What Pride Had Wrought is one of the pivotal main story missions in Dragon Age: Inquisition, steering the narrative toward its dramatic climax. Unlocked at the War Table after completing both Here Lies the Abyss and Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, this quest takes the Inquisitor deep into the Arbor Wilds. Navigating this major operation requires balancing military strategy with ancient environmental puzzles and narrative-defining choices.
Preparing for the Arbor Wilds Campaign
Before launching the mission from the War Table, ensure your party setup and equipment are thoroughly optimized. The battles ahead feature dense waves of red lyrium-corrupted enemies, requiring strong area-of-effect damage and defensive barriers. Bringing companions like Solas or Morrigan provides rich narrative context due to their deep connections to ancient elven history.
As the Inquisition forces march through the jungle, you will encounter skirmishes alongside allied troops. Pushing through the wilderness leads directly to the gates of the ancient Temple of Mythal. Proper health management during these preliminary fights ensures your team enters the temple complex fully prepared.
Navigating the Temple of Mythal Ritual Puzzles
Upon reaching the Temple of Mythal, players are presented with a tactical choice regarding how to proceed. You can either complete the sacred floor-tile rituals to gain the favor of the ancient Sentinel guardians or jump straight down into the abyss to pursue the enemy. Completing the rituals requires stepping on all pressure plates without crossing your own path.
Solving these ritual tile puzzles earns the respect of Abelas and the Sentinels guarding the sanctuary. Forming an alliance with the Sentinels allows you to bypass additional combat encounters inside the temple. However, choosing to drop directly into the crypts triggers extra fights against defensive guardians and enemy forces.
Confronting Samson or Calpernia
Deep within the temple grounds, the Inquisitor confronts Corypheus's primary lieutenant. Depending on your earlier choices in the campaign, you will battle either Samson or Calpernia. Disarming or defeating this key antagonist weakens Corypheus's army significantly before the final showdown.
This confrontation tests your party's combat efficiency, as the boss utilizes heavy physical attacks and magic support. Focus on controlling the battlefield by isolating the boss from supporting minions. Once the lieutenant falls, the path to the Well of Sorrows opens up.
The Well of Sorrows Decision and Aftermath
The quest culminates at the Well of Sorrows, where a critical decision must be made regarding who drinks its ancient waters. The choice lies between the Inquisitor and Morrigan, both of whom seek the vast accumulated knowledge stored within. However, drinking from the Well binds the individual to the will of the elven goddess Mythal forever.
Allowing Morrigan to drink grants her vital powers while protecting the Inquisitor from ancient spiritual servitude. Conversely, taking the power yourself provides immediate operational advantages while altering late-game interactions. Whichever option you select, the decision permanently impacts the concluding chapters of the campaign.
