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Linaras, 23rd day of Darkember, 2008
Second Watch rising 21
The Palanthas Herald

Clockwork Automaton Stolen

by Darcwulf, Staff Writer
Last Updated: Linaras, Paleswelt 31, 2008

Palanthas - The prototype of an advanced clockwork automaton, designed to assist in the city's defense, was stolen from the workshop where it was built.

In a daring daylight robbery this past Misham a newly constructed clockwork automaton was stolen from the Inventing Madgnomes of Palanthas, Solamnia guild headquarters. The IMPS guild had been commission by the Senate Committee for Internal Defense and Security to design and build devices, tools and mechanisms to assist in the defense the city and her people. It was their first project, an Automaton, a mechanized suit of full plate armor, which was stolen.

"We had just finished the final retunements when everything went black," Spanner Ironbolt, chief mechanic of the Automaton project told the Herald. "It was my first time being magicked, it was a most interesting experience I just wish I had been able to see it. There was two of them, I could hear them talking as they ripped the controller from my hands, one had a dwarven accent and the other was Solamnic I think. Before I realised what was happening and they'd both fled with the mechanoid."

Despite a city wide search, the Palanthas guard was unable to find any trace of the thieves or the automaton.

"Some people scoff at the idea of gnomish inventions and some of my esteemed colleagues have even been known to flee shrieking at the suggestion," said Senator Frederick, chairman of SCIDS days before he was arrested. "The gnomes of IMPS have proven them themselves more than capable, though. The equipment they designed for fire fighting is brilliant, from the lightweight pump and hose reel, to the flame retardant foam and the heat resistant armor. We haven't had a single fire related fatality since we started using these items. We would be fools not to take advantage of such talented craftsmen."

A reward has been offered for any information leading to the return of the automaton and the capture of the thieves.

Adventure Hooks

Discover who stole the automaton and recover it.