Daniel D. Fox
Explorer
What exactly is that machine, and what are its stats? I've always wondered what the heck it was supposed to be.
Cheers~
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DA1 Adventures in Blackmoor - what is that machine on the cover?
- Thread starter Daniel D. Fox
- Start date
Dragonbait
Explorer
Moniker said:
If it's a golem, then I'm guesing it's a Juggernaut stone golem since they are essentially steam-rollers
http://www.dotd.com/mm/MM00144.htm
It does not look like it's made of stone, though, so I doubt that it is a Juggernaut.
DestroyYouAlot
First Post
Yeah, I'd use the stats for a juggernaut. Classic D&D stats are in the AC9 Creature Catalog, AD&D stats in T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil.
Honestly, I don't think it's a juggernaut. I think the image is a bit more metaphorical -- the trouble and destruction brought about by the development of "science" and "industrialization." Keep in mind that in the DA series of adventures as well as the B/X/C/M/I adventures, gazetteers, and other supplements the Rain of Fire was caused by "scientists" in Blackmoor activating a machine they didn't understand (i.e. a nuclear fission/fusion reactor).
I think that the artwork hints at that future "understanding" of the dangers the Blackmoorians were messing with.
(Check out the sparks flying off toward the right-hand side of the image, which -- to me -- seem to even directly hint at the great Rain of Fire.)
I think it's simply a mechanical device that someone activated before everything went awry.
I think that the artwork hints at that future "understanding" of the dangers the Blackmoorians were messing with.
(Check out the sparks flying off toward the right-hand side of the image, which -- to me -- seem to even directly hint at the great Rain of Fire.)
I think it's simply a mechanical device that someone activated before everything went awry.
Alzrius
The EN World kitten
That machine actually had 2E stats for it made up especially for the Encyclopedia Magica series of books, though I can't remember its name or which volume it was in.
It's basically a major artifact that simply goes forward, unstoppable, in a straight line, demolishing everything in front of it and leaving a paved road behind; even mountains are bored through. The only thing that has any effect is if it becomes submerged in water, it's teleported to another world (IIRC).
It's basically a major artifact that simply goes forward, unstoppable, in a straight line, demolishing everything in front of it and leaving a paved road behind; even mountains are bored through. The only thing that has any effect is if it becomes submerged in water, it's teleported to another world (IIRC).
Geoffrey said:I didn't know that.
Yep. Check out the Elves of Alfheim and the Shadowelves Gazetteers, as well as the Poor Wizards Almanacs. I believe there's also some info in the Hollow World materials as well as the Wrath of the Immortals mega-campaign.
Despite some goofiness throughout all of the setting materials, there's really a very rich story background to draw from.
That being said, it might be a device that bores through everything making a road as it goes. However, I don't recall anything about it in the DA series of modules. Perhaps the image is just a victim of recycled artwork? I hate to think that would be the case
