Carta- The Dwarven criminal organization, known for being the only group in Orzammar to employ Casteless: A class of dwarves that society sees as criminals or descendants of such criminals. They are identify by a branded tattoo of a chain and can only live in the poorest section of the city: Dust Town. The crimes of these criminals include smuggling lyrium and weapons with a racket in Dust Town on beggars and noble hunters. One of these gangsters is Neville Brosca, a Casteless man that has dreams of being part of the Smith Caste and inventing for a living.
(Dust Town, Orzammar)
"Please I'll pay just give me 3 days." A peddler begging to 2 Carta thugs demanding payment, both of them wearing Duster Leather armor. Neither of them are believing him. "Oh please you idiot! You said that a week ago. We ain't buying that anymore, the boss wants his payment now." The man threatens as he pulls a dagger but his partner holds him back.
"Leske wait. We can do this without giving the boss a corpse instead of money." He looks at the guy and holds out his hand. "Come on, just give us the money. You know what happens if you don't." The peddler looks down and pulls out a small bag of silvers from his pocket and hands it to the more reasonable man. "Thank you and have a nice day." The 2 leave the shopper to check on their boss Beraht who is inside Brosca family's house in the ghetto. "Can't believe he's inside your house Neville." His buddy whispers as they enter the house, which the casteless can't help but agree. Both of them are force to become part of the Carta as they both have no choice due to their caste. They have been part of the group for as long they can remember, force to endure abuse from their boss: Beraht.
"Well well you dumbasses finally show up." The Carta boss sneers at the duo. "Come on boss, we got the money like we said we would." Leske comments as he tosses the pouch to him which he catches.
"You better not of taking any from the pouch, I would know." Beraht said as he begins counting. "I promise sir, we took all money the peddler gave us." Neville tries to calm his boss.
Neville's sister Rica walks in after hearing her brother talk. "There you are Rica! You better have seduce that noble you are seeing." Beraht yells at her which causes her brother to defend her. "Boss please, I assure you that she will complete her task."
*SMACK* He is backsmack for his action. "You will speak when I talk to you trash. Speak Rica." The Carta boss demeans the Brosca siblings as he sees the Castless family as worthless like the other castes while he is part of the Smith caste.
"I have been talking to my noble. We will soon try for a child." Rica reports as Beraht grabs her by the jaw and examines her like livestock. Neville is about to defend his sister but Leske grabs him by the shoulder and shook his head. "You know the plan right?"
"Yes Beraht, once I am pregnant my family will join my husband's house. We will say you are a long distant uncle and you will live with us." Rica explains to her boss who smiles.
"That is right. I have own you for your entire lives and you will make sure I live the noble life. Understand?"
"Yes Ser." Rica weakly bows to him. He is about to leave but gives his 2 thugs orders first: "You both have a mission. Get it down today." He gives them a roll of paper, a vial of drugs and leaves the house. Their mission is to go to the Proving grounds and make sure a new warrior Everd wins a fight against veteran officer Mainer because he has a bet on this fight for Everd to win. They must drug Mainer to stagger him enough for the rookie to get a easy victory.
"I'll meet you at the Proving grounds, I need to talk to my family first." Neville said as Leske shrugs his shoulders.
"Sure but you better hurry. You know Beraht doesn't like waiting." He leaves for the siblings to hug eachother. "Are you okay sis? Did this noble hurt you any way?"
"Don't worry bro, he has been nice to me and gave me a expensive necklace." She shows him a necklace made of the most expansive diamonds in the kingdom. "This will help us live off better then we are now."
"Awesome sis. We may get enough money to pay for that project we've been working on."
"Uhhh who cares?! You little shits will always be trash like we always been!" Shouting is heard from another room. Their mother is awake and she sounds like she is drinking again. This was Neville que to leave and do his mission. "I'll see you later sis. Bye you old hag! Try to rest over your hangover!"
"Screw you both! My son is a gangster with delusions of going to the surface and flying while my daughter is whoring herself to a noble that will abandon her the second she gives birth to a bastard!" His mother shouts to herself as Neville leaves to complete this job.
