Apollosarcher

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

The Chosen Few

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Weisshaupt Fortress, midmorning

Constable Howe sighed and shook his head, “I am telling you this plan is foolish. I don’t see what you and the Commander do in this endeavor to stop the Blights before they begin.” There came a laugh from behind a flagon of ale. As Oghren, the messenger from Hero of Ferelden’s expedition, spoke up.

“It ain’t your call. The Warden Commander likes the new boss, especially since he’s got the balls to give the order some real staying power. Nothing like a nation to tax and rule over to motivate people to help ya’. ‘Hell, got Orzammar to start taking working with the Warden’s more seriously. Granted it could also be because Tevinter is going to hell in a nug basket.” Oghren spoke scratching his face as he looked over the maps of the deep roads, clearly most of the planning over his head. It was no wonder the Hero of Ferelden sent him to make the report. And to pick up supplies. It seemed the dwarf had a knack for surviving anything then beating whatever tried to kill him. The lack of Oghren’s unique smell made it easier for Theron to breath on the march no doubt.

Senior Warden Bethany Hawke glared from across the table at the dwarf. “Perhaps, but what the first warden is ordering could lead to hundreds of dead wardens! We don’t know how many Darkspawn are down below our feet. It could be millions, all we might do is throw lives away!” She placed a hand on her hip, she was here representing the Wardens of the Freemarches. How someone as prissy as her had impressed the Free Marches commander, Oghren would never know.

Dunek Rouka slammed a fist on the table. He was the head of the Warden’s forges, one of the few privy to their secrets without a full joining. His official rank would never be more than recruit yet he was still massively important to the functions of logistics. “‘Can’s’ and ‘if’s’ are nothing for us to worry about. What happens if the Darkspawn are left down there, spawning for all of time without anything challenging them?” He spoke, cowing the crowd of assembled planners into silence. “The dwarves kept their numbers down in a losing battle for centuries. Thaigs with armies as big as Orlais and as advanced as Tevinter overrun. And what the first warden is doing is something we have known for years. The horde keeps growing if we don’t find ways to weaken it.”

He stopped looking at all the representatives before him with a glare that spoke to the soul as turned towards the window. “When they run out of space below for their broods you’ll face what we have. All across your pretty open skies and fields - blighted and dying.” The forgemaster made it clear that this was as important to the survival of Thedas as killing Corypheus was. Unlike that however, few nations would put aside petty squabbles for a long term war against the Darkspawn. Many treated the blights like something that would come and go, not a long term threat.

The Archivist of the Grey, like Revanelas, was another recent promotion particularly for her experimentation in healing and Blight removal. She was young and a Dalish elf like he, Ashlea of clan Eolas but unlike Revanelas she had been with the Wardens longer through most of nearly ten years having arrived at seventeen. She had been a quick study and willing to push the limits as hard as she could among the mages here for results. She had become a favorite contemporary of Avernus. “Dunek is right. We have allies, magic, weapons, and soldiers. We need to press our advantage. Imagine how much less damage the Blights would do if we could heal the people or find ways to poison the taint itself. The dwarves need this to save their people. We need this to save the Order and prove our use outside of Blights. Thedas needs this if we are to one day be able to live without the threat of the world ending from beneath us. We might even save ourselves from the calling... The first generation of Warden’s to die of old age!”

Revanelas looked at the Deep Road maps supplied to them, then across the chosen wardens from across Thedas. “We follow our orders. A hundred warden’s will be broken into teams to explore what roads are still viable. Archivist Ashlea, you will head up the vanguard that will enter the deep roads at the contact point with the main body of forces to Kal-Sharok dwarves. The surface dwarves and Legion of Dead forces from Orzammar will arrive days after scouts enter. We will use dead drops and guide symbols to leave a map for you to follow as we make our way.” He took little markers placing them across the different branching paths to Kal-Sharok noting where each unit would go.

As they looked over it, Hawke spoke up. “Your unit... Isn’t moving towards Kal-Sharok.” Revanelas nodded. “Correct. We will be pursuing the secondary target...” He pushed the marker all the way forward, tapping on a fortress nearby. “This old dwarven fortress supposedly has surface access. The dwarves have disclosed that this fortress belonged to the kingdom of Darmallon, a great thaig made of gold veins. He wants us to search the ruins for anything to help locate it. The dwarves of Kal-Sharok and Orzammar have even cut a deal. To allow surface dwarves to settle it and end their exile. Our reward will be half the treasure they uncover within the hold... And twenty percent stake in the largest gold mine in Thedas into perpetuity.”

