Legion of the Dead

The Legion of the Dead is an independent branch of the dwarven army that answers directly to the monarchy of Orzammar. It is considered to be the most intimidating and devastating force in the dwarven military and many attribute this to the fact that the Legionnaires consider themselves to be already dead.
== Background ==
The Legion is a military organization not unlike the Grey Wardens in that it accepts anyone from any level of society. Many join the Legion to avoid punishment for various crimes or to regain their honor. Others join to have their debts forgiven, thus restoring their Houses' lost honor. Some even join for the glory, and the Legion accepts them all the same.
Before they permanently leave Orzammar and enter the Deep Roads, the Legionnaires undergo a somber, symbolic "funeral": where last goodbyes are spoken to friends and relatives and all ties to their former lives are cut. It begins with chanting and toasts, then the dwarves bid farewell to their friends and loved ones.Based on dialogue between Sigrun and Anders in Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening. Then their faces are painted with grim tattoos, which are applied at their funerals during the night. The Legionnaire recruit will be required to give up everything they had from their previous life. Any material goods are dispersed to heirs and last words are said, and then it is done. The new Legionnaire marches out into the Deep Roads, never to return.Codex entry: Legion of the Dead
This funeral clears the dwarf's name and restores their family's lost honor. They are recorded as dead in the Memories, viewed as having found glorious and redemptive death in battling the dwarves' eternal nemesis, the darkspawn. The Legionnaire must then work to make this a fact through a courageous and honorable death. The Legion fights against the darkspawn to the last, striking one final blow against the monsters that have claimed so much of their homeland.
The Legion of the Dead also bears the unique responsibility of purifying the Stone from a corruption called the gangue. The gangue is described as "the waste and the unstable rock that must be cut away from the Stone." It is the toxic influence contaminating the Stone, and whose harmful influence impedes all dwarves from achieving prosperity. The Legion of the Dead must carve out the worse of themselves as a prerequisite to face the gangue. Only the fully adorned of the Legion are worthy enough to face and destroy the gangue.Codex entry: The Gangue Shade
Legionnaires are typically marked with grim tattoos, and also equipped with heavy armor and fine weapons. The Legion does not permit its members to own property or personal belongings.According to Sigrun's dialogue with The Warden when she is gifted a Spyglass Everything a Legionnaire needs to accomplish their mission is presumably issued to them. However, associates of a Legionnaire recruit can "donate" items to a Legionnaire during their ceremonial funeral by setting such items near their grave.Deep Roads Girdle
When a Legionnaire dies in battle the Legion entombs them, thus returning them to the Stone.In Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, the Legion buries their dead under a statue of Paragon Endrin Stonehammer.Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Player's Guide, set 2, p. 22 The Legion celebrates the fact that the fallen has finally found peace. Units of the Legion of the Dead are sometimes supported by Grey Wardens in the ranks, who as part of their Calling, go to Orzammar to honor an ancient pact with the dwarves by fighting till the end against their common foe.As seen with Ser Ruth's involuntary Calling during Judgment: The Death of Good Ser Ruth if Josephine is tasked with contacting the dwarves.
Non-dwarves may also join the Legion, but this is very rare. The only known human to join the Legion was a man named Sir Aurelian Pentaghast who was disgraced when he attempted to assume the throne of Nevarra in 8:60 Blessed.
The headquarters of the Legion of the Dead used to be located in Bownammar, also known as the City of the Dead, an impressive fortress which was designed by the Paragon Caridin. In 9:13 Dragon, it was abandoned to the darkspawn with great regret. As the Legion's activities spread in a large portion of the Deep Roads and not only around Orzammar, they regularly create sturdy crates which contain clothing, food and weapons in various locations in case they are needed.Dragon Age: The Calling, p. 391
=== The second death ===
When a Legionnaire dies, there is a second funeral to return them to the Stone. If it is possible to do so, the remaining Legionnaires bury their fallen brethren. The bodies of the dead are placed in sarcophagi which are sealed within graves in order to protect them from being defiled by darkspawn.As seen with the sarcophagi found in the catacombs of the Dead Trenches or with the Warrior's Grave. 