(Later, Proving Grounds)
The gangster bribes his way into the back and spots his best friend Leske looking scared about something. "Leske what's wrong? Did you drug Mainer?"
"You need to come inside. It's Everd." He opens a door to a room of the rookie Everd, on the ground pass out surrounded by bottles of alcohol.
"He drank himself to a coma. I can't wake him up and trust me I tried. Hit him so many times he may get a kink out of this." Leske explains as Neville realizes the situation.
"Beraht will kill us if this moron no shows."
"Not only that, he may kill your family. You know he goes after families of those who screws with him." Leske said as Neville is scared for his family.
Neville- "Do you know any ideas to save this situation?"
Leske- "You could take his armor and pretend to be him."
Neville- "Casteless are not allowed in the Proving Grounds, we could be executed."
Leske- "You are the only one that uses the same weapons as this drunk: A sword and dagger. Either we die quickly from those noble assholes or Beraht will make it slower. Which one do you prefer?"
Face with no other option, Neville grabs his armor and luckily the fighter's helmet can conceal his identity.
"Wish me luck Leske."
"You better win. I don't want to die today."
(Proving Grounds Arena)
The master of the Dwarven games is standing on the balcony with a single human standing next to him.
"Greetings everyone and welcome to the Proving Grounds and this is a tournament in honor of the Grey Wardens! They are visiting for recruits and the winner of this competition is rewarded the chance to join the Wardens for glory and chance for riches. Please welcome the Warden Duncan!" The groundskeeper proclaims as the human bows to everyone as they cheer at this man as the keeper continues: "The final match will be the newest recruit of the Dwarven army Everd against a veteran against the dreaded Darkspawn Mainer!" Both are cheered by the crowd as the two are making it to the center.
While 'Everd' is in Dwarven armor and hiding his face with a helmet, Mainer is wearing the same armor but no helmet. The two are about to fight with 'Everd's' sword and dagger and Mainer's axe and shield until...
"WAIT!"
The match is stop by a woman walking in front of the groundskeeper and Duncan while a guard is walking beside her. Her red bushy hair and brown eyes show a furious look. "Dwarves of Orzammar, may I present you Sereda Aeducan. Princess of House Aeducan and second child to King Endrin!" The entire crowd is awed at the lady and kneels with the fighters having to as well.
"Greetings everyone. I am here to fight. Everd, you said that you can defeat any warrior in the kingdom from the Legion of the Dead to me. So I challenge you here and now!" She shouts as she glares at the disguise dwarf who is shock at this.
'Shit that's right! When Everd join the army, he would go around drunk to the common area and dust town yelling how he will be the greatest warrior and can beat princess Sereda. Damn moron!'
Sereda comes down with her royal armor and giant maul. Mainer bows to her and declares. "My lady, you deserve to honor your family name. I hereby surrender my position in this tournament and gladly give it to you."
"Thank you Mainer, you have fought alongside my brother and father against the darkspawn for years and so I will honor you in your place." She said as she raises her maul with the crowd cheering beside her. Neville doesn't know what to do, the bet was for Everd to beat Mainer. But he has only one plan: He is going to beat her in combat. The bet was technically for the rookie to win the tournament so maybe this could work. The two stare eachother down, neither giving up.
"Prepare yourself Mainer!" Sereda proclaims with proud. 'Everd' just nods as he doesn't want people to hear his voice. He readies his sword and dagger.
"The final battle of this Grey Warden Tournament is between Sereda of House Aeducan and Everd of House Bera. FIGHT!" The Proving Master declares which the 2 charge at eachother. The dwarven noble slams her maul to the ground, luckily Neville dodges and hits her with his dagger but it bounces off her armor. She grabs his neck but he hits her on the helmet with his sword which dazes her.
'Shit her armor has the strongest metal around! Does she hate Everd so much that she wanted him to suffer?' He thinks to himself as she grabs him by the neck again and headbutts him to the ground. She raises her weapon only to get kick on her crouch. She winces and drops her weapon. He takes this opportunity and tackles her to the ground, this results in boos but some cheers as well. He places his dagger to her neck. "Surrender princess or I'm going to crave you like a nug!"
"Where is your honor Everd?! Fight like a man!"
