Daoud al-Maaz - Journal

[Daoud al-Maaz]

[Daoud al-Maaz]

[Daoud al-Maaz]

[Daoud al-Maaz]

[Daoud al-Maaz]

[Daoud al-Maaz]

[Daoud al-Maaz]

[hide=Plain Text]Expedition One - The Wild Machine
West of Ephia's Well, the Rust Dunes
Tabbah 9, 7787

Team Members
Sephidra Niridhe, Torchbearers
Naelin Karstwen, Torchbearers
'Mote,' Torchbearers
Estellise Azimi, Astronomers
Qari Alriyh, Gold League Magistrate
Kythaela Reithel, Banda Rossa
Portia / 'Sparrow,' Alchemist's Guild (temporary)

Summary
The Torchbearers were hired to guide and guard on an expedition Westward to the Rust Dunes in search of the machines buried there. The journey was swift and remarkably safe, owing entirely to the proficiency of the Torchbearers and their own hired guardians of the Banda Rossa. Desert wildlife and bandits posed no threat to them. Perhaps the greatest danger to me was simply hiring the expedition in the first place.

Upon arrival at the destination, a large metallic structure, encircled in piping, was observed jutting proudly from the sands. A nearby marker indicated that 'for the love of Izdu,' Osman the 2nd had seen the location buried to protect against the 'steel of Pra'raj.' I differ in my views on what Izdu would think about secreting away knowledge, as well as the concept that all steel within belongs to the foul cult of Pra'raj. It is far more reasonable to believe that maddened beings made use of existing engineering, rather than engineering advancements causing the madness. Simple sciences do not require any sort of pact with the divine, the arcane or the befouled djinn. Science would remain without them, as remains the structure whose bowels we entered.

The upper levels have clearly been used recently and often, with wall paintings suggesting that the residents (the Cobbled, they are apparently called) are observing the interactions of Ephia's Well, trade caravans, the Astronomers, and perhaps even glorious Baz'eel. Where the ancient machinery crosshatched with sandy caverns, the Cobbled had erected stone markers praising the demon Pra'raj and its hateful sunlight. I note here that their tablets and relics are layered atop machinery long since left to disrepair, suggesting to me that these cultists came after the machinery, not before.

Further inward, we encountered cylindrical glass containment vats filled with some sort of preservative fluid. Within the fluid lingered a bipedal being not unlike an Ashfolk or less blessed species, though the level of malnutrition prior to its death made it difficult to determine true origin. A mass of flesh jutting from its spine birthed cruel wires and tubing, winding downward to the base of the tank. A nearby operation panel appeared connected, though not functional. None among our number knew how to coax forth use.

We continued onward into the true metal structure, complete with what appeared to be a sort of airflow system using large propellers to push fresh breeze through the building, while also directing heat and steam away from operational mechanism. The floor was constructed of innumerable interlocking metal panels of exactly matching sizes, secured via rivet. Despite the sand and corruption of blood, bone and sinew left by the Cobbled, there was a surprising lack of patina.

A lengthy bridge was our first true danger, as it was secured by two massive obelisks which primed electrical energy, then dispersed it with regular frequency. Qari and I were instructed to run ahead as it charged, with the more study or magically warded following. Due to the speed of our movement and the risk of death involved, I could not secure samples or attempt to dismantle the mechanism. This does inspire quite a bit of thought, however, as a more portable version with proper directional focus could prove to be an excellent method of disposing of any dangers which threaten me without requiring my own direct intervention. The time required to charge the device may make it less useful for immediate self-defense, but superior for either longer engagements, or when it is required to hold a location. The 'Arc Dispensary' project has entered the theorizing and design planning stage, to be documented elsewhere.

Once past the bridge, we came across a functional control terminal of sorts. Its many buttons, dials and displayed data were enticing in their unfamiliarity. I lament to note that I failed to bring the device to proper use, but I feel such a success had only just eluded me. Despite my inability to fully unravel its secrets, it was apparent that the machine was connected to a nearby printing press, which stamped out a mixture of alphanumeric characters.

