Early on we explored the idea that seasons would effect traversal. If you came to Ventus in the winter, the sea would be frozen over, or in the fall the water receded, granting access to new areas.
Ventus' magic bridge. Qunari don't trust it, so they're building a physical bridge below.
The city of Ventus. We pictured it as the vacation destination for Tevinter, when the oppression of the big city becomes overwhelming. It's under Qunari occupation.