Modron (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the fiction
al multiverse
of the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, Modrons are mechanical looking creatures native to the outer plane
of Mechanus
. Modrons resemble geometric shapes with humanoid limbs and represent a living, physical manifestation of law without regard to good or evil. They follow a strict hierarchy, with each rank reporting to the rank directly above it, and issuing commands to the ones ranking beneath it. For example, a quadrone modron will report to a pentadrone, and command several tridrones.
, working from suggestions by Gary Gygax
. They first appeared in 1983, in the AD&D 1st edition Monster Manual
II, which introduced the base modrons (including the monodrone, the duodrone, the tridrone, the quadrone, and the pentadrone), the hierarch modrons (including the decaton, the nonaton, the octon, the septon, the hexton, the quinton, the quarton, the tertian, and the secundus), and Primus (The One and the Prime).
In the 2nd edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, the Plane of Law was renamed Mechanus
(instead of Nirvana) and the depiction of Modrons introduced clockwork
features (expanding on the description of Nirvana as a plane of cogwheels in the 1st edition Manual of the Planes). The monodrone, the duodrone, the tridrone, the quadrone, the pentadrone, the decaton, the nonaton, the octon, the septon, the hexton, the quinton, the quarton, the tertian, the secundus, and Primus appeared in the Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set (1994). In his review of the Planescape Campaign Setting
boxed set, Gene Alloway mentioned the modrons as an example of "the old, tired and previously foolish" which the set "breathes new life and meaning into". The Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set introduced the notion that modrons can only comprehend the existence of other modrons of one rank directly above or below them in their hierarchy. Only their immediate superiors and inferiors register in their minds - a modron is aware of the existence of all ranks below it, but communication is exclusively limited to adjacent ranks. Only Primus, the modron deity, is aware of all modrons, because he is at the top of the hierarchy.
Planescape also introduced rogue modrons: modrons who have left Mechanus and broken their connections to the other modrons. Modrons were made a playable character race in The Planewalker's Handbook
(1996), and a rogue modron named Nordom (voiced by Dan Castellaneta
) could join the player's party in the computer game Planescape: Torment
.
In the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, modrons had largely faded from prominence, their place as the primary representatives of lawful neutrality taken by the antlike, expansionist formian
s and the robot-like, implacable Inevitables. They have received only a passing reference in the Manual of the Planes
sourcebook, with a more detailed explanation in the web enhancement. In Dragon
#354, an article was published on the recent history of the modrons, as well as detailed game statistics for the base modrons (the monodrone, the duodrone, the tridrone, the quadrone, and the pentadrone, as well as the messenger monodrone and the winged quadrone) and PC modrons such as the exiled modron.
The 4th edition brought many changes to the cosmology of Dungeons & Dragons. In the article Creature Incarnations: Modrons in Dungeon
#186, the Modrons are described as "cells" of the unknown being Primus. The monodrone brickguard, the duodrone marcher, the quadrone enforcer and the modron hierarch are described.
There are only limited numbers of hierarch Modrons in existence, there being only one Primus, four (two squared) Secundi, nine (three squared) Tertians, and so on. In order to keep this number stable, upon the demise of a Hierarch, one of a lower rank is promoted upwards, and the resulting void filled by another promotion, and so on. When the promotion reaches the Monodrone level, a new Monodrone is spawned from the Energy Pool in the center of Regulus to fill the void left by the promotion of a Monodrone into a Duodrone.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al multiverse
Multiverse
The multiverse is the hypothetical set of multiple possible universes that together comprise all of reality.Multiverse may also refer to:-In fiction:* Multiverse , the fictional multiverse used by DC Comics...
of the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Modrons are mechanical looking creatures native to the outer plane
Outer Plane
In the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, an Outer Plane is one of a number of general types of planes of existence. They can also be referred to as godly planes, spiritual planes or divine planes. The Outer Planes are home to beings such as deities and otherworldly creatures such as...
of Mechanus
Mechanus
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Mechanus, also known as The Clockwork Nirvana of Mechanus is a purely lawful aligned plane of existence...
. Modrons resemble geometric shapes with humanoid limbs and represent a living, physical manifestation of law without regard to good or evil. They follow a strict hierarchy, with each rank reporting to the rank directly above it, and issuing commands to the ones ranking beneath it. For example, a quadrone modron will report to a pentadrone, and command several tridrones.
Publication history
Modrons were created by Jeff GrubbJeff Grubb
Jeff Grubb is an author and game designer. He has worked on a number of computer and role-playing games and has written a number of successful novels, short stories and comics...
, working from suggestions by Gary Gygax
Gary Gygax
Ernest Gary Gygax was an American writer and game designer best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson. Gygax is generally acknowledged as the father of role-playing games....
. They first appeared in 1983, in the AD&D 1st edition Monster Manual
Monster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
II, which introduced the base modrons (including the monodrone, the duodrone, the tridrone, the quadrone, and the pentadrone), the hierarch modrons (including the decaton, the nonaton, the octon, the septon, the hexton, the quinton, the quarton, the tertian, and the secundus), and Primus (The One and the Prime).
