duskshine749
DX3214
ScreenAcne
wanderingwolf
Little Bill
rocketrobie2
nightmare medx
Alby47
Leonas
Light the Dark
Our Dungeon was A Clockwork Empire
In our core was a clockwork heart. We built our home in a maze of steam, pipes and gizmos. No one knew from where these machines were built, or how, or when. They replicated themselves and worked towards ends that were alien to a human mind. We formed a symbiotic relationship with the Mechanical labyrinth we were a living part of. We scavenged it's pores for parts, purged it of humanoid parasites, and farmed the great ticking technology within, encouraging it's growth. With time we would surely overthrow the last vestiges of humanity that squatted in the City Above.
That was our beginning. But this was who we were, when we started. We were unique and distinct from the others that lived in the Clockwork Empire. Our niche would prove to be a great advantage to us. Who we were did not guarantee who we would become in time. But we will always have our roots.
We are...
>Builders. Our constructions and architecture was a glory to behold. We were able to build quicker, with fewer resources, and our buildings worked efficiently.
>Collectors. We were the best scavengers. We knew our way safely through the ever changing, claustrophobic corridors. We brought back more loot on our excursions and added them to our hoard. We could always find something useful among the debris, where others saw trash we saw opportunity, and we put it to good use.
>Zealots. We were blessed with the true faith. It was our duty to reach greater and greater heights in the name of our gods. We were to spread their influence and in exchange they empowered us. As we succeeded In our missions our gods, in turn, gained more control over our crippled reality. In time we would reach feats beyond the possible. We were charismatic and one of our greatest skills was 'recruiting' others to our cause.
>Minions. We were looked down on as brittle creatures. But we were many. Fragile and practically invisible to those more powerful then us, we would often get wrapped up in the schemes of more ferocious creatures. But we bided our time and turned our greatest weaknesses into our greatest strength: no one expects the minions to overthrow and rule...
>Expansionists. We felt the heartbeat of cold iron and copper in our veins. The pulse of the Machinery called to us. We spread ever outwards, quicker then any other. Our tunnels zigzagged through every district and underbelly. We had eyes everywhere and cavernous spaces to fill with whatever creations we pleased. In time every cog and gear would belong to us.
>Archeologists. Encapsulated in the dead technologies we found the long buried of ancient ages. In time we taught ourselves to care and study these preserved creatures. We began to burrow deeper into the Clockwork City, hoarding our findings. In time, as we developed our skills, We learnt to bring these preserved beings to life. Extinction was a concept for others.
>Mechanical Masterminds. We knew how to put to use the scrap we found and repurposing it. Pushing the boundaries of our engineering knowledge was our greatest pastime, we took cogs and gears and turned them into inventions and Traps at great speed and efficiency. While some of what we produced had... Quirks... it was all in the name of progress. Our innovation was our greatest asset.
>Genetic Experimenters. We were scientists who knew that the forms of evolution left much to be desired. Left unchecked in the belly of the Clockwork Empire, we set to work studying and combining creatures of all shapes and sizes. Our ability to mutate, adjust genomes, and create entirely new forms of life in our vats would put us in a league all of our own. Of course, our creations needed to test the extent of their capabilities to be truly considered viable forms of life - if a few humans died in their rampages, it was surely because they were genetically inferior.
>The Hidden Hand. We chose to remain as shadows. Our strengths did not lie in power, physical territory, arcane knowledge or scientific discovery. Our power was in our whispers. Our influence stretched far into the City Above. We set factions against each other and moved Kings as pawns. We kept everyone embroiled in struggles and stole from them while their backs were turned. Our economy was in black market goods, valuable secrets, and believable lies.