Other documents on the floor provided information about a 'Replicatorium,' a Chief Quartermaster possessing animatronic components, and an 'Auxiliary Reality Generator,' whose name rather concerns me. It is likely related to the documented simulation of 'Carnivale,' which also indicated the tracking of vital statistics for its participant. Perplexing documentation to illuminate.

Sephidra noted that on a prior journey, they had seen the mechanism display something similar to a message stating that an engineer had not checked the device in 999,999 days or hours. Their previous group thought it to indicate 6,000 years had passed since it was last functional. I cannot attest to these facts, but note them for later confirmation.

Traveling further downward via rope, we came across more of a large workshop or factory system. Pistons the size of ogres move with precision of timing, despite their mass and the time of operation. Despite nearly being attacked by a crystalline spider while marveling at the engineering feat accomplished, these machines paled in comparison with what was alternatively referred to as 'The Arcanum Core,' 'The Infinity Sphere,' 'The Aetherion,' and 'The Animation Core.' Overly dramatic for my tastes, and far too eager to lean into 'magic' being credited. The machine was a large sphere of copper lattice with many smaller circular panels housed in the center, routing energy through pipes and cable with such massive levels of power that just being near it caused a charge to course my body and raise my hair on end. Apothar Azimi suggested the device generated 'infinite energy,' which is obviously an absurd thing to suggest due to known limitations on energy in any system.

This mechanism may be keeping the entire facility functional even after thousands of years. While I cannot accept 'infinite' energy being an explanation, it is clearly a highly optimized system which draws or generates its power through a reliably renewable source. A large airflow propulsion mechanism turned below it, perhaps explaining what is generating the charge. Rotational energy has ever been a reliable source of energy, after all, and this is a far more logical conclusion. Lamentably, time was pressing and we were hardly a large enough team of trained engineers to being deconstruction and studying the machine.

We continued into more dreaded rooms, ones used for cruel experimentation on living beings. Piles of corpses, from small animal to Ashoid, all showed signs of amputation and mechanical experimentation. It was immediately obvious that this was not being done to aid any of the creatures, as defensive wounds were present on remaining limbs, and other traumas indicated violence had brought them here. A slab on the other end of the room housed mechanical limbs and clockwork inner workings strewn carelessly about. No engineer interested in the betterment of civilization nor of their craft would leave their workstation in such disarray. Truly, these were the work of maddened cultists who had capitalized upon the great works of better, stable minds of men and women long since dead. Confirming these thoughts, a heretical sermon had been carved into stonework leaning against a broken console. I shall not repeat the four words praising the demon Pra'raj, but I will document my anger at the audacity of this sermon to suggest that Pra'raj was responsible for the creation of life on the disc.

Our journey had thus far been peaceful beyond wildlife present in the facility, but on our way back upward, we encountered the Cobbled who so greedily sought our demise. These beings appear to be some sort of construct of small stature, poorly constructed with pieces of non-uniform design harvested from various other golems, with various tools and pieces of armor to offset gaps. Curiously, they were also covered in cloth and bone which did not add any structural support. It is unclear why constructs would do this unless previously designed as a cosmetic decision. The Cobbled were defeated with excellent displays of skill by the hired team, though their violence proved to rather utterly ruin any components which may have been harvested for study. They likely would have questioned doing so anyway, but it is disappointing to not have anything material to show for the journey. We did not encounter any functional automatons of original ancient make to capture and dismantle, nor any dormant remains of such. Perhaps another time.

We returned to the Well as safely as we had left it. The Torchbearers proved reliable and well worth the sum they received. I pray Izdu blesses our next outing with newfound knowledge and insights, that I might bring new wonders to the disc or see ancient works brought once more to the use of the public.[/hide]

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