THE HIGH DRAON’S CHAMPION

The High Dragon's Champion is a quest that is part of the Urn of Sacred Ashes quest line. It can either be accepted or refused.

Walkthrough

Meeting the leader of the cult, Father Kolgrim, may lead to Kolgrim offering a task to defile the ashes with a vial of Andraste's blood during A Test of Faith or you refusing the task. Refusal results in the final cult battle.

Accepting Kolgrim's task and defiling the ashes is the only way to unlock the Reaver specialization and obtain the Sacrilegious achievement. Afterwards, you can get a second opportunity to for the final cult battle or stay sided with the cult.

Whether the Warden refuses to listen to Kolgrim's proposition, or accepts the task, or even if the Warden accepts the task verbally but does not follow through with it, the companions in the party (and some even if they are not in the active party) will react accordingly:

• Morrigan approves (+2) or Morrigan approves (+3)

  • Note: that this approval takes place immediately when you accept the blood from Kolgrim.

• Zevran approves (+2)

• Sten disapproves (-3)

• Alistair disapproves (-5)

  • May be avoided through Persuasion

• Oghren disapproves (-5)

• Leliana is, of course, opposed to the defiling, but will not react until the deed is actually done. Her reaction depends on various parameters, although it is not immediate when you accept Kolgrim's task. An unhardened Leliana will attack you immediately if she witnesses the defiling. Even a hardened Leliana will still object to the defiling of the Urn, but if the following conditions are met, she may be present at the defiling and, instead of reaching her crisis, simply Leliana disapproves (-10):

  • Leliana must be hardened;

  • The Warden must have a high intimidate skill (Coercion + Strength bonus = 75 or higher, where each point in Coercion is equal to 25 intimidation points. Thus 3 points in coercion should do the trick regardless of what your character's strength score is);

  • The Warden must have passed through the flames after leaving all items at the altar. If the Warden fails this test and kills The Guardian before defiling the urn, the following dialogue option to intimidate Leliana won't appear;

  • The player must select the "Before you do anything stupid, remember who I am." dialogue option when she calls the Warden a "fiend".

    • If she is not present at the defiling, Leliana will confront the Warden at the Camp. Unless the Warden passes a high persuasion check (75+) to convince her the Ashes are safe she will leave.

• Wynne will turn hostile and attack if the ashes are defiled and she is present in the party, although she will not react until the deed is actually done.

  • If she is not present, she will initiate a conversation the next time the Warden enters the Party Camp and leave. Note: Wynne's crisis point can be avoided if she is not acquired until after defiling the ashes, but the Party Camp must be visited between defiling the ashes and recruiting her in order to let Leliana's argument happen; this will clear the plot flag that would have triggered Wynne's crisis as well.

    • On PS3 Wynne will leave regardless of when she is recruited. However, her cutscene can be pushed down the queue by some cutscenes such as Alistair's cutscene which occurs after delivering the ashes allowing the Warden to return to camp under certain conditions.

  • Leliana's cutscene can conflict with Wynne's if Leliana was not present. If Leliana is convinced the Ashes are safe by passing a persuasion check, Wynne's confrontation will not happen. On PS3, the cutscene still occurs the next time the Warden returns to camp.

• Zevran approves (+2) if the Warden listens to Kolgrim's offer and accepts it (even if the Warden won't follow through with the defiling);

  • Zevran can be persuaded that killing Kolgrim is a better option and his approval rating won't change. Note the dialogue option to persuade Zevran calls Kolgrim 'shifty' and will trigger the cultists to attack.

• The fight can be tricky at first, but try to kill the Cultist mages and have someone keep the melee attackers on them (someone with a lot of health)

• Oghren approves (+2) if "shut up, Oghren" and then "I'll take my chances with the arrows" is selected after Kolgrim warns of a "rain of arrows" awaiting the Warden if they so dared attack "Andraste"

• Morrigan disapproves;

  • Morrigan's and Shale's negative reaction can be avoided by picking a fight with Kolgrim early on in the dialogue, without asking about his offer; alternatively, if the dialogue leads them to express their opinion, a successful Persuasion check may reduce their loss of approval: Shale disapproves (-5) Morrigan approves (0) if started within the first two dialogues. If Sten is in the party, and you let Kolgrim explain his plan, Sten will comment negatively. If in the ensuing dialogue option you change your mind, Morrigan won't disapprove.

