History of Automatons

While wide use of automatons is not common today, during archeological digs many have been found in varying states of decay.  It is known by unknown means that the Thunderfist clan along side the Tinkerjin Gnomes built all the surviving relics within the Ruins of Alborect as well as several other dig sites around the desert.  While attempts to recreate the complicated circuits of the clockwork beasts of yore, all have met with failure.  Many think recreation of these machines will be impossible until a working one is recovered, for as of yet no active models have been brought back from any expedition.  
Most of the artifacts returned from ruins have been of a menial service nature some have been brought back sporting weapons.  This leads experts to believe that while their circuitry is complicated they probably served more in a service capacity than anything else, since their functionality was likely limited to a few scripted methods, much like the clockworks present in the grand capitol of Rubi'Sarha.  While some of them were equipped with weapons it is unlikely they would have the agility or flexibility to wield them against anyone other than a test dummy, meaning they were likely ornamental and used for displays of craft rather than weapons of war.