Luck very quickly improved for Storm's city.
Teams activated and decended into the Underworld, to find that a significant portion of the immediate area was claimed and expanded into by the city above by it's original occupants.
They found the remains of several crop fields of mushrooms and large pastures of moss like fields. Both was a good sign according to Grombrim.
The moss was a favorite food source of the Deep World Hogs and the fields although overgrown by weeds, could easily be cleared and reused by them.
Teams were immediately put to work clearing the fields and it was expected that they would be ready for planting in a few months.
Despite their initial concerns, no traces of goblins could be found.
It didn't take them long to find out why.
The fields and underworld portions of the city had been built into a vast cavern that was completely closed off from the rest of the Underworld except for a narrow pass that led to the rest of the tunnel networks.
A tall wall and gate blocked off this entry way.
Normally this wouldn't be enough to stop goblins from getting into places but this wall also housed several towers with crystals that fired magical attacks at anything moving outside the walls.
They explored the fortifications together and found a power crystal that still had energy reserves left.
Although the crystal had begun to fade from continued use without being recharged.
Storm was called in to quickly to recharge it and ensure the defenses could continue to hold back goblin incursions.
While the expeditions continued to explore the caverns in the inner facing side of the wall.
Grombrim's sister and her fellow artificers were studying the machinery to try and figure out how they worked, and how they identified hostile targets.
It didn't take them long at all to find several herds of 'Deep Hogs' and they got to work rounding up the creatures so that they can be used to feed the city.
They had bred out of control after the original occupants of the city died, and Grombrim warned that their numbers needed to be urgently brought under control or they would destroy any crops they tried to grow here.
Storm was cautious of the meat at first due to it's deep brown texture and the strange earthy smell, but after tasting it, he was suprised to find it sweet, juicy and tender.
With their emergency now temporarily resolved, and after Brenda ensnared that the fortifications won't attack their own scouts, Storm sent out several teams to map out the tunnels surrounding the city.
It didn't take them long to find traces of goblin infestation and kill teams were dispatched to find and clear out the nests.
Currently Storm and several of his advisors were meeting with Brenda to see her latest invention she had designed for the kill teams.
She presented what appeared to be a large cannon that required both hands to carry.
A hose and backpack with a large container connected the cannon to the fuel source.
The barrel of the cannon was long in order to protect the operator and a small yet of flame burned at the far end of the barrel.
"I call this the 'Drake's Breath' explained Brenda. I was inspired by how a dragon's fiery breath weapon worked and designed something similar.
It sprays a highly flammable oil that when coming in contact with the flames at the tip ignites and sprays a jet of fire over an area.
Perfect for clearing out the narrow tunnels of massed goblin hordes." Explained Brenda.
Storm eyed the contraption with a hint of disdain.
He couldn't deny the ingenious design, in fact it almost did the job too well.
If these kinds of inventions continued to be created, his people might eventually become obsolete. Something that did not sit well with the prideful dragon.
"Isn't the intense heat a danger for the weapon operator?" Asked Razor.
Bremda shook her head.
"Normally there would be risk,yes. But that's why I designed a special armor to go with it."
She showed off a suit of metallic plate armor that had no exposed spots on it's body.
A thick steel helm and visor that kept the entire face covered, including the beard, was standing on a target dummy.
"Not even a direct blast from a dragon's breath could melt this! And he operator is kept cool thanks to a small enchantment that is installed into the suit." Explained Brenda.
"How soon can you outfit our kill teams with this?" Asked Razor.
"That's the tricky part, we only have enough steel on hand to create a few prototypes.
4 suits and matching weapons at most, but it should be enough to break the goblin line.
Once we have acess to the area beyond the gate, we might be able to find mineral deposits.
We can create more then." Answered Brenda.
Storm eyed the container that housed the weapon's fuel reserves.
"It doesn't look very big? How long does it's fuel reserves last until depleted?"
Brenda grimaced
"Not long I'm afraid!! If it's used constantly non-stop, then it can last for maybe 30 minutes at most. " Explained Brenda.
"Isn't there a way to increase it?" Asked Razor.
"Unfortunately not, there's only so much weight the operator could handle. The suit, the weapon and the container are all heavy.
Anymore and they won't be able to carry it all.
I suppose I can revisit the design if we find a new metal alloy that is as strong as the current one, but lighter.
But for now, this is the best I can do." Stated Brenda.
"Well.. the timing is perfect, because we're going to go out and break that goblin infestation. If I'm honest, we could use everyone's help with this. I hope you'll be there, Storm. " said Grombrim.
"I'll do my part, don't worry about it!" Stated Storm.
"Good, we'll break up into several teams and all move out at once." Stated Grombrim.
He called forward an middle aged dwarf with only one working eye.The other one was hidden behind a black eyepatch.
"This is captain Hoarfrost. He's a veteran Prospector and leader of the best Goblin clearance team. He'll be in charge of this operation. " Explained Grombrim.