place which holds up the sky.    I think Skyhold may have had more religious than military significance to the original elven builders and the codex suggests that it was humans that subsequently raised the keep on their ruins, thus giving it a degree of magical protection.  After all Cullen sleeps in a room with half the roof missing, yet no sign of snow on his bed.

 

I wonder if the elvish translation should really have been "the place which holds back the veil", since tearing a hole in the veil opens up a rift in the sky.    The codex says the veil is very old here, which is odd as it suggests that the veil had differing ages, so again may be it hints that the veil had its origins there.    In which case Solas would definitely know about it considering he seems aware of a time when possibly there was no veil.   In any case he is fascinated with anything concerning the Fade and no doubt his friend the spirit of wisdom could have told him about Skyhold.

[Serza]

'Why is it in such good condition?' - Dwarven Elven Structural Engineering, 'nough said.

 

Fixed that. The original name is Tarasyl'an Te'las - Elven for "The place the Sky is kept"

[esh1996]

Fixed that. The original name is Tarasyl'an Te'las - Elven for "The place the Sky is kept"

Ok, I didn't think it was elven, I must have been confused by the massive dwarven statues in Skyhold's basement...

[Sunnie]

There may be 2 Dwarven statues in the basement, but the structure is not Dwarven by any stretch. The structure and style doesn't even come close to any Dwarven structure we have seen throughout the series. There are also statues of Andraste in other areas. My guess is that at one point in Skyholds untold history, there was a Dwarven presence and those statues are what remains of their occupation.

[Mac007]

There may be 2 Dwarven statues in the basement, but the structure is not Dwarven by any stretch. The structure and style doesn't even come close to any Dwarven structure we have seen throughout the series. There are also statues of Andraste in other areas. My guess is that at one point in Skyholds untold history, there was a Dwarven presence and those statues are what remains of their occupation.

 

Probably like how you can put statues in the main hall with themes - my Lavellan had Tevinter statues everwhere, but was in no way Tevinter. Probably the decorators from a previous occupation either were Dwarven, or liked Dwarven architecture.

[Mac007]

Until we defeated the barbarians at the Fallow Mire and then opened a way through the mountains, the only way to get from there to Orlais or Ferelden (depending on which side of the mountains you think it is)

 

Great points, but I could've sworn I heard Josephine saying that Skyhold was technically in Orlais. Could be wrong, though.

[Gervaise]

Well if it is technically in Orlais then presumably it is the Orlesian side of the mountains but I doubt the Orlesians would have had much use for it except may be as a hunting lodge.    Haven managed to stay hidden for the best part of 1,000 years so it is hardly surprising that no one found Skyhold either.

[JD Buzz]

I thought Skyhold is on the border between Orlais and Ferelden. It's not technically in either state. Plus the castle has been protected by magic to ward off evil as per Morrigan.

[S.W.]

It's empty because it's convenient to the plot.

 

But seriously, I suppose whilst Skyhold's position in the mountains makes it quite easily defensible, I imagine it's also difficult to access and of little contemporary military relevance - the route that has always existed to access Ferelden, from Orlais, goes around the Frostbacks, not through them. Supply routes would also be a problem for this reason - and thus I could imagine that had there been some ongoing war in the mountain which made Skyhold convenient, it'd be used, but it'd be too expensive to keep. Castles are tactical things, after all. (It'd likely be different for ancient elves, who used eluvians and not roads for transportation purposes - and thus supply/location wouldn't be a problem due to eluvians, whilst remaining highly defensible as a fortress, given that you can 'lock' eluvians like doors, and thus you'd force a hostile military force into travelling through the Frostbacks to invade).

 

Why its location and upkeep aren't an issue in Inquisition, I have no idea. The Inquisition's coffers aren't endless, after all.

[myahele]

The Frostback mountains are difficult to traverse through with alot of natural borders: snow, cliffs, etc. Then there's also the fact that the Avvar inhabit the Frostback, so that'll discourage most people from traveling/ exploring the area

[Heimdall]

The Keep itself is of Ferelden construction. I believe the last resident is said to have been a Mage trying (Unsuccessfully) to uncover why the site was significant to the ancient elves.

As to why the Ferelden builders left, maybe they lacked the ability to maintain it any longer or there was no use for it. Skyhold guards no important mountain pass or allow one to see Orlesians crossing the border. It's extremely remote and it's implied most everyone had forgotten it existed.

