Music of the Gears
Location: Mechanus
Welcome cutter, to Music of the Gears, a peculiar little anthill nestled on the cog of Regulus. It’s a burg that defies the rigid rhythms of Mechanu, instead dancing to the tune of its own intricate, endless symphony. If you’re the kind of basher who likes their travel with a side of mystery and a bit of music to boot, then this burg is sure to strike a chord, though whether it’s in harmony or discord, well, that’s up to you.
A Mechanical Melodrama
The burg itself is a simple affair, with just a smattering of the usual shops, inns, taverns, and artisans of clockwork trinkets. The permanent residents here are few in number, mainly shopkeepers and innkeepers who cater to the steady stream of travellers drawn by the strange eponymous allure of the town. But don’t let the burg’s unassuming appearance fool you—for at its heart lies something unlike anything else in the multiverse: the Music of the Gears, a towering mechanical musical marvel that dominates the town square.
This instrument—if you can call it that—stands as a testament to the curious blend of order and artistry that somehow found a home on Mechanus. Its wooden frame stretches high into the air, festooned with cymbals, pipes, drums, chimes, and strings, all interconnected by a network of gears that seem to move in time with the very plane itself. It’s as if the gears of Mechanus have decided to take a break from their usual grinding monotony to play a tune, and the result is something you won’t find anywhere else in the multiverse.
The Song of the Plane
So, what does it sound like, you ask? Imagine the constant hum of the plane’s gears, but instead of an oppressive drone, it’s a melody that ebbs and flows, a symphony that rises and falls in perfect synchrony with Mechanus itself. The chimes add a delicate sparkle, like the twinkling of distant stars, while the deep, resonant notes of the strings and pipes provide a grounding counterpoint. The drums keep time, a steady rat-tat-tat that echoes the heartbeat of the plane.
For some, this music is the most beautiful sound in existence—a harmonious blend of law and order given voice. Others find it maddening, a never-ending percussive repetition that drills into their skulls and refuses to let go. If you’re the type who appreciates the rigid structure of Mechanus, you’ll likely find the music soothing, even sublime. But if you lean towards the chaotic, you might find yourself longing for the sweet release of silence, or worse, Pandemonium’s dissonant cacophony.
The Wheel Inn
The burg owes its existence to a wandering musician named Leer, who stumbled upon this mechanical marvel about 150 years ago. Seizing an opportunity, he built the Wheel Inn—a modest establishment that quickly became the beating heart of the town. As word spread, other entrepreneurs followed, setting up shops and services to cater to the influx of travellers drawn by the music. Today, the Wheel Inn still stands, offering a warm bed, a hot meal, and a front-row seat to the endless symphony that plays outside its doors.
The Wheel Inn isn’t just a place to rest your head—it’s a gathering spot for those fascinated by the Music of the Gears. Travellers and scholars, bards and Guvners, all pass through its doors, each with their own theories and stories about the instrument’s origin and purpose. If you’re looking for a bit of dark, the inn’s common room is the place to be, as there’s always someone willing to share their take on the mystery, usually over a mug of ale or a plate of the inn’s famous gear-shaped pastries.
A Mystery Wrapped in Music
As for why the Music of the Gears exists, or why the modrons allow it to continue so close to their kip, well, that’s still a mystery. Some say it was placed there by a power—though which one, no body can agree on. Others think it’s a relic from a time before the modrons took control of Mechanus, a leftover piece of some forgotten age that the modrons tolerate because it doesn’t currently interfere with their grand design. There’s even a theory that the music itself is a form of communication, a message from the plane to those who can hear it, though what it’s trying to say remains frustratingly unclear.
The modrons, for their part, seem indifferent to the instrument’s presence. They neither maintain nor destroy it, mention it nor avoid it, simply going about their business as if the Music of the Gears were just another cog in the machine. It’s this indifference that fuels much of the speculation—why would the modrons, so obsessed with efficiency and order, allow something so seemingly frivolous to exist? The answer, if there is one, remains dark.
Current Chant
These days, there’s a bit of fresh chant making the rounds in the Wheel Inn. Seems a few cutters have noticed some oddities in the music—a few notes out of place, a subtle discordant shift in the melodies that wasn’t there before. Some say it’s nothing, just the natural wear and tear on the instrument. But others think it’s something more—perhaps a sign that the Music of the Gears is changing, or that it’s trying to convey a new, more urgent message.
A few Guvner bards have started poking around, trying to decipher these changes, but so far, they’ve come up empty-handed. Still, it’s enough to keep the chant thriving, and there’s a growing sense of anticipation in the air, as if the whole town is waiting for something—though what, exactly, no one can say.
Visiting Music of the Gears is an experience like no other, but beware—the longer you stay, the more the music gets into your head, and you might find yourself lingering longer than you planned, caught up in the rhythm of the plane itself. Or maybe you’ll just leave with more questions than answers, the music still ringing in your ears long after you’ve moved on to your next destination.
Source: Chris Murphy and Jon Winter-Holt.
Audible Glamer: Jon Winter-Holt — you can download the mp3 file here: https://mimir.net/wp-content/uploads/Music-of-the-Gears.mp3 (1 min 37 sec)