• Wynne, Leliana and Alistair voice their opposition to defiling the urn, but fighting Kolgrim does not result in a change of approval.

• if you listen to all that Kolgrim has to say and changes your mind in the end, Sten disapprove (-3). And fight begins.

• if you start the fight before Kolgrim explains his plan completely, there is no approval change to Sten.

If/when you fight Kolgrim, he will drop his axe, Faith's Edge, and depending on the time the fight took place, Kolgrim's Horn (only).

Note: Kolgrim can be slightly easier to fight if tricked into thinking you will help because on the mountaintop he has fewer allies.

If you want to fight Kolgrim outside without losing any approval on the above-mentioned dialogue choices simply choose the dialogue option that you want to see the risen Andraste yourself, which will take you outside where you meet Kolgrim again. He will have some help there too which includes another drake and will earn you a 7th drake scale.

• 750 XP

• Reaver specialization (if you decide to desecrate the ashes)

• Faith's Edge (if you slay Kolgrim)

• Kolgrim's Horn (if you slay Kolgrim before the mountain top)

The Mountain Top

Note: While in this area, the Warden can re-configure the party composition.

After the encounter with Kolgrim, the party will reach the Mountain Top. A cutscene occurs as the cult's "Andraste", which is actually a high dragon, flies over and lands to rest on a cliff. If Kolgrim was killed, the Warden and their team will dive for cover.

If you accepted Kolgrim's task ('to pour the dragon's blood into the Urn, allowing the risen Andraste to reclaim the power held in the Ashes'), he will speak to her to let you pass unharmed. You can continue into The Gauntlet or attack him here. He will be aided by his Disciples and a drake.

At this point, the party may engage the false Andraste by using Kolgrim's Horn (Top of Mountain/Trials Map, L1) (if you killed him), by casting an area of effect spell like Blizzard or cast Drain Life below the cliff as its range can reach the high dragon above, or (on consoles) by using the gong in this area. The high dragon is a formidable opponent. If the dragon is slain, she will drop a considerable number of items, among which is a Dragon Scale for the Dragon Scale Armor quest. There is no need to fight the dragon immediately (highly recommend being level 12 or higher to fight the high dragon — this area can be returned to later in the game whenever the Warden feels it is more appropriate.

The High Dragon possesses the following offensive capabilities: Fire Spit, Dragon Breath, Massive Attack, Sweep, Grab, High Dragon Buffet, Roar, and Slap. It uses the tail slap attack and kicks with its hind legs when a character gets close behind it. Occasionally, notably when the highest threat target is out of melee range, the High Dragon may briefly fly up out of view. Afterwards, it comes crashing down in an open location in the area. Any companions caught in the vicinity of the boss when it lands take massive physical damage.

The High Dragon deals fire damage therefore fire resistance is recommended. Bear in mind that elemental resistances are capped at 75%. Here is a list of upper tier fire resistant items:

• Lesser Warmth Balm - This balm increases the user's resistance to fire damage by 30% for 3 minutes.

• Greater Warmth Balm - This balm increased user's resistance to fire damage by +60% fire resistance for 180 seconds.

• Wade's Drakeskin armor set - Crafted by Wade

  • Stats

    • +35% fire resistance

    • Set: -10% fatigue

• Wade's Superior Drakeskin armor set - Crafted by Wade

  • Stats

    • +4 dexterity

    • +70% fire resistance

    • Set: -10% fatigue

    • Set: +5 defense

• Juggernaut armor set - It is the reward for completing the quest The Mage's Treasure.

