The Dawn Machine

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"A light grows in the far south-west. It begins like a distant bonfire, but very rapidly, it becomes brighter, brighter. It looks remarkably like sunrise. Some of your crew fall to their knees: others duck behind cover or shield their eyes."

The Dawn Machine is an artificial Judgement which lies in the southwest corner of the Unterzee, within the Barnesmore Gap.

Dawnburnt

"The radiance to the south-west is white-gold like a Surface morning. There is warmth on your face. Your eyes water. Your skin stings and tingles. You catch a glimpse of geometries in the heart of it - complex faceted shapes that reconfigure like the wheels of an orrery -"

A mess of elliptical rings, transformative light, and burning Correspondence sigils, the Dawn Machine is an enigmatic and malicious creation. The machine’s construction was led by June of the Calendar Council; its originally intended purpose is unclear.

Over time, the machine developed a will of its own and began to take control, brainwashing much of the Royal Navy. These were the first of the New Sequence, a group dedicated to spreading the Dawn Machine’s influence across the Neath. This group is based in the Grand Geode, a former Admiralty outpost; the Machine is located behind the Geode, blocking the passage to the southwestern corner of the zee. Zailing beyond this point brings a foolish traveler into the Machine’s realm, where its influence is law.

Dawnlight

"Light sheets over you. Your hair crackles as if a storm were rising. You squint your eyes shut, but the radiance around you is bright enough that you see the pink of your eyelids..."

The Dawn Machine’s light (which we will colloquially refer to as "dawnlight") does not outright kill those it touches, like true sunlight can, but its effects are far more sinister.

When felt from a distance on the skin or seen by the eye, dawnlight causes a sense of discomfort and a sense that something is viscerally wrong. More direct or concentrated dawnlight can cause memory loss and make the viewer more suggestible. Close proximity to dawnlight for extended periods of time causes a victim to become dazzled, undergoing the physical and mental changes that can permanently turn them into a member of the New Sequence.

Dawnlight is not only generated by the Machine itself; it is also emitted from Elements of Dawn, which are mere pieces of the Machine. Some creatures that have been overwhelmingly influenced by the Machine’s light, such as Dawn Flukes, can generate and emit dawnlight on their own.

The New Sequence

"Spend spend spend. Gold is such a pleasing colour, don't you think? Of course, it's the only colour I ever see. But it would be lovely if everyone could see as I do – and one bright day, they will."

Headquartered at the Grand Geode, the New Sequence is an organized group of former naval personnel now loyal to the Dawn Machine; they serve as its primary way of interacting with the outside world. They work to spread the faith of the Machine to all, with decidedly religious devotion.

Becoming a Sequencer

"You always knew the Neath was a place where the laws of the sunlit world did not apply: but now, somehow, you can see it. Is this chaos? Or freedom?"

The Searing-Eyed Visionary

Members of the New Sequence, called Sequencers, are fundamentally changed by their exposure to the machine, often undergoing a radical change in personality and behavior; their irises also turn a dazzling and unnatural gold. Aside from making them easily recognizable, this alteration also changes the perception of the Sequencers - they seem to become capable of physically seeing the forces of law and chaos at work in the world, though the exact way in which this manifests is unknown.

Psychologically, Sequencers often undergo something akin to ego death, altering their personality to varying degrees. In the most severe cases, the goals or ideals of the individual can be entirely replaced by an undying dedication to the Machine, leaving them in a trance-like state where they show little sense of self-preservation or concern. Most Sequencers, however, seem to move past this point and recover to a point that allows them to function well enough in ordinary society.

Even after recovery, some noticeable changes in personality remain. Most Sequencers tend to be in a constantly positive mood, regularly complimenting, reassuring, and accepting those in their company with little hesitation. They radiate confidence and warmth, perhaps as a nod to the Machine they serve, and they generously reward those who help them.

Methods

"Our Light will grow stronger. Not only as our fleet grows stronger. There are many doors that bar our ascent: but the Red Science is the key to many locks."