They stared a moment understanding how money they were talking. “That’s... More money than the Hossberg tax collector could find in a year.” Ashlea answered, and it seemed she was as surprised as the rest.

Oghren cheered and knocked back a mug of ale, clearly enthralled as constable Howe frowned, concerned if we were doing it out of greed. “Why would the order need so much money?”

“Because the warden commander will use the money to begin developing and purchasing land in and around current fortresses. The funding will also go to repairing and recruiting to fill our dormant and abandoned fortresses. Eventually he wants each nation's wardens to be able to run their own operations within the deep roads. To do that we need four things: reputation, influence, money, and manpower. Kill the archdemon before it rises? Repairs our reputation in the eyes of the public, we saved them a Blight.” He spoke with a sigh to how current operations were all bets on how to save a declining order.

“We're working on manpower, but the first warden is going to work on influence through politics here with us hopefully gaining control of the Anderfels. Our goal is to find and kill Archdemon for the main host... But the secondary objective is critical for long term survival, income. We find that golden thaig, we keep the order in enough gold to pay for the Anderfels and our upkeep. We are still in decline even if it doesn’t feel like griffons and the end of the corruption at the top doesn’t fix the fact that there are less than ten thousand Wardens across all of Thedas. This fortress alone was built to house that many.” He took a deep breath and picked up his helmet, settling it under an arm. “The first warden’s goal is continuous pressure on the darkspawn across Thedas, so we can uncover more about the threats we face. Get the lists we’ve made up for the pathfinder teams ready to be passed out. I’ve got to try and give a speech and not make a fool of myself.” They could hear the crowd outside growing as Revanelas pulled his helmet on, they grew anxious waiting no doubt, side effects of knowing the calling is coming you value the time you do have even more.

Archivist Ashlea picked up her staff and Forgemaster Rouka straightened his tunic. As the three took a deep breath heading out from the library into the courtyard. They stepped onto the balcony. He’d practiced this speech for weeks with the first warden. Yet now before the crowd his nerves spiked as his armor hands were placed upon the stone parapet he decided to remove his helmet to speak more clearly, looking down at faces new and friends of old. He raised his arms, then gave a mighty yell.

“Wardens! Might I have your ears, as you know we have called you all here. We are no strangers to war, to the Blight, to death, to sacrifice for Thedas. But we've been fighting for our very survival against inhuman, genocidal monsters, but it is a fight we cannot continue forever! Our order has found strength now, yes! But between the calling, deaths in the line of duty, and ignorance of the nations of Thedas, can we say in a hundred years there will be enough of us to stop the next Blight? To face the Magister’s Sidereal like Corypheus?! There could be as many as seven more Blights to go! We must strike them where they live! Bring the war to the Darkspawn! Slay them before they rise!” The murmurs filled the crowds, as they remembered the same was about to be attempted by the warden’s of Orlais once... Now here they stood telling them the same.

“Quiet!” The order barked out, to silence the assembled Wardens, hundreds of eyes fixed as the Forgemaster glared down any offender who refused to be quiet as he commanded the muscled dwarf nearly as wide as he was tall.

“Thank you Forgemaster.” Revanelas shouted once more telling them what they needed to hear to make this sink in. “We have found the prison of an old god! With the help of surface dwarves, Orzammar, and Kal Sharok what they are talking about is not simple assault but reclamation! More importantly the dwarves have put their full might behind us, we will not go alone! But we will go to where they live and where they breed, and we will destroy them. This is how we take the battle to the heart of the enemy. This is the day that we correct the course of Thedas’s history! This is the day we ensure the survival of all peoples, by our hands alone!”

“In war!” He shouted to the crowd as the Warden assembled praying they answered the call, this part had been the idea first warden to help motivate and excite the wardens before him

“Victory!” The cries came with accents from across Thedas joined in a chorus of defiance against disease and villains alike. Sound pounded on their shields or armor, mages clanged their staffs on stone, rogues lent their voices or rang their knives on stone or other blades.

“In peace!” Ashlea cried out next, lifting her staff to make the azure griffon symbol appear in the air above them. Letting the symbol hang there as she focused.

As she slammed her staff back down, the booming voices of the crowd grew even louder. Nearly five hundred wardens, even those most reserved among them, could find reason to cheer now. “Vigilance!” They shouted as proudly as they could.