  • Stats

    • +20% fire resistance

    • +20% cold resistance

    • +20% electricity resistance

    • +20% nature resistance

    • +20% spirit resistance

    • +1 armor

    • +10 mental resistance

    • Set: +3 strength

    • Set: +3 constitution

• Reaper's Vestments - Sold by the Tranquil Proprietor at the Wonders of Thedas for 92 Gold 70 Silver

  • Stats

    • +6 constitution

    • +20% fire resistance

    • +16% spell resistance

    • +10% chance to dodge attacks

    • +12 armor

• Smith's Heart Amulet - Found in a Cocoon near the Corrupted spider queen in Ortan Thaig in the Deep Roads during A Paragon of Her Kind main quest.

  • Stats

    • +20% fire resistance

    • -1 dexterity

• Spirit Charm Amulet - Found in a chest in the Storage Caves of the Circle Tower during the Infested Storerooms quest of the Magi Origin (Only found in Magi Origins)

  • Stats

    • +10% fire resistance

• Fire Crystal (Large) - Fire Crystal is an ingredient used to craft fire-related consumables

• Uses

  • Herbalism:

    • Greater Warmth Balm

    • Lesser Warmth Balm

• Crushing a fire crystal gives the user a small bonus to fire resistance for a short time.

• Ring of Ages - Can be purchased from the Tranquil Proprietor in the Wonders of Thedas shop in Denerim Market District for 78 Gold 30 Silver.

  • Stats

    • +20% fire resistance

    • +20% cold resistance

    • +20% electricity resistance

    • +20% nature resistance

    • +20% spirit resistance

Helm of the Red - Given to the Warden by Bann Teagan in Redcliffe Village after The Attack at Nightfall if there were no casualties.

• Stats

• +1 dexterity

• +10% fire resistance

Howe's Shield - Can be found in the Arl of Denerim's Estate in the locked closet.

• Stats

• +12 defense

• +10% fire resistance

• +10% cold resistance

• -2 willpower

Note: To obtain Wade's leather armor set requires returning to the high dragon at a later time.

Most importantly, and this goes for the Flemeth and Archdemon fights as well, is that the dragon will make excessive use of stun and knockdown in conjunction with the damage from its physical effects. The fire attacks are one thing, but nothing will leave frontline fighters more vulnerable than getting stunned with every flap of its wings or swipe of its claws. Load Hale runes into your warriors' weapons. Owen, if you've upgraded his stock by returning Valena to him will have a Grandmaster Hale Rune available for just under 10 sovereigns. It's powerful enough to give a warrior a full check in physical resistance, enough that he can better resist the debilitating secondary effects than without. The damage itself can then be managed with armor, poultices, and healing magic. There is also a Master Hale Rune available at Wonders of Thedas, which is almost as good and together can make a warrior immovable.

Yusaris - Found on the remains of Shah Wyrd in the Circle Tower at the end of the Watchguard of the Reaching quest.

• Stats

• +20% fire resistance

• +10 damage vs. dragons

Aodh - Looted from the body of Cristof during a map encounter in Denerim, after completing the quest Pearls Before Swine. Cristof is encountered whether you convince the mercenaries to leave The Pearl peacefully or give them a beating.

• Stats

• +3% melee critical chance

• +20% fire resistance

• -5% cold resistance

• +1 fire damage

Axameter - Found in the extremely rare encounter Strange Wood, where a group of awestruck villagers believe that whoever pulls it out of the tree stump will become king, or queen, of all Thedas.

• Stats

• +2 damage

• +10% critical damage

• Lucky

• +4 damage vs. Dragons

Beyond this, Tier 6 and 7 weapons will suffice. Archer Wardens should have one of the Rapid Aim bows (one of which is unavailable unless the Grandmaster Hale Rune is forfeited), a two-hander should use Yusaris without question, Weapon and Shield warriors or dual-wielders should have Topsider's Honor (This longsword is the reward for completing An Admirable Topsider quest. It is found inside the Warrior's Grave in Ortan Thaig) and/or the Keening Blade (Dropped by Gaxkang at the Quaint Hovel in Denerim, at the end of the Unbound side quest).