The Celestial Machina or the Genesis Forge

The Astral Elves called this place the Celestia Machina, a trading outpost of the Scorpion Star Guild, where they could continue their experimental automaton research.

The Modrons call it the Genesis Forge, and you are in the bowels of it.

You enter into a long metal corridor replete with mechanical motifs and clockwork elements on the walls. There is the sound of grinding metal of pistons where the lubrication has long been worn away and steel grinds on steel. The area is dimly lit by blue lanterns, every few feet, that emit a sharp cyan light a few are almost off, and others flicker slightly, some are without their power source at all. The corridor consists of 3 visible bulkheads about every 30 feet, and a sealed door at the end of it. There is an obvious receptacle in the centre of the door for a mechanism of some sort. It appears as a five pointed star about 6 inches diameter, with 2 small circular holes between each point except for the bottom, where there is a small dial, severely damaged, but if inspected can be seen to be functional.

Turning the dial with no insert into the apparatus will send an electrical surge across the walls of the space. DC22 Dexterity saving throw or taking 5d10 Lightning damage, half as much on a save. DC25 to identify the trap, DC30 to disarm it. On a 20 or lower, the trap triggers.

This locking mechanism can be unlocked if a key for each of the 8 holes can be inserted, and then the dial is turned. Once they enter the next room, they will find a scorpion shaped key that has the configuration they need on the inside where it has been used to seal the door

Opening the door is a loud affair. The sound of aeons of rust shearing away and unlubricated gears threatening to tear each other apart, as several tonnes of steel moves for the first time in millennia

Upon entering a cleaning android with no language. They themselves are rusted and barely functioning, but the space is spotless.it looks new.

To your left is an amazing site. What appears to be a window to the astral sea, with purple nebula and floating land masses visible in the distance. The magic behind this is unknown. But it is obvious this is an actual window, though by any sane calculation you are likely several miles below the surface of Mechanus. Below the window are a series of workbenches, some with tools you are familiar with, forging, alchemy, jewelling etc, and others that seem to be custom developed for tasks of unknown requirement. As you explore, the drone goes about his cleaning. Sweeping, dusting and polishing. On the southern wall there is a small writing desk with paper that is near turned to dust, though this is the only area the drone does not clean. to its left is a obviously blank area of wall, as if something had been taken off of the wall (some sort of poster or covering or tapestry or something, as the murals do not extend there.

The murals are not painted they are etched, like an engraving, with intricate details starting with the strange star ships arriving at a land and facilities being built, traders coming and visiting, and then machines being built. a funeral for a creator overseen by machine men

The Party will notice that there is a small trash receptacle less than 6 inches wide at the far end that the drone sweeps towards.

Detect magic will get a few pings from 30 feet below. In a wider space.

• Amulet of the Planes:
• Wand of Binding:
• Clockwork Scarab
• Component for the Visor

There is also a 10-foot deep pit of very mild acidic saliva and piles of elemental dusts below the surface.

Should the party venture in here they will be beset by the acidic maw which will try to clean them. It will be reminiscing of an experience long ago in a ruin deep beneath an island.

Along the southern wall a large seam can be seen close to the entrance. Activated by a button under the desk.

This opens into a large holding area has 2 Scaladar guarding a stair way down. They will scan the party and attack. This area seems rudimentary. To the left are living quarters, dozens of small chambers, long abandon and spartan, and to the right are bathrooms and a large dining hall. These areas have not been as well maintained as the laboratories. And a feint layer of metal dust is visible and an oil slick has poooled in a few areas.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/183857-scaladar

below is the tomb of Elrithien:

A long unlit corridor carries down. This corridor seems like a much later addition to the space. But the sight at the end after a minute or so is a solid wooden door. No mechanism and no lock. It just requires a non machine/non-fiendish hand to open it. A fiendish entity that touches it, or a machine that touches it, will receive 2d6 fire damage.

through the door.

he tomb of Elrithien is an exquisite and intricately designed space, combining the elegance of elvish aesthetics with the precision and complexity of mechanical engineering.

As the adventurers enter the tomb, they are immediately struck by the dim, ethereal light emanating from glowing crystal sconces embedded in the walls. These sconces cast an otherworldly, shimmering hue across the chamber, revealing a marvel of craftsmanship before them.

The walls of the tomb are adorned with intricate bas-reliefs depicting Elrithien's life and accomplishments, showcasing his skills as a master inventor and his journey through the cosmos. The scenes weave together like an elaborate tapestry, intertwining with ornate geometric patterns and celestial motifs. Each detailed carving seems to come alive under the enigmatic light, telling the story of the legendary elf.

