So this sounds weird (because it is) but stick with me here. We're playing 5E, and just finished Dragonheist. I feel like my character has sort of had a conclusion to his story and it's time to move on to another character. Our DM is homebrewing a new storyline and I'd like to have a new character soonish to he can plan accordingly.
TLDR: Mad scientist and Modron are fused together into the body of a Warforged.
My basic idea is this. A prodigy inventor/scientist is doing research on a Modron which he has captured. One day there is an accident in the lab. A la The Fly/Fullmetal Alchemist the mind/soul of the scientist and the Modron are bound into the body of an unfinished Warforged (or stat-similar automaton). Now the two of them have to learn to work together on a mission to discover how to separate themselves and return to their bodies.
My questions/thoughts are this. Should/would the bodies of the scientist/Modron be preserved, and if so then how? I'm imagining the character's main plotline to be that he/they want to learn how to return to their bodies. But maybe the bodies should be destroyed, and the scientist be the primary one in control of the automaton? Maybe he's actually ok being bound to an immortal body, but wants to rid himself of the Modron. I'm not set on the scientist's age, but I'm imagining him as a young arrogant prodigy. A character who needs to learn humility. But I don't know how to flesh him out more than that. Then, who is this Modron? I've looked into Modron "culture" and it seems like one would be very single-minded about wanting to get back to his home Plane/base/etc. I can see him as a lower-tier Modron, but one that revels in the structure of the lawful caste system and thrives in his lowly position. Then, what was the scientist studying the Modron for exactly? Trying to harness the energy of Mechanis? I can't think of anything else. And how did the accident happen? Was it actually just an accident, the Modron trying to escape, or was it maybe sabotage from a 3rd party? Finally, class. I'm thinking the clear answer is Artificer. I briefly though Clockwork Soul Sorcerer due to the Mechanis-energy gained from the Modron, but I think Artificer fits better and I'd rather play one. Which subclass? I think Armorer is the simplest answer, but one of our Players is playing one in a secondary campaign of ours. So I was thinking Battlesmith? Maybe the scientist had a pet dog in the lab who, in the explosion got fused with a wolf-ish automaton?
I'm open to changes and will take any and all advice, assuming it's constructive! I know it's a loose idea so far, but I think it has potential.
Right. Because "your idea sucks do something else" is always great advice. Anyways.
Consider the notion that the original bodies are neither destroyed nor sitting around in suspended animation somewhere, but were melded into the new form like equipment during a Polymorph spell. The issue being that the new* character can't undo the change until Plot Relevant Thing happens. Makes it less of a narrative hurdle to work with should the guy manage to get his original form back.
The other notion is that if you play an artificer Battle Smith, the character's defender could act as a temporary repository for the Modron's spirit. The two are still stuck and the deflection into the Defender is far from perfect, but it could allow the DM some extra leeway to have the Modron act. Especially if the Modron was an unwilling subject, it could provide some meaty tension if the critter ends up taking over your Defender, even just narratively.
As for why your scientist was studying the Modron? Simple - modrons are automechanical beings, and this particular guy is a creator of automatons and independently operating mechanical critters. Studying the Modron could be a way he tries to learn new secrets to expand his craft and improve the critters he makes. That might be why he has a warforged shell around in the first place; it's part of his project to make a high-level autonomous entity that's just as capable as a normal mortal mind.
Few random ideas before I sleep. Hopefully they give you a place to start, anyways.
One alternative is to make them a Reborn with the cosmetic features of a Warforged. This is a new being that came into existence from the fusion, has maybe some fragments of memories from both previous lives, and needs to discover their purpose in this new life.
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I'm with Sposta, consider asking your DM if they would allow you to use the Glitchling UA.
As shameless of a plug as it is, I made a homebrew Modron lineage that you might find interesting, too. It's kind of a mix between a couple of actual Modron features from the stat block and the Autognome. Word of warning: it hasn't been playtested yet. As always, ask your DM about it first.
Right. Because "your idea sucks do something else" is always great advice.
Lol they deleted their comment. Thanks though.
I like the "melding together" idea. You're right that it makes it a bit easier to explain how/why they're not just sitting in a lab all day trying to fix it. That was another question I had. "Why is the character joining the party?" But maybe it's because they've heard of some magical power in the area that the party is traveling to that could grant the separation they seek.
So I like the "idea" of the Modron being in the defender. Are you saying that the Modron would only sometimes be in the defender though? The only problem is that, at least in the beginning, I want the human and Modron to be more at odds with each other. I'm imagining the human being 100% in control until the first time he gets hit in battle and the Modron takes over. If the human is in control of the warforged, and the Modron is in control of the defender, then why do they stick together and fight for each other? Wouldn't the Modron just escape?
Thank you for all the feedback and constructive criticism! It's much appreciated!.
One alternative is to make them a Reborn with the cosmetic features of a Warforged. This is a new being that came into existence from the fusion, has maybe some fragments of memories from both previous lives, and needs to discover their purpose in this new life.
That's an idea. However I was imagining a situation more along the lines of two fully formed entities fighting for control over the main body. At least until they inevitably learn to work together.
I'm with Sposta, consider asking your DM if they would allow you to use the Glitchling UA.
As shameless of a plug as it is, I made a homebrew Modron lineage that you might find interesting, too. It's kind of a mix between a couple of actual Modron features from the stat block and the Autognome. Word of warning: it hasn't been playtested yet. As always, ask your DM about it first.
I'm with Sposta, consider asking your DM if they would allow you to use the Glitchling UA.
As shameless of a plug as it is, I made a homebrew Modron lineage that you might find interesting, too. It's kind of a mix between a couple of actual Modron features from the stat block and the Autognome. Word of warning: it hasn't been playtested yet. As always, ask your DM about it first.
