Dragon Age Abomination's Origin
Chapter 25: Orzammar, City of Politics
Disclaimer: I'm sure you are aware I don't own Dragon Age. I only have one to two original characters compared to the several hundred NPC's created by Bioware for the Dragon Age. Damn, I am behind.
Beta Reader: Albert
Last Update: 11/3/2014
Scene I
It has been three days since news that the King of Orzammar was dead spread throughout the land. The Grey Wardens and their companions' fear the city may be facing civil war, if the city was not already at war if the rumors of Orzammar politics are true. It was a dangerous thought that the Wardens pushed aside as they marched up the cold mountain properly named Frost Back Mountain.
To distract themselves from the troubles ahead and out of friendly curiosity, Alistair told the Wardens about his mother, Fiona. It was not a happy story. Fiona was a pet of a nobleman from Orlais before she killed him in self-defense with magic and it was in front of his wife. Rather than killing her in retribution, the woman took mercy on the girl and took her to the Circle of Magi in Orlais, where she became a powerful mage. A mage that later begged to be a part of the Grey Wardens to escape the Circle.
From the Wardens, she and Duncan joined the group that was sent to Ferelden where she became friends with Maric during a Warden's quest into the underground Deep Roads. The Warden Commander, Genevieve, asked Maric's help in finding her charismatic brother. Eamon knew little about the mission as no one, not even Maric or Duncan would talk about it. However, they did indicate that Fiona and Maric became close during the mission together and they produced a child, Alistair. Fiona gave the child up and requested that only when it was absolutely necessary, the child would not be told of his mother's ancestry. The tale prompted a discussion among the group.
Flashback
"She didn't want you to know about her. How awful," Leliana commented with pity.
"Is it?" Morrigan asked Leliana. "She had lived a horrible life. I doubt I would want my child to know about such a sad existence."
"Morrigan, you're going too far!" Wynne snapped.
"I think that lovely Morrigan is right," Zevran added. "In my line of work I usually get paid to kill someone, it almost always is for revenge. Mostly due to one client or another wanting a target dead for killing a close family member, or an ancestor killed their ancestor." Zevran smiled before he mused, "I wonder how much less death would happen if no one knew their ancestors."
"So says the man who doesn't know who his father is?" Alistair remarked snidely at the elf.
"And I have lived a charmed life without knowing my father," Zevran commented back with a smile.
The others entered the discussion, except for Sten and Shale. As Sten did not have an opinion because the qunari do not raise their own children, the priestesses teach qunari children discipline and prepare them for their future career. Shale, on the other hand, could not remember any of its own ancestors. So they stayed out of the discussion and surprisingly, so did Shianni and Aveline. The later seemed more interested in the road.
That was until an unsure Alistair asked Shianni, "What do you think?"
"I… I don't know," Shianni carefully answered. "Family is very important to us in the Alienage. However, it sometimes feels like being an elf is… a horrible fate. We depend on the shemlen lords... I mean human lords demeanor. Most of the time, they don't care what we do and we are able to live out our lives quietly, if not happily. However, when our human lords are just plain cruel, like the former Arl of Denerim, they can make our life terrible if they wish too. I have even heard that in some places, like Orlais, those elves are treated much worse than we were. They are treated like cattle. So I can see your mother wanting you to have a better life."
"Just remember little one," Aveline stated as she spoke for the first time. "No matter how bad your life seems, there is always someone who has had it worse."
"Who can be treated worse than the defeated elves?" Morrigan asked with curiosity.
Aveline moved her head to the side before she answered Morrigan, "Certain citizens of the state were we are going to."
"Who?" Shianni asked.
"Maybe you'll see them from afar. We just hope you don't. For they live a sadder existence in the name of justice," Aveline said in a voice of knowledge, but her eyes held the look of sadness.
End Flashback
Aveline had kept quiet on their journey up until they reached the Frost Back Mountains. Outside of the city gates were a huge number of merchants trying to sell what remained of their goods with fear in their hearts. Their supplies had been dwindling fast since Orzammar had shut down all access to and from the city with no word on how long they would have to wait before commerce restarted. This made the topsider dwarves desperately worried since they could not feed themselves if they could not make a profit. To get money, they needed to sell goods to outsiders. The situation left them bitter, as they were prohibited from picking the king since they 'lost their stones' for being topside too long. What made it worse was the fact the city depended on them, yet ostracized them. It was not a happy scene for the dwarves of Orzammar.
