Author's note: so happy that the internet line outside the house is finally fixed, sharing my giddiness with all:)


Dear Diary,

I split the group into 2 as we have some many people. I, Morrigan, Zevran, Tamlen, Ox, Shale and Cullen head to the Frostbacks and Orzammar while Alistair, Leliana, Wynne, Sten, Rory and Adela head to the area on the map near Lake Calenhad to look for Sten's sword. We agree to meet outside of Orzammar.

We finally get to Orzammar, located in the unrelenting cold of the Frostback Mountains. To say that Orzammar is a mess would be vast understatement. More like their politics are just as convoluted and discombobulated as Fereldans' are at the moment. As a noble I understand the intricacies of Dwarven Politics and thankfully any other questions are answered by Adela. It is similar to the noble game but with more killing. Instead of committing social suicide, they just kill you.

I realize quickly that I will need to pick a side and help that person take the throne to be able to get any support for the grey wardens, as the dwarves are too worried about politics to give a nug's ass about the blight on surface. So we set to gathering information about two dwarves vying for the throne.

After meeting Zerlinda and hearing her story, I plead with her to take her son to the surface. I make sure her and son eat, and give them some sovereigns to tide her over until she can find work. She asks if I wish to hold the child for a moment and I can't resist. The baby has a full belly and happily coos in my arms. It makes me smile as I hold the little dwarven tike, not that ever really thought about having children before but I do love holding them. I talk to him and he smiles and laughs. I look over and see Zevran with a real smile on his face; it strikes me that I have never seen that look on his face before.

Alistair's group makes good time meeting us within a few days of us getting to Orzammar.

We decide to make camp outside of the Dwarven city to discuss how to deal with the situations referring to Dwarven politics and what they discovered about Sten's sword.

Upon finding out that Faryn a merchant I spoke previously to may have Sten's sword I take Sten to talk to the merchant.

"Makers breathe!" Faryn startles as he sees us walk up, "I beg your pardon, friend, you uh…startled me."

"We're looking for Qunari sword," I say flatly.

"Qun… What…I'm sorry, I don't know what that…" He starts.

"Where is my sword?" Sten interrupts.

"I don't know what you mean, Ser" the man blathers.

I smile wickedly, "I'd give it to him if I were you, Faryn."

"I don't have it," pleads Faryn, "I swear on Andraste's knickers, I sold it on the way here."

"Who did you sell it to?" I ask, pulling out a dagger and cleaning my nails. A simple scare tactic and it seems to work.

"A dwarf near Redcliff," Faryn sputters, "Dwyn I think his name was."

"I know Dwyn. What would a Dwyn want with a Qunari blade?" I wonder.

"Said he was a collector," Faryn says a bit calmer, "he has the sword I promise."

"We'll see," Sten answers glaring at him.

We head back to camp.

I call everyone to the main fire as I wish to speak to all of them.

"It seems Orzammar is mess, I announce we need to decide what to do as we cannot enforce the treaty with the dwarves unless there is a King on throne. Opinions?" I ask.

Adela speaks up, "I think we should go with Harrowmont he is the honorable choice."

I admit I'm surprised at her attitude, I honestly thought she would be all about helping the casteless, but I admit Bhelen's methods are not honorable. Her sense of honor overcomes they fact that Harrowmont could give two shits about the casteless.

"But what of the casteless?" I ask playing demon's advocate.

"I know," she says sadly," but we cannot let Bhelen take the crown. He only cares for himself. I know the girl he has the child with, sweet girl, too nice for him. He killed his brother and had his sister exiled. I wouldn't be surprised if he helped the king to his deathbed or it could be the king so heartbroken it finally took a toll on him. It was well known he was loving father especially after his queen died."

I smile remembering my own family.

"Perhaps we could offer the casteless something different," Alistair says with his eyes lighting up.

We all turn to look at him.

"We need wardens and soldiers to fight the blight. How about we offer them something of a life away from Dust Town?" He says brightly.

"Not a bad idea," I grin at him, "I think Harrowmont is a close minded fool, they complain that Dwarves are dwindling in number but they refuse to even acknowledge the casteless, they could be a valuable resource."

"Well it is said the casteless were rejected by the stone itself," Adela says thoughtfully, "in dwarven tradition, so they are considered the same way surface dwarves so not much difference there. The nobles will be pissed as they haven't got the casteless to do their dirty work for them." She giggles wickedly.

Everyone looks at me and nods.

"Okay then, we are agreed," I announce, "I will take Sten, Ox, Tamlen, and Zevran with me to Redcliff. Alistair will put together who he needs for whatever tasks Harrowmont wishes us to do to get the rock licker on the throne." I grin as Adela giggles, "And the rest can see how the casteless feel about a life on the surface."


Rock licker- another name for bronto