In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 31):

Morteft nods. "Very well, that is where I will be."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 29):

Shorty walks around the book shelves to get to the front of the room.  Around the corner he can see walls and an open door.  Walking closer he can see out the inner walls of the room.  We he gets to the door he can see a large desk with many papers on it.  He also notices a small figure behind the desk.  It look like a mini silver dragon!

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 34):

Shorty stares for a moment.  The he states, "hello pretty dragon.  How's come so small.  Baby was bigger when come from egg.   And now him bigger den me.  "

In reply to Warwick (msg # 32):

In the first book, History of the Dwarves, the Forgemakers are known early on as warrior clan, with some nobles in their ranks.  They are mentioned in the early battles especially the troll and dragon wars.  The first Forgemaker formally named was  Firebeard, who participated in both troll and dragon wars.  Finally General Hemrick is mentioned near the end in more troll war battles.

--DM2

In reply to Shorty (msg # 35):

The small dragon look up, closes a book before him and stares at Shorty for a moment, then speaks with a deep voice.  "The name is Celestron, I am dragonair, Sir, a type of pseudo-dragon.  I am 1050 years old, full grown thank you.  Is there something you want?"

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 37):

Morteft seems fascinated with Celestron. "Fascinating. We are adventurers Celestron on a quest regarding the dragon orbs. Shorty here is fascinated with all things dragon and is the unofficial mother of a baby red dragon that he is raising. He is a good and stalwart warrior. We are here to prepare for our mission. Please excuse my intrusion into your privacy, but may I ask what you are researching?"

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 37):

Shorty grins down at the little dragon and counts on his fingers.  "1...2.....4......seben... lots.  Me not know dat number.  Den you must not be baby dragon.  We ken still play or goes fer walk.  Me Baby like dat.  Any him like apples too."  Shorty reaches into his pouch and pulls out an apple, shines it, and offers it to Celestron.

Celestron gives a dragon frown.  "Sir, I do not walk nor do I play games.  The pursuit of knowledge is my enjoyment."  Celestron pauses to look at the apple  "An apple for the teacher?  Apples upset my tummy, no thank you."



Celestron's expression doesn't change as Morteft explains Shorty etc before he says.  "Another small leap for dragon kind.  Who will teach who I wonder.  You will need a stalwart warrior where you are going.  Dualis has discovered new math, science, magic and technology as well as knowledge from other worlds.  That is my current pursuit, as side I have also looked into your bands little quest."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 40):

Morteft says, "Technology? Interesting. Perhaps you can give us some insight into where we are going? Have you done much research into it?"

Having been to the tower before and looked through the books he found interesting, Aztar mostly just hangs back and watches the others.  He seems remarkably quiet for him and is mostly lost in his own thoughts at the moment.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 40):

Shorty shakes his head sadly.  "Works too muches n forgets what be portent.  Linen be portent.  Me teach baby portent ting, takin care people's.  birdie teach all udder stuff.  Smart not always best us."  Shorty points to Celestrons chest.  " what be in heart mo potent den what in head."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 43):

"Ah, spoken like one who doesn't take care of the head.  The heart is easily deceived when the head is on vacation.  But you are a warrior, so we shall not tarry down this path.  Your heart is on your sleeve as they say."

To Aztar: "Sir Aztar, we have new books in that Dualis believes are of interest to you.  I had them sent down to your lab.  One is Nuclear Propulsion, I think that may have a link to the glow rocks, called Uranium in the books. Also books on Ceramics and Metallurgy."

To Morteft: "Yes I can give you a little data on what you are getting yourself into.  Is there a specific obstacle you are most interested?"

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 44):

Morteft says, "Anything on the layout, the types of traps to expect, the types of golems and the like. It would be good to know the designers of the place, the traps and the golems since we may be able to review their prior work."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 45):

Warwick clears his throat, looking up from his book.  "Some of us ain't so keen on surprises."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 46):

Next book: Dwarven clans

Warwick finds the section on Forgemakers near the middle of the book.  They are a fairly old clan with references back to the Golden Age.  At the time they were mostly blacksmiths making wonderful items for Perod the Great as well as dwarven relics.  At some point near the fall of the golden age they became warriors and priests.  This was the beginning of the dragon and troll wars.  Gargaragoth made an attempt to capture the dwarven stronghold while the dragons were starting to distrust the men-like bipeds and the evil dragons having open aggression.  This is where Firebeard is mentioned again, as he led the final charge that pushed Gargaragoth back to retreat.
   With the dragons and trolls continuing to make trouble, the Forgemakers never really went back to black smithing.  Other names of renown are shown, Rorak, the troll cleaver, Uhlrick wyrmsbane, Dagran foe-splitter and of course Warwicks grandfather, Hemrick, General of the Grand Army that finally brought the dragon and troll wars to a close.
   About 600 years ago the Foregmakers began to acquire much land as tribute to their deeds.  They are known throughout the realm and are often seen at royal and high social gatherings.  It is widely accepted that they are a ancient noble line; but those records were lost at the beginning of the golden age.  Their estate, a section of mountain caverns, is a thing of wonder.  They gather every 5 years for a family reunion.  The book shows the last reunion date, it was 4 years ago.