In the 2nd edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, the Plane of Law was renamed Mechanus
Mechanus
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Mechanus, also known as The Clockwork Nirvana of Mechanus is a purely lawful aligned plane of existence...
(instead of Nirvana) and the depiction of Modrons introduced clockwork
Clockwork
A clockwork is the inner workings of either a mechanical clock or a device that operates in a similar fashion. Specifically, the term refers to a mechanical device utilizing a complex series of gears....
features (expanding on the description of Nirvana as a plane of cogwheels in the 1st edition Manual of the Planes). The monodrone, the duodrone, the tridrone, the quadrone, the pentadrone, the decaton, the nonaton, the octon, the septon, the hexton, the quinton, the quarton, the tertian, the secundus, and Primus appeared in the Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set (1994). In his review of the Planescape Campaign Setting
Planescape Campaign Setting
The Planescape Campaign Setting was a boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The set was designed by David "Zeb" Cook and published in 1994, and introduced the Planescape setting.-Contents:...
boxed set, Gene Alloway mentioned the modrons as an example of "the old, tired and previously foolish" which the set "breathes new life and meaning into". The Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set introduced the notion that modrons can only comprehend the existence of other modrons of one rank directly above or below them in their hierarchy. Only their immediate superiors and inferiors register in their minds - a modron is aware of the existence of all ranks below it, but communication is exclusively limited to adjacent ranks. Only Primus, the modron deity, is aware of all modrons, because he is at the top of the hierarchy.
Planescape also introduced rogue modrons: modrons who have left Mechanus and broken their connections to the other modrons. Modrons were made a playable character race in The Planewalker's Handbook
The Planewalker's Handbook
The Planewalker's Handbook is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1996....
(1996), and a rogue modron named Nordom (voiced by Dan Castellaneta
Dan Castellaneta
Daniel Louis "Dan" Castellaneta is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, singer and screenwriter. Noted for his long-running role as Homer Simpson on the animated television series The Simpsons, he voices many other characters on The Simpsons, including Abraham "Grampa" Simpson, Barney Gumble,...
) could join the player's party in the computer game Planescape: Torment
Planescape: Torment
Planescape: Torment is a computer role-playing game developed for Windows by Black Isle Studios and released on December 12, 1999 by Interplay Entertainment. It takes place in Planescape, an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy campaign setting...
.
In the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons, modrons had largely faded from prominence, their place as the primary representatives of lawful neutrality taken by the antlike, expansionist formian
Formian
In the fictional world of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, formians are extraplanar insectoid outsiders.-Publication history:...
s and the robot-like, implacable Inevitables. They have received only a passing reference in the Manual of the Planes
Manual of the Planes
The Manual of the Planes is a manual for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. This text addresses the planar cosmology of the game universe....
sourcebook, with a more detailed explanation in the web enhancement. In Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#354, an article was published on the recent history of the modrons, as well as detailed game statistics for the base modrons (the monodrone, the duodrone, the tridrone, the quadrone, and the pentadrone, as well as the messenger monodrone and the winged quadrone) and PC modrons such as the exiled modron.
The 4th edition brought many changes to the cosmology of Dungeons & Dragons. In the article Creature Incarnations: Modrons in Dungeon
Dungeon (magazine)
Dungeon Adventures, or simply Dungeon, was a magazine targeting consumers of role-playing games, particularly Dungeons & Dragons. It was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1986 as a bimonthly periodical. It went monthly in May 2003 and ceased print publication altogether in September 2007 with Issue 150...
#186, the Modrons are described as "cells" of the unknown being Primus. The monodrone brickguard, the duodrone marcher, the quadrone enforcer and the modron hierarch are described.
Hierarchy
The hierarchy of Modrons, ranked from lowest to highest, is as follows:| Name | Function |
|---|---|
| Base Modrons | |
| Monodrone | Basic tasks |
| Duodrone | Complex tasks |
| Tridrone | Many tasks, minor management |
| Quadrone | Many complex tasks, management |
| Pentadrone | Law enforcement |
| Hierarch Modrons | |
| Decaton | Base modron welfare |
| Nonaton | Law enforcement supervision |
| Octon | Sector governors |
| Septon | Inspection |
| Hexton | Generals |
| Quinton | Bureau chiefs, record keeping |
| Quarton | Region governors |
| Tertian | Judges |
| Secundus | Quarter governors |
| Primus | Supreme ruler of all modrons |
There are only limited numbers of hierarch Modrons in existence, there being only one Primus, four (two squared) Secundi, nine (three squared) Tertians, and so on. In order to keep this number stable, upon the demise of a Hierarch, one of a lower rank is promoted upwards, and the resulting void filled by another promotion, and so on. When the promotion reaches the Monodrone level, a new Monodrone is spawned from the Energy Pool in the center of Regulus to fill the void left by the promotion of a Monodrone into a Duodrone.