The nature of the Legion, however, means that as their numbers dwindle the very last of them will not be buried and given their return to the Stone.
== Involvement ==
=== Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne ===
=== Dragon Age: Origins ===
=== Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening ===
=== The Darkspawn Chronicles ===
=== Dragon Age II ===
=== Dragon Age: Inquisition ===
As a result of the alliance between Orzammar and the newly re-established Inquisition, the legionnaire Korbin is assigned to aid the Inquisition in their conflict on the surface.
== Ranks ==
* Commander
* Lieutenant
* Sergeant
* Corporal
* Legionnaire
* Scout
== Known Legionnaires ==
* AmrunCodex entry: Rock WraithCodex entry: Dwarven Mugs
* Aurelian Pentaghast – the only known human to ever join the Legion
* Aydis – a female Legionnaire with excellent knowledge of the Deep Roads; she accidentally discovered along with Kardol a possible abandoned Archdemon Prison
* Bashath GarenCodex entry: Third Legionnaire's Journal
* Bernat – Quartermaster responsible for supplying Renn's unit; died before the expedition into the Storm Coast FissureCodex entry: Lieutenant RennMentioned in conversation between Valta and Renn.
* Lord Durius FeraldCodex entry: The Dead Caste 
* Lieutenant GantCodex entry: Topsider's Honor
* GreckCodex entry: When It's Quiet
* Jukka
* Kardol
* Karles AratackCodex entry: Second Legionnaire's Journal
* Korbin
* Maius
* Makev – an injured dwarf encountered in the Legion Camp located in the Storm Coast Fissure; he fears his wounds might be infected with darkspawn taint; by the time the Legion Camp is established in the Ruins of Heidrun Thaig, the taint has further spread across his bodyMentioned in conversation between two Legionnaires in the Legion Camp of the Storm Coast Fissure.Mentioned in conversation between two Legionnaires in the Legion Camp of the Ruins of Heidrun Thaig.
* Malev HaranCodex entry: First Legionnaire's Journal
* Nalthur
* Lieutenant Renn
* Sigrun
* Corporal Trovid Oreson
* Sergeant Unger
* Varen – he became a Paragon after discovering that nugs are edibleCodex entry: In Praise of the Humble Nug
* Varlan Vollney – he carried a gold ring with the crest of House Vollney on it and befriended Sigrun after joining the Legion; he died during the Legion's assault on Kal'Hirol in 9:31 DragonMentioned by Sigrun during the last part of Sigrun's Roguish Past.
* Vond – a Carta dwarf who joined the Legion around the same time as Renn; after accidentally swallowing darkspawn blood Vond died from the taint three days laterMentioned in dialogue with Renn. He also mentions that Vond fought with daggers striking his enemies very fast.
* Yehkar – encountered in the Legion Camp located on the Storm Coast Fissure; he believes that the Legion can handle the darkspawn threats encountered during the events of the Descent on its own and disapproves of involving any surfacers
* Ralevi – nicknamed "The root"; a highly skilled Legionnaire who was enlisted by Lord Kynrik Clangdrol to fight in the Grand Tourney of the Free Marches in the early DragonDragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide, set 2
== Codex entries ==
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== Notes ==
* Kal-Sharok has its own version of Legion of the Dead known as the Rock-Knockers. They are less stoic and less committed to inevitable death, honorable or not.Based on the Rock-Knocker description.
* The heraldry of the Legion of the Dead is a stylized dwarven skull that's often colored white or grey, depending on the color surrounding it. It is emblazoned upon many of the Legion's armor, be them personal suits or shields.
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== Gallery ==
Two Legionnaires.jpg|Two members of the Legion of the Dead
Legionnaire statue II.png|Statue of a Legionnaire in Bownammar
Jukka.png|Jukka
Kardol.png|Kardol
Korbin Character Image.png|Korbin
Lieutenant-Renn.png|Renn
Sigrun Infobox Image.png|Sigrun
== References ==
Category:Groups
Category:Legionnaires
Category:Dwarven groups
Category:Noble caste
Category:Dwarven lore