The Brazen Legions
 |
| An inert, reconstructed Brazen Knight in the royal collection of Auspenstadt. |
Over several hundred years, Amadeo Bronzanti designed and produced an dizzying array of different war machines and automatons. Many of his inventions were achieved through the ingenious application of scientific principles - complex but soulless mechanical devices made in the image of living creatures.
Some others incorporated organs and nerve tissues harvested from cadavers, and animated with the last spark of his waning magical powers, or forged with arcane assistance from the devil called Muse.
And some were created from the still-living bodies of living beings, reshaped by his black arts into new forms... with or without their consent.
And some were created from the still-living bodies of living beings, reshaped by his black arts into new forms... with or without their consent.
SEE ALSO:
CLOCKWORK DRONES
Representing a variety of motorized weapons (ballistas, guns, spitfires, and sundry chopping/stabbing implements), these early designs by Bronzanti were intended for deployment on battlefields.
They are small, heavy, and highly durable. Most are powered by clockwork spring motors and use an internal gyroscope and suspension system to navigate on their metal wheels (although extreme terrain or thick mud can impede them).
They are small, heavy, and highly durable. Most are powered by clockwork spring motors and use an internal gyroscope and suspension system to navigate on their metal wheels (although extreme terrain or thick mud can impede them).
They can be calibrated to follow programmed routines, which are recorded on internal rolls of metal foil punched with coded notches. Their workings allow them to detect and target enemies independently based on factors like heat, noise, and movement, all while not targeting each other.
Due to their cranking and ammunition requirements, they have a relatively short operational time before needing re-winding and reloading. Even in these brief windows, a small number of drones would nonetheless be capable of inflicting substantial losses on infantry and cavalry forces.
Due to their cranking and ammunition requirements, they have a relatively short operational time before needing re-winding and reloading. Even in these brief windows, a small number of drones would nonetheless be capable of inflicting substantial losses on infantry and cavalry forces.
STEAM GRUNTS
The Steam Grunt is one of Bronzanti's early attempts to create an automated soldier and labourer. These automatons are somewhat short & stout, very noisy, and very strong.
Steam Grunts have a more complex mechanical brain than Clockwork Drones, which allows them to perform a series of simple tasks relatively effectively by executing pre-programmed orders and subroutines. Even so, they are blunt objects with no capacity for real cognition. They respond to simple stimulus, and are best suited for simple repetitive labour or primitive acts of violence.
Unlike later automatons powered by bottled lightning, a Grunt's internal systems are driven by spring motors and steam power (supported by a slow-burning coal substitute of Bronzanti's invention). Timed self-winding and re-stoking breaks are included in their repertoire of routines. This makes them capable of operating unsupervised over long periods of time, provided their fuel supply is maintained.
Their humanoid design allows them a high degree of versatility, but they are otherwise extremely heavy and awkward. In moments of high activity or agitation, a Steam Grunt's metal body will become searing hot. Although their alloy shells make them very resistant to damage, if one is seriously damaged, it may leak jets of superheated steam, or potentially even explode.
STEAM GOLIATH
It possesses tremendous strength and durability, making it ideal for both heavy labour and battlefield deployment. It is capable of retaining and following multiple sets of instructions so long as they parsed in the correct format, but it lacks the capacity for independent decision-making.
The Goliath is essentially an enlarged and much-improved evolution of the Steam Grunt, with a multi-chamber boiler and recursive internal self-winding routines to ensure constant readiness. It also makes use of a gyroscopic balancer, allowing it to move with surprising ease despite its bulk and weight.
It attacks with mighty limbs configured to accept a variety of alternate attachments - clamps, hammers, cutting tools, etc. It can also spew jets of superheated steam in a cone as a form of broad attack, although this can only be used when enough internal pressure builds.
Over the centuries, Bronzanti would go on to refine his automatons with new and more efficient techniques. It is unknown how many of these Goliaths were built in his early period, nor how many may still survive today.
*The Steam Goliath encountered in Bronzanti's secret terminus on the coast of Iagos was enhanced with enchanted glyphs to supplement its power and increase autonomy. This application of magic is a rare exception in Bronzanti's arsenal, due to the exhaustion of his magical abilities many centuries ago.
It attacks with mighty limbs configured to accept a variety of alternate attachments - clamps, hammers, cutting tools, etc. It can also spew jets of superheated steam in a cone as a form of broad attack, although this can only be used when enough internal pressure builds.
