>>194576
[Probably the same people who want his master in the Land of Dragons, the Lined One, dead, what with him being The Lined One’s student for a time.]
>>194579
[Last I had seen, the plan was to make the Pangolin largely a raged combat specialist, with dozens of hand-cannons built into it’s shell for omnidirectional fire (pop up from under armor plates/scales, fire, then recede back under protection of armor), with two Soul Grave-scale mortar pieces built into each hand, and some Morphic Steel spike and claw setup both for clawed attack in open form, and rolling up into a spiked ball for smashing and impaling stuff. But yeah, Something like the Amaranthine Annihilator could be made, but in absense of Pristine Souls (which work only on Mordre) it will be rather considerably weaker. That, and the Eyes of Winter, the two rubies that are Mordre’s eyes, are exceeded in quality only by the single massive gem topping Arkus’ pilfered yeti shaman staff. …Though you could use that to set up a decent single-beam variant of the Amaranthine Annihilator.]
>>194430
>>194488
>>194506
>>194513
”As to what I could use in the here and now,
Steel is my highest priority, but tin, tantalum, niobium:
These I need in smaller amounts than steel or iron,
To facilitate research endeavors, as well as nickel,
Magnesium and copper: I find myself in need of a great many metals.
And so, to facilitate their accrual, I shall tell you all I can of your foe.”
”Indeed, I could supply much of what you seek,
I have fairly comprehensive metal trading networks,
And it would be a small price to pay for useful information.
So, what DO you know of this foe of mine?”
”The story of the talking Small Tomb requires some backstory,
So I implore you to bear with me as I set the stage:
Small Tombs are much more common than Soul Graves,
Largely due to their method of creation: They need but one soul,
One of heroic qualities bound within the metal to power the golem,
Unlike Soul Graves, which require mass amounts of souls.
In most cases, the soul used to power Small Tombs is just that:
A power source, and nothing more: But this is not always the case.
The Small Tomb that plagues you is powered by the soul of one I know,
An individual once known as Dulu the Golemslayer, a dangerous individual.
Beyond a plethora o experience facing down golems, he was preternaturally aware,
Making him a vexing foe to try to strike down, evading most attacks:
This trait has only grown with his transformation into a Small Tomb.
I first encountered Dulu in service to some bandits, and still in the flesh he damaged this,
The Soul Grave I utilize in a one on one contest with nothing more than a morphic weapon.
The contest was close enough at the time that he was able to safely retreat.
The second time I encountered him, I was able to slay him with considerable effort,
But his soul was able to escape despite his death: ‘Twas after this he became a Small Tomb.
When next he was encountered, he demonstrated the power of his new form,
Threatening an extensively guarded caravan with a multitude of potent warriors,
Before finally being forced to quit the field when those with him were slain.
His new form, forged of Morphic Steel, is dangerously durable and flexible alike:
I know him to possess a morphic staff that he favors, as well as eight cleavers.
While he normally has but two arms, an insidious enchantment can change that:
Sapphires embedded in his form guide a form of contact magic absorption,
With the energy he takes powering the creation of further arms on his form.
Thus far, he has been seen to have up to eight arms that he can use quite readily,
Though I do not know if that is his limit, or simply the extent of what he revealed.
Due to his focus on melee combat, it is recommended to either avoid magic use,
Or to use so much that you might overload his enchantments, preferably at a distance.
As to whom the Small Tomb Dulu serves, I have little hard evidence,
But considering his soul to be housed in a newly made Small Tomb,
With his mind intact, no less, coupled with testimonials from captured accomplices,
I suspect him to serve a mage talented in both Golemcraft and Soul Magic.
While I cannot yet prove it, I suspect this mage to be Archmage Weinsho,
Though I admit there is a possibility someone is using his name falsely.
If I had more substantial evidence, I would bring my claims before the State,
As well as my contact in the Mortal Coil, but Dulu’s master has been fairly careful,
So for now I have only my suspicions.”
The whole time I spoke, Carkiano patiently waited, attending to my words with a singular focus as he periodically nodded the head of his golem armor. As I conclude my comprehensive report on Dulu the Golemslayer, Golemslain and Golemformed, the Blue Knight takes a few moments before he finally responds.
”…Well, that IS some rather critical information you have given me,
And I shall be sure to take it under advisement for future dealings with this foe.
Steel you shall have aplenty, and supplies of tin, nickel, copper, and magnesium,
All can be supplied regularly for what you offered me: However…
Tantalum and Niobium are rare enough that I can only offer a one-time supply of,
Lest I drain my own resources, for someone I just met.
…Hm. Your Soul Grave seems well-forged, and your allies here look competent:
Mayhap you could be of further use: I am trying to track the strange red life golem,
The one that sprouts blades from it’s form, if the reports are to be believed:
Care to join me in hunting it down? Ah, and I’ll need to know where you are based,
So that I can have caravans sent to give you the metal I promised.”
”I occupy a research outpost to the north, Kyogrock Arcanoworks.
Most of the towns and villages north of here could point you to it,
I’ve had dealings with the majority of them. As to the life golem hunt…”
What should I say or do?