The Crystal Forge Guild Dwarves

Deep in the mountain, wailing winds echoed, swirling dirt up within the cool rock chamber. An enchantment kept the piles of star shards, moon dust, dragon’s teeth, claws, crystals, feathers, and other magical items from being coated in dirt. None of the five dwarves, dressed in plaid flannel shirts, suspenders, and brown cotton pants stuffed into boots, noticed the weather had changed. Chatting while focused on their work, they leaned over their crystals as the two formidable guardians stepped into the chamber and shook their feathers dry.

The shoebill storks stood still and rigid near the chamber entrance. In guardian mode, their demeanor left no doubt that they would snatch up and devour any other living thing. They didn’t move. Not even their eyes moved as they waited in eerie silence for the storm to pass.

Sounds of hammers and chisels removing crystals deep inside the torch-lit tunnel comforted the chamber dwarves as they created amulets. One team of five always retrieved crystals, and another always created amulets. One day in and one day out. Since the beginning, the Crystal Forge Guild had been this way.

A wooden interior had been custom-built into the carved-out eastern stone wall. Jewelry hooks one foot apart held finished amulets. Each row held 18-inch silver and gold necklaces with different amulets. The top row of jewelry hooks held crystals to ward off curses, burned hot when someone lied, and crystals that stopped mind reading. There were several other protection amulets. The second row of…