So this sounds weird (because it is) but stick with me here. We're playing 5E, and just finished Dragonheist. I feel like my character has sort of had a conclusion to his story and it's time to move on to another character. Our DM is homebrewing a new storyline and I'd like to have a new character soonish to he can plan accordingly.
TLDR: Mad scientist and Modron are fused together into the body of a Warforged.
My basic idea is this. A prodigy inventor/scientist is doing research on a Modron which he has captured. One day there is an accident in the lab. A la The Fly/Fullmetal Alchemist the mind/soul of the scientist and the Modron are bound into the body of an unfinished Warforged (or stat-similar automaton). Now the two of them have to learn to work together on a mission to discover how to separate themselves and return to their bodies.
My questions/thoughts are this. Should/would the bodies of the scientist/Modron be preserved, and if so then how? I'm imagining the character's main plotline to be that he/they want to learn how to return to their bodies. But maybe the bodies should be destroyed, and the scientist be the primary one in control of the automaton? Maybe he's actually ok being bound to an immortal body, but wants to rid himself of the Modron. I'm not set on the scientist's age, but I'm imagining him as a young arrogant prodigy. A character who needs to learn humility. But I don't know how to flesh him out more than that. Then, who is this Modron? I've looked into Modron "culture" and it seems like one would be very single-minded about wanting to get back to his home Plane/base/etc. I can see him as a lower-tier Modron, but one that revels in the structure of the lawful caste system and thrives in his lowly position. Then, what was the scientist studying the Modron for exactly? Trying to harness the energy of Mechanis? I can't think of anything else. And how did the accident happen? Was it actually just an accident, the Modron trying to escape, or was it maybe sabotage from a 3rd party? Finally, class. I'm thinking the clear answer is Artificer. I briefly though Clockwork Soul Sorcerer due to the Mechanis-energy gained from the Modron, but I think Artificer fits better and I'd rather play one. Which subclass? I think Armorer is the simplest answer, but one of our Players is playing one in a secondary campaign of ours. So I was thinking Battlesmith? Maybe the scientist had a pet dog in the lab who, in the explosion got fused with a wolf-ish automaton?
I'm open to changes and will take any and all advice, assuming it's constructive! I know it's a loose idea so far, but I think it has potential.
Right. Because "your idea sucks do something else" is always great advice. Anyways.
Consider the notion that the original bodies are neither destroyed nor sitting around in suspended animation somewhere, but were melded into the new form like equipment during a Polymorph spell. The issue being that the new* character can't undo the change until Plot Relevant Thing happens. Makes it less of a narrative hurdle to work with should the guy manage to get his original form back.
The other notion is that if you play an artificer Battle Smith, the character's defender could act as a temporary repository for the Modron's spirit. The two are still stuck and the deflection into the Defender is far from perfect, but it could allow the DM some extra leeway to have the Modron act. Especially if the Modron was an unwilling subject, it could provide some meaty tension if the critter ends up taking over your Defender, even just narratively.
As for why your scientist was studying the Modron? Simple - modrons are automechanical beings, and this particular guy is a creator of automatons and independently operating mechanical critters. Studying the Modron could be a way he tries to learn new secrets to expand his craft and improve the critters he makes. That might be why he has a warforged shell around in the first place; it's part of his project to make a high-level autonomous entity that's just as capable as a normal mortal mind.
Few random ideas before I sleep. Hopefully they give you a place to start, anyways.
Please do not contact or message me.
One alternative is to make them a Reborn with the cosmetic features of a Warforged. This is a new being that came into existence from the fusion, has maybe some fragments of memories from both previous lives, and needs to discover their purpose in this new life.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
You could instead maybe use the Glitchling from the UA, that would be cool too. That would explain the “glitch” after all.
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I'm with Sposta, consider asking your DM if they would allow you to use the Glitchling UA.
As shameless of a plug as it is, I made a homebrew Modron lineage that you might find interesting, too. It's kind of a mix between a couple of actual Modron features from the stat block and the Autognome. Word of warning: it hasn't been playtested yet. As always, ask your DM about it first.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/homebrew-house-rules/162749-modron-playable-lineage#c2
[REDACTED]
Lol they deleted their comment. Thanks though.
I like the "melding together" idea. You're right that it makes it a bit easier to explain how/why they're not just sitting in a lab all day trying to fix it. That was another question I had. "Why is the character joining the party?" But maybe it's because they've heard of some magical power in the area that the party is traveling to that could grant the separation they seek.
So I like the "idea" of the Modron being in the defender. Are you saying that the Modron would only sometimes be in the defender though? The only problem is that, at least in the beginning, I want the human and Modron to be more at odds with each other. I'm imagining the human being 100% in control until the first time he gets hit in battle and the Modron takes over. If the human is in control of the warforged, and the Modron is in control of the defender, then why do they stick together and fight for each other? Wouldn't the Modron just escape?
Thank you for all the feedback and constructive criticism! It's much appreciated!.
That's an idea. However I was imagining a situation more along the lines of two fully formed entities fighting for control over the main body. At least until they inevitably learn to work together.
Just looked it up and oooh that's really good. I'll definitely think about that. Almost a little broken, but I'm not complaining.
That's really cool. Though "Disintegration" scares the crap out of me :O
Thanks
Yeah, it's mostly meant for flavour but I guess it's technically a downside, seeing as it prevents resurrection spells from working on you.
[REDACTED]
I thought that might catch your fancy.
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I don't care about shameless plugs! Use the Locket of unbearable pain, my first homebrew item
Please