The Clockwork Colossus of Mt. Aether

Unveil the ancient mystery of the Colossus before it awakens.

High in the jagged peaks of Mt. Aether, a discovery has been made: an enormous, dormant clockwork colossus powered by arcane and steam engineering. The machine contains an ancient mystery left by the Aetherian Elves, who vanished centuries ago. As the mountain tribe (human, elf, and orc settlers) explore the colossus, a powerful thunderstorm spell triggers it to wake prematurely. The players must race to unravel its secrets, deactivate it, and prevent it from devastating the region. Set against this steampunk-magic hybrid, the players will explore various operable sections of the colossal structure, engage with the remnants of Aetherian elf-engineered magic, and confront obstacles set by ancient guardians. Their actions decide the fate of neighboring settlements poised to be flattened by the machine's dormant wrath reincarnating into reality.

The World

Context

Mt. Aether hums with natural magical energy, harnessed by the steam and gears of ancient technology from the vanished Aetherian elves. Races have settled here for its potent resources and metal veins, blending magic with steampunk contraptions, living in harmony with both eldritch and mechanized ways of life.

Concept

Mt. Aether hosts a colossal magical-steam-powered clockwork titan, dormant for centuries.

Impact

The local economy thrives on tech-enhanced magic harvesting. Wild storms occur due to triggered magic-tech complexity.

The Plot

Summary

The players begin by assisting with the exploration of a colossal dormant clockwork titan discovered on Mount Aether. Initial objectives involve deciphering the titan's internal mechanisms to understand its purpose. However, a triggered defensive shield spell caused by a natural magical storm makes the colossus begin activation—a protective response against what it (falsely) perceives as threats. This raises the stakes as players must simultaneously deactivate the structure while handling hostile, arcane-animated guardians. Inside the titan, players navigate steam-powered mechanisms interlocked with Aetherian magic circuits. As secrets of the vanished Aetherians reveal themselves, the timeline rushes: within a month, full reactivation might obliterate surrounding settlements. Players face moral decisions around utilizing or destroying the titan's power, which directly impacts their character's personal stakes and the broader community's future credibility with local races. Navigating through the titan’s intricate design, players decode vital information left by the Aetherians signaling a means to dismantle the titan, but at the cost of possibly losing access to its ancient power for technological advancement.

Complication

A magical thunderstorm triggers premature activation of the titan's defense systems.

Hook

A colossal clockwork titan threatens to reactivate.

World stakes

Major settlements live under threat of destruction by the titan.

Personal stakes

Players risk expulsion from the community due to failure.

The Acts

Act 1

Summary:

Players start at a tribal camp near the titan's heart, where they receive the task to explore and secure the dormant giant. They navigate initial clockwork puzzles powered by steampunk-magic hybrid mechanisms while gathering clues about the titan's creators, the mysterious Aetherians.

Location:

Titan's Heart: Central control room with steam magic conduits.

Challenge:

Decipher clockwork circuits with arcane emblems for access.

Objective:

Explore the titan’s inner workings.

Set Back:

Internal magical locks seal off key sections due to 'threat's activation.

Revelation:

Titan intended for regional defense, will activate in stages.

GM's Guide:

Guide players through exploratory tasks with both mundane and magical elements. Stress the sense of wonder and danger in the colossus's belly. Encourage player creativity in how they engage with enigmas that blend magical and mechanical operations.

GM's Move:

A spell-storm begins outside, sparking internal defensive responses.

Act 2

Summary:

Navigating further into the titan, players locate and engage with a defense node. Amid hostile golem patrols using both magic and steam propulsion, players disable sections of the titan's core control, where storm-powered surges disrupt systems critical for deactivation progress.

Location:

Defense Node Room: Pulsing, enchanted machinery with steam vents.

Challenge:

Synchronize deactivation of magical and mechanical defenses.

Objective:

Disable titan’s key defense systems.

Set Back:

Significant damage or alerts reset progress in manual shutdown.

Revelation:

Anomalous weather may trigger colossus self-activation.

GM's Guide:

Balance combat and puzzle-solving, stressing urgency with the storm growing wilder and time ticking down. Vary challenges between tech-based sabotage and magical spellcrafting to cater to different player skills.

GM's Move:

Golem patrols intensify, reacting to tampering attempts.

Act 3

Summary:

The players learn of a failsafe in the Command Core, needing immediate engagement. The heart of the storm tests their resolve as they chart their way through sprawling wards and clockwork pitfalls. They face the choice: destroy the colossal power source, saving their world but shutting away future advances, or control it, posing a long-term risk.

Location:

Titan’s Command Core: A labyrinth of arcane-steam controls.

Challenge:

Access and neutralize/capture the arcane-technical core.

Objective:

Reach and decide the fate of the Command Core.

Set Back:

Core lockdown protocols initiate prematurely.

Revelation:

Failsafe discovered to either destroy or control the titan.

GM's Guide:

Emphasize climactic choice and consequences, urging players to weigh personal and communal interests. Allow creativity in action outcomes, offering support or fallout based on their collaborative decisions.

GM's Move:

Storm reaches crescendo; titan shows signs of final activation.

Climax:

Players decide to either dismantle or control the Colossus, altering future magic-tech balance.