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In the deepest chambers of the Unseen University some of the most powerful Wizards in the Discworld gathered. The arcane knowledge they possessed in this most distinguished of learning institutions could be used to achieve almost anything. Immortality, time travel, end of the world, cures for the common cold, you name it. But to any potential eyewitness the awe at this fact would be somewhat tempered by the fact that the most senior members of the University were arguing like children.

As had become common in recent months this string of disagreements was revolving around a portal to another world that had been inadvertently created in an attempt to allow easier access to the kitchen and the wine cellar. One of their own had courageously 'volunteered' to go through and retrieve the most dangerous piece of Luggage to ever be crafted. Currently, and in a truly heart-warming show of brotherhood and solidarity the majority of the wizards were calling for the portal to be closed immediately.

"After all Rincewind has always enjoyed his… wanderings, this latest one will just be a little more permanent than usual!" Said one wizard, who was tired of this and thinking of lunch.

"And young Ponder said that sealing it now would hold only a very small chance of destroying the entire Universe," added another.

"14.5% to be precise," said Ponder, though no one actually heard him.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately depending on your point of view, the Archchancellor disagreed. Not out of any sense of camaraderie of course but his survival instinct (honed over the years of intrigue, murder and suspiciously rapid promotions that were such a regular part of University life up until recently) was prodding him quite hard. Something bad would happen if the portal was closed now. He couldn't say what exactly but he trusted this feeling with his life, literally and repeatedly.

"Now then," he announced loudly "We cannot simply abandon Rincewind like that. The poor fellow was quite distraught the last time I saw him."

Most now averted eye contact and looked at the floor. A few even looked rather guilty.

"In fact I think it's high time we sent him some reinforcements."

Ridcully's eyes looked around the room, amused at the panic and babbling excuses that erupted at this. When the feeble but loud lists of prior engagements, fake illness and finger pointing at other candidates subsided the Archchancellor continued.

"Don't worry I've already got just the man."

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As they turned the corner into an unusually quiet area of Dust Town the intrepid group faced a group of around a dozen well armed Carta cutthroats. Odin stepped forward and prepared the first step of his plan.

"Harkin," he greeted the leader of the squad. Odin knew him, good fighter but also pragmatic, that would make things easier.

"Odin," the brutal looking Dwarf responded, the crimson tattoos across his face made to look as intimidating as possible. "Word is you're here to smash the Carta. Jarvia knew it would only be a matter of time until they sent someone." He paused a moment to grin, "Whatever happened to Carta loyalty?"

Odin returned the grin. "You know as well as I do that Carta loyalty goes to the winning side and Jarvia lost the moment she started trying to shake down the rest of the city. Do you really think that will last? Even if you kill me, which you won't, as soon as a new king is crowned he'll send the guard in to completely purge the Carta as ruthlessly and viciously as possible. It's not like there're going to worry about collateral damage with Dust Town."

There was a brief flicker of doubt in Harkin's eyes before he sneered. "So you're doing the work of the guard, how noble of you."

"I'm here because I'm the only chance you've got of escaping with your life." Odin shot back "If you give up now and tell me how to get to into the new base all of you get to walk away."

Harkin bristled with rage "You really think that's going to happen?"

Odin looked behind him "You're up against two veteran Grey Wardens, an archer whose already spotted every weak point in your armour, a former member of the most dangerous assassins in the world, two mages, both of whom could kill with a wave of their staffs, a Qunari warrior who can cut you in two, a purebred Mabari war hound, a golem who will smash you into liquid for fun and a homicidal piece of furniture that devours people whole! One way or another I'm getting into that base. If you wish to die just to delay me, so be it."

Both Poacher and the Luggage bared their teeth for emphasis. Three members of the Carta silently slipped away and the others looked about ready to do the same.

Harkin grimaced as he weighed his options, he'd noticed the desertions, "Let's say, for the sake of argument of course, I agree, what then?"

"Wait a while, the Carta is done but Prince Bhelen needs troops against the Darkspawn and he's willing to let the Casteless fight."

Harkin' s eyes narrowed, "and what if he lying?"

"Then go to the Surface and start over, do whatever you like."

Harkin was many things; stupid was not one of them. "Take this finger bone token and put it through that slot over there, the door will open for you. Jarvia has hired swords in there and a lot of traps."

Odin smiled "Excellent choice."

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Once inside the pattern quickly emerged.

Room by room the group struck incapacitating their opponents swiftly. Of course as in virtually all armed fights there were fatalities, but Odin accepted this as inevitable. The majority however survived long enough to listen to the Grey Wardens offer, abandon the Carta permanently or die. Naturally every mercenary accepted this offer; they had no personnel stakes to worry about except their own survival. By the evening many apostate mages and Qunari (though Sten angrily pointed out that such people were not Qunari) found new employment within several noble houses, by coincidence all of these houses were Bhelen's allies.

Many of the Casteless also saw reason. Odin was careful however, a few of his former comrades were fanatically loyal to their organisation and had to be dealt with accordingly. Some members Odin knew by name or reputation and were quickly killed; one dwarf even tried to pull a knife but was stopped by a well placed arrow. The majority who did die were the gang leaders and assassins, unfortunate waste of talent in Odin's opinion but necessary to stop the Carta returning any time soon.