"I don't like fighting dirty but I will do it to win and survive. Now give up!" He shouts to the boos and jeers. Having no choice, she surrenders.
"The winner is Everd!" The Proving Master announces as some didn't like this dirty fighting but they still love the battle. "Even though I disapprove of your actions, you still beat me. Congratulations Everd. You will be a great Grey Warden." The princess praises and takes her hand out. Neville shakes her hand as a show of respect.
"Wait a damn minute!" A drunken man staggers into the battle grounds looking like he is going through a hangover. This unknown man angers the Proving master who sees this man as a trespasser. "Who dares enter this sacred grounds touch by the ancestors!"
"Wait I know him!" A guard looks at the man surprise. "That is Everd! Then who is the one that defeated the princess?"
"Who are you?! Remove your helmet!" The keeper commands as Neville tries to leave but Sereda is gripping his hand, holding him down as guards begin surronding them. "Better do or I'll break your hand." She says with a smile as she lets go his hand.
With no choice, he grabs the helmet and takes it off. Neville's face is shown and the second the spectators see the Casteless brand, they begin yelling and booing at the man for fighting.
"A damn Castless?!"
"The bastard! How dare he desecrate these grounds!"
"Kill him!"
The shouting is heard all around. Sereda looks shock but not disgust. This is the last face Neville sees before he is hit in the back of the head by a guard, knocking him out.
"What are you doing Groundskeeper? He won the tournament." Duncan asks confuse.
"Grey Warden Duncan, that scum is rejected by the Stone and does not deserve to step on these sacred grounds." Is all he says as he leaves while Duncan thinks to himself. 'I wonder if the others would like him as a new recruit. I should find him before he gets executed.'
(Carta Hideout)
"Hey Neville. You alright?"
"Uh.." He begins regaining conscious as his sight is daze. He starts to see and notices he is in a cell and his best friend Leske in another.
"Is this prison?"
"Sort of. I was taken when they saw me and thought we were partners. We were grab by the Carta who bribe the guards taken us to jail. Though this is better then the alternative." He says as they both know what would happen if they were taken to the king. Public torture and then execution. "As for where we are, this is definitely the Carta jailcells."
"That is right you pieces of shit." The voice is none other then Jarvia: The right-hand woman of Beraht and rumor lover. "You both cause Beraht to lose 100 sovereigns so you both are going to die."
Neville tries to get explain. "Jarvia wait. I had to disguise myself because Everd was black out drunk and couldn't fight. Take us to Beraht and we can explain."
"Ha! Yeah right face it, you are both going to die and your family is next." She announces smugly but that grin is gone for what Leske says next.
"You know the boss is making a run for it right?" He questions which confuses her. "What the hell are you talking about Leske?"
"Leske stop! Don't tell her!"
"No Neville if we are going to die then let's tell her about Beraht's new plan." He looks straight to the woman's face and explains. "The boss is going to leave the Carta and use the Brosca family to become a noble. He is going to abandon you Jarvia."
"You are lying!"
"He is going to be replace. The Carta have been talking and have made a new boss." This shocks Jarvia but tries to find a excuse to claim this as false. "And where did you hear this?"
"We were bodyguarding him a week ago for a meeting and he got drunk at his house. He started yelling about how there is a scheme to make someone else as boss and there was a vote at his house. They decided that he was a shitty leader and decided to have a new boss in Orzammar and that person is going to be here soon. That is why he is trying to make Rica get knock up by a noble, so he can lie and say he is her uncle and live it up." Leske said as the dwarven woman is shock that her lover didn't say anything about this and that he is going to abandon her to live the high life.
"No. No! If what you are saying is true than i'm going to kill him!" She marches out of the room to confront Beraht.
"Leske why did you tell?" Neville questions as his friend grins. "They will be at eachothers throats and that will give us enough time to escape." He says as he pulls out a lockpick begins fiddling the lock. "By the way, don't tell where I hid this."
"Gross." Neville comments as the lock is pick and his friend opens it. "Now for yours."
