Nuclear Platypus
First Post
Another possibility is an extension of Charles Babbage's difference engine. True it was created in the 19th century (early 1800's I think) but suppose someone else got ahold of his notes and managed to create a primitive computer to do who knows what in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps it was to help prevent wars from happening again (reasoning behind Nobel's creation of TNT) but somehow 'evolves' into self awareness (maybe an "Oops, we shouldn't have done that." result of a recovered Martian canister). Kinda like the Iron Duke from Silver Age Sentinels.
The disaster at Tunguska is to cover its tracks. Why? Its now superior intellect has determined that the only way to prevent man from killing itself is to take control through some sort 'mind control' a la Puppet Masters or the ever popular 'wipe them out. all of them.' plan. Oooo. Maybe it wants to replace the rulers of the world with its own creations, starting with England (or wherever).
Why not go with Frankenstein as well? The two creations might see kindred spirits in each other. Frankenstein's monster is at least organic and maybe reasoned with. If its the doctor, he could bring in cloning tech instead for the 'replace the world leaders' plot. Get morbid with graverobbing among other things stolen (amniotic fluid, electric eels, etc) necessary for spare parts.
The soon to be clockwork automoton needs a body so it has Swiss clockmakers, German engineers, etc kidnapped to craft itself a new body, maybe even powered by Tesla's technology. They would also be forced to create its minions, perhaps willingly, unless it can self replicate or gain control over metal like Master Mold (X-Men) or Metallo.
Foes:
Clockwork critters! Spiders are an obvious choice but show other arachnids some love! Scorpions! Heck, borrow the clockwork Nazi from Hellboy but they're uh... clockwork proto-Nazis. For giggles, make 'em clockwork ninjas! Arm them with Tesla technology. Take a gander at the Clockworks from City of Heroes for ideas.
Clockwork 'zombies'. They're mind controlled so the PCs have to be careful not to hurt them but they don't have the same restriction (depends on your PCs). How fiendish would it be to have a PC face a loved one!
Other (failed?) creations of Frankenstein, Babbage or Clockwork Prime.
BBEG - the Clockwork King (or whatever you choose to call it) and possibly even Frankenstein's monster.
Chase scenes:
Some sort of lab or confined space with the clockwork spiders / scorpions / arachnids swarming across the walls, ceiling, etc like all those classic 'run from the bugs' movies (Alien, Lost in Space, The Mummy, etc). The PCs can destroy all they want since there's more than enough. The first encounter with The Flood in HALO still creeps me out. Pass the feeling onto your players.
Borrow a scene from The Mummy Returns and have a chase involving double decker buses. Wait. That'd be an anacronism. A carriage chase then! Make the horses jump things and take the carriage with 'em.
If you think you're up to it and can time it right, being chased by something slow yet relentless like that big zombie thing (Nemesis?) from Resident Evil, Michael Myers (took a licking and kept on ticking), etc. would help raise the creep out factor on the PCs. Very difficult to get the feel right and its kinda close to horror.
Fight scenes:
Inside of Big Ben. Watch Castle of Cagliostro and the Great Mouse Detective for inspiration.
Atop Buckingham Palace / Tower of London. Maybe one of the Crown Jewels is a necessary component or even the Hope Diamond (creep up that item to show off its curse).
On top of a moving carriage like in a Jackie Chan movie.
Hrm. Now I'm wondering about combining this with my earlier Fu Manchu + Boxer Rebellion idea for a World Crime Syndicate. Moriarty as the head honcho or just a faceman for Clockwork Prime?
The disaster at Tunguska is to cover its tracks. Why? Its now superior intellect has determined that the only way to prevent man from killing itself is to take control through some sort 'mind control' a la Puppet Masters or the ever popular 'wipe them out. all of them.' plan. Oooo. Maybe it wants to replace the rulers of the world with its own creations, starting with England (or wherever).
Why not go with Frankenstein as well? The two creations might see kindred spirits in each other. Frankenstein's monster is at least organic and maybe reasoned with. If its the doctor, he could bring in cloning tech instead for the 'replace the world leaders' plot. Get morbid with graverobbing among other things stolen (amniotic fluid, electric eels, etc) necessary for spare parts.
The soon to be clockwork automoton needs a body so it has Swiss clockmakers, German engineers, etc kidnapped to craft itself a new body, maybe even powered by Tesla's technology. They would also be forced to create its minions, perhaps willingly, unless it can self replicate or gain control over metal like Master Mold (X-Men) or Metallo.
Foes:
Clockwork critters! Spiders are an obvious choice but show other arachnids some love! Scorpions! Heck, borrow the clockwork Nazi from Hellboy but they're uh... clockwork proto-Nazis. For giggles, make 'em clockwork ninjas! Arm them with Tesla technology. Take a gander at the Clockworks from City of Heroes for ideas.
Clockwork 'zombies'. They're mind controlled so the PCs have to be careful not to hurt them but they don't have the same restriction (depends on your PCs). How fiendish would it be to have a PC face a loved one!
Other (failed?) creations of Frankenstein, Babbage or Clockwork Prime.
BBEG - the Clockwork King (or whatever you choose to call it) and possibly even Frankenstein's monster.
Chase scenes:
Some sort of lab or confined space with the clockwork spiders / scorpions / arachnids swarming across the walls, ceiling, etc like all those classic 'run from the bugs' movies (Alien, Lost in Space, The Mummy, etc). The PCs can destroy all they want since there's more than enough. The first encounter with The Flood in HALO still creeps me out. Pass the feeling onto your players.
Borrow a scene from The Mummy Returns and have a chase involving double decker buses. Wait. That'd be an anacronism. A carriage chase then! Make the horses jump things and take the carriage with 'em.
If you think you're up to it and can time it right, being chased by something slow yet relentless like that big zombie thing (Nemesis?) from Resident Evil, Michael Myers (took a licking and kept on ticking), etc. would help raise the creep out factor on the PCs. Very difficult to get the feel right and its kinda close to horror.
Fight scenes:
Inside of Big Ben. Watch Castle of Cagliostro and the Great Mouse Detective for inspiration.
Atop Buckingham Palace / Tower of London. Maybe one of the Crown Jewels is a necessary component or even the Hope Diamond (creep up that item to show off its curse).
On top of a moving carriage like in a Jackie Chan movie.
Hrm. Now I'm wondering about combining this with my earlier Fu Manchu + Boxer Rebellion idea for a World Crime Syndicate. Moriarty as the head honcho or just a faceman for Clockwork Prime?
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