OOC: I, Modron

Is it alright if I change Ki's skills a bit to better fit his background?

Hello my modron-y minions,

Alright, I can't help but notice that this game is running quite slowly (muchly my fault). I have lots of plans for this game, but there's the perpetual fear that its just going to peter out to nothing before we can even get the first mission completed. I'm very worried about the upcoming combat that I have planned.

So, I ask you, my players, what do you want?

Should I focus on anything? Is the pace too slow? Should there be more combat? More NPCs?

Also, what do you want your characters to do as this game progresses. You don't have to say in this thread (in case you wish to keep things secret), but I think that if I intertwine character development and growth into the story we can all have a more enjoyable time. Is there anywhere you want your character to go? Some thing you want your character to do? If so, I can probably fit it in... I have a loose outline which can be scrapped at any moment if its not fun.

Do you have ideas for NPCs? Characters from your modron's background who can come in to make the game feel more real? Rivals? Friends? Lovers (can modrons even... well, We'll find out! *evil winky gleam*).

Would you guys like to see something happen? Any particular character (perhaos not previously associated with the modrons) who you think you'd like to have introduced? Gaming is cooperative and I need feedback.

Oh, also, NORDOM! Where'd you go you no-good son of packing material!

Secondary question: Rhys and Username... do your characters have any distinguishing features that makes them appear unique compared to normal modrons? Boxy has the flowers... Sidrem is spiked... Nordom has those kickass shades... but I can't find anything in yuor posts that sets them too far apart from others. (I'm trying to draw a group shot).

And black! With one score mark along the top! Goth modron! Can't forget the Goth Modron!

(more to come as I process email/posts)

Crane stance

I was wondering if there is any chance that I might get in on your game. I've read though it just now, and find it intrigueing. Could we just say that my character was detained until recently and was unable to make the initial meeting?
I would think that given the general nature of modron personalities, my addition shoulldn't be too hard for the other characters to accept.
My character's name would be Optimal, and would be an Egoist (Psion speciallizing in Psychometabalism). He went rogue during the last March. While in Limbo, Optimal went through two promotions due to the dangerous nature of Limbo to the March. This, in addition to witnessing other promotions and chaos matter contamination, led to Optimal comprehending the concept of distinction, as well as the transformative potential of his own body. Optimal has since learned to manipulate his body in various ways making functional alterations for brief periods of time, however the only permanent changes he has been able to make are minor superficial ones, although they are many and varied (and not detailed yet). Optimal hopes to eventually use his abilities to attain the most perfect form (whatever that is) and as such joined the like-minded Believers of the Source (where one Godsman named him), however when that faction merged with the Sign of One, Optimal did not, as they no longer shared a common outlook. Now, when not practicing his arts in the relatively secure city of Sigil, Optimal spends much of his time in Limbo conducting research. Sometimes he ends up staying longer than he would like.

Not *you* Sidrem. Painted black and everything... *small grin*

Hrm, well I'll put it up to the group.

I don't mind another player, but do you all mind terribly if Narfi is allowed to play? (PM me if you do, we don't want any bad blood)

Secondarily. I was considering something. How do we want to run rogue modrons?

Modrons of any caste can go rogue, and modrons have the documented ability to command modrons of a lower caste than they - thus making rogue heirarchs espcially dangerous. Yet the default rogue modron player race is a quadrone variant (wings but no flight).

I was thinking that the reason for this is that, upon first going rogue modrons retain their shape and status amongst other modrons, but only while on Mechanus. Once the modron leaves Mechanus its tie to the Energy Pool is completely cut and, after a period of weeks, the modron's body degenerates into a more base form. (This is going with the assumption that Mono, Duo, and Tridrones are all too basic to go rogue - well, I suppose there could be rogue Tris) Thus, the majority of rogues in the planes are quadrone shaped (another reason is that there are more quadrones than any of the heirarchs).

These are just my thoughts on the matter.

We should all get stylized costumes at the tailor's, so that we can have the most badass modrons around. Cog Squad for life!

I took the liberty of making up a character sheet, so that if and when you give me the okay, the waiting time can be kept to a minimum.

Name: Optimal
Race: Outcast Modron
Class/Level: 1st Level Psion (Egoist)
Alignment: LN
Faction: Ex-Godsmen

Strength: 12 (+1)
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 16 (+3)
Intelligence: 22 (+6)
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 8 (-1)

Hit points: 9 (1d4 + 3 from Con bonus + 2 from Psionic Body)
Armor Class: 14
Fort. Save: (+3)
Ref. Save: (+0)6
Will Save: (+2)

Modron traits

Power Points/Day: 5
Powers Known: Hammer, Know Direction and Location, Psionic Grease, Synesthete, Thicken Skin

Skills:
Autohypnosis: 4 + 0 = 4
Concentration: 4 + 3 = 7
Control: 3 + 0 = 3
Knowledge (Clockwork Engineering): 4 + 6 = 10
Knowledge (Factions and Guilds): 1 + 6 = 7
Knowledge (Limbo): 2 + 6 = 8
Knowledge (Mechanus): 1 + 6 = 7
Knowledge (Psionics): 4 +6 =10
Knowledge (Siege Engineering): 4 + 6 = 10
Language: 1
Psicraft: 4

Feats: Precondition (If Optimal senses a terrestrial creature or vehicle moving directly at him at a speed of more than 45 feet, then Optimal will manifest Psionic Grease directly in front of the creature/vehicle in question.)
Psionic Body

Languages: Abyssal, Celestial, Daemon, Draconic Formian, Githzerai, Infernal, Modron, Planar Trade, Slaad,

Equip: Masterwork Shortspear, Masterwork Crossbow, ? # of bolts, Journal, ink pen, ink, satchel, belt to hang crossbow on, 2 Shards of Autohypnosis + 6, 2 Shards of Concentration + 5, 2 Shards of Control +6.

Note, the Engineering skill points are so that upon aquireing the Metamorphosis power, Optimal can transform into complex machinery. If you would rather me have different skills for this, let me know. I also ran on the assumption that Control would be a class skill for a Psion.

Thanks.
Narfi Ref

Looking back at the original post that started 'I, Modron', it appears that the intent was for this to be a joke game. And although we've got some pretty kooky characters, it seems like we're all taking it fairly seriously.

Is that ok with everyone, or were you hoping for things to be more comical? I don't mind either way. I played a klutzy wizard named Runs-with-Scissors over at RPGConsortiums about a year ago and it was silly fun that lasted a surprisingly long time, but I also enjoy games that are more serious.

So, should 'I, Modron' be 'funny ha-ha' or 'funny strange'?

In fact, I would prefer a 3.5 Egoist. Really the Psi rules are much more fun in the XPH than they were in the PsiH.

Where did you get the idea I wasn't using the XPH rules? I was pouring over it as I wrote him up. Did I screw him up?

No! Don't pout, and don't change a thing! I'm liking how this has turned out. I don't want Laurel and Hardy. Primus, you're doing an awesome job with this game and I'm really glad you've taken this on.

Yeah, I've been thinking about this character concept for a while; I even plan on using him in my novel trilogy when I get to it this summer. To tell you the truth, the idea for him sorta came from Nordom. The fact that Nordom was able to change his wings into arms, always got me thinking that it would be cool if Modrons could modify their bodies in other ways, and the egoist seemed like the best way to do it. I also find it funny to call a being that formerly had no sense of self an "Egoist."

Oh, as for his appearance, I've decided that it changes. His surface metalic parts can change to diferernt types of metals, stone, glass, bone, hardwood, plastic, chiton, ceramic, etc.; his skin changes colors, can change to scales, gain feathers, grow hair, be silky soft, or rough as sandpaper, or any other type of flesh. This of course would have absolutely no stat effect, and would only change while Optimal rests to regain Power Points; afterward it would stay as is until he rests again.

Oh, and while not researching/practicing in Limbo, Optimal works for a crazy da Vinci-esque engineer. He helps organize the place, and acts as a sounding board for the inventor for pay, and instruction in engineering (so as to better understand his own mechanical side).

So how do you want to work me in?

Well, I have to say that I'm more than a little dissapointed. I was really looking forward to getting into this game, but with the way things are going, I doubt I'll get the chance to. I really don't have any experience with play-by-post games, so I'm wondering if they all move so slowly, or is this an oddity?

In my experience PbP tends to go in waves; for a while everyone is active and the action is movin' right along, then there's a lull, then things get going again.

The trick is to make sure that the lull doesn't metamorphose into "campaign cancelled by pocket veto".

No worries, Narfi. I'll try to get back into things. The game is currently waiting on me, I'm just not really in a posting place at this particular moment. My trip has sapped my energy and I have to get it back just for class going. Hopefully I will do all the posting that is required of me tonight and get this show on the road.

Is it kosher to use an NPC who appears in a campaign you DM on the boards here? Doesn't that slightly interfere with the anonymity that, as far as I knew, was a part of the Idol competition? Either you're backing Yarrdulence, or someone's ripping you off.

I was told to submit him despite his being my obvious NPC. I mentioned wanting to use one of NPCs and mentioned the anonymity thing and was told ot submit him anyways. My thing is, I cannot be told not to use him as an NPC. NPCs in my own game are my territory, I can use the Lady despite not owning her so I can use Yarr to if he wins.