With them both free, they grab their gear from a chest in the room and runs to go after Beraht, as he though he will distracted by Jarvia. He can still order some thugs to kill Rica and their mother out of anger. If he dies then the Carta will have to wait for the new boss to give any orders. The duo runs to through the hideout and taking out any thugs coming at them. They make it to the main room where Beraht hangs out and they can hear their former boss and Jarvia fighting.
"What the hell Beraht! You are going to run away from the Carta!?"
"Oh please, why are you surprise? I am not a Castless and can leave whenever I want. This was just a way to change my Merchant class into a noble." He explains with no shame. "Now that Brosca family is more trouble then they are worth so you will kill them. That bastard can be the boss until I find a way to live a rich life."
"No."
"WHAT?! Who do you think you are Castless scum?!" The soon to be former Carta leader yells as he never likes it when someone refuses his orders.
"Someone that doesn't care about you anymore." She explains as the prisoners run into the room with their weapons out. "Looks like you both escape. You can kill this worthless nug humper for all I care." She says as she walks out and leaves them behind.
"You little bitch! Get back here and kill these fuckers!" Beraht shouts as he can't believe that Castless are refusing someone who is in a superior social system.
"You are just a magget crawling out of shit. Face it Beraht, you are nothing." Neville says to his former boss.
"Damnit! I refuse to be talk to by people that are rejected by the stone!" He shouts as he picks up his giant axe. Runs to them and grabs Leske face but Neville stabs him on the shoulder. He drops the Casteless as he raises his axe and slams it though Neville dodges and stabs his hand which he drops his axe. Leske grabs his head and silts his throat.
Finally putting an end of the guy that abuse them for most of their lives. They can't help but be happy but now they know they have to leave the city and quick. They go through the hideout's secret exit and enter Beraht's shop. They close the secret exit and leave the abandon store.
"Stop right there!" An entire army of guards surround the duo as the prepare to fight their way out. "You Casteless scum think you can escape?! Men atta-" The captain of the guard is about to order a attack until a single man rush to the center.
"Hold it."
"What are you doing Grey Wardens? We are taking care of these Casteless scum."
"That man is my new recruit." He explains to the captain who is shock. "You mean..."
"Yes I invoke the Right for Conscription on Neville Brosca." The guards can't believe that the famous Grey Wardens want a Casteless.
"Very well take him far from and we will pray to the stone that he never comes back." He declares as Neville's sister runs by.
They run to eachother and hug together. "Rica! Thank the stone you are safe."
"You too Neville. I knew you would escape this place."
"That noble better treat you right or I will come back no matter what."
"He treats me right no matter what and Im sure everything will be alright here for our family."
The former Carta thug whispers to his sister. "Listen sis I want you to keep the blueprints safe. Give it to someone you can trust to make."
"Don't worry bro, I know someone who can take the plans to the surface and he can complete the project." She whispers back as they hug one last time. He walks to his friend Leske who doesn't seem angry about it. "Look Leske, sorry about this but this is my chance to get out of here."
"Don't worry about it. This is not the first time I've escape jail. When you come back I will be the boss of the Carta and you will be the Warden-Commander." They fist pump as the guards take Leske to jail and Neville waves to his friend and family as he leaves with Duncan to join the Wardens.
"We are going to the Deep Roads. Your new comrades are there clearing a section of the road. By the way, what is your name Proving Grounds Champion?"
I am Neville Brosca, please to meet you Duncan." He said as they leave Orzammar and go to the Deep Roads.
(Carta Hideout)
Jarvia stares down at Beraht's corpse happy that he is died. She spits at him as the guards grab it to throw it away. "May the Stone reject you. You basterd."
"So that was my predecessor. Must of been shitty." Behind her is a middle age Dwarven man with armor that looks to be mostly bones. A burn mark in the form of a hand is shown but is hidden through a white beard.
"Yeah he was, you must be the new boss." Jarvia said to her new superior.
"Yep, I'm Ratbag. Please to meet you." He says as he shakes her hand then moves. "Alright! Now that is over we can get to business."
By his side is 2 humans that Jarvia can tell has killed more then she has.
"These 2 are my captains and trust me, they can skin you faster then you can blink." He praises the duo who while the redhead woman is loving it, the man conducting lightning doesn't seem to care.
