Avvar Tribes

Lore & Background

The Jaws of Hakkon expansion introduces a specific conflict between two Avvar factions in the Frostback Basin. The friendly Avvar reside at Stone-Bear Hold, led by Svarah Sun-Hair, who is described as having a wittiness that contrasts with the more serious tone of the main campaign. Opposing them are the Hakkonites, a fanatical cult dedicated to reviving their god of war, Hakkon Wintersbreath. This group seeks to summon him into Thedas, a plan intrinsically linked to the mystery surrounding Ameridan, the original Inquisitor who fought a great dragon in the region centuries ago. The narrative explores Avvar history through the lens of this ancient Tevinter fortress and the relics buried within the basin. Professor Bram Kemric assists the Inquisition in researching these secrets, highlighting the cultural depth of the Avvar people as revealed through their connection to Ameridan's legacy.

In Their Own Story

The Inquisition arrives in the Frostback Basin after Josephine Montilyet is contacted by academic Bram Kemric, who urges them to find out what happened to Ameridan. The player accesses this new area via a war table mission called 'Investigate Frostback Basin,' which costs eight power points and requires characters of at least level 20. Upon arrival, the Inquisitor encounters Svarah Sun-Hair, leader of the Stone-Bear Hold, who provides aid and comic relief with her distinct personality. However, tension rises as the party confronts the Jaws of Hakkon, an enemy faction intent on completing a ritual to revive their god. The narrative delves into the past when Ameridan fought a dragon in this very region, revealing that his disappearance was tied to these religious rites. The story culminates in a confrontation with legendary foes, blending combat difficulty with lore-rich interactions that explore the religious symbolism and iconography of the Avvar faith.

Reader's Guide

To engage with the Avvar content, players must select the 'Investigate Frostback Basin' mission on the war table at Skyhold. This area is designed for late-game characters (level 20+). Players should expect challenging combat that emphasizes preparation and team positioning against new enemy types. The expansion features two primary Avvar groups: allies at Stone-Bear Hold under Svarah Sun-Hair, and enemies in the Jaws of Hakkon cult. Key interactions include speaking with Professor Bram Kemric for lore insights and engaging with Svarah's humorous dialogue. The environment offers varied terrain including mountains, forests, and rivers. Players can collect new armor and weapons specific to this region. Note that while the story adds significant lore regarding Ameridan and Hakkon Wintersbreath, it does not alter the main campaign's ending or influence the base game's primary narrative outcomes.

Did You Know?

• The Jaws of Hakkon DLC was released for Xbox One and Windows on March 24, 2015, but did not arrive on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Xbox 360 until May 26, 2015.
• Svarah Sun-Hair, the leader of the Stone-Bear tribe, was praised by critics for her wittiness and distinct personality during the Inquisitor's visit to the Frostback Basin.
• The expansion explores the fate of Ameridan, an Avvar hero who vanished in the Frostback Basin approximately 800 years before the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition.
• Accessing the new content requires expending eight power points on a specific war table mission marker located at the base of the map.
• Jaws of Hakkon is the only narrative DLC pack for Dragon Age: Inquisition to be released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, as future packs were cancelled for those platforms.