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In all of his adventures Rincewind never expected this. Even knowing full well that, after years of remarkable, terrifying and near fatal adventures, he should always expect the unexpected.
He was washing up.
To be more precise he was washing nearly two hundred beer tankards. If he was honest with himself it was the sheer mundanity of the task that caught him off guard. On the other hand and with the benefit of hindsight Rincewind felt he should have seen this coming.
The problem with his all purpose fall back plan, that is to say going to the pub, was it was dependent on actually having money. Rincewind had none, or at least none of the right kind. After having a polite discussion with the surly dwarven landlord (that included death threats, pleas for mercy, desperate bargaining and examining a well polished axe collection behind the bar) he had managed to get food, drink and lodgings in exchange for work.
Manuel Labour thought Rincewind repeatedly, no wizard should to go through this cruel and unusual punishment.
Still, despite the indignity of actually doing work Rincewind knew he was in an ideal position. Gossip came through quickly thanks to being a roadside inn and as soon as that wretched dwarf city opened its' gate Rincewind could get the Luggage back and go home.
What could possibly go wrong?
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King Bhelen sat in his study, waiting for the newest member of House Aeducan to arrive. His mood was triumphant; years of plotting, backroom deals, threats and several tragic deaths had paid off, the throne was his. His chief rival, Lord Harrowmont was already in chains and would soon face the headsman's axe. Those noble houses that had supported House Aeducan would profit from Harrowmont's fall. As for those who had backed his usurping rival well… they would be watched carefully. Still the Kingship itself was only the first step, many reforms had to be carried out to bring Orzammar into the modern age but they had to done gradually and with careful tact or he risked everything. But, reflected Bhelen if there is one thing have learnt from this it is how to be patient.
He looked over to the case that contained his new crown. A new crown for a new age, most appropriate. A heavy piece, he had a somewhat sore neck after hours of receiving oaths of fealty, but suitably magnificent and made by a Paragon Smith.
His guard announced the arrival of Warden Brosca. His return to the city could not have been timed better and, if Bhelen was completely honest he owed him the throne, or at the very least a much faster path to it. This could never be said publically of course, by anyone. Nevertheless the Warden had made several extraordinary claims, backed up by his eclectic collection of people, Bhelen's new crown and the body of Paragon Branka. The assembly floor was not the place for a full retelling, now however the King wanted answers.
Warden Brosca had, thankfully made time for a large meal and a very through bath and was a far cry from the dishevelled mess he had reached the assembly in.
Odin bowed.
"Your Majesty"
"Warden Brosca, or should I say brother? You have done a great service to your people, the city and your new family."
Odin smiled, "Thank you sire, I must say being an Aeducan will take some getting used to, even more than becoming a Warden."
"With your sister giving me a son I could do no less," Bhelen smiled silkily, "and you need not fear for your status once you return to the Surface. I guarantee it."
"Excellent" replied Odin, taking note of that implication, "I will be leaving for the Surface tomorrow, the Blight continues."
"Of course," said the king, turning to business. "I understand that you wish our forces to gather at a Human town called Redcliffe?"
"That is where all of our allies are gathering, at least until this Civil War can be resolved."
"The first units will leave the city within the fortnight, my cousin Piotin will command." King Bhelen smirked, "I hear you met each other in the Proving."
"I did, a most formidable fighter and he led his team well. I trust he is not holding a grudge?"
"No, although he did say he would like a rematch one day."
Odin nodded, "Fair enough".
At this point a servant arrived with a couple of tankards of fine surface ale. Once the servant left Bhelen turned to the crux of the talk.
"So, what exactly happened in the Deep Roads? You made quite a few remarkable claims, with strong evidence of course, (Bhelen eyes flickered back to the crown with satisfaction) but you did not tell the assembly everything."
Odin shrugged, "Partly because it is a very long story. But it also the actions of Paragon Branka…well I'll start at the beginning"
And so Odin told Bhelen his account. Ideally he would've edited it carefully but unfortunately upon their return Oghren rather loudly, and drunkenly, announced that the Anvil of the Void had been found and destroyed by him so he'd just have to muddle through and hope for the best. The tale going through Caridin's Cross and the Ortan Thaig was fairly straightforward, fighting various enemies, finding Branka's journal and a few other minor discoveries such as ancient House Ortan records and some fine loot. The appearance of the Archdaemon and its' main horde was troubling but both Dwarves conceded that at least it was heading away from Orzammar and would take weeks to reach the surface. The constant fighting, with some aid from the Legion of the Dead was glossed over, until the grim discovery was made.