At the center of the chamber lies the magnificent sarcophagus, resting atop a raised dais made of polished obsidian. The sarcophagus itself is a masterpiece of mechanical design, its surface adorned with finely etched gears and clockwork mechanisms. Interlocking plates of mithral and adamantine form an elaborate puzzle-like structure that encapsulates Elrithien's remains. The sarcophagus seems to be in a state of perpetual motion, with tiny gears subtly turning and minute hands ticking away in a silent, eternal rhythm.

Flanking the sarcophagus are four elegant statues of elvish origin, each representing an aspect of Elrithien's life and work.

The floor of the tomb is an intricate mosaic of coloured stones and metallic inlays, arranged in a mesmerising pattern of spirals and celestial constellations. It mirrors the celestial dome that spans above the chamber, where thousands of tiny, gleaming gemstones are embedded in the ceiling to represent the stars, reflecting the light from the sconces and creating an awe-inspiring, celestial panorama.

The air within the tomb is cool and still, imbued with a sense of reverence and tranquillity. A faint scent of ancient parchment and well-oiled machinery permeates the chamber, reminding the adventurers of the knowledge and wisdom that Elrithien sought to protect and preserve.

In this solemn and enchanting space, the memory of Elrithien and his indomitable spirit lives on, waiting for those who dare to uncover the hidden secrets and carry on his legacy.

Here are some inscriptions that can be found within Elrithien's mausoleum:

1. "Here lies Elrithien, the courageous visionary of the Star Scorpion Guild, who dared to defy the darkness."
2. "In memory of the one who sought to preserve the light and protect the innocent from the grasp of the Ashen Covenant."
3. "Elrithien's unwavering spirit forged a legacy across the stars, seeding worlds with life and ingenuity."
4. "Though his body rests in eternal slumber, Elrithien's indomitable soul shines on through the creations of his brilliant mind."
5. "As the gears of time continue to turn, let us remember the master craftsman whose work has shaped the cosmos."
6. "Through Elrithien's sacrifice, knowledge was preserved, and the machine men found new purpose across the stars."
7. "The hidden knowledge within his own creation lies in wait, a testament to Elrithien's cunning and foresight."
8. "Let the eternal clockwork of Mechanus serve as a reminder of the great deeds and noble heart of the one who rests here."

To open the tomb The party must solve the 4 statues.

1. The Statue of the Astronomer: The first statue holds a sextant, representing Elrithien's work with the stars and his journey across the cosmos. The adventurers must rotate the sextant to align it with a specific constellation on the celestial dome above, mirroring the floor mosaic pattern. When aligned correctly, a soft click will be heard, and the statue will subtly move, indicating the first step in the sequence is complete.
2. The Statue of the Artificer: The second statue holds a compass and a delicate clockwork bird, symbolizing Elrithien's craftsmanship and ingenuity. The adventurers need to place the clockwork bird on the compass and wind it up. The bird will start to flutter and spin in a circle, eventually pointing to a specific location on the floor mosaic. The adventurers must press down on this spot, causing another soft click, and the statue will move, signifying the second step is done.
3. The Statue of the Protector: The third statue holds a hammer, representing Elrithien's dedication to defending and preserving knowledge. The adventurers need to gently tap the hammer on the edge of the sarcophagus, in a rhythmic pattern that echoes the ticking of the gears on its surface. When the rhythm matches the ticking perfectly, a final click will be heard, and the statue will move, signifying the third step is done.
4. The Statue of the Scholar: The fourth statue holds a scroll and quill, symbolising Elrithien's pursuit of knowledge and his role in the Star Scorpion Guild. The adventurers must carefully unfurl the scroll, revealing an image of the luxon. They should then search the room, to find a small luxon carved of the same obsidian as the statue. Placing this in the hand instead of the scroll will activate the statue .

Once the last step is completed, the anodized surfaces of the sarcophagus reflect a rainbow of light as they unfurl through mechanical wonder opening like a clockwork chrysalis to reveal the mummified remains of Elrithien, arms crossed at his chest, mechanical hand still grasping hammer. his torso is bare, but his legs are wrapped in a leather like material approximating a long robe. his glasses are cracked though his eyes are closed.

By following these steps and interacting with the statues in the correct sequence, the party can successfully open the sarcophagus and access the hidden knowledge contained within Elrithien's mechanical leg.

In campaign 2

The party plane-shifted into Mechanus in 1034 (real date 2023-04-19) to find the third part of Scribble's spell. They reached Elrithien's tomb past brain-busters and scorpion guardians, and recovered an amulet of the planes, a wand of binding, a clockwork scarab and a component that upgraded Olaf's visor into The Visor of Fathoms.