A sudden explosion erupts from the ground, sending old roots and great clods of mud flying high into the upper canopy of the forest and landing but inches from the adventurers' feet. When the dust finally settles, and the adventurers have regained their footing, they peer forward into the great hole which now stands in the way of their path.
CLUNK
The sound of old metal echos through the forest's great halls of trees.
CLUNK
It grows louder, accompanied by a feint shudder in the ground.
CLUNK
The loose soil from the rim of the hole gives way, disturbed by something just out of sight.
CLUNK
A great metal claw of a hand reaches from behind the horizon of the pit and grapples onto an old root.
CLUNK, CREEEEEEEEEAK
The metal hand pulls at the root and heaves the rest of its body from out of the hole.
Now standing in front of the group is what looks to be a large rusty tank on two metal legs with pneumatic rotors for knees and arms with sprockets and chains for tendons. Its hands are more like claws with three curved prongs for fingers, and from its dome shaped head sprouts an exhaust pipe from which smoke and steam bellow like a chimney.
A monotone voice, tinny yet loud, speaks:
IDENTIFY YOURSELVES.
