Strictly speaking, beast farms are not necessarily magical in nature. In practice, however, large amounts of magic are required for a functioning farm beyond tier one with any degree of safety. As a result, some of my thoughts on the subject have been included in this book.

Countless attempts have been made at artificially raising beasts through multiple ascendancies for the purpose of harvesting their souls. While safe and sustainable when practiced with moderation, history has shown the extreme danger that comes with raising beasts beyond tier three. As a being raises in strength, it becomes much more difficult to keep it fully contained. At the fourth tier, mundane containment methods are useless. Even contracts have proven only partially effective, with creatures intentionally going mad or accepting the backlash to escape captivity. Often times such programs show early signs of success; indeed, some high tier farms functioned without issue for decades.

Problems arise when even a single beast manages an escape. In the event that a beast escapes such an institution, they are often extremely vengeful. A highly powerful, vengeful beast on the loose can do massive damage to civilians and infrastructure. To make matters worse, such escapees have, historically, specialized in stealth and escape oriented abilities. Even higher tier Sapients can have much difficulty locating such a beast when they don't want to be found. The nation of Roniam was slowly destroyed over many years by an escaped beast; by repeatedly striking at farms, poisoning water sources, and performing terrorist attacks it crippled the nation's economy. Eventually it was tracked down and killed by the nations army, but by then the damage had already been done. Shortly after, the nation fractured and the territory gobbled up by its neighbors.

As a result of this and similar lessons of history, most countries in the Civilized Continent now outlaw the construction of beast farms beyond the third tier. Although this is a sane and logical course of action, some few countries still put caution to the wind and risk high tier farms. As of the writing of this book, all known countries with farms beyond tier three are countries without nests of Abraxas. One can understand the desperation of such countries; without a dungeon or farm, how could the nobility hope to strengthen their next generation with any security?

As with most problems involving nations, there are no easy solutions.

-Excerpt from Magical Ethics

Mud followed the blacksmith outside and around the store to a small field. In one corner grew several olive trees in neat rows. Nearby, thick veins of hops grew up an overengineered metal scaffolding. In a small field grew a variety of other small plants.

On the opposite side of the yard stood three wooden mannequins with metal joints. Each was crafted with exquisite detail, with highly detailed faces and hands. Where it not for their wooden coloration and mechanical joints, one might mistake them for living dwarves. Around the three targets the grass was worn away to display the dirt beneath, yes the figures themselves showed no signs of damage.

"Well then, why don't you show me what you can do with that thing? Don't worry about breaking them, go all out." Ingeit waved his metal arm in a sweeping motion towards the still figures.

Go all out was the order, so Mud complied. Rocketing forward by striking the central sphere with a Force Bolt from within, Mud swung a heavy fist towards the first target's face. Hidden within the golem's swinging fist was a large lump of metal. Moments before striking, Mud fired a second Bolt to the back of the lump. Although hastily constructed, it imparted the smallest extra bit of force into the blow.

Behind Mud, Ingeit smiled wryly and made a small motion with his fleshy hand. Instantly, the training target bent sharply to the side, dodging the strike by a hair's width.

Although its enemy was assumed to be inanimate, Mud had nevertheless planned a contingency for if it tried to evade. Swinging it's rear around as it shot past, mud wrapped two chains around the target's torso, securing its grip with the two sharp hooks.

Ingeit rubbed his hairy chin with his metal hand. "Hoo, so that's it. But didn't he say he would use it for defense?" The dwarf quickly performed a complex series of gestures with his meaty hand and carefully observed.

Just as Mud moved to slice into the marionette's neck with one of its blade tipped chains, it caught sight of two lumbering figures approaching it from behind. Once again, the golem was reminded of the fallibility of its ability to detect malice as the two remaining dummies emotionlessly swung their arms towards it.

Rolling backward, Mud passed corrupted mana into its chains and imparted them with the concept of freedom from the control of natural laws. The grips of gravity and friction lessened, and the thick chains floated through the air like silk threads. The bladed tips led the way as the chains slid like snakes around the two dummies, tangling their limbs as they tried to redirect their attacks.

A moment later, Mud had a blade pressed against all three of their throats.

Ingeit clapped loudly, causing an unusual sound of flesh against metal. "That's enough. Get down from there, Mud."

As the golem climbed from the machine, Ingeit made a short series of hand gestures and the dummies returned to their original positions.

"Drawing a blade across the throats of these things wouldn't do you much good, but that display would have certainly killed some brigands. I must say, I was expecting you to block with the chains, not just dodge and tangle."

"These enemies are too slow, there was no need to block."

At that the dwarf pouted and his eyes drifted towards the dummies. "Ay, they're durable but they're too slow. Making them faster would cost too much, and I would have to sacrifice some durability... well, it's just a side project of mine. I'm trying to design a viable artificial warrior that doesn't require an ego." Snapping out of his thoughts, Ingeit placed a hand on his head and smiled apologetically towards Mud. "Ah, sorry about that, you probably don't care about my hobbies. Was there anything you needed adjusting on your weapon?"

Mud thought back over the test. Everything had functioned as planned. The materials ability to withstand blows was unknown, but would be very difficult to test. According to the blacksmith, it should be able to withstand any forces the dungeon monsters could unleash.

"No, this weapon is acceptable. I will leave now."

"Good to hear, goodbye." Ingeit waved at the back of the strange child as it rapidly departed. That kid even had a strange way of walking, not swaying or bobbing at all. He almost seemed to be sliding as he walked, thought the dwarf.

As Mud finally left sight, Ingeit ran his meaty hand through his beard. "If I made some more of those, I wonder if they would sell? Seems too hard to use." Eyes drifting towards his mannequins, he tried to visualize how they would swing the ungainly thing. After a moment, he had a sudden spark of inspiration. "Rather than a weapon, what if I used that design for the puppet itself? With a few modifications..." A fire lite behind the blacksmiths eye.