As the group marched up the stairs, they heard an argument between the guards of Orzammar and a messenger from Loghain. The messenger demanded to be let in the city, but the head guard would not even allow the man to think it was possible.
"Veata!" the guard snarled. "This land is held in trust for the sovereign kings. I cannot allow entry at this time."
"Teyrn Loghain demands the allegiance of the deshyr, or lords, or whatever you call them in your Assembly! I am his appointed messenger," the messenger yelled.
"He's soon to be dead messenger if he keeps this up," Zevran quietly joked in the background.
"I don't care if you're the king's wiper. Orzammar will have none but its own until our throne is settled," the guard explained while gripping his blade.
At that moment Aveline saved the messenger with her question, "Why have your people retreated like this?"
"They hide because their dwarves," the foolish messenger answered.
"I would challenge any race to fare as well," the guard snarled, bringing the messenger closer to death before turning towards the Wardens. "Our king is dead. Endrin Aeducan returned to the Stone not three weeks ago. The Assembly has gone through a dozen votes without agreeing on a successor. If it is not settled soon, we risk a civil war."
"A Blight is coming," Alistair explained. "They must unite for not only Ferelden, but the rest of Thedas as well."
"Wait, who are you to speak for Ferelden?" the messenger asked in anger. "You're no messenger to Loghain, that's for certain."
"Thank the ancestors," the guard praised.
Aveline decided to go in for the kill as she held up some papers, "The Grey Wardens needs their traditional dwarven allies."
Aveline handed the guard the treaties for him to inspect while the messenger growled, "The Wardens are dead! You are an imposter and your papers are forgeries."
"You're calling us an imposter!" Aveline snarled, while manna swirled around her, making the messenger and his men backup.
Fear gripped them all when one of the messenger's guards, an apostate mage, pointed out the woman was Aveline, the Black Demon. The messenger's group trembled as Aveline decided to chase them off, "Run little ones, run as fast as you can."
The messenger and his men only nodded as they ran away, presumably all the way to Loghain. The head dwarf guard actual smiled as he saw today's annoyance disappear out of sight, "Thanks for getting rid of that fool. I was about to kill him myself if he continued to annoy me." The dwarf laughed before he got serious as he looked over the treaty one more time. "Well, this is indeed the royal seal. That means only the Assembly is authorized to address it. Grey Wardens, you and your companions may pass."
"We also have two merchants who were exiled from Orzammar and are under the protection of the Wardens," Aveline explained, much to the happiness of Bodahn and Sandal for being able to come home.
"That is no problem, you are all free to enter Orzammar," the guard answered while his men opened the gates. As the gates opened, the head guard gave the group his final words, "Good luck Grey Wardens, but I don't know what help you will find inside these walls."
Scene II
Beyond the gates of Orzammar, and before the city itself, was the Hall of Heroes dedicated to the Paragons. Paragons, also known as 'living ancestors,' are dwarves so prominent that they are considered ancestors residing among the living. To be considered a Paragon was a big deal as the dwarves worshiped both their ancestors and the stone (lyrium). That included the newest Paragons and the only living Paragon, Branka. She had achieved greatness by inventing a type of coal that did not produce black smoke, along with many other marvels as a smith. To many, she is a living paragon, though it is debatable as to if she is still living, or she had joined the 'true ancestors' since she disappeared in the Deep Roads some two years ago.
After seeing the Hall of Heroes, the group entered into one of the City's districts, the Orzammar Commons. It was a huge cavern filled with homes carved into its walls while surrounded by numerous statues. It bustled with merchants from all over Orzammar, hawking their wares to dwarves from every cast that were wandering around the commons. The merchants were setting just right to be around bustling crowds as even nobles flocked to several different attractions.
Especially the true, main attractions, a large tavern called Tapster's Tavern, located on the left side of the cavern, and an arena, north of the entrance. The arena known as the Proving Grounds was a large structure the size of a coliseum, accessible only by a large, tall bridge that stood over a river of lava that gave the whole scene an orange, warm glow. It was a wondrous sight. As the travelers became accustomed to the sight, the vastness of it all presented them with a question, where had they put all the rock that had been removed to build such a structure (?).
