It was a mistake. Dwarves were not meant for this kind of environment. They were a race of the earth and of living under it. Despite their work with fire in the forges there was no equal to the unmerciful harshness they now faced.

Barely lucid, these were the thoughts that past through Armlichen’s tortured, thirsty mind as he trudged across the Desert of Bones, the only survivor of a party once three hundred strong. It had seemed like such a good idea at first, when the stories of rich discoveries had first reached the dwarves’ internal ears. Stories of gemstones just plucked out of the sand.

Prior this, the dwarf king had sent out surveyors and prospectors to search for new deposits of riches. The early results were better than possibly could have been imagined. Much was to be found in the desert.

So, a decree was put out that a group of pioneers was needed to begin an establishment on the edge of the Desert of Stones, as it was to be called, for all the wonderful things it might produce. Looking back, it now seemed to Armlichen to be the most foolish thing he had ever done, to volunteer for this group of explorers, going to a land that dwarves were not known to traverse. They had set out on a morning, so long ago, with crowds cheering and playing music. A thousand or so young dwarves eager to strike it rich for their clans, paraded out of the mountain city of Delmstüng, through the mighty granite gates, riding upon the backs of the trontlerouses, that mighty breed of turtle that dwarves had been raising since the beginning of time, given to a dwarf on their 21st birthday to be their life-long friend, helper, and guardian all the days of their lives.

And indeed, what fortune they found! The desert outpost produced hoards of jewels and precious metals. Some dwarves worked alone, sifting through the sands thoroughly to get even the smallest karat stone. Others formed groups, working together to delve deep into the rich veins of ore beneath.

The outpost became a thriving metropolis in only a few years. Families moved in, trade flourished among the city states filling mountain dwarf citizens’ pockets. For a hundred years the new mining town prospered, grossing the kingdoms wealth.

He, himself, had gained more than riches over the century. There was a wife in the picture, many children. And after many fortunate events falling into place, Armlichen rose to be a powerful and influential leader.