Orseck Garal

Orseck Garal
Title	King of the Dwarven Empire Paragon
Race	Dwarf
Gender	Male
Appearances	Historical

Orseck Garal was a Paragon and king of the dwarven empire. Together with Endrin Stonehammer, he ruled the dwarven people and set the course of the future of the empire.

Garal's Leadership

The first dwarven kingdom was founded in a time out of memory, beyond even the extensive records of the dwarven Memories. In those days the kingdom spanned the length and breadth of Thedas and encompassed innumerable thaigs, a rich and powerful collection of city-states with independent monarchs but under the aegis of a single ruler. It was in this age of expansion and greatness that King Orseck Garal ruled, with his ally Endrin Stonehammer at his side. The capital of the kingdom at the time was Kal-Sharok, situated near the magocracy of the Tevinter Imperium.

When the Tevinter Imperium rose to power, the Archon Darinius ventured into the Deep Roads to forge an alliance with the dwarven leaders. Stonehammer granted the magister a sweeping covenant and trade flourished between the dwarven kingdom and the Tevinter capital of Minrathous. The coffers of the dwarven empire filled and the relationship was mutually beneficial. This relationship between the Imperium and the dwarves has endured to modern times, and resulted in dwarves existing as respected foreign dignitaries in the Imperium, and having a voice in Tevinter politics.

At -1170 Ancient (25 TE) Garal moved the capital from Kal-Sharok to Orzammar because of the internal turmoil caused in the Imperium following the Archon's death and also to focus on commerce with the surface. Garal himself passed away an indeterminate time later, after having ruled as king in both Kal-Sharok and Orzammar.

When Garal died, Stonehammer was named his heir.

Lore discrepancies

There is a discrepancy in regard to the contributions of Paragons Garal and Stonehammer. According to Codex entry: Orzammar History: Chapter One Orseck Garal moved the capital to Orzammar, while in Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1, Stonehammer is credited with having done so. The truth likely lies somewhere between, with King Orseck Garal giving the decree and Stonehammer enforcing it.

After Death

Following Garal's death, Stonehammer took the mantle of king of the dwarven people, expanding Orzammar, building Stonehammer Hall, and reorganizing The Provings to allow for more massive tournaments. Paragons began to be named from winners of Grand Provings around -1170 Ancient. Stonehammer was not named a Paragon until -1131 Ancient, on his deathbed, passing away before his own ancestral statue was completed. Stonehammer is known as the First Paragon. His last act as king and only act as Paragon was to name his ally Orseck Garal a Paragon as well.

Trivia

Unlike other Paragons who are known by their first names, such as Paragon Aeducan, Garal is known to history as Paragon Garal rather than Paragon Orseck.

See also

Codex entry: The Paragons

Codex entry: Orzammar History: Chapter One