Fortress Mechanus

Secrets of Faydwer – Unfolding the Lore: Part 11 The Guardian

The Guardian is a massive steamwork, nearly one hundred feet tall. It was originally built to guard Meldrath and his Majestic Mansion on the flying fortress he calls Mechanotus. It was used during the final stage of construction of Mechanotus for lifting and placing large girders or gears, but its main function was meant to be destructive, not constructive. The device is strong enough to crush dwarven-built castle walls or sweep away brigades of armed knights with a swing of its arm.

Misfortune befell the Guardian before it could be used to crush Ak'Anon. During the first flight of Fortress Mechanotus, a process that proved to be far more difficult and time-consuming than Meldrath had anticipated, damage was done to the fortress. Explosions in one of the power rooms of the fortress caused the massive slab of mountain to lurch horribly to one side, sending many gnomes and steamworks plummeting to the ground below. Some of those were subsequently crushed when the Guardian also fell from the fortress, landing jarringly on top of many that had fallen before. The fall caused serious damage to the Guardian and to the mechanics and spell casters that run it.

Despite its chaotic nature, the Guardian is not an entirely independent creature. Within this great steamwork, there are living spaces, boiler rooms, control rooms, workshops and repair facilities where a veritable horde of creatures constantly work to keep it functional. Among that horde are a select few that man the controls and operate it. However, those in charge of the major functions of the Guardian were killed in the fall, and the remaining crew does not have the keys and information needed to regain control.

The Guardian now wanders Dragonscale Hills uncertain about its goals, causing havoc as it travels. It often flings locals hundreds of feet with the forward movement of one of its tremendous boots. But for the daring adventurer, one of those boots holds a doorway to danger and reward.

Previously released Secrets of Faydwer Lore Articles: