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Future Tech Meets Fantasy By William Canavan
The concept of introducing futuristic technology into a fantasy
D&D setting is almost as old as Dungeons & Dragons itself.
From Advanced Dungeons and Dragons' Expedition to the Barrier
Peaks, to Basic D&D's City of the Gods, to AD&D 2nd
Edition's Tale of the Comet, future tech' has a long history of
finding its way into the world of fantasy. Now with d20 Future
Tech, it is even easier to incorporate advanced technology into
your D&D setting.
Although there are many examples of future tech in fantasy from
which to draw, this article will focus on mecha. For those not
familiar with the term, "mecha" is both singular and plural,
derived from Japanese animation in which it can refer to any type
of equipment, from weapons and armor to vehicles and starships. In
d20 Future, the term "mecha" specifically refers to giant piloted
robots, with the rules for mecha operation found in d20 Future and
d20 Future Tech. Mecha usually look like armored giants, although
some are designed to resemble animals or mythical creatures.
For another look at future tech introduced to a fantasy world,
check out the Return Expedition to Barrier Peaks.
The temptation to pit your PCs against mecha from d20 Future
Tech can be great, but despite the similarities of the d20 Modern
and D&D rules, mecha are surprisingly tricky to incorporate
into a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. For example, one of the
first questions a DM may encounter is how to determine the
challenge rating of a mecha. Unfortunately, the answer is "you
can't". Mecha are not creatures; they aren't even constructs. Mecha
are very large, very powerful pieces of equipment. Therefore, they
do not have a CR of their own.
The Challenge of Challenge Ratings
So if mecha don't have a CR, how can you plan a balanced
encounter with one? The key is in recognizing that a mecha is no
different from a suit of magic armor. The armor has no CR of its
own, but should only be in the possession of an NPC with enough
wealth to afford it. By using table 4-23 in the DMG (pg. 127) you
can determine how much wealth an NPC of a given level should
have.
Yet while D&D uses a cash system of gold pieces to determine
wealth, d20 Modern uses an abstract system of purchase DCs and
wealth checks. By converting a mecha's purchase DC into a gold
piece value, you can determine the minimum level a NPC must be in
order to possess a particular type of mecha (assuming it's somehow
available to them!). This in turn will allow you to determine the
level of the encounter. To simplify conversion between the two
systems, use the table below:
Mecha Purchase DC
Gold Piece Value
Minimum NPC Level
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Mecha pilots require a number of skills and feats to be truly
effective (and for mecha introduced to D&D campaigns, several
of these will simply not exist; their inclusion will need to be
improvised). The Computer Use skill is needed to operate the
mecha's sensors and the Pilot and/or Drive skills are needed to
maneuver it (unless the pilot uses the Tumble skill). A character
without these skills can attempt to use them untrained (except for
the Pilot skill, which is trained only). All of the skills listed
above should be considered cross class skills for any D&D
character that wishes to put ranks into them.
Mecha pilots should take the Mecha Operation feat as soon as
possible. Without it they suffer a -4 penalty to Balance, Climb,
Drive, Escape Artist, Hide, Move Silently, Pilot and Tumble checks
made while operating mecha. Mecha Operation also serves as a
prerequisite for a number of other mecha-related feats that a pilot
could use to make the mecha more effective in combat.
36 10,000gp 9
37 13,750gp 10
38 17,500gp 11
39 25,000gp 12
40 32,500gp 13
41 45,000gp 14
42 60,000gp 15
43 75,000gp 16
44 100,000gp 17
45 137,500gp 18
46 175,000gp 19
47 250,000gp 20
Keep in mind that the minimum NPC level is just a guideline for
the level of the mecha's pilot. Also remember that a party should
be able to defeat four encounters of the average party level in a
single day. So unless you want the PCs to have an easy time, you
might want to consider using a mecha pilot that would provide an EL
of 2 to 4 levels higher than the average party level.
Using these rules, you should be able to calculate the EL for
any mecha. As the chart tops out at PDC 47, any encounters with
mecha more expensive than that should be at least Encounter Level
20.
Perhaps the most famous mecha in the history of D&D is the
legendary artifact known as the Mighty Servant of Leuk-o. Its
original stats can be found in the 1st edition AD&DDungeon
Master's Guide, then updated for 2nd edition AD&D and placed
within the Book of Artifacts. Updated stats for the D&D 3.5
version of the Mighty Servant are presented below.
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o is a towering automaton of jet
black metal, shadowy crystal, and several mysterious fibrous
materials. The device stands over nine feet tall, is nearly five
feet wide, and some six feet deep. It is rounded and might remind
one of a cross between an overly stout (if gigantic) dwarf and a
lumbering beetle. The servant has two stocky legs, on which it
walks with a curious swaying motion, and a pair of dangling
arms.
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An internal compartment is configured to seat two man-sized
creatures comfortably. Externally, as many as five others might
perch safely upon the servant when it is in motion. As might be
expected, this dreadful thing is quite heavy, weighing nearly two
tons, and is hideously noisy when in operation.
History
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o is believed to be a construct of
some ancient and mysterious race who lived in and around the
Barrier Peaks before migrating to the far west. The workmanship and
materials evidenced in the Mighty Servant are unlike any found in
the recorded histories of men, making it impossible to state just
what their nature might have been.
Some sages, citing the craftsmanship and appearance of the
thing, speculate that it is the handiwork of a now extinct branch
of the dwarves. Dwarf sages note (with some reluctance, it must be
said) that never in their race's extensive histories has anyone
ever found a reference to this construct.
All accounts of the Mighty Servant begin with its discovery by
the infamous General Leuk-o. Leuk-o was a follower of the warlord
Lum, but turned against his master when he came into possession of
this instrument of destruction. With the power of the Mighty
Servant to back him, Leuk-o forged an army that rivaled even
Lum's.
The two forces clashed many times, always ending in stalemate.
At last, the two forces met in a final battle, Lum and Leuk-o faced
each other, their mighty artifacts unleashing powers greater than
any since harnessed. It is said that their battle laid waste to a
great kingdom and left a scorched desert in its wake. The Mighty
Servant is believed by many to have been destroyed in this final
battle, although others believe it plunged through a dimensional
rift opened in that great conflict.
In terms of d20 Future Tech, the Mighty Servant of Leuk-o is a
large mecha with the following statistics:
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o(PL 8)
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o primarily serves as a light
infantry support mecha, replacing an armored vehicle on the
battlefield. It has also proven effective in close-combat
situations, particularly in siege warfare.
The Mighty Servant with the standard equipment package (see
below) has a purchase DC of 47. As presented below, the Mighty
Servant of Leuk-o should be piloted by a 20th level character. The
20th level NPC fighter from the Dungeon Master's Guide (pg. 177)
would make a suitable pilot.
Size: Large (-1 size) Bonus Hit Points: 220
Superstructure: Megatanium Hardness: 30
Armor: Megatanium Bonus to Defense: +17
Armor Penalty: -8 Reach: 10 ft.
Strength Bonus: +8 Dexterity Penalty: -
Speed: 20 ft. Base Purchase DC: 47
Standard Equipment Package: Class VI Sensor System (helmet),
Pilot's cockpit (helmet and torso), Passenger's Cockpit (torso and
back), Nano Repair Unit (left arm), Tsunami480 Plasma Cannon
(shoulders x2 and left arm), PS-25 Tiger Claws (right arm), Mk IV
Defense Field (right arm), Zero Point Energy Power Core
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(plus 4 slots), Structural Enhancement x2 (back and power core),
Life Support (power core), Space Skin (power core), Heavy
Fortification (power core and boots x2 ).
Hit Points and Speed: The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o has a
megatanium superstructure that grants the mecha a hardness of 30
with 20 base hit points and 100 bonus hit points. An additional 100
bonus hit points are granted by two structural enhancements. It has
a base speed of 20 feet, and cannot run or charge unless the
operator has the Mecha Operation feat.
Defensive Capabilities: The Mighty Servant has a base Defense
score (i.e., Armor Class) of 10 with a -1 modifier for size, +12
equipment bonus for megatanium armor, +4 deflection bonus for the
Mk IV defense field, and +1 for the enhancement bonus, for a total
defense score of 26. Its Nano Repair Unit repairs 5 hit points of
damage per round. It also has a life support system for the pilot
and a "space skin", which allows the mecha and its pilot to operate
underwater, in a hostile atmosphere, or even in a complete vacuum
for up to 24 hours.
Immunities: The Mighty Servant is created with the "mecha as
vehicles" variant rules from d20 Future Tech (pg. 66). As a
vehicle, it takes only damage from fire and electricity-based
attacks, and only damage from cold-based attacks. It is also immune
to mind-influencing effects and to poison, sleep, paralysis,
stunning, disease, necromancy effects, and any effect that requires
a Fortitude save unless the effect also works on objects or is
harmless. It is also not subject to critical hits, non-lethal
damage, ability damage, ability drain, energy drain, or the effects
of massive damage. The pilot and passenger in the cockpit have 100%
concealment and total cover from any external attack. The mecha's
sensor system also grants the pilot darkvision up to 180 feet and
also allows him or her to see through almost any barrier.
Offensive Capabilities: From an offensive stand point, the
Mighty Servant has a Strength score of 26. It has a number of claw
attacks based on the pilot's base attack bonus (BAB). However, it
uses its own Strength bonus and size penalty instead of those of
the pilot. Each successful claw attack inflicts 6d8+8 points of
damage. The Mighty Servant also has a single ranged weapon. The
number of ranged attacks is based on the pilot's BAB. Again, it
uses its own size modifier instead of that of the pilot.
The Mighty Servant's ranged weapon has two modes of attack. The
first affects a single target up to 1,500 feet away. The second
attack mode affects a 60 foot cone (reflex save DC: 19 for half
damage). Each successful ranged attack in either mode inflicts 12d6
points of fire damage.
Demonic Possession: The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o is a more than
just a large mecha. Whatever its true origins may have been, the
mecha was possessed by a glabrezu long before it was discovered by
general Leuk-o. This demon uses the power of the Mighty Servant to
tempt Lawful and Good heroes into becoming Chaotic Evil warlords.
As a possessing demon, the glabrezu acts as an enhancer, granting
up to 24,000gp worth of magical enhancements to the mecha. These
enhancements are usually in the form of acid resistance 10, spell
resistance 13, and a +1 enhancement bonus to the mecha's defense
score (AC). Should the pilot displease the demon, it can drop any
or all of these enhancements at will.
The demon is vulnerable to dismissal, banishment and similar
effects, so it will be wary of revealing its true nature. If the
demon is exorcised or otherwise removed from the mecha, the Mighty
Servant reverts to an "ordinary" mecha. It loses any enhancements
provided by the demon, but it keeps any other abilities it may have
been granted by other means. If the Mighty Servant is destroyed
while possessed by the glabrezu, the demon reverts to its
incorporeal state unharmed.
While it possesses the mecha, the glabrezu cannot use any of its
Extraordinary, Spell-like or Supernatural Abilities. If the demon
finds a suitable pilot, it may return to its physical body as a
free action and use all of its powers, but doing so drops all of
the enhancements to the Mighty Servant. It can again shuck its
physical form and repossess the Mighty Servant at any time.
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One of the demon's favorite tactics for corrupting a pilot is to
offer wishes that improve or add to the powers of the Mighty
Servant. Note that General Leuk-o had this artifact in his
possession for a very long time. There is no telling how many
wishes he was granted by the glabrezu, or whether he might have
used them to further enhance the Mighty Servant. The stats listed
above are a baseline only. DMs are encouraged to tailor the Mighty
Servant to fit their own fiendish needs.
Adventure Hooks
The Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss contains detailed
rules for demon-possessed objects (pg. 25); these rules were used
to determine the value of the Mighty Servant's enhancements. d20
Future contains detailed rules for building and operating mecha,
and d20 Future Tech has expanded rules for mecha construction and
combat; these rules were used to determine the Mighty Servant's
base purchase DC. The glabrezu itself can be found in the Monster
Manual. All of these books should be consulted before attempting to
introduce the Mighty Servant of Leuk-o into your campaign.
The Mighty Servant of Leuk-o is a famous artifact from the World
of Greyhawk. According to legend, it disappeared through a
dimensional rift during General Leuk-o's final battle against Lum
the Mad and his Infernal Machine. This allows the DM to insert the
Mighty Servant into any campaign setting despite its origins in
Greyhawk, and there are many ways to bring this powerful artifact
to the attention of your PCs. Consider the following:
1. The Treasure Hunter: An old man approaches the party seeking
their help in recovering a lost iron golem of dwarven design. He
believes he has discovered its location, but it is remote and
dangerous. He is willing to pay the group handsomely if they escort
him to the golem's resting place and help him bring it safely back
to civilization.
d100 Motivations
01-60 The old man is a sage and a collector of rare oddities. He
truly believes that what he seeks is just a unique iron golem and
has no idea that he has stumbled across the Mighty Servant of
Leuk-o.
61-90 The old man is a sage and collector of rare oddities. He
knows that he has found the Mighty Servant, but does not want
anyone else to know its true nature.
91-100 The old man is possessed by the glabrezu. It plans to
lead the would-be heroes to the Mighty Servant in order to corrupt
them.
d100 Complications
01-60 Another group overhears the old man and attempts to beat
the party to the "golem".
61-90 The Mighty Servant is the prized possession of a great red
wyrm.
91-100 The Mighty Servant is floating in the Astral Plane.
2. The Warlord: A powerful warlord has discovered the Mighty
Servant of Leuk-o and is using it to conquer nearby lands. A
messenger seeks out the party and begs them to stop the
warlord.
d100 Motivations
01-50 The messenger is telling the truth. If the heroes don't
act, civilization is doomed.
51-80 The messenger is possessed by the glabrezu. The current
pilot has displeased the demon and it wants a
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new pilot for the Mighty Servant.
81-100 The messenger is in the service of Lum the Mad. He wants
the Mighty Servant destroyed so that no one will be able to stop
his own attempt at conquest.
d100 Complications
01-50 In addition to the Mighty Servant, the warlord has raised
an army of thousands of evil or possibly undead warriors.
51-80 In addition to the Mighty Servant, the warlord has raised
an army of thousands of commoners who believe they are on a holy
quest for the forces of Law and Good.
81-100 In addition to the thousands of warriors or commoners
(above), the current pilot of the Mighty Servant is a 10th level
fallen paladin/10th level blackguard.
About the Author
Bill Canavan has been gaming for more than twenty-five years.
During that time, he has written and run adventures for the
Dungeons & Dragons, d20 Modern, and Star Wars d20 games. Bill
currently lives in New Hampshire with his wife and two cats.
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