Master Of None

The party was ready to go again early in the morning. They could tell there was a lot of movement from the aboveground portion of the dwarven city. There were many of the golems moving about and transporting supplies to the designated areas for the day. "Let's go and see what they say at the entrance."

Walker was excited but also nervous to be entering the dwarven city. It was an intimidating military force on their continent and was only held back by their own desire to work on their forging instead of war. These feelings only increased as they drew nearer to the stone walls and massive steel gate. 

"Halt. Place proper identification underneath the verification orb." A strange echo like voice came from one of the nearby golems as it raised a pointed hand toward an orb glowing with mana and runes. 

"We are from the Genesis alliance. Will our symbols work?" Walker was sure that he could use the various plaques and pins could work as identification. 

"Any and all forms can be scanned by the verification orb." The golems strange voice replies and the party began to gather their forms of identification. After each had held them under the orb the glowing increased and then stopped. 

More golems came to the gate worrying Walker since they were not speaking like the two at the entrance had been able to do. The party was holding close together for the worst when a more normal voice came to them. "Ambassadors here to see us? What could you need right now?" 

There was a shorter armored being in front of them. The gold inlay on the helmet completely obscured a face of any kind. But Walker was able to tell that this must be a real dwarf beneath the armor. Walker responded carefully knowing that it would be best not to offend the first dwarf they met. 

"We have come from the newly formed Genesis alliance to extend an olive branch and an invitation. We are also here as the heroes known as the omnipotent party to assist in the issues surrounding the yellow acidic slimes that are tormenting your people. Furthermore, we are also here to share knowledge and grow." 

The dwarf paced around for some time before stopping and waving at a few of the golems. "You are welcome to come in but you will first hear the word of the surface king of the dwarves. It will be up to him if you are allowed to proceed further." There was not much else said. Golems came and flanked the party to lead them. 

The dwarf was sure the party was in a strange fearful quiet but that was just because the dwarf did not know that Onyx was translating for the party in their minds. 

"What is with the harsh treatment? I thought they would be a lot more of a trading hub than this?" Remey was the one lost on this. She had thought there would be many more merchants and travelers around the entrance than golems. 

"I feel like they are on edge. One dwarf and tons of their golems. They are all working too, there has to be more going on." Gil was taking note of all the metal parts he was seeing on the surface. The sheer amount of parts was more than he could count just looking quickly. 

"I agree, there appears to be trouble. If they are bringing so much to the surface it may be ab effort to protect them from the slimes." Su had already drawn her own conclusions as to why there would be so much movement in this area.

"I think Su hit the nail on the head. There are multiple stone buildings that seem to be converted for storage or are new. My theory is that Su is correct, and more so that they are changing the way traffic flows in to their city due to the issues they are having." Walker was sure that there were more merchants and such elsewhere but they had not been left on the surface. 

"Brother, there are a lot of vibrations from under the ground." Onyx had been having trouble focusing because he could feel the constant vibrations from underneath him. 

"That is going to be the normal here. There are many caves and such of dwarven homes, buildings, forges, and even more below us. And even more, there are the mining caves. I have a feeling that the ground is calm up here compared to what is going on down there." 

This made Onyx slither up and find refuge on Walkers' shoulder. He was not going to have the most pleasant time being underground let alone around the many vibrations. "Don't worry, I have plenty of light elemental crystals for you to snack on while we are under ground." 

The party was being guided to a slightly larger stone building. There were many different versions of the dwarven golems around it and some even opened the door for the party as they entered. "Surface king, I have brought those who have come to speak to the three kings about the new alliance and the slime pest." The dwarf that had come to meet them spoke up first causing a dwarf at a table full of maps and documents to turn his attention on them. 

Unlike the other dwarf, this one was wearing a basic forge attire and was bolstering multiple tools and hammers on his belt. He looked nothing like a king in their eyes from what they had seen thus far. 

"So, you come all the way here when we are busy to talk politics? Give me one good reason why I should allow you to go down any further?" The dwarf may have stood shorter than them but the entire party could feel a pressing force above them. 

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