PDA

View Full Version : [1ed-3.5] Good background music for Modron?



Pika...
2009-09-17, 12:12 PM
So last session my players got covered in some chaotic substance. Lucky for them they rolled WAY too well on a certain table, and all got pretty good benefits from it with no drawbacks. However, yesterday I got a nice little idea for how to meet my "at least one encounter per session quota", while linking it to the plot. :smallbiggrin:

So when the players leave the safety of the Elven uber holy city they are in, a portal will open from Regulus. Out will fly a Quadrone who will inform them "Greetings. I am Quadrone 3467. You have altered the balance of this world in favor of chaos. A balance must be reached.". He will then point towards them and say "Monodrones, attack these creatures until they are destroyed.". At which point three Monodrones march out in perfect order and rhythm ready to attack.

So now I am going crazy trying to find some background music to add to my Itunes Playlists (which I use for all my games) which will fit them "just right". I love the Modron race, and I want to make the first time I run them perfect and fun.

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!

kc0bbq
2009-09-17, 12:26 PM
Just the thought of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies and a horde of monodrones makes me giggle.

kme
2009-09-17, 12:27 PM
Modron? Nordom? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6MWbv5tctw&feature=PlayList&p=DD4FBC97AE972E96&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=18) :smalltongue:

bosssmiley
2009-09-17, 12:36 PM
Ambient trance techno is Modron music. Also, Kraftwerk.

Or, if you're going for a bit more of DiTerlizzi comedy Modron thing, the Pkunk, Orz and Zot-Foq-Pik tracks from the Ur-Quan Masters fan mixes (http://www.medievalfuture.com/precursors/music.php) are all suitable.

Of course, the Great Modron March is nothing but Rammstein's "Links 2 3 4" and "Du Hast" on endless bloody repeat. :smallbiggrin:

Germans <=> Modrons

Telonius
2009-09-17, 01:10 PM
Something extremely logical, very regular beat... something from JS Bach's Brandenburg Concertos maybe?

Myshlaevsky
2009-09-17, 01:15 PM
I'd advise making the scenario you propose a little less straightforward.

Coplantor
2009-09-17, 01:18 PM
Of course, the Great Modron March is nothing but Rammstein's "Links 2 3 4" and "Du Hast" on endless bloody repeat. :smallbiggrin:

Germans <=> Modrons

This, so this.

Pika...
2009-09-17, 05:54 PM
Ambient trance techno is Modron music. Also, Kraftwerk.

Or, if you're going for a bit more of DiTerlizzi comedy Modron thing, the Pkunk, Orz and Zot-Foq-Pik tracks from the Ur-Quan Masters fan mixes (http://www.medievalfuture.com/precursors/music.php) are all suitable.

Of course, the Great Modron March is nothing but Rammstein's "Links 2 3 4" and "Du Hast" on endless bloody repeat. :smallbiggrin:

Germans <=> Modrons

Yeah, I love the more "comedy" take on them.

The Ur-Quan seem like they might work. I am now going to have folders/playlists for background music for different races, and I have just made one labeled "Modrn" and added those. Many thanks. :smallsmile:

The Rammstein's songs, well, they are realy far removed from what I was looking for.

I like the Kraftwerk stuff, but sadly there are lyrics in them. :smallannoyed:

I will look into ambient trance techno to see what it's all about. Seems like my stile either way.


And please, more suggestions are always welcome! The more I have on my Itunes on my Macbook, the better I'll be prepared.



I'd advise making the scenario you propose a little less straightforward.

Why?

They are Modron...

Myshlaevsky
2009-09-17, 05:58 PM
Why?

They are Modron...

That's kind of my point. It's a bit rubbish to just have 4 Modrons turn up out of nowhere without warning and start beating on the PC's. It feels unconnected. Have a single Modron meet or track them, investigating a random Chaos taint they picked up. It could even endeavour to touch them all or collect a sample from each of them to weigh on the scales of Chaos/Law. Maybe they even help a lone Modron who then reports them afterwards.

I just think it'd work better with a little scene-setting before the attack. Plus, that lets you use a softer structured piece as music for the 'friendly' Modron and then up the ante with something else when they attack.

AslanCross
2009-09-17, 06:03 PM
Vortex Infinitum. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUKLGYGJZKE) I've always wanted to use this as a battle BGM versus constructs.

Heliomance
2009-09-17, 06:13 PM
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e46Dx5hsxks) seems fairly good to me, if a bit creepy. Ignore the AMV with it, it was the only video of this song I could find on Youtube.

Project_Mayhem
2009-09-17, 06:28 PM
Of course, the Great Modron March is nothing but Rammstein's "Links 2 3 4" and "Du Hast" on endless bloody repeat.