However, that question was put on hold, as the Wardens approached two groups of dwarf nobles facing each other. Both showed a great amount of hostility to each other, while they were flanked with guards wearing different types of armor. To the right were guards in green and black armor led by an elderly man, who moved and acted like pampered nobility. A nobleman whose demeanor matched his fair skin, fancy, noblemen clothing and his long curly long beard that was properly groomed by a servant. In front of him was a young dwarf flanked by heavily armored soldiers in white armor. He had blue eyes filled with fire, bronzed skin, wild short hair, a short beard with a long braided mustache, and bulging muscles. The younger man was a man of action, and a warrior who wished to prove himself even if it goes against tradition.
As the air of tension rose, the elderly man appeared oblivious as he spoke down to the young man, "It is the Assembly who makes a king, and a king nominates his successor. None of it is carried in the blood."
The young man talked back as he accused the old man of treason, "Or as of now, when someone tries to use the Assembly to pull a coup. Who is to say what my father said in his final hours. When only the usurper Harrowmont was at his side."
The old noble, Harrowmont, did not take the young man's comment kindly, "I'll have you thrown in jail."
"You have bitten off more than you can chew," the young man snapped back.
One of Harrowmont's paid guards stepped up to demand action, "Handlers! Separate these deshyrs and take them to the Diamond Quarters. I will not have Bhelen incite a riot."
One of Bhelen's men did not take the fact that the guard accused Bhelen of starting trouble when he stepped up to snarl, "You don't speak that way to the man who should be king."
Bhelen's man pulled out his mace and in a flash, he had knocked the guard's legs from under him at bone breaking speeds. The stricken guard fell to the ground as the heavily armed dwarf raised his mace up and brought it down. The guard's head was crushed like a melon, as it became a bloody smear on the dusty stone floor. In the background, many of the spectators screamed and ran away as the nobles stared at each other. That was until Harrowmont and his remaining guards followed the screaming masses after he had hesitantly backed off. As Harrowmont fled, Bhelen and his men stood proud before they slowly walked away as well.
"That was… brutal," Shianni stammered as Alistair nodded with her.
"Well, I guess it is true what they say about dwarven politics," Eleanor said with a straight face.
"Seeing is certainly believing," Leliana added.
"This reminds me of Antiva, except we solve things with assassins, not in the open," Zevran commented.
"Looks like our job just got harder," Aveline stated with a grim face.
Scene III
The situation in Orzammar was in a desperate state that was deteriorating within every passing day. Apparently, the Assembly votes on the next king were split between two individuals, Lord Harrowmont and Prince Bhelen. The conflict started with the deaths of Bhelen's elder brothers while the other was exiled after he was charged with his brother's death. At least that is what appeared to have happened.
Some of the citizens' believed that Bhelen was the one that had killed his brother and implicated the other, though there was no proof. What added to the intrigue was the fact that King Endrin spoke with Harrowmont, alone, on his deathbed, before he died of heartbreak for losing two of his sons. According to Harrowmont, the late king told him to prevent his youngest from becoming king for he did not trust him to be a good king. Of course, the only way to do that was to be elected king himself, very convenient for him. The group was convinced that it was a power play by both men.
The two men in question were in most respects as different as night and day, yet oddly the same. Lord Harrowmont was a distinguish general that had served most of his life in the Assembly, appealing to the many nobles and insuring they were treated well. He was a typical noble, possibly too typical. He spent much of his time appeasing the nobles instead of doing what needs to be done for all of Orzammar's residents. He was also a traditionalist, who would never envision change when it comes to dwarven religion/caste system, even if Orzammar was burning or being overwhelmed by the darkspawn. However, it can be said he would keep the nobles in line, even if it's get nothing done in the end.
