Aerthill

Aerthill is a fictional city featured in the *Dragon Age* video game series, developed by BioWare. It serves as the primary setting for the events of *Dragon Age: Origins*, the first installment in the franchise. The city is set in the fictional world of Thedas, a medieval-inspired realm where magic, ancient threats, and political intrigue play central roles in its history.

Located in the southern part of the continent of Ferelden, Aerthill is a bustling port city nestled along the coast of the Red Sea. Its strategic position makes it a vital hub for trade, commerce, and military defense. The city is governed by a council of merchants and nobles, with the Temple of the Duality—a religious institution—holding significant influence. Aerthill’s economy thrives on fishing, shipbuilding, and the export of goods, including the prized Red Sea salt, which is essential for preserving food.

The city’s architecture blends practicality with aesthetic appeal, featuring stone buildings, wooden docks, and narrow streets that reflect its maritime heritage. Aerthill is also home to a diverse population, including humans, elves, and other races, though tensions occasionally arise due to historical conflicts and societal prejudices. The city’s most notable landmark is the Temple of the Duality, which houses the sacred relics of the ancient gods and serves as a focal point for religious and political gatherings.

Aerthill plays a crucial role in the game’s narrative, particularly in the early stages of the player’s journey. The city is introduced as a relatively peaceful but politically charged environment, where the player character—a Warden—is recruited to investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to the resurgence of darkspawn, an ancient evil. The events unfolding in Aerthill set the stage for the broader conflict between the Chosen of the Old Gods and the forces of light, driving the story forward.

While Aerthill is not as expansive as other major cities in *Dragon Age*, such as Kirkwall or Denerim, it serves as an essential backdrop for character development, world-building, and the unfolding of the game’s central themes. Its portrayal highlights the interplay between faith, power, and survival in a world constantly threatened by supernatural forces.