Primeval Thaig - Dragon Age II

Primeval Thaig

Location: Primeval Thaig

Terrain: Underground

Type: Lost thaig

Location: Underground

Inhabitants: Dwarves (formerly), Ancient Rock Wraith, Profane, Shade, Stone golem

Appearances: Dragon Age II

The Primeval Thaig is a thaig created by the dwarves many years before the First Blight, but it is so old that its existence has been forgotten and is not mentioned in the Memories.

Background

The architecture is very different from other thaigs and dwarf constructions. This thaig is left entirely untouched by darkspawn. It possesses great statues and temples, and also things created by magic. Both of these things are very strange, since the dwarves worship no gods and are incapable of magic.

When Hawke and the expedition descend into the Deep Roads, they descend so far that they enter the Primeval Thaig, below the official level of the Roads. It seems that the Thaig represents an example of prehistoric dwarven culture, with temples and idols for a pantheon of dwarven deities, rather than the statues of Paragons found in all later thaigs. The thaig is overgrown by red lyrium, and a lyrium idol is found in it. Over the course of the game, it is discovered that this idol summons spirits, and can be used to cast spells, even by non-mages.

Inside the Primeval Thaig, Hawke can also find a staff of strange metal that was left after the Valdasine Thaig was mysteriously abandoned by its inhabitants. The thaig is totally empty of dwarves, but is not uninhabited: it is filled with semi-mythical rock wraiths, who call themselves the profane.

If Hawke meets Nathaniel Howe in Act 3, he tells that the Grey Wardens took great interest in the thaig and the First Warden commissioned a special expedition to learn more.

Primeval Thaig Entrance Map

Primeval Thaig Interior Map

Quests

The Deep Roads Expedition

Characters

Bartrand Tethras

Bodahn Feddic, before entering the Thaig proper

Sandal, before entering the Thaig proper

Stores

Bodahn's Goods, before entering the Thaig proper

Enemies

Ancient rock wraith

Profane

Shade

Stone golem x2

Notable items

Orichalcum - at the top of the stairs in the first room after reaching the abandoned thaig

Trivia

Although Bartrand suggests that it was built before the Blights, the Primeval Thaig has golems, which were made to fight darkspawn when the First Blight occurred.

Similarly, although Bianca's research suggests red lyrium is tainted lyrium, the thaig appears to have worshiped an idol made from this substance prior to the appearance of darkspawn.

The Claws of Dumat found in the Fade during Here Lies the Abyss are identical to the larger statues found in the Primeval Thaig.

The smaller winged statues in the Primeval Thaig are similar to those found in the Lost Outpost beneath Crestwood.

Both types of statues adorn Heidrun Thaig as well.

The thaig later becomes colloquially known as "Bartrand's Folly".