The Escape to Skyhold
The escape to Skyhold is a story-related event in Dragon Age: Inquisition. During this sequence, your primary objective is to hold out while Cullen evacuates survivors and then defeat the Behemoth boss before Corypheus arrives. Successfully obliterating Haven to escape will unlock an Achievement.
For the Trial of the Fool Achievement, reach Skyhold at Character Level 5 or less. This is highly unrecommended for a Nightmare Difficulty playthrough due to the increased challenge in the early game. Instead, save this achievement for a separate, short playthrough on the lowest difficulty, focusing solely on speed.
Upon reaching Skyhold, consider undertaking the Side Quest – A Greener Garden. This quest is found on your personal desk in your Quarters. To complete it, you need to acquire 30 Spindleweed, 30 Elfroot, 30 Blood Lotus, and 1 Logging Stand. Completing this quest allows you to upgrade your Skyhold Garden, enabling you to grow and harvest more herbs, which is crucial for the Botanist Achievement (harvesting 50 herbs).
Upgrading the Skyhold Garden:
- Cost: 30 Spindleweed, 30 Elfroot, 30 Blood Lotus, and 1 Logging Stand.
- Acquisition: All necessary herbs can be purchased from the Merchant at the Crossroads in the Hinterlands if you are short on supplies.
Skyhold offers extensive customization options. The "Collections" section of your Journal features 11 subsections for quick reference, including Skyhold Customizations. These allow you to tailor the style and function of Skyhold to your leadership. Specific customization items include:
- Nursery Seeds (18)
- Banners (22)
- Windows (7)
- Thrones (21)
- Beds (6)
- Major Upgrades (3)
- Drapes (15)
- Decor (6)
- Heraldry (14)
The main areas involved in this stage are Skyhold, Val Royeaux, and The Western Approach.