Germans <=> Modrons

Thats so weird - seeing the title, my thoughts immediately turned to Rammstein.

Great minds etc.

Akal Saris
2009-09-17, 06:44 PM
For some more comedic songs...

Domo Arigatou, Mr Robato

The Humans Are Dead (Binary solo 10001000101!)

Pika...
2009-09-17, 07:10 PM
That's kind of my point. It's a bit rubbish to just have 4 Modrons turn up out of nowhere without warning and start beating on the PC's. It feels unconnected. Have a single Modron meet or track them, investigating a random Chaos taint they picked up. It could even endeavour to touch them all or collect a sample from each of them to weigh on the scales of Chaos/Law. Maybe they even help a lone Modron who then reports them afterwards.

I just think it'd work better with a little scene-setting before the attack. Plus, that lets you use a softer structured piece as music for the 'friendly' Modron and then up the ante with something else when they attack.

I see. You might have a point.

You see, I had this NPC in mind when thinking up the scenario:




http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/celestialkin/NPCs%20in%20my%20multiverse/Quadrone3467.jpg
Quadrone #3467

Like many Quadrones Quadrone #3467 is used by the Modron to interact with nonmodron beings on their race's behalf due to their ability to perform more complex tasks, their superior management skills, and their higher mental processing. However, Quadrone #3467 serves a somewhat unique role.

Quadrone #3467 is tasked with monitoring the Prime Material for, and then appropriately dealing with, any beings attempting to use Chaos in it's various forums to enhance themselves; thereby unbalancing their worlds in favor of Chaos. This assignment requires Quadrone #3467 to spend much time away from Regulus, which is why Primus himself has authorized Quadrone #3467 special abilities not standard for the majority of his rank.

Unlike most Modrones who are only ever aware of the Modron Rank directly below and directly above them (with the exception of Primus), Primus had Quadrone #3467 upgraded to be able to not just be aware of Pentadrones and Tridrones, but to also be able process the existence to Duodrones and Monodrones as well as Primus himself. In addition, he was given authority over Duodrones and Monodrones as though they were Tridrones, who's senses recognize him as a Modron of the rank above them (Monodrones see him as a Duodron, while Duodrones see him as a Tridrone).

His final assistance authorized by Primus for Quadrone #3467 to be able to perform his tasks was to authorize him to be able to call Pentadrones away from their duties enforcing order and hunting for Rogue Modron on Regulus to aid him if needed. Quadrone #3467 has rarely had to use this authority, but if lower-ranking Modron are not able to deal with the threat he himself will attempt to intervene (he is a standard CR4 Quadrone from Dragon #354). If they prove too powerful for even himself he will resort to retrieving Pentadrone aid from Regulus.



I was planning for him to make regular appearances. Basically come back with increasingly stronger units as the PCs improves and/or levels. As each new encounter went by, they would "get to know him better".

Leon
2009-09-17, 09:59 PM
The Crazy Program by Fumie Kumatani.
Its from the Phantasy Star Online OST.

Xallace
2009-09-17, 10:12 PM
I was gonna say Pendulum, but I think there're some better choices here. Still, here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UINhE8L1yXg&feature=related) it is as an option.

herrhauptmann
2009-09-17, 10:17 PM
ANdroid 16 music from Super Butoden 1 or 2 (Japan only release of DBZ fighting games) http://www.goear.com/listen.php?v=f7a4437

NeoVid
2009-09-17, 10:22 PM
It's always the right time for Holy Orders? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJqEGxlNHSQ)

maniakmastah
2009-09-17, 10:48 PM
They resemble shapes and figures, so why not use a techno mix version of the Tetris theme song.

Pika...
2009-09-21, 09:40 PM
They resemble shapes and figures, so why not use a techno mix version of the Tetris theme song.

Dude, that seems so wrong yet perfect at the same time...

I am really debating with myself on using that if a group of PCs/players ever reach Regulus.

Pika...
2009-09-21, 09:55 PM
Vortex Infinitum. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUKLGYGJZKE) I've always wanted to use this as a battle BGM versus constructs.

Ooooh. That is nice.

Seems a bit too serious/cool for Modrons in my opinion, but nice. Perhaps it would be appropriate for the final/semi-final battle with Quadrone #3467?

Dragonmuncher
2009-09-21, 11:55 PM
The music you hear when you're sneaking into the Magitek factory of the Empire in FF6.

*Boom*.... *Tschk*.... *BoomTschk*

Pika...
2009-09-28, 10:44 AM
The music you hear when you're sneaking into the Magitek factory of the Empire in FF6.

*Boom*.... *Tschk*.... *BoomTschk*

I plan to run the encounter soon (kinda forgot to do it yesterday like I planned...). Do you happen to know the song's title?