Bhelen however, was a future tyrant in the making. He was young, brash, and willing to do anything needed for what he believed was right, including murder. However, he also deeply cared for Orzammar, and he treated all its citizens with equal respect. He seemed to believe everyone was important or unimportant, even if they were from the noble, warrior, smith, artisan, miner, merchant, or servant castes. He showed kindness to the lowest members of the city, surface dwarves and the casteless criminals. In fact, he had loved a casteless dwarf and apparently fathered a son with her. He was also a very firm believer in increasing trade with the surface, and increasing the military strength of Orzammar, even if it meant recruiting from the casteless residents.
Unfortunately, to the common people of Orzammar and the nobles, it did not matter who ruled, as both men were the same in many ways. Neither was a Paragon or distinguishable from each other in the traits that would truly make Orzammar a better place. In addition, both men were willing to lie, steal, and kill for the seat of power in Orzammar. So the Assembly was in a stale mate, unsure who to throw their vote to, or at least the majority was unsure. It would take something quite drastic to change the status quo.
After finding everything they needed to know, the Wardens walked across the Commons into the Diamond Quarters. The Diamond Quarters held tall, beautifully crafted building that belonged to the nobles and warriors of Orzammar. It also housed the Shaperates, a place where scholars recorded the entire history of Orzammar. History that included the genealogy of the dwarven people, and all the major/minor events that had taken place over the years. That also included current events that were carved into stone tablets and large leather-bound books.
It also was where the Assembly of Clans met as they tear Orzammar apart from the inside. At least it seemed that way to outsiders, though they were no different from most politicians. The Warden group had walked into an interesting meeting, where two men were at each other's throats while the Steward of the Orzammar's Assembly watched over them.
"Your mind has gone to dust if you think we would pass such a writ. Half of our houses would go broke without the surface trade," the first deshyr grumbled.
"The proposal is only effective until we have a king to ensure we are respected by the surfacers!" the second deshyr argued.
"Leaving you conveniently positioned to take over all contracts." The man accused before he banged his fist in his hand. "I'll see your head on a pike, first!"
It was then that an elderly man, with a long, curly beard, spoke up from the center of the room, "Lords and ladies of the Assembly: I've already doubled the guards to prevent such violence. Must I summon more?"
However, the argument fell on deaf ears as the first deshyr addressed the elderly dwarf, "Steward Bandelor, Bhelen's Sympathizers are tying our hands with trivialities! They may as well open us to a take-over from the sky!"
It was then a female deshyr spoke up, "I suggest we put the matter to a vote."
The female deshyr proposal seemed to anger the second deshyr as he started to yell, "And I suggest you have a taste of my family's mace!"
It was then that Bandelor raised his voice to stop the next yelling match, "Enough! The Assembly is in recess until the members can regain control of their emotions!"
The crowd soon calmed down as Bandelor climbed up the stairs while grumbling, "Stone-forsaken fools and dusters…" He continued to grumbled, until he reached the top, he saw the group observing the meeting. Thinking they were here to meet with the Assembly members directly, he bowed before saying, "I'm sorry. This is the Assembly of the Clans. Only deshyrs and occasional guests of the state are allowed in."
"Don't mind us, we were just observing," Aveline explained before the steward realized whom his guests were.
"Oh Stone!" Steward Bandelor cursed, "You must be the Grey Wardens. I completely forgot about the gate guard's message." Bandelor then let out a nervous cough before he welcomed the group, "Welcome to Orzammar, Wardens. I hope you can forgive our unrest. The loss of our king has hit us hard. You would have received great respect. However, you won't receive a proper welcoming until we have a king on the throne."
"But a Blight is coming!" Shianni yelled. "Surely that must be some concern."
Bandelor nodded sadly as he stated, "Troubling, but it will seem distant compared to the empty throne. The Assembly is blind to all else."
Aveline frowned at the news as well as the fact she knew that some of the commoners and merchants were happy the Blight was happening. It gave the dwarves a reprieve from fighting the darkspawn that also lived down here with them in between blights. After all, why worry about a Blight that attacked the surface when they can use it to their advantage. It allows them time to rebuild their defense in the Deep Road without constantly being attacked by the darkspawn. However, they seemed to forget that the gates on the surface were easier for the darkspawn to launch an invasion on the dwarves, instead of the fortified Deep Roads. Plus, a large number of goods come from the surface, like a large quantity of food they could not grow down here. So if Ferelden falls, Orzammar will find themselves in even more difficult times.
