The Crossroads must be visited every time a new location becomes available, and it’s brimming with secrets (and danger).

BioWare has revealed extensive new footage for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, courtesy of IGN First. Game director Corinne Busch and creative director John Epler were on hand to provide more details about the Lighthouse, the player’s base, and the Crossroads, among other things. Check it out below.

The gameplay sees Rook venturing to The Cauldron with Davrin (and Assan) to rescue the griffins. To do this, they must venture through the Crossroads, a mysterious location which “reflects the waking world.” You’ll see many real-world locations reflected here, and players must traverse it when exploring a new region for the first time.

While fast travel is an option, the Crossroads is full of secrets. As a training ground and base for Solas in his campaign against the Elven Gods, there’s a lot to uncover. One location, the Grey Hold, has been constructed by the Grey Wardens and offers a reprieve. You can pick up new quests and access a merchant (who can be upgraded to unlock new wares).

During their travels through here, Darkspawn may appear, which showcases the Mage class. Compared to the Warrior and Rogue, it’s more about controlling the battlefield with magic at range. You can switch to a magical dagger for more up-close combat, with the playstyle feeling similar to the Dragon Age’s Night Enchanter. One mechanic involves applying elemental stacks to enemies and detonating them with the dagger.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard launches on October 31st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.