--DM2

In reply to Morteft (msg # 45):

Celestron pauses a moment, "Why don't I start with the golems.  Besides the regular ones you a familiar there are a few that are not really known to this age.  For instance the Mithril Golem, about twice as strong as a iron golem.  It's special attack is a Cone of Cold.  Then the Adamantine golem, perhaps 4 times as strong as an iron golem, special attack, disintegration as the spell, Dualis has several.  Then there is a special crystal golem, which has the annoying habit of reflecting damage, otherwise similar in strength to an iron golem.  The last one is a diamond golem, special attack, prismatic spray, about twice as strong as an iron golem.  All need at least a +3 weapon to damage."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 48):

Morteft says, "Those sound pretty nasty. Do you know if this vault is on another plane? I am hoping our weapons aren't going to be minimized. Also, most golems have one or two spells that will affect them. Do you know if those do?"

In reply to Morteft (msg # 49):

Celestron thinks a bit, "These are all completely resistant to magic, at least there is nothing to indicate that they are affected."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 50):

Morteft sighs. "That is too bad. I suppose I can take a transformation spell so that I can help in battle. I can buff as well."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 47):

Warwick stares up at the ceiling in silent reflection.  The Forgemakers are considered a noble, ancient line.  How could that be?  They were just smiths.  Warwick goes back to the book, looking for mention of the Giant Cleaver.  Did his grandfather really forge it or had that history changed as well?  And was there any mention of himself?  His debates?  Anything so that he would know how better to fit in to this changed timeline.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 48):

"So be sayin gots ta just smashes."

Aztar raises an eyebrow as one of the words the dragon mentions is familiar to him,  "He's been traveling to technology worlds again, hasn't he?  I'll be curious to read them, but still more interested to see how the rocks can be adapted to my style of magic and alchemy."

Listening to the types of golems and already noting that Dualis has several similiar, he was curious about one aspect of the golems, "All of these types will be encountered, or as we defeat one guardian golem, will another appear?  Do you know if they are aware of when one is in danger and will come to help?"

"If we only need to defeat one to gain access, it would seem wisest to take on the weakest, but if they will all converge on a threat, that will be a serious threat to deal with indeed."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 53):

Celestron to Shorty: "Yes warrior, smash them."

--DM2

Celestron: "Yes he has traveled to a new world, more by accident.

All of the golem encounters are by chance, they just roam the complex.  They will not come to each others aid, you need not worry.  The only one you truly need to defeat is the one with the key.  But you won't know that till it is defeated."

--DM2
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Thu 16 May 2013.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 52):

The next book.   The Early Troll and Dragon Wars.

As was stated in the last Book, the trolls lead by Gargaragoth began an assault on the dwarven kingdom.  The intial skirmishes were out lying cities.  A year later Garagaragoth started the siege of Stoneguard.  That first year was still light fighting as Gargaragoth was testing the responsiveness and strength of the dwarves.  There were 3 major assaults on Stoneguard.  The first was actually repelled with ease, of the 3000 trolls in the assault about half were wiped out.  However the cost of the battle was over-confidence, the dwarves thought the war would not last long.
   The next major assault happened 6 months later.  The main difference is that Gargaragoth employed the use of goblins to infiltrate Stoneguard from below and assassinate priests.  This was followed by an attack of 5000 trolls.  This time the trolls entered Stoneguard.  The battle was fierce, many trolls and dwarves died.  Gargaragoth even employed a special curse to limit the dwarven priests magic.  In the end the trolls were repelled, when nearly on the brink of victory, by a small band of dwarves lead by Firebeard Forgemaker.  Gargaragoth went back home to plan the final assault and Firebeard was made General of the army.
   The final assault was by a group of 7500 trolls but the battle took place before the gates of Stoneguard.  Firebeard lead a group of 3000 dwarves, all told from all over Delith were 8000 dwarves.  The battle lasted 9 hours and culminated with the battle between Firebeard and Gargaragoths chief lieutenant, Kirsk the merciless.  They fought toe to toe for about 20 minutes when finally Firebeard actually lept into the air, about 7 feet up, and brought down a thunderous blow with his Axe, Troll Carver, Kirsk attempted to block the strike but the axe sheared the troll weapon and then embedded into his head.  The battle was over after that.  Troll Carver however was shattered also, the axe head was in 4 pieces and kept by Firebeard.  He later would use it as a single headed axe in the dragon wars.

The dragon wars started as dragons and dwarves began to contend for common areas, typically against the red and blue dragon clans.  These were typically battles between new settlements of dwarves and the dragons of the area to be settled.  Sometimes bronze dragons would aid their fellow dragons choosing to side with kin rather than philosophy.
    The dragons would also call on some giants to aid in the extrusion of dwarves.  Giants, being quite a bit smaller than dragons were able to go and find the dwarves in their strongholds.  This war went on for about 50 years until the dwarves sent a task force to deal with one of the main dragon leaders, a Blue called Killowatt.  The task force was lead by Firebeard.  Killowatt had a company of giants and other dragon kind.  The battle happened in a cavern that is halfway between Stoneguard and what is now Calator. Firebeard wielded 2 weapons, his old Troll Carver and a new battle axe called The Answer.  Troll Carver was still an effective weapon and Firebeard struck the final blow on 5 fire giants with it.  The battle ended with Killowatt being destroyed and an Ancient Bronze called Gleam, who was observing the battle strongly urged end to the hostilities and personally working a truce between the dragons and dwarves.  Firebeard retired after this and Troll Carver became a prominent display in the halls of Stoneguard.

--DM2