So the Grey Wardens needed to convince the dwarves to fight on the surface, for their own sake as well as the world's. Outside the armies of Ferelden and Orlais, Orzammar had the largest army within the region. Also, Orzammar's warriors had the most experience when facing darkspawn since they had constantly fought them in the deep dark tunnels of the Deep Roads. It could be the point that the Grey Wardens may not be able to win without them and they needed to do whatever it took to get them on their side.
"So who has the authority to aid us?" Aveline asked.
"I must admit Warden, I am at a loss myself," Bandelor shrugged. "It lies with Prince Bhelen or Lord Harrowmont, and they are slow to trust anyone in these uncertain times."
"Well, how can we meet them my friend?" Zevran asked the Stewart.
"Well, Bhelen's second, Vartag, is often found here in the assembly hall; while Harrowmont's second, Dulin, is found in Lord Harrowmont's estate or the tavern, Tapster."
"Thank you for the information, we will be going now," Aveline told the man.
Bandelor nodded, "Take care Wardens. I only wish there was more I could do for you."
Scene IV
It did not take long to find Vartag and Dulin. The younger dwarf, Vartag, was in the hall outside the Assembly doors. Vartag looked like a common thug with uneven horse-shaped teeth, smoothed face and crew-cut hair. Yet, he moved and wore clothing that belongs to a noble warrior, and he spoke with a clear ring of intelligence, making him more dangerous than any warrior. He was obviously the mussel and cunning within Bhelen's forces as he was as slippery as he was strong. The older dwarf, Dulin, who was waiting outside for the Grey Wardens, was very different from Vartag. Dulin walked like a born and bred nobleman. He was adorned in golden armor and weapons that reflected the image of his long, brownish-grey thick beard and hair.
Now both men wanted their side to have the Grey Warden's support. The Order's built up respect could turn the tide, get the majority of the Assembly on their side, and make their boss king. Unfortunately, both were not willing to have the Wardens meet their leaders, as there had been attempts on both of their lives. Both lieutenants proposed a simple task to test the Grey Warden's resolved.
For Vartag, he 'conveniently' got his hands on a copy of a deal for the Dace and Helmi families, which showed that Harrowmont promised the same land to both of them. When asked why no one reported it, Vartag explained that the shaperates who logged it in to the hall was biased, as he was the distant cousin to Harrowmont. After his explanation, Vartag handed the group the scripts of the deal to show to Lord Helmi and Lady Dace. The Wardens were to show them the deal and ask them to terminate their claim and throw their allegiance to Bhelen.
Now Dulin's task was about the rigged fights that were taking place in the proving grounds that honored King Endrin. Two fighters out of nine dropped out, leaving Bhelen's men to take the win for the day. Now, while he might like his fighters to return to the proving grounds to resume their fight, Dulin also knew that the two fighters would not stand a chance against most of Bhelen's supporters. However, the famed Grey Wardens could. So, he wanted the Wardens to fight in the name of Harrowmont.
Aveline told both of them that they would think about it. They made their way to the Shaperates to have a private conversation among the stacks of stones tablets and books used to preserve the records of Orzammar. Their conversation quickly reached the point of just who did they think they should support.
"I really think we should support Harrowmont," Alistair explained. "He seems to be the more honorable of the two."
"Yet he is also weaker, as he can only get two fighters to fight for him," Morrigan pointed out. "I think Bhelen is a better choice against the Blight."
"I have to agree with the temptress," Zevran nodded. "We need someone that seems to have more respect within the military of Orzammar. The very armies needed to fight the Blight after all."
"But what about the long term needs of Orzammar?" Wynne asked. "It is not a simple temporary solution. It has long-term implications. We could very well put a man in power that will destroy Orzammar over time; can we in all conscience put a tyrant in command?"
"I would normally agree with you Wynne," Eleanor spoke to the old mage. "However, a gentle hand can cause even more harm than a tyrant. A king has to be firmed. Some nobles will not care how much destruction they cause, only how much power they can gather. Bhelen seems to care about all of Orzammar's residents while Harrowmont only cares about the power he gets from the nobility. He may be a better choice in the short and long run as well."