I just got the entire soundtrack, but I am not sure which song you are referring to. It is a three disc OST.

LibraryOgre
2009-09-28, 01:19 PM
Keapon Laffin's theme from Quest for Glory II. He has absolutely NOTHING to do with Modrons (he's a gnomish wizard who specializes in air magic and practical jokes), but the music is great.

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/7435/Goodies/Music.htm
http://www.queststudios.com/quest/qfg2vga/qfg2vga.html

Tiki Snakes
2009-09-28, 01:26 PM
I plan to run the encounter soon (kinda forgot to do it yesterday like I planned...). Do you happen to know the song's title?

I just got the entire soundtrack, but I am not sure which song you are referring to. It is a three disc OST.

No idea of the tittle, but I'm guessing he means the stuff you hear from about 2:47 of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a5SHm5mtY4), if that helps?

Belobog
2009-09-28, 01:31 PM
I plan to run the encounter soon (kinda forgot to do it yesterday like I planned...). Do you happen to know the song's title?

I just got the entire soundtrack, but I am not sure which song you are referring to. It is a three disc OST.

Devil's Lab. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2R2prltwdQ

waterpenguin43
2009-09-28, 08:04 PM
If you replace "Mushroom" with "Modron" here, a million mushrooms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUKaCLEFGxg) (or a million modrons, as the case may be.:smallwink:) works very well, though maybe better for formians.

Leewei
2009-09-28, 08:20 PM
New World Order by Ministry
Hip to be Square by Huey Lewis and the News
Natural Order by Rush
Bloodbath by New Order
Dare to be Stupid by Weird Al Yankovich (aka the theme music for the Junkions in the original Transformers movie)

Overlord Nicy
2009-09-28, 08:44 PM
Psyche Rock. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKz4qVmUz84)
Do it.

Random832
2009-09-28, 08:51 PM
If you're playing them for laughs, you have to play Powerhouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerhouse_%28song%29).

So, #3467 seems like a "do whatever it takes" kind of guy. What's his alignment, Chaotic Lawful?

Pika...
2009-09-28, 10:01 PM
No idea of the tittle, but I'm guessing he means the stuff you hear from about 2:47 of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a5SHm5mtY4), if that helps?



Devil's Lab. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2R2prltwdQ


Many thanks folks.



If you replace "Mushroom" with "Modron" here, a million mushrooms (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUKaCLEFGxg) (or a million modrons, as the case may be.:smallwink:) works very well, though maybe better for formians.

Thanks, but not quite what I was looking for.



New World Order by Ministry
Hip to be Square by Huey Lewis and the News
Natural Order by Rush
Bloodbath by New Order
Dare to be Stupid by Weird Al Yankovich (aka the theme music for the Junkions in the original Transformers movie)

Will look into those.



Psyche Rock. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKz4qVmUz84)
Do it.

Nice. I think I might use that once they start dealing with Tridrones.




If you're playing them for laughs, you have to play Powerhouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerhouse_%28song%29).

Will look into that. Seems interesting, especially due to it's age.



So, #3467 seems like a "do whatever it takes" kind of guy. What's his alignment, Chaotic Lawful?

Well, there is a bit more "unlockable" fluff to it than that. He is actually a small experiment being observed by Primus himself. You see, the version of Mechanus from older editions (Nirvana from 1ed-2ed) is currently in conflict with the version from 3.5 edition (with the giant ants and the Inevitables...) for existence. So now Primus is playing out with a new way of treating ranks and such. A bit of "management reordering", so based on Quadrone #3467's performance things could potentially effect an entire plane (aka, the PCs can effect the multiverse in a large way.).

But you just pointed out a good plot (hook? twist?). This could be risky, for it might expose Quadrone #3467 to a likelier chance of going rogue? That, or giving into anger/range/obsession of finishing off the PCs (and possibly abusing his new "authority" to do it?)?

jiriku
2009-09-28, 10:03 PM
I was planning for him to make regular appearances. Basically come back with increasingly stronger units as the PCs improves and/or levels. As each new encounter went by, they would "get to know him better".

CR 4, huh. I like him, but your players are gonna nuke him until he glows, then shoot him in the dark. Of course, then along comes his pentadrone replacement....

Pika...
2009-09-28, 10:14 PM
p.s. However, Quadron #3467 does report and file all of his actions and activities, and still needs to ask for authorization through the rank chain to set out to perform one of his "missions". Hence why I planned to explain such long gaps between his appearances. You know, the insanely long wait time for paperwork and authorizations in Regulus fluff.

