Upset Dwarf

An Upset Dwarf

It was a morn like any other. The sun gleamed through the eastern window of the Whispering Pines Tavern, shining on the shiny nose of Watts who, at the time, was still in dream land. Once hitting the eyes he blinked, sat up and stretched. "Ah Lali-ho Sun!" he said "looks to be another fine day."

Watts sat up and fixed himself a small breakfast (which consisted of pork roast, bowl of potatoes, a couple of fishsteaks, some eggs, two pitchers of Milk, and some cookies for desert) and then went into the back room and got dressed. He decided he would travel to Minoc to see if any of the locals needed help with smithing, or if any warriors would need repairs. He has not been there in a few weeks so he thought it would be a nice trip. Taking out his runebook, he opened it up and waved his hand over a blue gem and spoke the word "Kal Ort Por" ... he was stil in the tavern. Watts mumbled some dwarven curses and tried again "Kal Ort Por!" And he closed his eyes and when opened he found himself at the Minoc/ Vesper Moongate.

With a whistle he began to walk towards the town when he heard a very odd yet familliar sound. Some paces from the gate he stopped and listened. There it was again! "hmm... it sounds as if a gate is openeing and closing..." he said to himself. He followed the sound to the South West. He walked only a minute when he saw a being shrouded in red robes. Watts slowly walked up closer "Is this what was making that sound?" he said silently.

The being heard Watts somehow and turned around. Watts gasped for air and his hand instictivly went to the handle of his Axe. "A S..Slayer!" He said aloud. The being has skin that was of shadow color. Flashbacks of the war raced through Watts' mind like running water. The tournament with the slayers, the death, the pain of loss. This paralyzed Watts and gave the being ample time to strike. He raised his dark arms and sent an energy bolt at Watts' chest, sending him stumbling backwards and landing on his back. He rolled to try and get away from the dark mage. He coughed for the force of the bolt made him lose breath. He stood suddenly "What's happening... mages do not live around here..." he said worridly. "I can't do this alone." Seeing the mage come closer for a second attack Watts knew it was no time to ponder, he unlatched his axe and jumped at the mage and send a blow to his head, knocking the mage over. Watts began to run away towards the town when he heard the sound again and when he looked in front there it was; a large metalic knight, easily 3 times Watts' size! It stood there as if provoking Watts to attack. He gazed into the creatures eyes, which was not human nor beast! Watts swung his axe and not so much as a dent! The Metallic Knight swung its large bulking arms and with one swoop knocked Watts 30 feet in the distance. He tried to stand but was too much in pain. "Is this the end then..." he asked himself. Then he heard hooves and footsteps racing and coming closer.

He heard battle in the distance as two voices talked of healing the little dwarf. A moment later he felt better and was helped up. Some local Minocians heard the battle and raced to help. They had no time to talk but asked if Watts would help them. Watts agreed and they told the tale of the "golems" (as they named them) Walking Metal fused with Magic. Watts began to get upset. Such power, the metal, machinery. Dwarfs were one of the first races to harness such things and now they are being used for evil!

They led Watts further South and came across many Golems and Mages. The mages seemed to controll the golems at will, and do their bidding. "Over there!" One voice yelled and pointed west. A well sized, shadow ored structure layed ahead, lightning came from the top. "Watts ye said ye are a dwarf and so ye know of such things. Please help us!" Watts nodded in disbelief and he walked to the tower with three new friends. He watched as one man tried to play with the machine and then... fall dead. "A mistake cosst your life, dwarf, be carefull." Watts walked up and studied the machine, it was very well built, well thought of, but a puzzle that watts recognized. It was a game, get the gem from one end to the other, following a pre-ordained path. However should you make a mistake, it would be almost fatal. Watts stroked his beard in though as the people held off the golems and mages. Watts began to move the stone with the control on the right.

So far so good, nearly halfways there and not a mistake, then... lightning struck! Watts fall down and immediatly the men began to heal his wounds, magic and bandages were in a race. "Come dwarf finish it!" Watts stood and started again, at length he got the gem into a red square. At that moment the tower shook and exploded, leaving behind nothing but shadpwed ore.

The group cheered but talk of more towers lay ahead. Watts explained the mechanics of this as they went off. Watts, on the other hand, needed to check on his friends, the Mists of Avalon. He was very upset and hurt that such creations would be used for evil. He recalled to a gate and crossed over and recalled to the Glade of the Mists of Avalon. There was peace there and not a soul to be found, but down south he saw magic flying. He ran off to join in the fray, to get answers to this terrible act.