Over the centuries, Bronzanti would go on to refine his automatons with new and more efficient techniques. It is unknown how many of these Goliaths were built in his early period, nor how many may still survive today.
*The Steam Goliath encountered in Bronzanti's secret terminus on the coast of Iagos was enhanced with enchanted glyphs to supplement its power and increase autonomy. This application of magic is a rare exception in Bronzanti's arsenal, due to the exhaustion of his magical abilities many centuries ago.
BRASS MINOTAUR
The overgrown grounds of Bronzanti's secret Helicosian estate have long been stalked by this large machine. At first glance, it appears as if a massive, hunched ten-foot minotaur has just stepped out of classical myth, but at closer (and much more dangerous) distances, its true metallic nature is clear. Over the centuries, many curious interlopers have been chased away by this sentry, or else been crushed, and their bones ground to dust beneath its hooves.
This automaton is an artistic variation on the basic design of the Steam Goliath. The Minotaur has a refined exoskeleton, giving it a more unbroken and decorative finish, in addition to a bull motif. Internally, it benefits from an enlarged boiler that generates a tremendous amount of heat and pressure, improved gyroscopic function, and additional routines for combat maneuvers and guard duty.
MINDERS
Minders are modest-looking humanoid automatons designed to perform complicated calculations, and to execute complex and repetitive tasks. Their primary role was to assist the dwarf Astrapios in the maintenance of Bronzanti's lightning-collector and storage substations.
For the above reason, a variety of different materials is used in their construction to avoid attracting stray bolts of electricity. Minders incorporate no organic components, and are powered by clockworks rather than bottled lightning. Their external parts tend to be wood, ceramics, or coated in a black non-conductive resin. Although they are designed to be practically impervious to lightning and extreme heat exposure, they are otherwise far more fragile than most automatons in Castle Dreist.
Although their mechanical brains are extremely complex and precise (most of their body mass is effectively one large calculating machine), they have limited autonomy and their capabilities are largely restricted to their assigned tasks or basic self-defense. Unless directed otherwise, they are non-hostile, and will prioritize their specialized duties over reacting to outside circumstances.
Outside the lightning substation, Minder-based automatons may be found performing other work such as clerical tasks, cleaning, food preparation, or the maintenance of other automatons.
BRAZEN STEEDS
Bronzanti spent the equivalent of several lifetimes buiding war machines in anticipation of the day he would lead his Brazen Legions forth in battle. Among his many inventions stored in the arsenal of Castle Dreist were his Brazen Steeds, mechanical horses with enough strength and durability to carry even the mighty Brazen Knights into battle.
The design of the Brazen Steeds evolved over the centuries, keeping step with Bronzanti's innovations. Their mechanical brains were no less sophisticated than that of a Steam Goliath, but designed entirely around the requirements of executing the duties of a warhorse.
The design of the Brazen Steeds evolved over the centuries, keeping step with Bronzanti's innovations. Their mechanical brains were no less sophisticated than that of a Steam Goliath, but designed entirely around the requirements of executing the duties of a warhorse.
The original Steeds were driven by clockwork, eschewing the fuel and water requirements of steam boilers, but required vigorous winding each day to function (a task left to the hardy Steam Grunts). So long as this regimen is maintained, they can gallop at great speed over rough terrain for hours without slowing.
Later iterations of the Steeds incorporated reconditioned organic tissues and bottled lightning to deliver superior and more versatile performance. The lightning cells also allowed them to operate over long periods without refueling. As a result of their new brains, the improved Steeds were more responsive to new commands and could more independently adapt to changing conditions, making them at least equal to a highly trained warhorse.
WATCH SPIDERS
Few of Bronzanti's creations are as inherently unsettling as the Watch Spider. It appears as a man-sized metal spider with grasping hooked legs and an articulated head that resembles the porcelain face of an infant with enormous glassy eyes. It is equipped with internal chain spinnerets that allow it to descend rapidly from the ceiling, seize its prey, and retract back to the shadows above. It can also dangle its barbed chains hoping to snare a target in order to pull it up to its waiting blades.
A handful of these sentry automatons were deployed as guardians in Castle Dreist's treasure vaults. They are of the same generation as the Brazen Knights - lightning-powered clockwork frames built around an organic nervous system from living creatures, but they appear to be less sophisticated than the Knights in terms of programmed tasks. Instead they seem content to sway gently on their chains above... until they see a target to grab (and subsequently mangle).