Pika...
2009-09-28, 10:18 PM
CR 4, huh. I like him, but your players are gonna nuke him until he glows, then shoot him in the dark. Of course, then along comes his pentadrone replacement....

It's a low-magic and low-wealth setting/multiverse. So I figure he would be more like a CR 6 now?

Either way, he will merely hover in the background observing during the battles. I am thinking once they defeat Tridrones for the second time/encounter will be when he finally decides to personally interfere.


p.s. And thank you. May I ask what exactly you like about him?

Jastermereel
2009-09-28, 10:22 PM
Considered any Philip Glass? A lot of these anime and game themes might be too intensely intrusive, but Glass's works are often quite mathematical but also can be subtle enough to act as atmosphere.

Prut Igoe, from Koyanisqatsi, takes a while to develop, but can be fairly intense at times. This links to about 3 minutes, 12 seconds in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t29fgA5M7VA#t=3m12s

Or heck, if you want something a bit more out there, his opera Einstein on the Beach has elements that might work quite well with Modrons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmX_GgozpQs&feature=fvw (give it 30 seconds or so to get started)

Pika...
2009-09-28, 10:38 PM
Considered any Philip Glass? A lot of these anime and game themes might be too intensely intrusive, but Glass's works are often quite mathematical but also can be subtle enough to act as atmosphere.

Prut Igoe, from Koyanisqatsi, takes a while to develop, but can be fairly intense at times. This links to about 3 minutes, 12 seconds in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t29fgA5M7VA#t=3m12s

Or heck, if you want something a bit more out there, his opera Einstein on the Beach has elements that might work quite well with Modrons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmX_GgozpQs&feature=fvw (give it 30 seconds or so to get started)

Thank you.

That music seems great for my personal listening. I will definitely be hearing some tonight.

However, I do wish to take the more comical route with the Modron. I feel it's one of the things that makes them so great and memorable.

jiriku
2009-09-28, 10:49 PM
p.s. And thank you. May I ask what exactly you like about him?

Two things: first, it's both funny and cool that the classic "named monster who's stronger than usual and fills a recurring plot role" doesn't actually have a name -- he's a modron, so he just gets a number. Second, I like how polite and formal he is just prior to ordering an assault.

Maybe you could even play that up. When he appears, he should ask the players to confirm their identity, before announcing that he's come to kill them. After all, can't risk a case of mistaken identity. Then, when they identify themselves, he should demand to see some ID. Notarized. In triplicate. Perhaps he could ask them to sign an affadavit attesting that they are, in fact, the chaos-tainted mortals that everyone is talking about. After all, primes are famously dishonest, and it wouldn't do to make a mistake.

Also, I don't recall how many hit points quadrones get, but I don't recall it was outrageously high. Be aware that if the entire party focuses their fire on him, they can probably drop him in two rounds, even if you think they can't. Best be prepared with a wand of mage armor and a potion of shield or the like.

Pika...
2009-10-02, 08:42 AM
Two things: first, it's both funny and cool that the classic "named monster who's stronger than usual and fills a recurring plot role" doesn't actually have a name -- he's a modron, so he just gets a number. Second, I like how polite and formal he is just prior to ordering an assault.

Maybe you could even play that up. When he appears, he should ask the players to confirm their identity, before announcing that he's come to kill them. After all, can't risk a case of mistaken identity. Then, when they identify themselves, he should demand to see some ID. Notarized. In triplicate. Perhaps he could ask them to sign an affadavit attesting that they are, in fact, the chaos-tainted mortals that everyone is talking about. After all, primes are famously dishonest, and it wouldn't do to make a mistake.

Also, I don't recall how many hit points quadrones get, but I don't recall it was outrageously high. Be aware that if the entire party focuses their fire on him, they can probably drop him in two rounds, even if you think they can't. Best be prepared with a wand of mage armor and a potion of shield or the like.


Many thanks. The group had a last minute session, and Qudrone #3467 made his appearance. I took your advice and played that up, and it was hysterical. :smallbiggrin:

Basically the adept tried Detect Evil upon seeing him/her/whatever, and tried communing with it's deity to see if this was a "danger" to them. After the prior did not read as evil, and the second came back "inconclusive", they confusingly and slightly worrying proceeded to indeed sign paperwork saying they were who they were (in triplicate).

I even roleplayed it out, but now I wish I had typed out some contracts for them to actually sign. :smallconfused:

Anyway, I ended up using the FF6 Devil's Lab song.


I took out the adept, though. And now there are a hundred mondrones scouring and mowing an ancient High Elven forest looking for the squirrel.


ps. To boot, the kercpa/squirrel attempted to take called shots at the scroll case holding the freshly signed documents. Smart on his part, but a) he failed to ask if it was also made out of metal, and b) it would not have helped either way.