Eventually only one door was left. Odin knew what was coming and prepared himself.

Sure enough there stood Jarvia, the queen of her own little world, along with her handpicked bodyguard, and Leske at her side.

"If it isn't our little runaway, come back to finish the job?" Jarvia hadn't changed a bit. Not that it mattered to Odin; it was too late for her. But perhaps it wasn't too late for Leske.

"So Leske," asked Odin, completely ignoring Jarvia (to her obvious annoyance) "I assume out first meeting was no accident, are you so eager to abandon your friends and be a high ranking Carta boss?"

Leske frowned; his voice was harsh and sullen. "What was I supposed to do? You were gone and Jarvia's pulling the strings. Not all of us got your opportunities. Go off be a Warden, rah-rah. I'd have shared a mug for it sure. But I still got to live here. Maybe you forgot with all that sun blinding you, but down here there're weren't too many options."

"I haven't forgotten a thing!" Snapped Odin "I remember what it is to have nothing but the Carta, which is why I'm giving you a chance to walk away."

Leske did not have a chance to answer as Jarvia butted in, trying to regain control of the situation.

"Oh Please. Who do you think suggested going after you? Leske's been licking my feet to get back in favour ever since you crawled out from under Beraht's corpse. When he heard you were in town, he finally had a way to prove his loyalty."

"Is that true old friend?"

Leske did not look at him.

Odin paused and sighed, "I understand and you can still get out of this, Jarvia's day is over, her power over you is finished."

"Is it?" spat Jarvia as she turned to her enforcer. "We'll see who holds the leash here. Leske, kill him."

Leske looked conflicted but it did not last. His expression hardened, tinged with bitterness, resentment and sadness as he drew his daggers. Odin's own face was an expressionless mask as he drew his own swords.

The fight which followed was brutal. Jarvia had been prepared; traps everywhere and she had held back her best and most loyal fighters for this. But they were outmatched as one by one they fell to well co-ordinated attacks of magic, arrows and close combat. There was no holding back this time. Jarvia fought well and used every dirty trick in the book but with her henchmen slain the weight of numbers was overwhelming. Slowed by a dozen injures Sten's great sword delivered a fatal blow to her neck. She fell, her head held on by a few sinews.

Meanwhile the two former partners clashed in the centre of the room. Steel rang on steel as the two fought. Both dwarfs had similar fighting styles, having grown up and learnt together. But the result was not in question; Odin was the better armed the better armoured and the better warrior.

Leske fell battered to the floor, ribs broken, left arm slashed open and a sword pointed at his throat. No one was left to help him.

"If you're going to kill me, just hurry up and finish the job," growled Leske wincing in pain.

Odin's face had remained as still as had been throughout the fight. "I gave you every possible chance, why did you reject them and fight?"

Leske tried to laugh "You think you won here? Gained the approval of your new noble house? The Carta is always part of Dust Town, faces change and people die but it's always there. It's all we've got. It's all we'll ever have."

Odin shook his head. "No, we have a chance to changes things, the Casteless may yet get a place in our city." He looked at the wounded dwarf for a long time, and then the decision was made. "And you will live to see it."

The Warden turned to Wynne "Heal him as best you can." She looked dubious but nodded and set to work.

When it was done Odin prepared to leave (the rest had plundered the base with customary thoroughness) but he had one more thing to add.

"The Carta is finished Leske, if it returns it will only lead to your death I promise you. Lay low for a while and wait, changes are coming. Or you can go to the surface, it gave me a chance it may do the same for you."

Leske sat there looking amazed as the company left.

"Are you alright?" asked Alistair once they were out of earshot.

"I will be."

As they stepped out Odin sighed, feeling exhausted. The Carta was broken with as few deaths as possible. He had done all he could, he hoped it would be enough.

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Andraste the Dragon was enjoying these new distractions. The gods both familiar and strange stood around eating, drinking and socialising, how this happened was an accident but a pleasant one. At the centre the two opposites fought over their board, influencing the world with a single move. The High Dragon was also pleased that she wasn't the only one of her kind here, although they had taken to the skies for the time being.

The only annoyance was the puny human Andraste, constantly berating for 'corrupting' her followers and turning her burial site into 'a bastion of heresy'. It wasn't as though she had planned to set up a cult… at first. But who would honestly not appreciate all the adulation and the tasty human sacrifices? They even babysat her children. Really, some deities could get so touchy about losing a few followers.

Then, quite suddenly an ominous feeling overtook the reptilian Andraste. Her long neck craned over to the world map. Something had changed…yes! A new piece had arrived and at the foot of her mountain! It reeked of trouble, time to wake up.

The sudden disappearance of the High Dragon was noticed by the others but one was looking exceptionally pleased. The human Andraste also looked at the great map.

"Not what I was expecting but a champion is a champion."

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Hope you all like the alternative Leske resolution, although only a minor character the in-game solution was rather abrupt and unpleasant. Unlike, for example, the Jowan case which could have been easily mimicked in the choices, particularly given all the similarities between the two and their situations. But I guess cuts had to be somewhere and every game has it limits.

Meantime can anyone guess who the latest visitor might be? Free bragging rights to the first person who gives the correct answer. (I don't think it's obvious but you never know)

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