Avvar Tribes

Guardians of the Frostback Basin and devotees of Hakkon Wintersbreath.

The Jaws of Hakkon expansion drops players into the Frostback Basin, an overgrown wilderness where the Avvar drive the narrative. This fractured region hosts distinct tribes: the welcoming Stone-Bear Hold and the hostile Jaws of Hakkon cultists. These groups reflect a deep societal rift; some Avvar hold peace with the Inquisition while others fanatically worship their war god, Hakkon Wintersbreath. The plot sends the Inquisitor across this terrain to hunt down ancient secrets and solve the disappearance of Ameridan, who vanished here roughly 800 years ago.

Quick Facts

Location: Frostback Basin
Leader (inquisition era): Svarah Sun-Hair (Stone-Bear Hold)

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.

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.