"We found the last remnants of Branka's House," explained Odin looking grim. "We meet a woman named Hespith, captain of Branka's guard and apparently her lover. It was clear that she was suffering from Darkspawn corruption and half mad from it but she was lucid enough to reveal that Branka betrayed and abandoned them. The men of the group were simply killed but the women were… used by the Darkspawn and transformed into what Hespith called Broodmothers."
"Yes there are reports of such creatures in the archives," said Bhelen "They are said to be formidable opponents."
"I fought one," agreed Odin "A mountain of flesh which can't move but splits poison and has tentacles to grapple and crush. It also had layers of fat that protected the thing. We eventually managed to hack it to pieces. She was a member of Branka's House."
"Are you certain that Branka was responsible for this?" asked the King "What would she have to gain?"
"We found out when we met the Paragon herself at the Anvil of the Void," responded Odin. "She had become completely obsessed by the Anvil. Once she found the fortress however she could not get past the traps. So she allowed her house to be captured by the Darkspawn then once the woman transformed they produced hundreds of offspring to test the traps and eventually overwhelm them. She explained this to all of us without any sign of remorse."
Bhelen stared at him appalled; Dwarves were few enough in number without that kind of self destructive tactic. Orzammar could not afford to waste anyone. He mentioned for the Warden to continue.
"We were able to get through the traps, still functioning despite Branka's effort and found the Anvil. Guarded by its' creator the Paragon Caridin himself."
"Oghren claimed he was trapped in the body of a Golem."
"Caridin had been made into a golem by his own apprentices. All Golems are made by placing people into golem shells and entombing them inside. Caridin intended it to be for volunteers only but others were sent to him, criminals, casteless and political prisoners. When he refused he was made into a golem, though no control rod was made so he retained his free will. So he sealed the Anvil in his fortress but was unable to destroy it as a Golem."
Odin looked into the fireplace "When Branka arrived I knew I would be caught between two Paragons, a terrible dilemma for any Dwarf. My people were divided but ultimately Caridin agreed to make a crown for you in exchange the destruction of the Anvil. Branka then attacked us commanding several golems of her own until she was slain."
Bhelen did not look pleased and began to pace the study. "The Anvil of the Void kept the Darkspawn back for centuries and now it is lost forever."
"It was lost for centuries," pointed out Odin. "Orzammar has survived without it for centuries. We can still reclaim what was lost as long as we are smart about it. Also I doubt Branka would have been a reliable ally given her mindset. Even Oghren, the dwarf who spent two years trying to rescue her, believed that she was beyond sanity."
"Maybe so" conceded Bhelen, "but was there no way to convince Caridin?"
"He had spent hundreds of years brooding on his mistakes," replied Odin "I doubt anyone could have changed his mind, and certainly not in one conversation."
"Pity," said Bhelen "Well no doubt you did your best and peace has been restored to the city. You and your comrades shall be given a formal farewell of course."
"My thanks your Majesty. I still have a few minor errands to run before I leave. I would also like to see my nephew before I go; I think I owe him a present."
Bhelen smiled at the mention of his son. "Of course, it shall be arranged. Now I have other meetings to attend. If there is nothing else…"
As Odin left the study and re-joined the rest of his group doubt plagued him. Had he made the right choice? Golems were a mighty asset. They turned the tide of battles. Had he doomed Orzammar and his own efforts to stop the Blight?
Odin's thoughts were interrupted when he bumped into Kardol, Captain of the Legion of the Dead, which accompanied him back to the city from their frontline.
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I'd have called it a sodding lie. Warden we have a king because of you. The rest impressive but the Legion is grateful most for the restored leadership."
"Thank you Captain, I'm glad I could help. Will the Legion be joining us topside against the Blight?"
"Aye, we'll join you," said Kardol "The least we could do, not just for the king but also for our 'new recruit', he'll fit in well."
Odin smiled, the Anvil may be gone but he had at least got Caridin to atone for his invention by killing Darkspawn. Even one Golem would make a difference.
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In my opinion the Anvil of the Void decision is the hardest one that a Casteless Dwarf Warden faces in the entire game. Defend your Home City with a powerful weapon, knowing full well that your fellow Casteless will almost certainly be forced into Golems as they were last time? Or destroy the Anvil and know you've deprived your people of arguably their most powerful weapon against the Darkspawn? Plus you are facing two Paragons, both of whom are convinced to the point of madness and death that they are right. No middle ground, no persuasion and if you have Shale (and Oghren to a certain extent) in your party… well it could end badly.
Hope you enjoyed the Chapter and I'll keep them coming.
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