While some of the others looked at least somewhat concerned by Sabine's suggestion, Ahnasha actually began to laugh. "I think a dragon might have a problem with the whole 'underground' part of a Dwarven ruin. If we find a dragon down there, I'll eat a shoe."

Ahnasha's remark was enough to get Lorag to laugh. "Well I've got a new plan: dragon-hunting." 

Saras was silent on the jokes, but allowed the others to finish before giving his own answer. "The scouts have already confirmed that the upper parts of the ruins contain automatons. There is evidence that it might have once held a camp of adventurers or bandits, but the automatons have since reclaimed that area. They are generally effective at keeping out intruders from above ground, unless they are too organized. But, what concerns me is what might exist below. Across Skyrim, there are creatures known as the Falmer. The remnants of what used to be Skyrim's Snow Elven population. They were defeated in a war with the invading Nords of Atmora in ancient times, and driven underground, likely into the hands of the Dwemer. Scholars do not know what happened after that, but whatever it was, it corrupted them. Now, they are blind creatures, hardly any different from the goblins you may be familiar with. They tend to be found in the deep reaches of caves and Dwemer ruins like these. From all accounts, Dwemer automatons do attack them, but they have had millennia to carve out their homes underground. Just because there are machines in upper Raldbthar does not mean there may not be a more dangerous foe below. They have tamed giant, poisonous insects called chaurus, which will fight for them if threatened. As well, they use their tough, chitinous shells to make weapons, armor, and structures. It is crude craftsmanship, but still effective enough to kill you."

Once his warning was given, Saras' tone became at least a bit less severe. "The Falmer would be more threatening to us than any automaton but a centurion, but we still have more than enough forces here to deal with them. As I said, they are no better than goblins. I have never had to face the Falmer personally, but I did used to have to deal with the goblins that once infested Mournhold's sewers. The most organization they are capable of is forming crude, but deadly raiding parties. Against an organized military force, they would attack and be cut down in waves, as long as we are cautious to prevent ourselves from being outmaneuvered, they are not intelligent enough to outsmart us."