Orzammar

With the Dalish Elves giving you their favorable response, you next move towards the Kingdom of Orzammar, ready to talk with Bhelen and many influential Dwarven figures to broaden the Inquisition's influence and check on its progress.

You are not disappointed; the gates of Orzammar are far larger, grander and stronger than you last saw them, magnificent and towering above all with their majesty and strength. The Dwarves standing guard outside don stronger and grander armour than before, shining like silver.

Accompanying you are Ambassador Josephine and Spymaster Leliana, along with an escort of five hundred mounted soldiers.

"So why are we here again, Alaras?" Asked Leliana.

"Simply put, we need to do sweet-talking with some Dwarven celebrities and Carta leaders," You said, "I need them to begin lending their support for our campaign in Ferelden."

"Truly? But from what Leliana's spies said, the chaos is under control for now," Said Josephine, "Our troops and the Royal Army are beating back the renegade Mages and Templars easily enough, and the rest have already surrendered long ago."

"The Venatori are still at large," You said, "There's no telling when they'll renew their attacks, and I'm willing to bet my spare change they will try to start fires elsewhere."

"They're almost like flies that buzz incesantly around you, but which you can never be rid of," Said Leliana

"Then we've our work cut out for us," Said Josephine.

"That's a severe understatement," You said.

Soon you near the gates, where the guards greet you.

"Atrast vala, visitors," The guards said, "Might we know on what business you are here for?"

"Atrast vala, guards," You said, "I am Inquisitor Alaras Surana, my business is with King Bhelen and several other prominent Lords and Ladies in Orzammar."

You hand them a sealed scroll, and after a brief inspection, the guards nod and let you pass.

"Stone bless you, Inquisitor," They said.

And so you entered Orzammar, last stronghold of the Dwarves and the site of a long-overdue cultural renaissance.

Orzammar had changed radically since your last visit; Dwarven architecture itself was magnificent and a perfect blend between aestheticism and pragmatism, but it seemed terribly gloomy and dank, as if the Kingdom were built of dirt-cheap stone that had not been cleaned of impurities. There was also a terrible divide between the different castes, houses of packed dirt clashing against polished marble.

Ever since you took over the Inquisition and new blood flooded in, new technological innovations flowed through the city like the river of magma coursing through the canals, and the streets and buildings meticulously cleaned and renovated. The guards patrolled with greater purpose, throngs of visitors and merchants filling the markets with life, the people living more happily and affluent than before.

You see Dwarves of all castes - casteless included - mingling together in altogether perfect harmony, chatting amicably and bonding over common ground despite their differences. A few of the higher caste looked down upon this, but they were a miniature minority at best. No longer was there stark differences in housing quality among castes, now there was only uniformity and commonality in their living standards.

"By the Maker, it's unrecognisable!" Leliana exclaimed, "It was grand before, but this is altogether brand new! You'd never think they were on their last legs!"

"Truly?" Asked Josephine.

"Do you really doubt a good friend, Josie?" You asked.

"Well, do pardon me for my ignorance, since it was only my good friend and not me who visited Orzammar before," Josephine stated.

"I was just teasing you, Josie, no need to get so pouty," Said Leliana smilingly.

"I wasn't," Josephine countered, "I was just..."

"Alright, pipe down, you two," You said, "We're already at the King's Palace."

The Royal Palace, a mighty structure of marble and concrete, stood the test of time ever since the ancient King Endrin Stonehammer named it capital of the Dwarven Empire, and since Paragon Aeducan took over the city's leadership as the new King, it stood the test of time and weathered countless Darkspawn invasions over nine centuries of constant fighting.

Now, with renewed trade with the surface and profitable industries raking in coin by the barrelful (and prostitution made available to all), Orzammar had never been richer, and the Royal Palace reflected the same increase in affluential living standards as well; the walls, ceilings and floors shone like never before, intricate engravings painted with gold leaf making the place glitter like a scattering of sunlight dust. Smooth stone was visible for miles around, walls bearing painted murals of the finest artistic flair and depicting the most noble deeds of all of Orzammar's heroes both hailing from and outside the city.

You see yourself in one such mural, leading a combined army to victory against the Darkspawn in Ferelden alongside King Alistair and so many other friends and comrades.

And you felt a horrendously bitter taste in your mouth.

What a terrible irony it is I have to now prepare to raise my own blade against you, Alistair, You thought, a deep frown on your head, And all because nothing has truly changed over the decade. Am I wrong to be this greedy?

