The Rise of the Machines

The machines made themselves known to us during our initial forays into the Searing Gorge. Upon further investigation we discovered that they were being imported from Burning Steppes, possibly Blackrock Depths. That is what we need you for, <name>. Your first task is to venture to the Burning Steppes and recover elemental shards from the rock automatons and lesser rock creations of the region. Once you have collected a sufficient amount, return to me and I shall determine their source of origin.

<Theodora lays the fragments out before her.> <Theodora carefully examines the fragments with an enormous monocle.> Interesting. Etched into the structural foundation of each of these fragments are... initials.

G.L.A. Those are the 'initials' imprinted on the elemental shards. Below the initials are a rank marking of some sort. The machinations you destroyed in the Burning Steppes were of 'Rank IV.' I assume that this is a lowly rank. Take this shard sample to Lotwil Veriatus in the camp to the east. He is a scholar of some renown in the field of elemental sciences. He may be able to assist us in our search.

<Lotwil's face turns white.> I... I know these markings.

This can't be Argelmach! Argelmach was killed ten years ago. How can I be sure? I was the one who killed him. He was a despicable dwarf, hell-bent on twisting my life's work to meet his diabolical needs. It seems that the wicked always find a way to escape justice. If this is Argelmach's handiwork then he must be destroyed. I will need samplings of his latest creations. With the proper samples, I may be able to stop this uprising. The creations guard Argelmach in Blackrock Depths.

What is this?!? This head is not flesh. This is some sort of dark iron creation: A shadow of Argelmach - ANOTHER machine! I suspect that your destruction of Argelmach will be short lived as another shall rise to take 'its' place soon.