[MA-53]

Saelel proceeds down the left hand path.

[Neraphym]

You come across a lava flow cutting across a small dip in the path. You see the trail continue on farther ahead, but you have no way of traversing over the lava.

[MA-53]

Undaunted, Saelel turns on his heels and heads up the right hand path.

[Neraphym]

After a decent hike, you come across an opening. You find yourself in an open field! You look up and can see you are inside the caldera, but there is no lava in sight. The field itself is beautiful and lush with vegetation. To the east is a small forest, and to the west appears to be cultivated land. The appears to be a villiage on the far side. You look down in front of you and notice a narrow trail of dirt that was once a path, but has been reclaimed by the field. The trail heads to the center of the field and splits off towards the farm, the forest, and the village.

[MA-53]

Hoping the inhabitants of the village will know something of the cause of this phenomenon, Saelel heads towards the village.

[Neraphym]

The village is made up of several small buildings and one large one up against the caldera wall. No one seems to be outside, but you can hear voices coming from the large house...

[MA-53]

Saelel heads for the large house and knocks on the door.

[Neraphym]

The voices become silent. You hear footsteps comming towards you. The door opens revealing a rather odd-looking clay golem.

Clay: "Greetings, erm, alien? Welcome to Golem Village, sanctuary for all Golemkind. May I ask what business you have here?"

[MA-53]

"I was out adventure-seeking when I came across this volcanic island and decided to explore. I found a mighty leviathan that I slayed, but not before it took the life of my comrade. I came across this village rather by chance, and was hoping you could tell me what exactly this place is."

[Neraphym]

Clay: "Ah, I see."

A loud screeching noise echos throughout the caldera.

Clay: "Oh my, the demon is back. Quickly, come inside. You are in grave danger if you remain outside."

The Clay Golem hurries you into the building and takes you to the parlor where you come across several more golems and an old elf of the Zal'Dharon. An Ice Golem comes rushing in from another room and reports to the elf.

Ice: "Master, the demon has returned and it took my brother! He was working in the fields and it came out of nowhere and grabbed him."

Rock: "No! Master, we must go after it! The demon has already slain two of our own, and now it has taken a third! We cannot cower inside any longer while it picks us off one by one!"

Tree: "He is right, this demon bust be killed. Together, we golems might be able to destroy it. Please sir, let us go after it!

Ice: "Master, the demon fled off into the caves!"

Elf: "Enough! It seems we have a guest with us. You are an Aphorite, are you not? Strange we should see one of your kind here. As you can see, we have a dangerous situation on our hands. Please excuse me, I will be with you momentarily. My friends, it saddens me that the scourge of this demon plagues your beloved sanctuary. I am far to old to do anything about this myself. In my youth, I'd have gone out to slay the demon immediately, but I'm afraid I'm far too frail these days. Instead, I believe you all should go out and slay the demon yourselves. Sadly, I will not always be around to guide you. Perhaps this demon will serve as a test to determine if you are indeed ready to take control of your own destinies. Go forth and slay the demon!"

The Golems all cheer and head outside. The enter one of the buildings and equip themselves with weapons and armor. They all head off towards the cave you came from. The Elf turns to you and smiles.

Elf: "Forgive me. Under better circumstances, I'd have given you a proper introduction and tour of our lovely little village. My name Menorius; I am the founder of this village. What is your name?"

[MA-53]

"My name is Saelel Ourdistis."

[Neraphym]

Menorius: "Welcome, Saelel. I built this village many eons ago as a sanctuary for Golems. In my youth, I was fascinated by anything having to do with them. I tried many times to create my own, but I failed miserably. I created hundreds of failed golems, giving them horrible, cursed lives. Finally, I managed to create Lime. He was my first successful creation. He was a golem made of limestone. I found limestone to be an effective material, and it was very plentiful where I lived. Over the years, Lime and I fought together in many great battles. Until that fateful day when Lime was struck down by a mighty dark wizard. I swore revenge and created a massive army or golems and sent them to invade that dark wizard's castle. The golems died in the thousands, but they managed to break his defenses. I slew this dark wizard with that spear you see up there on the wall."

Menorius points to a glorious spear proudly displayed abve the mantel.

Menorius: "Yes, I had my vengeance, but after the battle I looked over all of the battlefield. I saw that I had bred these wonderful creatures for the sole purpose of battle, and I was saddened by this. I knew from my experiences with Lime that Golems are just like real people, and we shouldn't treat them any differently. Instead, I enslaved them to do my bidding. I was no worse than that evil wizard who killed my friend. To attone for the foolish sins of my past, I came to this volcano. Using a powerful jewel of fire I took from the dark wizard, I tamed the volcano and created this paradise you see before you. I traveled the world and collected all the damaged and lost golems I could find and gave them a home here. They love life here, and I love my life with them. Then the pirates came. They discovered this place and used the port as a base. Eventually they discovered the secret path up here. They took many golems and enslaved them. Fearing for the safety of the others and of the volcano paradise I created, I traveled down into the depths of the cavern and to the shrine I keep the fire jewel in. I used the jewel and cast a dark spell upon the pirate base. I filled the port with deadly sulfuric gasses and suffocated them all. I hoped that the mysterious deaths of so many pirates would be enough to deter others from comming."

Menorius takes a sip from his tea.

Menorius: "A leviathan came shortly after and began nesting in there. I see you've ran into it yourself. Perhaps a night's rest will help you recover from the battle."

Menorius leads you to a room with a comfy bed in it. He let's you sleep and rest... You regain all your Health and Energy.

[MA-53]

Saelel wakes from his nap and gets up to go look for Menorius.

[Neraphym]

You wake up a little before the sun rises, although its rays barely penetrate the steam that hugs the lower sides of the volcano. You find Menorius in full battle armor wielding his spear and shield. He looks distraught.

Menorius: "Ah, you are awake! My Golems... they've been slaughtered! Only one has survived!"

You look to find the Clay Golem lying on a nearby table, broken in many places. The red light of its eyes flickering.

Menorius: "Clay here is almost dead... his life energy is considerably low and he hasn't much time. He's told me that the demon slew the others and ran away with the Ice Golem twins. He limped back here to warm us. The demon is after the fire jewel! That jewel is the only thing keeping this volcano dormant. If he steals it, this paradise will be no more! There isn't much I have here I can pay you with, but if you'd help me, I'd be forever indebted to you."

[MA-53]

"It would be an honor to fight to save your paradise, Menorius."