Firstfruits (Part 2)

Badden—a disgruntled dwarf, is always on the prowl for adventure. In his left hand, he clutches a gauntlet overflowing with mead; in his right, he swings an axe at whatever darkness dares cross his path.

We first meet Badden in LOTK, chapter 4 (Journey to Landias). He’s in a drunken stupor, entertaining strangers with tall tales of glory. On the surface he’s adventurous, fun, and eccentric, but underneath all that noise are scars as deep as Old Gathstrom itself.

Badden doesn’t begin his story as a hero. He begins as a wanderer. His life is full of regrets. He drinks to dull the blows, jokes to hide the sorrow, and rarely returns home to his worried wife (because that’s always a great idea…).

He was born the rightful heir of Gathstrom, but his brother seized the throne while Badden was still young. When he finally confronts Gatten in LOTKS, chapter 24 (Dark Shadows Past), something shifts. Conviction sets in. Badden starts putting his house in order.

In LOTKR, chapter 11 (Dwarven Confession), Bella finds that Badden has become a new dwarf. He no longer drinks. He apologizes for his past behavior. And right in the middle of that moment, the king’s guards burst into their home and capture Badden and his companions.

Chapters 13–19 of LOTKR follow Badden as he undertakes a quest assigned by the king. He, Andrius, Caedmon, and Kinsey journey deep into Old Gathstrom and uncover the fabled Cobalt Armor and an ancient axe—Justice.

Later, the group stumbles into goblins. The caverns flood. Badden reemerges from the waters to save the others and finally faces Gatten. The king reveals his true form—a drake—and confesses his hatred for dwarves. Badden splits Gatten in two and reclaims his throne. Although victorious, his story continues as the deeper meaning of his arc will be revealed in the next post.

“The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.”

Exodus 23:19