D&D General Modrons should be terrifying

[Steampunkette]

Well... Still.

Crack open SCP and flip to a random page.

Most every crazy thing in there makes for a good "We don't actually understand this, but we're trying" idea.

 

[Seramus]

True Fey are a much more iconic Chaotic Neutral than Slaadi.
Though I have nothing against the kaleidoscope tadpoles in general.

 

[pming]

Hiay!

Overall, all Outer Planes beings should terrifying, like Old Testament angels. There is a reason angels that appear to mortals first say: "Fear not!"

Not sure if you have ever seen/used these...but Mayfair games put out a series of "AD&D" supplements (1e...this was back in 1993) called "Sentinels". It was a small boxed set that was part of their "Demons" line. The Demons line was just that...all about Demons; how they were 'organized', the power structure, special demons, demon lords, princes, princesses, and other. Absolutely AMAZING series! Anyway, the Sentinels box dealt with the "good" guys.
..
I use "good" in quotes because they were more along the line of "The Cosmic Opposite of Evil"...meaning they only care about fighting "actual" evil...like evil gods, undead, demons, devils, etc. They, for the most part, see mortals as tools to use in their fight against the Demons. To this end...they do things with a "big picture" that has an outcome that is measured in centuries or millennia. Because of this, many seem...well...pretty freaking terrifying; it's a sobering experience to be conversing with an 'Angle' and be told in no uncertain terms that you are, for all intents and purposes, "bait". I mean, liked if not loved bait...but still....your pathetically short little mortal life will have virtually zero impact on the coming Apocalypse, and it's readily apparent that the Angles will use you, lie to you, and sacrifice you in a heartbeat if it will get them closer to winning when Apocalypse comes.
..
Coincidentally, Mayfair also put out a boxed set called "Apocalypse" that covers just that; how to go about PERMANENTLY ending your campaign world in a Grand Finale! And no, I don't mean "how to run an apocalypse where the PC's can stop it"...you can't. Every PC dies. Period. Mind you, so does the entire Material Plane that the PC's reside on, so at least they won't be lonely!

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[Shades of Eternity]

here's something I widdled up.
***********************************
So how do you begin, especially at low levels?

You start with a village that has been replaced with cubes and no apparent life signs. you wander this geometric structure.

Overall, the entire area should feel like this early cgi film:



In the middle of this former village should be a monolith with a face projecting a face that relays the word of Primus but on a relay to let the world know they are here:


(A little more chaotic, but it gives the basic gist)

There is ambient music that sounds not unlike dubstep: repetitive, but catchy.

The area is loaded with traps and obstacles that act as trials to see how well the party can be guardians of order.

Their prize, in the center is a fragment of pure order that is growing unless our party of adventurers finds a means to destroy it.

 

[SkidAce]

Slaadi as written do seem more evil than chaotic, and that needs a change. It is changed in my campaign, where they are the essence of capriciousness..

Overall, all Outer Planes beings should terrifying, like Old Testament angels. There is a reason angels that appear to mortals first say: "Fear not!"

I have Slaadi born of Limbo, and Chaotic (E).

The other major race of creatures from Limbo (in my campaign) are the shapeshifting morphing fey like ancestors of the current fey and elves, and they are Chaotic (N).

Haven't named them yet, so far no need, used them as individuals.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think modrons should be roleplayed like V.I.N.C.E.N.T. from the movie The Black Hole. Sure, they looks ridiculous, but they can be cunning and ruthless as well. And they have one liners that will give a bard a run for his money.

I support any and all support for that film. Maximilian scared the hell out of me as a child.

 

[Shades of Eternity]

I'm going to have to agree.

There should be a Modron with rotating blades.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I'm going to have to agree.

There should be a Modron with rotating blades.

I like your idea, but Max seems Lawful Evil to me. He was programmed by evil Captain Nemo, after all.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Modrons are my favorite planar creature, but I've always had trouble finding good ways to use them. I'm loving these ideas. Also deeply appreciate the Vorlon analogy.

 

[Demetrios1453]

It would really be helpful if they would update the hierarch modrons, so we could have creatures of ultimate Law that are both terrifying and powerful...