Machinist Workshop

Machinist Workshop is an unexplored location controlled by the Machinists.

Amenities

 * Market

Piglrim’s Plaza
Many of the pilgrims had walked here in hopes of having vital technology repaired or improved. Some of them had come to receive blessings, or for a chance to enter the library. And fewer still were here to join the ranks of the Machinists.

As we arrived, a large group of pilgrims argued with one of the Machinists. "I understand your frustration, but there needs to be balance in all things - between curiosity and piety. The machine gods will bless us only if we respect them."


 * "A true seeker questions even the gods."
 * "The machines will only grace the pious."
 * I agreed with the Elder, and explained to the pilgrims how the machine gods would not help them if they would not submit to the rites and wait in deference - as was the custom. After the group was calmed down, the Elder took us aside and thanked us for cooperating with him, handing us some batteries. Reward: +6 Believers, -1 Scholar, +1 Common Battery loot.
 * Move on. Area closed.


 * Don’t get involved.

Library
We took off our shoes and entered the holy library. Rows and rows of well-preserved books, both new and old, were visible inside a large cage. The place was filled with people reading, filing, or writing books. A stern librarian motioned to us. "Welcome to the Library. We ask for a small donation per visit."


 * Pay the price. (Cost: 5 Batteries)
 * The cage was opened, so we entered the area with the bookshelves. I shivered as I crossed the threshold. A strong machine signal filled the air. Focusing for a moment, I realized the sensation came from behind a heavy locked door in the back. It was as though all the energy collected on the roof was fed into there.
 * Browse the books.
 * I looked over the books to find something to give me an edge in battle. I picked up a book entitled "Managing Luck", and began to read it. "In battle, you must manage that which cannot be managed: luck. While you may not have control over the proverbial cards that are drawn, you can not only stack the deck, but also discard certain cards. The latter is incredibly important. As long as you're not in a long scrap, discarding unneeded options may be valuable. Reward: +5 Experience
 * Leave. Area closed.
 * Approach the door.


 * We approached the door. No one had spotted us yet, but opening the door was sure to attract attention.
 * As I looked around [Follower] whispered, "Shall I distract them?"
 * Start the distraction. (Chance Reasonable)
 * It took a second to break the lock while [Follower] lumbered into a bookshelf as a distraction. I quickly snuck into the forbidden room. Neatly arrayed on racks were many different machines - featuring screens and projectors of all shapes and sizes. Most of them were turned off.
 * And at the back, within an ornamented cage, was an old machine core. A lone machinist was there, his head covered in some kind of contraption. Locked within the cage, he was tending to the machine.
 * Communicate with the machine. (Cost 5+)
 * I reached out my hand and welcomed the signal into me. It was an old machine, connected to many other machines. A wild intellect, but caged. Neutered. Its lines of communication had been deliberately and precisely severed, with only its subroutines free. But before I was able to take much in, a ruster's hand grabbed me and pulled me back out, into the Library.
 * +5 Scholars, +5 Experience
 * Accept
 * A woman with long robes and a prosthetic hand pointed towards us. "Thief! You dare trespass and steal our knowledge?!" The machinists around us revealed hidden weapons.
 * "You will pay for your transgressions."
 * Fight. (Machine Mother - Level 8 Boss)
 * What is this?"


 * Browse the books.
 * Return.