Amidst the raging turmoil of the heavens, there sits a solitary bastion upon a high mountain in Railoch. The road is perilous, marked by a worn stone path and tall spires wrought from steel and iron which draw in the lightning that ravages the surrounding lands. The skies above are always overcast, and an unrelenting downpour batters those who come along this way. 

Thunder booms overhead from the grey storm clouds heralding incoming lightning strikes. The only places protected from their devastation are around the metal lightning towers themselves. As one approaches the citadel, the path becomes clearer and the road becomes easier to walk upon. Lightning towers line the way as their protective auras overlap with the stone walkway in the middle. Although no longer dangerous, the road is narrow, and one is advised to never stray from it. There are a few ways which one can arrive at the fortress. One way is through the beaten path which leads to the main entrance of Antikythera, another is through the white stone obelisks carved from howlite. These obelisks are plain and simple in design, with a steel plaque set in the surface. There are words written upon it in an unknown script surrounding an emblem carved from white jade, and if one places their hand upon it they will find themselves transported onto the steps leading up to the great door fashioned from stone and steel.

The entrance to Antikythera is marked by a great door with no hinges or handle. Made from a slab of pure white jade, there are intricate designs inlaid with steel. The patterns and carvings are reminiscent of lines radiating from a centerpiece. Upon the wall beside the door, an engraved steel plaque reads:


Should one maintain their resolve and step forward; the stone door itself will split into pieces and pull back, retracting into the walls as the centerpiece vanishes. Once a visitor has cleared the threshold the door will fuse back together. The entry hall is brightly lit, though no sources of illumination are present. The brightness is as strong as daylight, and the area is sparsely decorated. The walls and surrounding arches are made of howlite and white marble, giving a stark emptiness to the place. There are several great stone statues of armored soldiers bearing different weapons standing on ornately carved pedestals of the same material, lining the central corridor leading into the main structure of the Machinarium. Around the entry hall are marble benches and arched alcoves with large glass windows showing clear skies.

The curious thing about these windows is that they are not connected to the outside at all, and in fact are merely simulations. At the far end of the hall is a stone pedestal with a metal slate mounted onto the podium. Should one press the button disguised as a circular emblem, a voice will proceed to welcome them. If it is the visitor’s first time in Antikythera, the voice will give a more detailed introduction and ask if they would like a guided tour. If accepted, one of the resident automatons will come and act as escort.

The Marble Corridor

Past the entry hall, the corridor branches off into a hub area with branching pathways. Each pathway bears the name of the location beyond the stone archway at the top in etched steel. The bastion is known to have its rooms and architecture rearrange itself periodically according to the will of the Steward, so one should take care to pay attention to the location name displayed in the metal plates. Although it does not seem long, there is a form of spatial distortion at work. If one wanders aimlessly, they will eventually find themselves back at the beginning.
True to its name, Antikythera revolves around a series of complicated machinery and mechanisms hidden within its walls. Rooms can be moved and rearranged, pathways and stairwells unfurled out of the stonework at a moment’s notice. Everything is designed with purpose and efficiency. Nothing, even space—is wasted. The towers of the Machinarium are connected by a series of covered walkways which only extend when one wishes to go across. When not in use, they fold away and disappear. This allows workers and visitors to access areas which they are granted access to, and closes off locations undergoing repairs or construction. The covered walkways also protect against the turbulent weather outside.

The workshops include everything an aspiring tinkerer or inventor could ever want. Smithies, forges, smelters, rooms full of whirling cogs and turning gears, pipes carrying steam and hydraulic power—you name it. Conduits that bring in the collected electricity from the lightning towers outside provide the place with a steady flow of energy. Here you will find the automatons in the Steward’s employ hard at work, creating new parts and pieces of machinery or crafting new pieces of art. Their lodgings and maintenance rooms are nearby. The medical wing is separate from these areas, as most of the residents have no need for it. The kitchen also goes largely unused for the same reasons.
Further down, there are various halls dedicated to other creative and artistic pursuits. There is a music hall, a grand theater, an artist’s atelier, a ballroom, a debate hall, an indoor greenhouse, a library, and an art gallery where residents showcase their best work. New wings are added when the need arises.

One of the largest areas in Antikythera, it is more of a Gothic cathedral in terms of scale and size. The ribbed, vaulted ceilings rise high up above as stained-glass windows between great stone columns depict images reminiscent of fairy tales. Although their presented subjects and scenes differ, they bear the overarching theme of coexistence between different creatures and races. A soft light filters in through these windows, making it dimmer than the other locations often visited by guests. A solemn, yet tranquil aura fills this place. There are stone fountains in the walls which hold decorative spigots and basins of water. Here benches are provided for those seeking sanctuary from the burdens of the world, and a plain stone altar for those who wish to pray. If one prefers to make a confession in private, a confession booth crafted from sound-proof and magically-resistant material encased in fine mahogany is present. There are attendants who make their rounds that see to the needs of the guests within the chapel and keep the place tidy. Should one come when the chapel is empty, they will be able to hear the ethereal songs they sing when all is silent. Those who seek an audience with the ruler of Antikythera will have a greater chance of meeting them here.
Behind two great steel doors lies a stately hall where a throne made from howlite resides. Unlike the other rooms, this place is empty and unused. Though surrounded by ornately decorated columns of marble and carved alcoves, the atmosphere is hollow and empty. The only illumination comes from the domed glass skylight above and a thick layer of dust covers everything. This place itself is a contradiction—a seat of power that bears no authority. Few have ventured to this part of Antikythera, and even fewer know of its existence. Those who seek an audience with the master of the Machinarium will not find them here.

Serenitas - Private Quarters

Separated from the rest of Antikythera within a dimensional distortion, these are the Steward’s personal chambers. Simple but spacious, it combines a bedroom with an artisan’s studio. This is where the deity draws up designs and charts for the Machinarium and new inventions. Everything is in its proper place, though there are plenty of hidden areas and secret alcoves for unknown purposes. Books on a variety of subjects ranging from architecture to economics are stacked on the desk or in the shelves and are bookmarked for convenience. Off to the side there are display racks and glass cases where she places her personal collection of relics, mementos, and curiosities gathered in her travels.