The group looked at Eleanor with shock at her words against her own kind when Eleanor asked, "What? I've seen what happens if nobles that have too much power. When Orlais conquered Ferelden, the Orlesian and traitorous Ferelden Nobles ran amok. And well… those times were bad for everyone, commoner and Ferelden nobleman alike. It took a King that gained the respect of the army to win the day."
"That maybe so, but will Bhelen make a good king while being a tyrant? I have heard and sang many tales were tyrants would do so much harm that they had to be killed by their own people in rebellion." Leliana stated before turning to Shianni, Sten, Shale, and the two merchants to ask, "What do you think?"
"My opinion matters little. Either of the two will do to complete our objectives," Sten answered in a monotone voice.
"Well, I had personal dealings with both and can tell you that both honor any agreement they make, especially Bhelen. He often talked how he would make it his life mission to drive off the darkspawn to reclaim a lot of territory they had lost to them," Bodahn remembered before Samuel made his simple comment.
"Both like my enchantments. Though, the mean prince appreciated them more then the nobleman."
"That they do my boy," Bodahn nodded at Samuel's observations.
Shale spoke in disgust, "They are all weak, soft things that are going to die eventually. They are barely even worth our time," Shale added as it looked at the dwarves as they showed great interest in it. While Shale liked to be admired, it did not want to be looked at as if it should belong to them. Especially for people it considered weak.
"I don't really know," Shianni admitted. "While my people may suffer under a tyrant, it can be just as bad for them when a king tries to appease the nobles. However, I am more inclined to help Harrowmont as he seems to be the lesser of the two evils."
They were nodding until they noticed that Aveline hadn't said anything. She had been reading some script to see how accurate they were, and she had not commented on the discussion. "Um, Aveline?" Leliana spoke up.
Aveline realized she was lost in the dwarf history as she brought her attention back to the present. She looked a bit embarrassed as she put the book back on the shelf, "Sorry, we've got lost on the road of past lives. Did you need or say something?"
"We were wondering what you think on who should be king," Shianni explained. "We were wondering who you think who should be the ruler."
"Bhelen," Aveline stated without a second thought.
"What?" Shianni asked in shock.
"We may dislike most tyrants, but that is because they don't usually care for their people," Aveline explained. "After all, most of the time, a tyrant is not needed in a seat of power. However, sometimes a tyrant is needed to better control people in power, instead of someone who will appease them and in the end get nowhere." Aveline then shrugged, "Plus, it may take a tyrant to fix a broken tradition."
"Broken tradition? What do you mean?" Wynne asked in confusion.
"We don't consider a tradition that makes people suffer to be a good tradition. We consider it to be a broken tradition that needs to be mended, if not discarded," Aveline explained.
"You mean the surface dwarves?" Shianni asked.
"No, a group within this society that is treated far worse than all the castes put together," Aveline stated in a wise voice. "However, explaining will not be as easy as showing it. So follow us."
The group followed Aveline as she led the group through the Diamond Quarters. Many wondered where they were going but would soon be distracted. Before they exited the fancy and expensive district, they saw a heavily armed dwarf being screamed at by a red-haired dwarf in heavy armor. A dwarf who was unarmed as he yelled on about Branka being gone for two years and the fact that no one was doing anything about it. His long, braided, red mustache trembled in anger as he was told that the Paragon Branka and more importantly, his own wife were probably dead; and they would not risk sending men on a suicide mission to save her. That they would not save a woman who had taken her whole household in to the Deep Roads, leaving only her red-haired husband, Oghren, behind.
Oghren considered killing the heavily armed dwarf as he took a threatening stance. Both knew he probably could, despite being unarmed. However, the dwarf was not scared. Less than a year ago, Oghren had killed a lord's son in a fight in the Proving over his wife's death. Something frowned on, as well as the fact it was against the rules. So, if Oghren ever resorted to violence again, or if he carried a weapon in the city, he would be stripped of his caste and exiled from Orzammar, if not executed. The dwarf then told Oghren to just go to Tapsters and drown his sorrows. Oghren crunched his fist as he walked away.
It was interesting sight that Aveline felt important, that it would play an important role later. So she stored this event into her memory before they continued into the Commoners Quarters. Then they went across the district to a dusty road that Bodahn recognized.
