The Breach & Its Origins
The Breach is the cataclysmic event that sets the stage for Dragon Age: Inquisition, tearing a massive rift in the Veil between the physical world and the Fade. This event unleashes demons upon Thedas and marks the beginning of your journey as the Inquisitor, tasked with closing the breach and restoring order. Understanding its origins is crucial to grasping the game's central conflict and the stakes involved.
The Breach's appearance is directly linked to a catastrophic explosion at the Conclave, an event intended to bring peace between the mages and templars. The sole survivor of this explosion is You character, who emerges with a mysterious mark on their hand and the ability to close smaller rifts. This mark is the key to your power and your connection to the Breach.
Key aspects of The Breach and its origins:
- The Conclave: A peace summit held in the Temple of Sacred Ashes, which was destroyed by an explosion, creating the Breach.
- The Anchor: The mysterious mark on the Inquisitor's hand, which allows them to interact with and close rifts. Its true nature is a central mystery.
- Demonic Incursions: The Breach acts as a constant source of demons, threatening settlements and forcing the Inquisition to constantly battle these otherworldly threats.
- The Fade: The Breach represents a direct, uncontrolled connection to the Fade, the realm of spirits and dreams, leading to widespread chaos.
- The Herald of Andraste: You character is initially seen as a divine messenger due to their survival and ability to close rifts, rallying people to the Inquisition's cause.
Investigating the cause of the Conclave explosion and the nature of the Breach is a primary objective throughout the early game. Your actions and discoveries will shape the Inquisition's understanding of the threat and its path forward in saving Thedas from this existential crisis.