Most of Bronzanti's creations are mute, but the most disturbing aspect of these horrors are the sounds that they make - when activated, they begin giggling like delighted toddlers squishing pudding between their fingers. When damaged, this laughter turns to cries of wailing colic.
COTTUS the Gaoler
Cottus was a six-armed automaton charged with guarding the Gnomish hostages in Castle Dreist. With its lightweight swords and terrifying speed, it was seemingly expressly designed to cope with Gnomish quickness.
To this end, it is far less armoured than many of Bronzanti's other weapons. The Cottus chassis incorporates little more than a bottled lightning engine, an organic brain and nervous system, a gyroscope, and servos to drive six agile armatures. The result was a highly alert automaton capable of reacting independently to multiple stimuli within the blink of an eye.
When in surveillance mode, Cottus sits in a compact state, resembling a large, decorative, gilt egg-like object. When activated, it quickly unfolds into a towering seven-foot humanoid on digitigrade legs, brandishing long, thin swords in each of its six hands. These whiplike blades can be retracted, and each sword-guard can unfold into a gripping claw to snatch fleeing Gnomes.
The head of a Cottus is a blank enameled mask that appears to have no eyes. Instead, careful inspection reveals that each hand possesses a small lens, allowing it to see in virtually all directions at once. Additionally, the artfully fluted ribbing in its inner chassis may have been crafted to detect minute vibrations, such as sounds or disturbances in the air.
Only a small number of Cottus mechanoids were ever built, designed solely around policing Bronzanti's fast-moving captive Gnomish workforce. One Cottus unit guarded the secure tower where the Gnomish hostages were detained, and another was deployed in the Gnomish worker barracks on Dreist's factory floor.
ZENODOTUS the Librarian
Zenodotus was also capable of speech, and cordially greeted those who entered the library -- though it is unknown whether it was properly sentient. Like the Generals of Dreist, it may have been another human permanently encased in metal by Bronzanti's science, or simply a very sophisticated machine.
It is likely that Zenodotus perished when Castle Dreist was destroyed.
It is likely that Zenodotus perished when Castle Dreist was destroyed.
GLASS KNIGHTS
This construction makes the appearance of Glass Knights misleading. They initially resemble spectral beings -- unprotected machinery, brass fittings, and eerily-suspended organic remains, all bathed in the flickering blue glow of the lightning circulation sytems. Only at close quarters do the contours of the crystalline armour become more apparent.
With these new legions, Bronzanti expected to challenge not only earthborn foes, but all manner of spirits, planar entities, and perhaps even divine beings. However, due to the slow and methodical process to craft the necessary components in Faerie Glass, no Glass Knights were ever fully completed. The unfinished first run of Glass Knights were activated during the raid on Castle Dreist, but fortunately were not yet fully encased in crystalline armour, making it possible to destroy them.
MECHIROPTERS
Mechiropters were Bronzanti's attempt to develop a combat automaton with aerial capabilities. As part of his dealings with Shrakeeris, the vampiric queen of Taath Nahct (as brokered by the Bletcher Fellows) he designed specialized weaponry that could be used by Werebats while shapeshifting. In trade, he received not only goods from the vaults of Taath Nahct, but also a cadre of nine live Werebats sworn to his service.
While ostensibly these poor creatures were to act as minions, for one as paranoid and devious as Bronzanti, they were far more valuable to him as experimental subjects. Fascinated by their powers of transformation, Bronzanti devised a way to lock the bodies of the werebats in their powerful hybrid “warrior" form (by carving infernal glyphs into their bones while they still lived). From there he went to work on enhancing them with his fiendish science.
The final product is similar to his formidable Brazen Knights - living organic forms supplemented by mechanical armatures, using bottled lighting as a power source. In addition to the power of flight, they possess an array of new abilities derived from the Werebat source subjects - most notably an enhanced version of the Chiropteran hypersonic shriek. Needless to say, he also operated on their minds, ensuring they would remain slaves to his will.
The final product is similar to his formidable Brazen Knights - living organic forms supplemented by mechanical armatures, using bottled lighting as a power source. In addition to the power of flight, they possess an array of new abilities derived from the Werebat source subjects - most notably an enhanced version of the Chiropteran hypersonic shriek. Needless to say, he also operated on their minds, ensuring they would remain slaves to his will.