Bursting through the illusion of the symbol a flight of three riders on full grown griffons swooped down before them. As the Forgemaster bellowed out the last part. “In Death!”

“Sacrifice!” The cries came out as even the leaders yelled it out, as the griffons landed.

The motivation and selling them on the plan was done, now he needed to tell them about it or at least how they would find out more. “Those of you selected for the Pathfinder teams will head to the meeting hall. The rest of you... I have it on good authority that the first warden has brought out the good stocks of all our guests. Go eat and drink your fill! Before the Ferelden diplomats drink it up!”

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

High Constable Revanelas Vaharel of Clan Eradhal

Warden High Constable Revanelas Vaharel of Clan Eradhal

"Well now, you can talk with me or be a plaything for the giant bored cat with wings... And she hasn't eaten today."

| {Full Name} |

Revanelas "Rev" Vaharel Eradhal

| {Age} |

32

| {Species} |

Dalish Elf

| {Gender} |

Male

| {Class/subclass} |

Warrior/Champion

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| {Appearance} |

Tall particularly for an Elf, good looking too are so the Tevinter Magister who once owned him said on several occasions. With snow white hair and delicate features with strong muscles from a life of labor and training. Standing nearly six feet tall, if a bit taller in full armor. The marks on Rev's back are a testament to his time in Tevinter and to the cruelty of Magister's, while being retrained enough to ensure they would never mar the parts of his body she was wished to see.

He sits straighter and maintains quiet in ways few could understand without having the threat of magic induced pain when need be. Yet he is more fiery of spirit than any would think of a former slave, often loud and able to command a room with his presence. To other Elves he captures the image of what an Emerald Knight must have been like handsome, strong, tall, and powerful. Yet in other aspects he is still young elf from the Dales who would rather groom the animals of fortress than host a meeting on strategy. While he appears the strong confident warrior, his mind is plagued with the doubts only youth can give that he is not good for this position.

| {Equipment and Personal Belongings} |

Dalish Locket- Given to him as a child by his parents it had been passed down since the time of the Dales, it is made of Silverite and Dragonthorn.

Ironwood bow- A gift from his clan after his return from slavery, he took it with him into service with the grey wardens.

Veridum Bastard Sword- Awarded to him by the first warden upon his ascension to high constable.

Warden Shield

Grey Warden Heavy Armor- Standard heavy armor with winged helmet.

| {Skills} |

Master Combat Tactics- While still young, Rev has shown considerable skill in teaching and leading griffon riders of Weisshaupt, as as devising new battle tactics using modern techniques in conjunction with griffons. He is able to rally and lead his allies well, while demoralizing enemies forming the core of a line. A capable leader and tactician, he has leaned from the finest teachers the Wardens have to offer.

Gladiator training- While his training started as a Dalish warrior in his youth, after his capture he was not taken as some common slave he was trained by expensive mercenary tutors and foreign hedge knights. The Magister who owned him used him for show in gladiatorial games, dressing him up like the Emerald Knights of the Dales sending him out with bow and sword to do battle. Making him part actor and part warrior, as gladiator combat is often to first blood not to death. Able to act and sing as part of his training to entertain when not battling and training.

Historian: While most would ignore history outside their own Rev cares deeply to learn from the history of all of Thedas, even if not all of it is pleasant. He can be found bothering scholars or offering up theories on things he has learned or pondering the origins of things like the Blight. Curious to reconcile the Dwarven account and the chantries version, as now more than ever he finds himself confused by the Darkspawn existence alone.

| {Talents} |

Shield Defense- His preferred means of combat when out numbered, Grey Warden's are believed to be mythical warriors, part of that is comes from the Joining the other part comes from the training. From all walks of life and all stations, king to slave, thus the sheer amount of skills passed down or written within their libraries can put other orders to shame. As such, though he did not learn to battle with a shield until arriving he has found many a teach able to make him a potent weapon on a mount or the ground.

Dueling stance- His time in Tevinter's arenas putting on shows for the masses he learned how to duel with in one hand or two, giving him a prefer for the bastard sword. Allowing to focus on instead of defending himself or others, bringing down an opponent with strong and prepared strikes.

Master archer- From the back of a griffon, atop a Halla, or even just on the ground he has learned how to move and shoot in armor bringing down targets and striking foes with bow and shot. As all Dalish warriors and hunters are taught to shoot from the first days they can pull back a bow.

