The Breach Opening

Lore & Background

Corypheus sought to harness the Anchor, an ancient artifact capable of stabilizing connections between realms, to grant himself immortality and reshape the world according to Tevinter ideals. By activating it during a gathering of the Chantry's highest leadership, he bypassed natural magical safeguards. The resulting explosion did not just kill those present; it anchored a massive tear in the sky that became visible from every corner of Thedas. This breach allowed demons to manifest physically without the need for possession, turning cities into war zones and rendering traditional mage templar dynamics obsolete in the face of such raw supernatural chaos.

In Their Own Story

The bells of Val Royeaux tolled not for prayer, but for panic. Above the city's golden spires, the sky bruised purple and black. A woman screamed as a demon clawed through thin air, its shadow stretching across the cobblestones like spilled ink. In the center of the chaos, the Anchor pulsed with sickly light, humming a sound that vibrated in the marrow of every living thing. The world didn't end with fire this time; it ended with a tear, ripping open to reveal the hungry eyes of the Fade staring back at Thedas.

Reader's Guide

The narrative begins during an assassination attempt on the Divine in Val Royeaux, where Corypheus reveals himself and activates the Anchor. This action shatters the barrier between worlds, creating a massive rift known as the Breach that hangs over the sky for all to see. While most leaders perish or flee, one survivor—the Inquisitor—is marked by the power of Andraste, granting them unique authority to command others. The immediate aftermath sees the world fracturing as demons pour through the rift unchecked. Traditional institutions like the Chantry and Templar Order are weakened by the loss of their leadership and the scale of the threat. The Inquisitor must rally survivors from different factions, including the Seekers and rogue mages, to form a new organization capable of addressing this global crisis. Key decisions revolve around who joins the Inquisition initially and how resources are managed during the early days of survival. The resolution of this opening arc involves securing Skyhold as a base of operations. From there, the group prepares for the long campaign required to close the Breach permanently, setting the stage for the rest of the conflict against Corypheus's forces.

Did You Know?

• The Breach hung in the sky visible from every corner of Thedas.
• Corypheus sought to use the power for immortality.
• Only the Inquisitor's Mark can seal the rift.
• The event marked the end of Divine Justinia V's reign.