Things have been hectic lately. After our meeting with Lord Harrowmont, we helped to solidify his position in the Assembly by eliminating a group of Dust Town thugs led by a casteless dwarf named Jarvia. That Jarvia even had the temerity to operate outside of Dust Town shows how bad the situation in Orzammar has become. A new king must be appointed soon before my home tears itself apart.
With the elimination of Jarvia and her band of thugs, Harrowmont believed that he had sufficient sway in the Assembly to win the vote. However, I wasn't so sure. In particular, I felt that Lords Odell, Medra and Dace would still vote for Bhelen. With their influence, victory for Harrowmont was not assured and we needed to find another way to sway the Assembly. We were almost at our wits end when a stray comment from Harrowmont gave me an idea.
In a moment of frustration, Harrowmont had called upon the Stone and the Paragons to curse Bhelen (a sentiment I freely share!). A Paragon was exactly what we needed now. A Paragon would be the key decider that would break the deadlock in the Assembly. Unfortunately, the last living Paragon, Branka, had gone into the Deep Roads almost two years ago in search of an ancient artifact and had not been seen since. Everyone presumed her dead after such a long absence. However, Branka had taken her entire House with her. If anything could survive in the Deep Roads for two years, it would be an entire House of Dwarven warriors.
Regardless, we have little choice. We desperately need to find a way to break the deadlock in the Assembly. Hopefully, Branka is still alive. I met her briefly several years ago when she was elevated to Paragon status and I believe I will be able to convince her to join her voice with mine in the Assembly. So it was we ventured once more into the Deep Roads.
Leliana scouts ahead for traps
The Deep Roads themselves seem to be infested with Darkspawn - much more than is usual this close to the city. Alistair says it is because of the Blight. It would appear that the Darkspawn are massing in the tunnels and will soon be ready to invade the surface in force. If so, then our task has become that much more urgent. If we are to stop the Blight, we will need to locate Branka quickly.
One thing is sure. There is no longer any doubt that this is indeed a Blight. We saw the Archdemon. Alas, without an army, we were in no position to fight and had to hide while it passed by.
The Archdemon will have to wait ... for now
We eventually came across a unit from the Legion of the Dead. Kardol, the commander of the unit, confirmed that Branka had come through two years ago. We are on the right track! However, with the increase in Darkspawn numbers, there may be no way for us to push ahead. The Legion of the Dead have been guarding a deep chasm with only one large bridge across. The Darkspawn are massed on the other side but so far, Kardol and his men have been able to hold the bridge and repulse each Darkspawn attack. The problem is that, with the sheer numbers of Darkspawn on the opposite side of the bridge, there is no way for my team to get across.
However, while I doubt our team of four will be able to assist Kardol in any meaningful way, I have hope that he may be able to assist us. Kardol has agreed to attack the Darkspawn and charge across the bridge. With this diversion, Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana and myself may be able to sneak across. Many of his men will perish in this attack but as Kardol himself said - they are already dead.
Anyway, I should hurry - even as I write this, I can see that Kardol has finished briefing his men and we will soon start our push across the bridge.
Defeding the bridge with the Legion of the Dead
Quick postscript.
I am worried about Leliana. Lately, she has seemed a little bloodthirsty and I wonder if she has been tainted with Darkspawn blood. Hopefully, this is not the case. Possibly, she is merely losing herself in the constant combat which we have seen in the Deep Roads. I imagine it also hasn't been easy for her to spend so much time underground.
Leliana beheads a Carta mage
We tried to tell Leliana that the Ogre was dead but I don't think she heard us
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