And on a throne eternally guarded by stone sentinels, sat King Bhelen Aeducan and his Queen Rica Brosca, the former Casteless Dwarf proudly bearing her mark as a symbol of nobility and pride alongside her crown of gold and silken robes.

"My respects to Your Majesties King Bhelen and Rica Aeducan of Orzammar," You said, "I am Lord Inquisitor Alaras Surana, and accompanying me are Ambassador Josephine Montiliyet and Spymaster Leliana."

"At ease, all of you," Said Bhelen smilingly, "It's been a long time since I saw you and Leliana here, Alaras."

"Indeed, it has been a long ten years, Your Majesty," Said Leliana, bowing gracefully.

"Come, please let us treat you to refreshments," Said Bhelen, "You must be tired after a long journey."

"We would love that, Your Majesty," Said Josephine.

After a brief rest and some bread and salt, you and your party sat down with Bhelen and his - comprising Queen Rica, his Second Vartag Gavorn, Steward Bandelor and the ancient Paragon Caradin - to discuss the most important topics of the day.

"I must admit, I never expected that you would ask for us to pledge our support to you, Alaras," Said Bhelen, "I didn't think you an ambitious man, much less a potential usurper."

"I have my reasons, King Bhelen, just as you had yours for assassinating your father and brother," You said, "And if a strong leader doesn't take the helm, nothing will change."

"A fear that has motivated one coup too many over the course of history," Caridin said sadly, his voice echoing from the depths of his metal suit, "But this time I feel it the best course of action; you once told me to put my talents to use, serving King Bhelen, Warden Surana. Sorry, it should be Lord Inquisitor now."

"Forgiven," You said, "Do you regret your service to him?"

"No, I do not," Said Caridin, "So what do you need of Orzammar, Inquisitor Surana?"

"Military and economic aid, and of course an alliance," You said, "When I seize power and crush all opposition, much work will follow in building Ferelden up to standard, and I will need Dwarven masons and smiths to train new talent."

"That, we definitely can provide with all necessary materials," Said Bhelen, "Of course, we would like some favourable trade treaties as well."

"Perfectly understandable, Your Majesty," Said Josephine, "We'll also be willing to give you discounts on import prices of stone and Dwarven consumer goods for the next five years."

"Make it twenty percent," Said Rica.

"Deal," Said Josephine.

"Excluding that, however, my spies have recently reported several Darkspawn nests from the abandoned tunnels of Gwaren," Said Leliana, "The situation is handled, but we would like Dwarven support in clearing them out."

"We have ancient maps of Gwaren from before it was abandoned," Said Vartag, "They're severely outdated, of course, but they should help, along with a Legion of our best troops."

"You have our thanks, Lord Vartag," Said Leliana.

"Think nothing of it," Said Vartag, "You helped us stabilise Orzammar and bring new blood into our Kingdom, it's only fair."

"And rest assured that no matter what, Orzammar stands with you no matter the enemy," Said Bhelen, "But, we will need at least four more months before we can fully mobilise our armies for the Inquisition."

"Is there something demanding your attention, King Bhelen?" Asked Leliana.

"Yes, the reclamation of Kal'Hirol and Bownamar," Said Vartag, "These two thiags are among the most formidable fortresses closest to us, and we plan to reclaim and repair them to solidify our hold over the Deep Roads beneath Ferelden. With this, we'll be able to deploy anywhere throughout the Kingdom with impunity, and reclaim and study lost knowledge."

"I remember the knowledge stored in Kal'Hirol," Said Caridin, "There were even plans for an advanced form of siege weapons I dubbed the Repeated Ballistae. Of course, it never saw the light of day with my untimely conversion, but I stored it in the deepest, most secretive vaults hidden to all. Ancestors favouring us, the vaults will be intact."

"How long until the campaign begins?" You asked.

"We're not in need of help, but we will launch it in about two weeks' time," Said Bhelen.

"There's also the matter of political factions we have to deal with," Said Bandelor, "Sadly, many of the higher caste Dwarves refuse to submit to King Bhelen's authority despite his purges in 9:31, and they are quietly gathering strength. If we launch our campaign too early, we risk stirring rebellion and delaying our plans by months."

"I understand," You said, "Would you mind if we... do some favours in the meantime?"

"For who?" Said Bhelen, "As far as I know, any political enemy I capture is by my own hand, and by no outside help. Any involvement of the Inquisition is strictly due to their foolishness in messing with them."

"Our own intelligence unit is already handling the matter," Said Queen Rica, "But nonetheless, any help is appreciated."

"You have our thanks, Your Majesties," Said Josephine.