Heavy Armor master- Few Elves lean towards metal armor, Rev has found it to be better suited to defense especially against Darkspawn even if he is immune to the taint. Allowing him surprising mobility in armor usually most would see as restrictive and unbecoming the grade of an elf.

| {Home/Family} |

Arlathan, Clan Eradhal. Born into a large family with multiple siblings his mother was the Keeper and his father the Craftsmen of the clan.

| {Flaws and limits} |

Untested- Having never commanded more than a small group of griffon riders, he feels unprepared to lead and direct even if his training and studying have prepared him well. The constant fear of failing his brothers and sisters in arms dwells on his mind. This leads him to put a facade when in truth he questions himself and his choices constantly but knows he can't let others feel his indecision. Driving him to place blame for failures on himself and push success onto the actions of others not himself.

Nightmare of slavery- While he was not born a slave or even among for a terribly long time, his time as a slave, entertainer, and gladiator has left... Mental scars that do not fade easily. Most of them stemming from his time as Magister Delphine Valerius favorite pet, from singing and performing in plays, to battling in the arena in her name, or his blood being used in her rituals. He has become dependent on herbal teas and tinctures for peaceful sleep, often finding nightmares of his time Tevinter without them.

---

| {Personality} |

Reserved and respectful, he attempts to maintain a sort of regal and strong posture so others might depend upon him and look to him. In truth this more acting that it is confidence or at least it is to him, Rev has always felt he struggles to be the person the first warden believes him to be. Yet refuses to speak up for the enormous amount of faith others have placed in him. While presenting himself as a competent leader willing to listen, he also does his best to make himself approachable even if often fails to do so thanks to his nature as being unwilling to push topics to the forefront.

At his core, he is a nervous young Dalish warrior who has spent his life trying to live up to a legendary Emerald Knight from the Dales, a mother who skilled arcane warrior and keeper, and a craftsmen father who beloved by his clan. Who feels in over his head but has faith and trust of the senior warden's to lead them as he did to save the first warden from the madness of the King of the Anderfels. His faith in himself may be weak but he knows the faith of others in him means he has to carry the day and he will do anything to prevent their disappointment.

| {Background} |

Born among his clan to the Keeper of the clan, his mother, and his father the major craftsmen of his clan, though his father's like he descended from a notable Emerald Knight one famed for sieging and assaulting into Orlais city of Montsimmard during the second exalted march. Thus after the fall of the Dales the clan had to travel far to escape reputation and reprisals of Orlesian's and the chantry. As such Clan Eradhal would be found deep within the Arlathan forest staying far from the Tevinter's slavers and those who would venture in those forgotten forests.

Here a young Revanelas would grow up learning to shoot and fight among his people, eagerly hoping to become a Dalish Warrior and make his family proud. He showed much promise at an early age, he and several other young hunters and warriors were ambushed while out from the camp, however, even when their elders fell wounded Rev jumped into the fray arrows and blade whirling around him distract the slavers and cutting loose his comrades... In the end all but one would escape... Revanelas himself would be taken, as he would later the slavers were targeting him or his sister with the hopes to bring someone of an Emerald Knight bloodline back Magister Delphine Valerius. The Magister was a cruel and powerful woman who often drained his blood by the vial for her purposes he was never privy too, something about the blood of heroes.

However, when not being drained of blood he was trained to entertain in the arena's of Tevinter or performing songs and stories about the victories of the Imperium over the Elves of Arlathan or the destruction of Dales... Such stories were Lady Delphine's favorites, as such having a living descendant of Emerald Knight was more valuable than mere baubles. Of course the greatest joy was making him fight for her, a slave who would draw blood in her name and kill if she commanded it... Yet still full of Dalish pride at her beck and call. Many times Revanelas was selected as her favorite, often accompanying her or in some cases even trusted enough to protect and guard with her... With warnings that she'd do anything to keep him at her side... Even burn the whole of Arlathan forest is she had too bring him back.

After seven years in captivity, as a slave with no recourse but to obey... He was saved, no by the Shadowdancers but by a Grey Warden, he'd lost a bout just as Archon raised a hand to decide if he might die today. His Lady powerless to stop it... In truth he'd fought his way so far in these matches in hopes he'd find a place to die, this Qunari three times his size, horns cut and great sword raised looked down at him with only the pained expression a fellow slave and gladiator knows... When a man in blue with a griffon on his chest stepped to the Archon. It seemed, the Archon only cared to deprive the Magister of her favorite slave, not how it happened somehow it seemed to him the crueler fate. As a Warden stepped onto the blood stained field, pulling the slave to his feet... Constricting him into the Grey Wardens, from slave to defender of Thedas.