[Mac007]

Just heard some banter between Blackwall and Solas, Blackwall actually does ask Solas "Skyhold. How did you find it?". All that Solas replies is "I looked". Just thought you guys might find it interesting that the game does seem to (somewhat) awknowledge it.

[dgcatanisiri]

I'm desperate for a 'history of Skyhold' style DLC, investigating the origins and history of the place. I mean, the Inquisition has housed itself in this conveniently located fortress in the mountains that has been mysteriously abandoned and forgotten, and they were led to this place specifically by Solas, who turns out to be the Dread Wolf. There is SOMETHING about this place worth investigating, some story that still waits to be told about it. I mean, hell, given that Solas led the Inquisition there, it could easily tie into any kind of 'Wolf Hunt' DLC.

[Deztyn]

Realistically speaking, Skyhold would be hell to maintain for no real advantage. It's far away from any trade routes, making it extremely difficult to get supplies. It has no land around it for farming or raising animals, so has way of supporting itself. It's far away from the passes through the Frostbacks, so while it's easily defensible it's still strategically worthless. Not to mention the chill.

 

I don't think there needs to be an ancient evil lurking under it's foundation to explain why people keep abandoning it.

 

The real question is, why would anyone build it in the first place.

 

(Which admittedly, could be because of an ancient evil lurking under it's foundation)

[Serelir]

I think Skyhold is beautiful, but I do keep wondering how people manage to keep warm with all those open windows and gaping holes in the walls. Magic, I suppose. How does elfroot grow in the snow, anyway? Oh, yeah... magic.

 

I was a little disappointed that nothing happened with the prison. It was a prime opportunity for someone to roll off the edge, perhaps one of the ungrateful rescuees from Haven.

[Lazarillo]

I figured Solas knew the location of Skyhold because he's from Skyhold.  If you ask him where he's from after first getting to Haven, he mentions "I grew up in a small town to the north of here...".  Then, later, you leave Haven and Solas sends you a bit north to find the castle...

[Ariella]

Realistically speaking, Skyhold would be hell to maintain for no real advantage. It's far away from any trade routes, making it extremely difficult to get supplies. It has no land around it for farming or raising animals, so has way of supporting itself. It's far away from the passes through the Frostbacks, so while it's easily defensible it's still strategically worthless. Not to mention the chill.

 

I don't think there needs to be an ancient evil lurking under it's foundation to explain why people keep abandoning it.

 

The real question is, why would anyone build it in the first place.

 

(Which admittedly, could be because of an ancient evil lurking under it's foundation)

 

As Morrigan says, it was an ancient elven holy place, and the magic there is protective, which in part, explains why you can have a green garden, trees, and walk around in lacking warm clothing inside the walls.

 

I always got the feeling from what was said that the land was waiting for the one it was meant for.

[Mac007]

Realistically speaking, Skyhold would be hell to maintain for no real advantage. It's far away from any trade routes, making it extremely difficult to get supplies. It has no land around it for farming or raising animals, so has way of supporting itself. It's far away from the passes through the Frostbacks, so while it's easily defensible it's still strategically worthless. Not to mention the chill.

 

I don't think there needs to be an ancient evil lurking under it's foundation to explain why people keep abandoning it.

 

The real question is, why would anyone build it in the first place.

 

(Which admittedly, could be because of an ancient evil lurking under it's foundation)

 

I never really thought about it that way. I don't think Inquisition forces ever get involved in any huge battles (Like the Size of the battle of Ostagar or Denerim), if they did then I could see the need to be closer to actual civilization. As it is, most "forces" missions seem to be sending out small groups of soldiers. I almost think of Skyhold as a permanent forward camp, with small groups coming and going often.

[Ariella]

I never really thought about it that way. I don't think Inquisition forces ever get involved in any huge battles (Like the Size of the battle of Ostagar or Denerim), if they did then I could see the need to be closer to actual civilization. As it is, most "forces" missions seem to be sending out small groups of soldiers. I almost think of Skyhold as a permanent forward camp, with small groups coming and going often.

 

Adamant would have required a decent sized army, as did Arbor Wilds. We just don't see it because there's no way they could make Skyhold the size it should actually be realistically speaking. Just too much resources. I tend not try and overthink much.

 

And according to the translation Solas provides, it's the place where the sky is kept back... Not just kept.

 

I agree thinking that Solas may have spent time, even been born at what became Skyhold