The Nobodies: One Body Down - 1

A brief reminder of the side characters in this story: CLONK (Barbarian - Warforged), RAPP (Rogue - Tabaxi), THERAL (Wizard - Tiefling), VIC (Monk - Fire Genasi). And, BALTHAZAR the Hardworking (Wizard - "Tortle").
 
THERAL investigates the remains of the CLOCKWORK SOLDIERS - finding a couple plates of tin and larger gears (which he keeps [2x tin gears]). Most of what remains is just slag metal after the battle and self destructions. CLOCK has multiple dents in his warforged frame with multiple pieces of shrapnel, and THERAL suggests he get a good nights rest to start feeling better. RAPP suggests we get back to camp that had the black smoke rising from it that was seen from top of the tower of wolves.
 

Traveling back to the camp

After an hour of traveling, the PARTY reaches the area of the camp with the sun beginning to set. THERAL stops at the tree line of the clearing to the camp in search of what caused the black smoke plume. Scorch marks are around the camp, similar to the self destruction of the CLOCKWORK SOLDIERS. The quartermaster wagon still ablaze with tents scorched, burned, and trampled to the ground. One wagon missing, and another over turned. Bodies are strune about the camp. THERAL, begins searching for survives using his knowledge of medicine. No ones injuries were ever treated and all people here are dead. There are about 8 missing caravan adventures. David, with his pan (bullet hole through it), is among the dead. Most died from slashes or from a gunshot.
 

The destroyed camp

As THERAL and CLONK begin disposing/burring of the bodies, BALTHZAR and RAPP look for tracks leading out of camp indicating where the SURVIVORS may have gone. It appears the lead wagon (that carries the tents and stuff) has headed toward the SOUTH (which is the direction that the other group of adventures were sent towards) and looks as though something was cutting a path for the wagon. The overturned wagon looks relatively fine, the cloth covering is damaged, it could probably still be used. BALTHZAR turns in for the night to take a rest while RAPP does a 15 minute scout SOUTH to check out the tracks. RAPP recovers some black soot stuff from his scout. and brings it back to have it looked out by others in the party. THERAL identifies it as a residue that would come from a coal burning stove, and collects the sample in a bottle. The PARTY then proceeds to take a long rest.
 

Traveling to the BEACH/COMPOUND

By the morning, the quartermaster wagon has been fully burnt up, and the ground is covered in dew. The PARTY decides to head down the trail after the potential survivors and hostiles. RAPP occasionally surveys the land via climbing trees with the result of getting a view of the surrounding aerial area. After 4 hours, the tree line breaks and THERAL's raven flies out to check out the area. It transfers into a small sand section up into the ocean. The wagon is identified along the beach. Built out of logs is a make shift dock that the wagon resides.
 

The COMPOUND

A pile of upright logs in a wall shape take forth in front of the PARTY at the end of the trail, but still inside the forest a little ways. There is a metal chain with a padlock on it. THERAL concludes it would be simple to unlock said padlock. There is a shed inside of the walls and a large central building with a tower and platform on top. The path leads straight down the to the beach where the docks are. RAPP unlocks the door of the large building. As RAPP opens the door there is resistance upon the door, more than usual. The building is set up as a lodge with cots, tables, and a cooking area. The main area is in disarray, with mundane objects scattered throughout without the appearance of any intent. On one of the walls along the log cabin is a flag that has been hung up (It does not match any of the 16). No one has seen the flag design before. BALTHAZAR acquires the flag folding it up. RAPP acquires 170 gold worth of various items stamped with the same 8 sided star as the flag.
The shed is producing smoke and it is getting thicker as VIC shoots the padlock off and kicks open the door. A pile of coal in one corner and in the farthest corner where the smoke is emanating two small flames come out of the smoke. It appears to be a large creature with four legs, two arms, a stove chest, and two massive axes. It lets out a large shriek hurting those close to it stunning those especially susceptible. VIC, carrying THERAL, start to flee the monster. RAPP and BALTHAZAR respond by heading out to join the fight. The machine lets out a shriek when it looks like it is going down after taking significant damage, and then gets back to its feet after taking down RAPP. The monster then strikes down VIC.
VIC is killed in combat, but glows white and come back to life with the aid of his life token (42). Saves versus deathray and poison saves will now always succeed for his new born body. THERAL attempts to stabilize RAPP he does not succeed. RAPP appears to have stabilized naturally, and taken to a cot by VIC
THERAL then investigate the shed that the monster was discovered in. A large pile of coal that leaves a residue similar to that of the collected sample from the leaves, there is a harness that is big enough for that downed creature with multiple spindles of wire sticking out of it that then run out of the shed. The crates have the eight sided start on the sides of them. The monster has components with the star stamped into the metal.
RAPP regains conciseness with a bandage on his axe wound and dry blood coming out of his ears.
 

The PARTY heads down to the BEACH

There are chains in the wagon with dried blood on them. The blood is dry, but it hasn't been more than a few days. There is a lean-tune with coal underneath it. The structure itself is made of different wood than that of the surrounding area. The monster has gone silent and the PARTY hunkers down for the night in the fort. Except for BALTAZAR, who sleeps in the sand on the beach.
THERAL finds a leather-bound book in a text he does not recognize. He uses comprehend languages to read it and it is a dated journal of a sailor in the personal sense. Specifically about the exhibition from somewhere called CALMER. It dictates a day-to-day life of the sailor with terminology that THERMAL does not recognize. THERAL has never heard of this place before. It speaks of non-interesting content without the mention of sails, but does mention spending days stoking the flames. States that they stopped on a small island to fix a stuck paddle on debris. Farther into the journal the entries get more (strange dating system) spread out as time progresses. One entry that says, "...by the EMPEROR the legends are true we have found a new land and met strange natives of TURTLE people that no nothing of technology that worship false GODS". It continues to go on describing setting up a forward base on the mainland. The final entry is, "We have spotted a large group moving this way. We have gathered attention. We have been ordered to withdrawal". Inside the journal is a navy propaganda poster about seeing new places and joining the expedition with the large star front and center on it.