Legion of the Dead



A great deal of importance is placed on the appearance of nobility and justice amongst the dwarves. The actions of one family member can often severely diminish an entire House's place in the social hierarchy of the dwarves. Some disgraced dwarves will choose to go through a ceremonial "death" to clear their names and the names of their families. They walk out of Orzammar into the Deep Roads to fight darkspawn for the rest of their lives as a member of the Legion of the Dead. When one of their number dies, the Legion will bury him or her within the stone, and celebrate the fact that the fallen has finally found peace.

King Maric had the aid of Nalthur and his soldiers, members of the Legion of the Dead, in reclaiming the throne of Ferelden. He was able to enlist their aid by assuring them that he would tell the dwarves in Orzammar about their deeds, and bury them in the stone, not in the dirt under the sky. The dwarves apparently hold great respect for the word of the human kings, as this alone was enough to motivate even the most tentative of the Legion to leave the familiar environment of the Deep Roads for the surface.

When the Warden and their party reach the Dead Trenches, they meet a group of Legionnaires led by Kardol, who appears to be a high ranking member of the Legion and can later be persuaded to bring the Legion topside to help with the Blight.

During the course of Awakening, the Warden-Commander meets a Legion scout named Sigrun whose unit was wiped out in an unsuccessful attempt to retake Kal'Hirol from the darkspawn. According to Sigrun, dwarves joining the Legion of the Dead undergo symbolic funerals for themselves, severing their ties to their past lives.

Trivia

 * The Legion of the Dead seems to be somewhat inspired by the Warhammer universe's brotherhood of dwarven Slayers, disgraced dwarves seeking a worthy death.

Notable members

 * Jukka
 * Kardol
 * Nalthur
 * Sigrun