His former lady embraced him when they were alone, she was loathe to lose him... Claiming she was almost tempted to follow yet a Altus Mage such as herself could never abandon Tevinter or her dreadful husband. He continued the feigned affection for her in that moment... He knew afterward he'd never have to again, leaving the capital free and unbound. The Warden's of Tevinter before sending him back to Weisshaupt for full training, allowed him to locate him clan and Arlathan and tell them what had happened. Embracing his clan and given many trinkets and blessings he set off. The young Dalish warden would arrive at Weisshaupt on the back of a Halla his clan had given him, shocked by the state of it. His training began in earnest, he'd never faced Darkspawn before he arrived here... Yet, his years of showmanship and practical Dalish training made not only fierce but flashy too. Warden's need to inspire people, to give them something to believe in... Revanelas did just as turned blades crashed down upon them, flipping through the air in mail or leaping from the back of a Halla into the fray of battle.

Quickly Wilhelm took the elf under his wing, battering him down and forcing him to train against those stronger, faster, and better than him. When not doing that, he took the agile elf and forced him to train his strength with weights and armor understanding that he needed to find the strength to what he could already in heavier gear. Agility and maneuver did no exclude defense merely needing additional work. So for years he did just that.

Nine years ago Revanelas was part of the warden's who stormed the great hall and detained the former heads of the order planned to sell the last griffon eggs. While they were still eggs, mages and animals handlers among the fortress devised a way to bring back the soon to hatch griffons, while they detained and put on trial their former leaders. It was also during these years Weisshaupt cut most communication as a struggle between the more corrupt loyalists to the former first and those with lofty goals of restoring the order maneuver against each other quietly they cut off contact from other wardens in hopes to prevent the dispute from spilling over. After the war against Corypheus had ended and Warden's of the Anderfels had finished quelling their internal divisions. Contact with the other branches was re-established along with the first young griffons being introduced to the the many warden commanders who arrived to hear out the new first.

First warden Wilhelm began laying out the course for the warden's to follow, showing plans of reform and using the coffers they had secured of personal wealth from those that had abused their positions to fund this new expansion. Even the pushback of more conservative and passive wardens meant little in the face of gold and creatures of myth returning to their side. Revanelas would become one of the first riders with his partner Verharan, she who shows no fear, because shortly after she hatched the little griffon had climbed onto Rev and begun nesting in his hair even as tried to remove her.

Now fully grown Verharan has already had three clutches of her own and her would rather spend her time in the skies than in any nest, but she will listen to her beloved partner... Even if she does tug on his hair to get his attention. More recently Revanelas became a senior warden in the running for the position of high constable after former high constable and first of the new griffon riders Falondys embarked for the deep roads... His griffon Stormbeak left behind to help increase the numbers... He resigned from the position shortly before the incident in Hossberg.

Leading a charge of griffon riders into battle and commanding them from the air, the first warden saw the potential in the young man and after the incident promoted him. Though new to the position, he is a ten year veteran of service against the Darkspawn and has helped from the beginning raise and organize the new air cavalry, first warden Wilhelm believes that and his quick thinking at Hossberg might make him the sort of commander he needs in the field while he jostles to give the political teeth to back their new more powerful position in Thedas.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

@TinyKiwi Thank you for the update, it looks good! Move it over at your leisure.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

@POOHEAD189 Excellent work, move it over at your earliest convenience!

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

@Vanq Go right ahead and move it over looks great!

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

Alright so IC is up, please do not let this discourage those still working on characters or needing to fix theirs up. Feel free to ask questions and contact about anything!

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

The Call to Arms

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Weisshaupt Fortress, midmorning

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The halls of Weisshaupt bustled, the Wardens had suffered and triumphed through the Mage-Templar war hundreds of Mages and Templars had flocked to their banners when they had declared themselves neutral to all who would join. Such a recent Blight meant their stores of Archdemon blood were high and The Joinings were conducted near monthly. The high dark stone walls were being cleaned up and being touched up, new banners hung as accompanied by representatives of the Chantry, Ferelden, and Orlais. Their wagons and horses slowly trundled towards high steel gates as they heard a screech like an eagle the guards reached for weapons, as a blur of feathers and fur shot over their heads braced against the grey of the sky, its shadow cast upon them for a moment like a drake about to swoop upon them. As they craned their heads several guards reached for bows as they heard a screech and landing next to them was something out of a storybook, or so the ambassadors had thought a griffon armored in plate astride it's back a Grey Warden in full plate armor resting his hand on a great sword sat across his lap in the saddle. The blues of the cloth and the shining griffon emblem made him look more like myth than a man. His armor dented and damaged, yet pristine in cleanliness and maintenance.