Grand Geode

The New Sequence rarely acts with force, often preferring to infiltrate and influence other groups to use them for the betterment of the Machine. They are proficient at masquerading within the circles of high society; military men like the Commodore use their prestige as cover to mingle with groups of well-connected Londoners, and further their reach and resources. They prefer to keep their allegiance secret in these groups, employing dawnlight to muddle the memories of those who come too close to the truth, and wearing darkened glasses to obscure their eyes.

The Sequence exerts significant power in London’s diplomatic and naval channels. Although the Dark-Spectacled Admiral works tirelessly to thwart their influence, the New Sequence still maintains contact with the Voracious Diplomat, an agent of London who acts with somewhat flexible loyalty. Should important information be reported to them, they may pass it on to the Geode.

In somewhat of a contrast to the covert elite, other Sequencers take advantage of their religious fervor, seeking to convert the people to worship of the Machine. They seem to have a degree of recognition by the churches of London, as they are influential enough to gain acknowledgement by the Bishop of Southwark. Some have a vested interest in the establishment of churches dedicated to the Dawn, seeing this as a vital step to furthering its reach in the Neath.

Aside from using their connections in religious and societal circles to spread the Machine’s word, Sequencers seek to strengthen their cause through the use of the esoteric arts of the Red Science. The Dawn Machine itself is implied to be directly linked to the Red Science, and the Sequencers seem to have picked up some proficiency in the practice of shaping Law.

It can be said that the Sequence acts with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Though the might of the Navy and the Royal Marines now stand at their backs, these forces are rarely seen by the public, as the Sequence instead seeks to use social manipulation to further their goals without raising suspicion.

Notable Sequencers

"No no - your seven youths and maidens, ahahaha, I mean your seven crew, are not 'expenses'. They will live rich, satisfied, glorious lives. I will ensure it personally."

There are a few members of the New Sequence who hold note.

The Commodore

You saw the Commodore, and then - then there was something bright. You discussed matters of importance. You're certain of it. Teasing clues linger in your memory. A zailor asked to stay behind, and you permitted it, because - because - It'll all come clear later. Probably."

The Commodore is the apparent leader of the New Sequence, usually found in Grand Geode in a comfortable office overlooking the base. He is a welcoming sight to visiting captains, greeting them with conversation, tea, and fuzzy memories. He makes regular trips to London, where he spearheads the Sequence’s efforts in societal infiltration.

The Optimistic Vice-Admiral

"We will spread across it all, in time. The dawn knows no horizon."

The Optimistic Vice-Admiral is a charming, upbeat fellow, never seen without darkened glasses. He works to slowly shift religious establishments to turn followers to the worship of the Dawn. His main goal seems to be the spread of the Machine’s worship across the whole of the Hinterlands.

Deeper Workings

"Worm-fates crawl on your skin. The Machine is sick. Its hatred threads your veins. Time will die. The Chain will end."

The Optimistic Vice-Admiral

The Dawn Machine’s original purpose under the Admiralty and June is still a mystery - it might even be working exactly as intended. Regardless, the Machine has shown a will of its own and a disturbing number of unnaturally powerful abilities.

It seems that the Dawn Machine now aims to destroy the hierarchy of the Judgements entirely, and replace it with a system of its own. It wishes for time to die and the Great Chain to end, and to implement a new system of reality - thus, a New Sequence. It is an enemy of the Bazaar, and seeks to restrict its power as one of the first steps to a full implementation of its ideals. It is also willing to help subvert the power of the Sun, possibly for its own gain.

Some Sequencers have chosen to leave the Machine of their own volition while remaining golden-eyed, implying that those that remain loyal to the machine do so out of a sincere belief in its goals. But more concerningly, as seen with the likes of the Dawn Flukes, it seems like the Machine may be able to influence beings more powerful than humans - or that it may have no limit to its influence at all.

References

Special thanks to Elyk11 for contributions and drafting.