"We're going to Dust Town, aren't we?" Bodahn asked Aveline.
"We are in fact already there." Aveline answered while pointing at a piece of stone that had the eroded name of the town chiseled on it.
This place called Dust Town was a town of dust that seemingly covered everything, including the filth that these people lived in. Dust from the crumbling slabs of stones they use to build their houses. The small dirt roads were filled with citizens that begged or scavenged for food among the garbage. The group was horrified by the sight.
Well, most of the group, as Shale asked, "Are we here to kill them all? For sport?"
Pretending not to hear what Shale said, the others stared at the place in horror while some of the citizens tried to sneak up on the group. Unfortunately for them, Aveline sensed them and used Cone of Cold to freeze the three closest to them. It was just before Aveline followed up with three Stone Fists that shattered the dwarfs' icy prisons, killing them instantly. The group turned to see three more dwarves in rusty, centuries' old armor, and weapons approach them. Leliana and Eleanor fired an arrow each shattering two of the dwarfs' helmet as they fell dead to the ground. The last one was killed swiftly as Alistair and Sten slashed at the man to make the dwarf jump back, before Shale punched him and removed the man's head clean off of his body.
With the last thug killed, the Warden's group looked up to see that most of the citizens were not even concerned about the fact they killed six men. To the citizens of the small town, it was a common sight for thugs, such as the dead dwarves, to appear out of nowhere, mug people in broad daylight. It also seemed that more often than not, people die in said attempt, and a number of times it was the thugs themselves killed.
It was unsettling thought as Alistair was to first to ask, "Where are we?"
"We are in Dust Town, where the casteless dwarves are forced to live," Aveline answered Alistair.
"Casteless dwarves?" Shianni asked Aveline but Bodahn had decided to answer Shianni's question instead.
"Well young lass, you see the casteless dwarfs are dwarfs who commit a crime that would result in far more than just a few months of jail time but not enough to cause them to be executed. They are… um… branded, similar to how you Ferelden brand cattle. The branding is used to signify that they are casteless, dwarves exiled out of Orzammar to die."
"You mean they are all criminals?" Eleanor asked in shock at the prospect of a large population of several hundred had committed a crime to be exiled here. It seemed like that a tenth of Orzammar's population were in Dust Town.
"Well… um… not at first," Bodahn answered Eleanor nervously. "You see lass; children are considered the same caste as their same sex parent. So if a child is the same gender as the casteless…" Bodahn tailed off for the group to make their own conclusion.
"They would go so far as to brand the children as criminals?" Leliana asked in shock.
"Not just the children," Aveline stated, "but several generations of dwarves."
The group could not believe it when Bodahn nodded his head in agreement, "In the eyes of the Orzammar and its people they should never have been born. That is a real shame, as they have to turn to crime to survive in a society that didn't want anything to do with them. I mean your prisoners are put to work and fed. These people aren't so lucky. In fact, there are only a few people that will give them a proper paying job."
Aveline nodded, as she remembered Bodahn telling her about how he had bought some merchandise from a casteless dwarf. For years, it made him popular as it came from the lost thaigs (colonies) of their empire until a noblewoman made him close shop and arrested him. Apparently, the dwarf had stolen it from the noblewoman's dead son and his mother recognized it. Bodahn barely escaped Orzammar with his life by bribing the guards to let him go before he took Sandal and some of his goods out of Orzammar. He later met with the Grey Wardens after he reestablished his trade.
"I like Ferelden better," Sandal stated in his child like voice.
Bodahn then chuckled, "Yes, I suppose you would like Ferelden more as it citizens keep you busy with your abilities and treat you well for your skills."
"Enchantment!" Sandal answered with enthusiasm.
Morrigan looked at the sight with disgust as she looked at the poor. "Why don't they rise up against their oppressors?"
"Kind of hard to rise up with crappy weapons like these, my feisty temptresses," Zevran pointed to the rusted weapons the thugs probably found in the trash. "You try to fight a war with nothing to fight it with."
It was sad thought as the group explored the small teams to explore Dust Town. It became obvious the deeper they went the more depressing it became. Though there were a few highlights. Zevran found an illegal shop that sold all kinds of poisons, while Leliana used money given to her by Aveline to pay for a nug that she would name Schmooples. Pig/bunny creatures that the dwarves commonly ate would make a fine gift for the girl and she rewarded Aveline with a kiss.