Looking over the caravan green eyes behind the slitted helmet, a nervousness among the templars, chevaliers, and knights who looked upon the beast and its rider before them, as eagle eyes of the mount moved between each soldier before them. As again and again more descended, four riders now looked at them all, then with a solemn nodded pointed for them to move onwards, before the beast's wings beat and they rose into the air again, circling up the mountain to ready the gates for the last of their visitors.

Jutting out from the wall upon the tower was the mausoleum of the Heroes, a small sanctuary where the remains of the Heroes who gave their lives slaying an Archdemon are left to rest. In most cases only their weapons and armor are placed here, as their bodies did not survive the battle. Each one has had a statue built in their likeness, the statues of Garahel and Corin were freshly cleaned. The one of Theron carved by the finest dwarven stone masons, his coffin however, remained empty.

Weisshaupt's gates were slowly opened, as the last representatives entered, the representatives could only awe at the size of the grand fortress even larger than the Inquisition's Skyhold she'd heard tales of its dilapidation yet now repairs and restoration were underway. As they dismounted from the carts the courtyard they saw the head of Urthemiel mounted in the keep as Wardens and laborers came to care for the horses, the climb up the Broken Tooth mountain was near vertical at some points, the beasts would be exhausted. The reforms and resurgence of the Order had been seen to assist some of the chapters aboard yet... As they joined the delegates from Antiva, Rivain, Free Marches, and Nevarra they saw exactly how much had changed.

One room hosted an entire class of mages, watching a demonstration by a senior mage warden showing off new magical research and weakening the Blight’s grip on plant life they brought in. Other mages practiced combat spells or ritual castings as a group to increase potency of their magic. Further down, rangers and rogues sparred and tested out new alchemical formulas for bombs, grenades, and even practiced disarming traps and cracking through locks. Many of which were of dwarven make, others chatted trading skills in negotiations and how best breach enemy fortifications. Knights and warriors further down tested armor and locked blades, testing their skills and practicing their parries. These armored wardens even practiced takedowns and fisticuffs, learning to bear the brunt of their armor’s weight but remain mobile in it. Many of their armoring practices came from the dwarves who had long ago mastered the construction of plate and mail and shared their new rediscoveries freely with their most honored allies.

Above them in the aeries and rookery, once empty and with memorials for the fallen friends, now the griffons of the Wardens fill this lofty stable. With each griffon choosing its partner as they grow and bond with their Warden. Eggs are often kept with the mothers, though in some cases given to a warden to watch over if the mother does poorly in maintaining her eggs. Nearby many humans and some elves gather at the small chapel as the priests and priestesses give rights, now nearby a small altar with statues of the Paragons and an elves had a garden with the symbols of their pantheon arranged. On the farside of the fortress was the forges, filled with surface dwarf smiths, humans tanners, and elven bowyers worked to arm and prepare weapons, even some tranquil worked enchanting and assisting most taken in during the Mage-Templar war and kept for their safety. While many were unaware below the fortress blood and blight magic research continued with Avernus leading the charge to one day improve the Joining and perhaps keep Calling away for good.

Yet for the visitors from across Thedas the movements and sheer size of the fortress and its substantial changes from the crumbling ruin it was once before shocked them. Thousands of Wardens here alone and they knew more were across the nation helping manage and defend it, it was no wonder that Anderfels under Warden rule had been more prosperous. Yet the keen would catch that many Wardens here came from beyond the Anderfels... Something else other than their meeting was going.

As slowly they were led into the great hall, where the First Warden and several of the ranking warden's waited along with ambassadors from every nation of Thedas sat. Though the Chantry's presence was merely a formality, extended by the graciousness of the grey wardens. The Ancient round table was laid out, with each chair of representative draped with their symbol as all around them a silver banner of wardens hung, now with the symbol of the Anderfels hung alongside it.

