Whispers and Shadows from the Deep Roads
Disclaimer:
Dragon Age is the intellectual property of Bioware.
Authors Notes:
Set out in a journal and series of letters. This fiction examines the events of a Dwarven Noble who sided with Bhelen and the possible effects this has on the Dwarven Kingdom.
Prologue:
Much has been written about the events of the Fifth Blight in the last decade that few could claim ignorance of the subject. There has been the well researched documents of the famed historian Brother Aldrich whose writings on the subject have been widely circulated. More recently the University of Denerim published an official account of the Fifth Blight commissioned by His Majesty King Alistair. The Official History of the Fifth Blight has provided fascinating reading for all of Ferelden and its completion represents a remarkable achievement in both research and critical analysis. The University of Denerim invested considerable time and effort into producing the three volumes, many interviews were conducted (including the King) and many primary and secondary documents examined to produce an authentic and accurate account.
Also of particular enjoyment was Teryn Fergus Cousland's excellent accounts of the war during this turbulent era. Teryn Cousland's writings provide a fascinating glimpse into the political-military situation that shook the Kingdom in the midst of the Blight, the often forgotten Civil War. It is difficult to appreciate in contemporary times just how chaotic things truly were back then. In fact many people have often voiced to me that the desperate times of the Civil War and landsmeet were worth it for delivering such beloved monarchs in King Alistair and Queen Anora.
Despite the plethora of fascinating material describing these events, there has been a distinct lack of literature regarding the Hero of Ferelden after the slaying of the Archdemon. Although much has been written about the Hero of Ferelden during the blight from sources close to him, very few could claim to know him as well as Gorim Kurdan.
Before others would refer to him as 'The Hero of Ferelden', 'The Warden' or even Paragon - Gorim knew him simply as Duran Aeducan. As a member of the warrior caste Gorim served the warden faithfully for many years as his second. He was a direct witness to the events which saw the warden exiled from the Dwarven Kingdom and banished to the Deep Roads. Although Gorim did not accompany the warden during the events of the blight, he did return to Orzammar with the warden after the blight had ended and once again took up his faithful post as second.
It is with great pleasure that I present the writings of Gorim Kurdan. Part memoir, part biography. Gorim stoically recorded his observations in his journals and dutifully kept copies of his letters during this period. Throughout this tome he writes candidly about the events immediately following the warden's return to Orzammar and provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Dwarven politics following the elevation of King Bhelen and Paragon Duran.
Although Gorim writes admiringly at times of the improved stature the Dwarves have achieved, he is always a loyalist to the warden and this is reflected consistently throughout his writings.
I hope you find this volume as enjoyable and intriguing to read as I have.
Signed Arl Teagan Guerrin
By the Grace of Andraste the Arl of Redcliffe