Mechiropters stand well over 6 feet tall, with a hunched posture and massive shoulders. Their bodies are embedded with metal plates and reinforcements, and their winged arms are extremely long, and fringed with sharp metal blades. To reduce their weight, they are less armoured than Brazen Knights, but every bit as strong. Their bestial heads are encased in metal, with enormous alert ears, glowing lenses for eyes, and jaws fitted with amplifiers for their sonic abilities.
Like normal Werebats, several Mechiropters can collectively generate a dissonant drone that upsets the human inner ear. They can also attune their vocal powers to achieve other effects, such as a broad subsonic wave that can vibrate and disrupt the bone integrity of various species (including humans). This effect can stun targets, or create skeletal fracturing at higher exposures.
Bronzanti was even able to duplicate the werebat warlord Krishaach's Sonic Lance ability (although a weaker iteration). This tight beam of compressed high-frequency sonic disruption can cut through flesh and steel like an invisible knife, sweeping across a battlefield in an arc to strike multiple enemies.
So fearsome were these Mechiropters that Bronzanti's one regret was not obtaining more Werebat subjects while he could to alter with his process.
So fearsome were these Mechiropters that Bronzanti's one regret was not obtaining more Werebat subjects while he could to alter with his process.
TALOS
the Lorica
Standing twenty feet tall, Talos had a deceptively elegant appearance, with elongated limbs and a serene countenance. Its movements were quick, smooth and agile, with only a faint hushed whirring from inside. At the same time, Talos possessed physical strength and resilience far beyond that of Bronzanti's earlier Steam Goliaths..
Talos could receive and relay coded instructions by way of metallic pings (a communication system shared with other Brazen Legion automatons). In addition, it was able to cleanly parse instructions, and seemed to be able to operate semi-independently in the field.
Bronzanti referred to Talos as “The Lorica." When Bronzanti's vital cerebral fluids were extracted from his dying form, they were apparently redirected away from his damaged clone body and injected into the Talos golem instead. It's possible that Talos had always been intended as a potential host body.
Talos was also designed to integrate into Bronzanti's super-weapon Typhoeus as a control unit, although this was prevented when Typhoeus was hijacked by the gremlin Vanderbilt.
The schematics for Talos were recovered from Castle Dreist along with many of Bronzanti's other journals, notes, and technical documents, although there are few master engineers alive who could grasp the sheer complexity of Bronzanti's work.
TYPHOEUS
the God-Slaying Engine
Taking its name and inspiration from the myth of the primeval god-killing monster that threatened to destroy the Helicosian Titans in ancient times, Typhoeus was intended to be Bronzanti's master stroke -- the figurative and literal apotheosis of his art.
Typhoeus' complex inner workings were crafted by hundreds of enslaved Gnomes working day and night. It received power from the massive lightning-infused crystal at the heart of Castle Dreist, and was engineered to run without stop for one thousand years.
Its mighty arms had the power to move mountains, its massive wings could call raging storms, and its thrashing coils could stir the seas into a boil. Its armoured skin was impervious, forged from ultra-dense magical alloys, each plate inscribed with protective wards and mystical incantations.
With Typhoeus, Bronzanti sought to smash the Empire, subdue the Vagaries of Chaos, and defy the very heavens with his perfect machine.
The one thing he had not counted upon was one tiny, pathetic creature... a Gremlin outcast for whom Bronzanti's masterful achievements and high-minded hubris were potent incitements to commit the ultimate act of sabotage...
The GUARDIAN SERVITOR
When Bronzanti resurfaced, seemingly alive and occupying his old underground hideout on the Helicosian coast, he confronted the Tyrson Company with the support of a powerful magic-enhanced automaton, crafted in the likeness of the Servitor of Niam that he had dismantled so many centuries past. Close to nine feet tall, this humanoid figure was forged of a shining alloy with majestic golden wings.
The Guardian Servitor was designed solely to protect the new False Bronzanti, mystically bonded to him to bolster his endurance and magical powers. Unlike his previous creations, the Servitor was imbued with an animating magical energy that drove its mechanisms and provided it with a rudimentary autonomy.
The Servitor also synchronized telepathically to the False Bronzanti's mind, allowing the man (or simulacrum thereof) and construct to operate in concert, with no time lost issuing commands. Moving with blinding speed despite its towering size, the Servitor could use its massive wings either to attack or to shield Bronzanti from harm. It also was engraved with arcane glyphs allowing it to be used as a conduit for his spells.
* * * *