It was silent until the Antivan representative broke the silence. "Well... Let's start this meeting by stating the obvious. It was high time someone did something about Anderfell's... While the Hossberg line of the family has ended we should be able to locate-" The first warden raised a hand to stop her. Slowly first warden Wilhelm stood, looking over the crowd of assembled dignitaries. "The grey wardens will rule the Anderfels. We already protect most of the nation, the people have more need of us than any of the nobility, a Darkspawn beset nation needs those who know how to handle Darkspawn at their forefront. It will not only expand our recruitment but give us a way to directly expand our order... We can focus on finding ways not only to combat the Blight but attempt to undo its damages..." It was the Orlesian diplomat who leapt to his feet, the Count jabbing a finger forward, insulted by the sheer idea of toppling divine right of rulership.

"That makes you what?! King Warden Wilhelm? King and first warden!? Outrageous you cannot rule and govern while claiming to put the good of the world first. Are you even nobility?! An Elf could even hold your position unless you plan to make it hereditary! Not only that but if a dwarf or Qunari took the post! You would be a nation without the chant as your code!?" At that Wilhelm smiled slowly, darkly looking them over, catching a moment where he could press back before others claimed against him.

"So the Hero of Ferelden and his Wardens will be ejected from the rulership of the Amaranthine?" When the Orlesian Count heard what his argument sounded like he suddenly went silent, they had precedent for Wardens governing and still maintaining the Order now. Ferelden had given it to them, this time their hand had been forced, the people would rebel if they tried to remove the Wardens from Anderfels, their fortress was near unassailable and now? The griffon's stabled on high and thousands of Wardens they had... This was an Order resurgent, perhaps it had been covered by the distance of the Anderfels from the chaos of the last few years or how the Wardens faded away from notice when the Blights ended. They could stand and argue for a throne not their own, in a land besieged year round by a people who loved two things the Chantry and their heroic Grey Wardens or they could let this happen. "It has happened before only now on a grander scale. We are beholden to no church, no king, or nation. Our duty must be to protect the population of all of Thedas from Darkspawn, this nation is under constant assault by them, their king and nobles raised no hand to stop it. They have always put that burden on us, so perhaps it’s time we reaped the reward of defending a nation against the greatest threat in the world.”

Ferelden and Orlais nobles along with the representatives from the Free Marches called for a recess to these meetings. To discuss how to respond to this new proposed plan of action, that surprised many. Though without Tevinter and Qunari present it would be interesting, as the Anderfels did host a single Qunari colony. While the Wardens had run the region well in the absence of a monarch they did not seem to tolerate the corruption that most other nations allowed to help grease the wheels of and motions of government. A militant order and a meritocratic one at that would be problematic in showing lower classes that kings may not be needed in leading them.

As they ushered the diplomats and officials along with their staff to rooms or helped them find space. The warden’s who had been arriving for days began to fill the courtyard, hundreds of them at least more than most had ever seen in one place. As the first warden busied himself with meetings, the High Constable would soon speak. For now at least, wardens from outside Weisshaupt were gathering as ones from it helped show them around the massive fortress, the place could host an army ten thousand strong... And for the first in a long time it looked like it might have that many people.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

@Theyra Wonderfully done! Happy to have him along, he may be very interested in some of the work in Weisshaupt currently. Feel free to move him over at your leisure.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

@Shu This looks fantastic, I can't find a single note here. The world building, timeline, everything is great! Go ahead and move it over at your earliest convivence.

Dragon Age: Grey Dawn

First Warden Wilhelm ‘Blackcrest’ Stol

First Warden Wilhelm ‘Blackcrest’ Stol

| {Full Name} |

Wilhelm Stol

| {Age} |

52

| {Species} |

Human

| {Gender} |

Male

| {Class/subclass} |

Warrior, Champion

---

| {Appearance} |

A scared and rough hewn individual, hailing from Hossberg Wilhelm's demeanor appearance if far more off putting than his candor. A jovial and good natured man, whose face is as marred by smile lines as it is scars. His white hair and black armor make him hard to miss upon a battlefield, unlike many who take the position of First Warden it has not dulled his edge. The sight of his constantly moving head searching with his remaining eye has made the giant of a man an imposing figure. Standing near six and half feet tall with shoulder nearly three feet apart. Unlike past First Warden's he has earned his way to this position through skill rather than politics.