"So what is your orders?" Jarvia asks. She doesn't like leading and prefers following orders.
He begins thinking of new plans. "Well first we need to freshen up this place. It is dreary let me tell you. Um, second some traps may be needed to protect this fort. Oh! We need to free that Leske guy. We need everyone we need for what I got plan. Also call me Warchief Ratbag." He mumbles more ideas that get weirder and weirder.
Omake- The Dark One's fight against Palkia
The giant space pokemon is standing in the way of his trainer, Cyrus, who wishes to use the pokemon to create a new galaxy of his design. Tenebris is the only one in the way of this ambition. Transforming into Fierce Deity form, he strikes Palkia with his sword but he can't hit it as the space pokemon is creating spaces that block his attacks.
'Shit Link! That space wall is blocking your attacks! Try attacking Cyrus, without a trainer a capture pokemon is docile and won't attack!' Majora suggests which Tenebris has no other plan so agrees. He rushes at the duo yet the Team Galactic leader doesn't give him a chance.
"Palkia, use Hydro Pump!" It roars and sends pressurize water but Tenebris jumps over the water and slashes the air creating wind that is heading straight to Cyrus.
"Block the attack with Surf!" A tidal wave appears and not only blocks the attack, it hits the dark one and slams him into the wall.
"Agh! Damnit!" He yells out as his back is hit. He gets up and focuses. He senses the space orbs around him and begins dodging them. He sees Palkia's fist glowing and tries to strike him but he readys his golden sword and breathes.
'Calm down Tenebris, don't panic. With Fierce Deity you can defeat them.' He composes himself and swings his sword with his might.
(Near Mt. Coronet)
A few meters away from the mountain, a dragon is flying to it and on it is the pokemon dragon champion, Cynthia. "Okay Togekiss, once we get close, land on the entrance. We will capture Cyrus togeth-" She doesn't finish cause she is shock once she makes it. For the mountain itself looks to be cut clean horizontally and Palkia is cut in half. "Togekiss, land down on the pokemon corpse."
"Togekiss!"
Landing on the ground, Cynthia steps down and returns her pokemon to her pokeball. She walks to this unknown mask man and the pokemon criminal Cyrus as the latter is slam to the ground and a knife is put to his neck. "Don't move or your neck is slit." He commands to the Team Galactic leader as he looks at the woman that is walking to them. "I am Tenebris. I was sent to deal with this man and the 2 pokemon he is summoning. You can see what happen to Palkia and I was about to interrogate him where is Dialga."
"How can you kill Palkia? He was the space pokemon!" Cyrus can not believe it. Palkia was one of the strongest pokemon in the region and the only ones who can compete with him is Dialga and Giratina.
"Talk! Where is Dialga?!" Cynthia demands as though she is shock of Palkia's death, the space pokemon is a dangerous threat that must be stop.
"I am not afraid of you two. Soon Dialga will complete it's mission." Cyrus said with no fear.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Tenebris questions as he digs his dagger to his throat. The world around them begins to bright and darken as the sun and moon are moving at rapid speed. "What the hell is going on?!"
Cyrus smiles and explains the situation. "Dialga is accelerating time. Soon the world will be destroy and the space pokemon will take me away and my new world will be created. I will hold you both until the world decays to nothingness." Though he is slam to the ground he throws 3 pokeballs and summons a trio of pokemon.
"Internape, Torterra, Empoleon! Destroy both of them!" A giant monkey, turtle, and penguin appear and charge at Tenebris and Cynthia. The fire monkey tries to punch the pokemon master but luckily using the Yiga mask to jump and tackle her, saving her. This is the opportunity for the giant turtle to grab Cyrus and put him on top of his shell and runs away.
"Thank you. We need to work together to defeat these pokemon and then Dialga or we can wait for the world to decay into nothingness." Cynthia convinces him as she throws her pokeball to summon Garchomp.
"Damnit your right. Alright lets take out these zoo animals!" Tenebris-Bongo pulls out his eightfold sword and charges with the dragon pokemon beside him.
Next time- Warrior Princess Sereda Aeducan
Author's note- Ratbag (Shadow of War) As for appearence, think of a dwarf with Ratbag's armor and personality.