"Exterminate!" (A Dr. Who-inspired idea for modrons)

[Mouseferatu]

I've never been much a fan of the modrons as written. Their recent write-up in Dragon is an excellent article, and changes a lot of what I didn't like, but I still just don't care for the race.

However...

As a recently converted Dr. Who fan, I'm finding myself more and more tempted to run a campaign where the modrons have, essentially, been recast as the daleks. I would run them as beings of perfect order, yes, but who feel that all other beings are both inferior and have no right to exist. The odd geomtric shapes that are (IMO) goofy as applied to outsiders, and only somewhat more acceptable (again, IMO) as a "race" of constructs or living constructs, would be recast (and in some cases, restatted) as the magical equivalent of the cybernetic battle-wagons used by the daleks. (Not entirely sure what a modron looks like beneath the armor, yet.) The more complex the shape, the more powerful the weaponry and the more skilled/intelligent the creature inside.

Anyway, it's just a wild idea that I had, which I may or may not ever be able to use. Figured I'd toss it out there, see what other folks thought of it.

 

[WhatGravitas]

Hmmm... this "...but who feel that all other beings are both inferior and have no right to exist." - does it make them evil?

Adding an evil component to their lawful alignment makes IMO less interesting, especially if it is applied as a superiority-complex.

The armour idea (for the shapes) is nice and useable (though I personally like my modrons in the way they are).

I think they would be more compelling, if they don't feel superior, or at least not in an evil way. What if they feel superior and want to help other creatures... by taking them, extracting the soul of them, reincarnating into a small vestigal body and putting it into a modron-chassis? Mkay, that "borgifies" them a lot, but somehow I think it'd be more compelling, but YMMV.

 

[MerricB]

I very much like the idea. (Although I admit I've been Doctor Who fan for some 29 years or so). I used the Daleks in an Amber game once as the invention of a mad Chaos Lord who wanted to take over Amber. That was a lot of fun.

The Daleks were originally conceived as a Nazi-like alien, and have been shown to be very interested in racial purity. Can I see that as a modron-like behaviour? Absolutely; although it sort of recasts them tending towards evil.

Cheers!

 

[Firedancer]

I often have trouble lifting monsters and races off the page.

If its for a recurring foe then its even more important to have a strong identity. And by applying a well defined identity from a fictional resource you've immediately given the players an idea of what they are up against.

Should work a treat and be a hoot!

 

[Hussar]

I like this idea.

However, I think the criticism that this would push them towards evil outsider is valid. The whole "don't have a right to exist" thing is pretty evil.

However, that makes them groovy bad guys, so, yeah, I'm all over that.

 

[shilsen]

I like the idea a lot. Now we know what the Great Modron March is all about

 

[Gez]

Rather than exterminators, having them as self-styled and invasive "guides" telling people how to live and wanting to RE-E-DU-CATE dissenters could avoid recasting them as lawful evil (more like LN with evil tendencies).

Something a bit Borglike, too. ASS-I-MI-LATE.

Hey, what if beneath the Modron Armor, the being is actually some Prime who needed reeducation? The Modron apparatus becomes a combined brainwashing device and power armor!

 

[DaveMage]

I like the premise, and I also like Gez's idea.

They (the modrons) wouldn't kill unless they have to (no "exterminate"). Instead, have them act as though they are the ultimate beings of law who have decided that the pursuit of a lawful (and orderly) life is the epitome of perfection. They realize that other races are simply not capable of their perfect order, so they have decided to put non-ordered races to work in other ways in service to the perfect order. Those that comply will be treated well (well fed, comfortable accomodations), but have no freedom (i.e., slavery, though the modrons would define it as non-modrons "filling their niche" in society). They wouldn't see it as an evil act, but rather (almost) a good act since they have helped the chaotic creatures become better ordered.

 

[Nifft]

I like the premise, and I also like Gez's idea.

Me, too!

I like the idea of the construct exterior being a "uniform" -- like a school uniform, it's only there to smooth out your otherwise chaotic appearance, and allow you all to work together for the betterment of all. Would you willingly associate with a kobold, ogre, and yuan-ti? We suspect not. But they are the rest of your current four-cube team. We are pleased that none of you know this, because it enables you to better cooperate.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Nifft]

... and the name of the campaign shall be:

REPATRIATE, REEDUCATE, ASSIMILATE!!!
When Modrons Attack -- It's Terror Cubed!

Groan, -- N