Whether looking at his imposing size or rumors that abound on how he lost the eye one thing is for certain he moves between being the kindly and endearing leader the Order needs to win confidence among it's many members, to strong and hard set commander when the chips are down.

| {Home/Family} |

Hossberg, Bastard of House Stol

| {Flaws and limits} |

The Breaker of tradition- Wilhelm over the past five years has shifted the Order and grown it substantially and perhaps unsustainably, as he ignored many traditions such as appointing senior members of the Wardens to command positions or in other cases pushing for use of the right of conscription outside of Blights and particularly getting involved in politics. It also rumored he has pressed for ways to stall the Calling as long as possible even possibly considering altering the Joining rituals to experiment on newer Wardens to help extend their lifespans.

King Slayer- While few believe Wilhelm Stol killed the King of Anders and ended his royal line it is also he alone who chased him to the towers of Hossberg where he fell from to his death. While no nation wishes the responsibility of maintaining and defending such a place as the Anderfels there are those who believe the First Warden killed him to claim the region as their domain. This is not helped by the Warden's who already defended the region now reigning over it.

---

| {Personality} |

He may come off as brutish and gruff, this is how he presents himself an unaffable grey warden who has faced the terrors of the worlds greatest threat and stood unblinking. Alone with with the company of his fellow Wardens, without the trappings of his post he is a friendly and caring commander. One who takes the time to polish weapons or repair masonry with peasants hired from nearby towns, who listens to what the people under his command have to say. While the Warden's have assumed stewardship of Anderfels he has spent time traveling across the countryside choosing where to place new outposts and contacting the wandering peoples of the Anders. Humble and with ambition for the order, not himself to reclaim their former glory and place as the most respect warriors in all of Thedas.

| {Background} |

Having come from Hossberg along with a dozen or other bastard sons and daughters of the nobility who stood to gain nothing save poverty staying in the capital. His first assignment after surviving the joining was to venture into the Deeproads and make contact with the Dwarves of Kal Sharok a trip and return that took him from a greenhorn initiate to a veteran warrior ready to face the terrors of the Darkspawn. Of twenty Wardens sent, they managed to return with fourteen carrying the bodies of three of their companions... Three others took their calling while below.

This ten years later 'The Blackcrest' the infamous warden recruiter with a pure onyx black shield with griffin emblem visible only when stained with blood. Wandering across Anders fighting Darkspawn and defending the people, taking on new recruits and bringing them back to Weisshaupt. He was selected for his ability and connections to the the nobles of Anders, the former First Warden planning to use him as a face for leverage and political clout. Believing an unambitious noble would be perfect for his aims at seating his with wealth and power in the region.

Instead, he and his fellow dishonorable curs were sent to the deep roads, for an early calling when Wilhelm and other senior Wardens rallied to defend the eggs of the griffins from the hands of the greedy. His election to the position was near unanimous within a month he had written and begun to form the grey wardens ashamed of their behavior during the war with Corypheus. The Inquisitor had spared them destruction or exile yet, Corypheus had targeted them directly and they had slain the Architect before, it meant the Warden's might be able to cut down these first spawn. It had also confirmed something, Darkspawn may not die of old age... A living unending disease, not something they could just wait decades between Blights.

It may be sending men and women to their deaths... Yet it may doom the world to darkness if they failed to act with the new information or seek the remaining magisters. Perhaps others could move between bodies as Corypheus did or perhaps they could die like the Architect, what is known is that these monsters could be just as great a threat as any Archdemon. More information was needed and they could not wait on others to do what should be a Warden's duty.

Character of note:

Chamberlain of the Grey, Adelina Leofcild, head archivist, only the Anderfels wardens maintains multiple archivist, technically the head archivist outranks all but the high constable and first warden. Adelina was raised among the order after being found abandoned in the woods, if given to the Qunari as a mage she would have suffered greatly. Raised in Weisshaupt, she has seen countless Warden's come and go all of them family to her.

Warden archivist Ashlea of Clan Eolas, one of best researchers in Weisshaupt. Formerly an apprentice Keeper, now a Blood Mage and student of Avernus. She is one of the first mages to train in and experiment in removing the taint from plant life, though she believes the next phase to begin testing on living animals and people. Assigned to pathfinder teams to test spells on on blight ridden areas in the deeproads.

Forge Master, Dunek Rouka, part of the new positions created during the reforms. Warden-recuirts whose service is in skill rather than battle. Rather than commissioning individual craftsmen would now have their own in house craftsmen most hailing from the surface dwarves. The blacksmiths, masons, and carpenters are not joined members of the order, they have helped to standardize and improve upon warden equipment, as well plan restorations of the orders many fortresses. The Forge Master is the head of these non-combatant wardens.