Automaton of Corybant

The Automaton of Corybant is a near mythical sentient machine that destroyed an entire city after being created to protect it, and for centuries after haunts the Forest of Nauleverer. It is encountered during Corambis and defeated by Felix Harrowgate.
== Physical Description ==
The Automaton runs on a thaumaturgic engine.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 12.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. When Felix destroys it, it is mostly covered in moss, lichen, and vines, and appears much like a tree when inactive. Its eyes gleam red. The Automaton's spine is covered in spikes. Its head is shaped like a bull, potentially in the likeness of the guardian god of Cymellune. It is far larger than a person, and can move on legs.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 8.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. 
The Automaton can create a noise “something like a train engine, something like a rockslide, and something like a vast and vastly rusty hinge.”Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 9.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. It also ticks, like a clock. 
== Abilities ==
When it is functional, the Automaton is more powerful than modern magicians in Corambis.
== History ==
The Automaton is built and given life by Cymellunar magicians approximately 8-9 centuries prior to the events of Corambis, before the Forest of Nauleverer existed. Edwin Beckett claims that it was given life through sex magic.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 6.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. The Automaton serves as Corybant's guardian and patrols the streets at night for the city's safety. 
Felix theorizes that the engine under Summerdown's activationMonette, Sarah. “Chapter 15.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. is possibly what makes the Automaton go mad, in an event known as the doom of Corybant: the Automaton destroys Corybant and slays anyone it comes across. It is said that knocken are the descendants of the escapees. At some point the Automaton seemingly goes to sleep, possibly for centuries. A fable emerged in the south where a magician of Corybant makes himself a clockwork heart and becomes a monster, destroying the city of Corybant.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 1.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. 
When Gerrard Hume awakens the engine under Summerdown again, it seemingly calls to the Automaton, which wakes it up. 
When Felix, Mildmay, Gartrett Corbie, Ferrand Carey, Parsifal Wyatt, Kay Brightmore, and Tinder are on a train traveling from Bernatha to Esmer, through the Forest of Nauleverer, the Automaton pushes a tree onto the train tracks, stopping the train. The Automaton then attacks the train and passengers, and Felix uses powerful witchlight on its eyes to shut the Automaton down. This makes Felix famous. 
The Virtuers decide to bring the Automaton to Esmer to study inside the Experimental Nullity. Felix is invited along for the pick-up, and brings Corbie, Kay, and Mildmay with him. Hutchence, Julian Carey, and Cyriack Thrale also come. Felix finds that the noirance is more intense than before, and can hear the screaming of all the people that the Automaton killed. Julian is also able to hear this screaming, and as a result, Felix discovers that Julian is an aethereal. This has lasting consequences on Julian's life, as he his removed from his studies and eventually sent to Grimglass to assist Kay. 
Hutchence studies the Automaton in the Nullity.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 14.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. The Automaton is eventually moved to the subbasements, as it is too large.Monette, Sarah. “Chapter 16.” Corambis, Ace Books, New York, 2009. The Doctrine of Labyrinths. 
== Trivia ==
* Saying/asking if someone has a heart made of gears is a reference to the Automaton.
* The Automaton supposedly wasn't seen for 8-9 centuries prior to its encounter with Felix.
* Kay repeatedly compares himself to the Automaton of Corybant, considering himself an emotionless killing machine in much the same way. He maintains this until the end of Corambis.
== References ==
Category:Corambis
Category:Machines
Category:Objects