There was some happiness, but like everything in Dust Town, things go back to depression when Alistair and Shianni met a mother who was exiled by her family for not leaving her casteless son in the Deep Road to die. Alistair sympathized with her plight as he remembered his own past where adults had shunned him and generally made his life miserable. He told the mother his story and convinced her that she should go to the surface to find a better life. Shianni smiled at Alistair as he gave some silver to the mother help her get started on a new life.
Once the group made their way out of Dust Town, Aveline asked with a bit of smugness, "Now, do you see what we mean when we said that they have a broken tradition."
Eleanor stared at Aveline before she asked, "Do you really think that Bhelen would change these people lives for the better."
Aveline smiled before asking, "Tell us, what we know of Bhelen's military plans."
The group recited that he wanted to take and hold the thaigs, which would take an army large enough to destroy the darkspawn and discourage any possibly traitors. After Bodahn made the finale comment, Aveline asked, "Now with that in mind, where is he going to get the troops to create this army? Especially, when you consider he has to work with a caste system."
It was then that Leliana realized what Aveline was indicating, "He would use the casteless to build up his numbers."
"That along with mercenaries hired with money he would earn as he increased trade outside Orzammar. All this will also help their economy as they become more militaristic. It is also likely that he will make reforms like teaching the children, improving the medical facilities and other reforms to keep the troops and their families happy and fighting." Aveline explained.
"How do you know that will make him do all these?" Alistair asked seriously.
"Why wouldn't he when it would benefit him?" Aveline asked rhetorically. "Most casteless won't risk their lives for nothing, so Bhelen will pay those who join with army wages. Give them a chance to live outside their current occupation as common criminals."
"Plus, the soldiers are unlikely to fight if they are starving or worried that their families are dying, so he must be concerned about their welfare," Wynne spoke in revelation. "He would make this place more livable and give them more freedom so they have a better reason to fight."
"And he would spend more outside of Dust Town by creating programs that benefit Orzammar as a whole. To make it seem that he wasn't wasting resources on criminals and they got benefit due to oversight or luck," Eleanor added.
"And the only ones that will really complain are the nobles and most traditional warriors. The rest would probably agree to have the castles help to fight the darkspawn and keep the darkspawn away," Bodahn added with a smile.
"That is why we think we should support Bhelen, as while he is not be the lesser of two evils, he probably would do more good for the average citizen then harm," Aveline added. "At least we hope for it seems like the other option is to allow a man who only cares about a small percentage of the people, who has the potential to cause more harm than good if the Assembly gains too much power."
The group mulled it over and agreed that they should support Bhelen. Not realizing they are allowing Orzammar greatest reformist and tyrant to come to power. Their decision will affect dwarves for centuries to come.
Sorry for the delay, but school has been getting very busy. I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review to tell me what you think. I'll be working on Elemental Star for the next update.
Author Note
1) The mission involves the Architect; I won't mention anything else as it would spoil the books.
2) You know, out of two decimated groups in the game, I felt that the casteless dwarves had it worst off then city elves. Unlike the elves, the casteless cannot find work or even leave to forge for food. They are left to rot, as opposed to a people who can never obtain middle class but wouldn't starve to death either and can leave if they wanted to.
3) The conversation is my own argument with myself on who to support. I played both sides and saw Bhelen as a happier ending, believe it or not. Happier mainly to those that don't like or care about nobles and ancient traditions.
4) I thought Shale was gay first when it talked on about Sten and Sten appreciated Shale a lot. Maybe it was a good thing Shale is a girl and would be happy to conform to the Qun.
5) As Qyzen says in Star Wars of the Old Republic, sometimes violence is the only answer. It is also appears to be true that for people who will not accept change for the better, the only way to improve society is to crush them.
Spoiler: Epilogue, if you have the golems, it reveals that Harrowmont is a tyrant to anyone that isn't a nobleman while Bhelen treated everyone well unless they tried to stab him in the back.
6) Yeah, the end was a jab to the US Congress being more powerful then the President causing more troubles since there are too many senators and it is too split to make a decision.