How May I Be of Service?

We’ve got another new and exciting NPC on tap for today’s DnD post! This time, we’re going the robot route as Omin Dran is about to “gift” a new mechanical helping hand to our exhausted band of adventurers. Let’s meet our new loyal gearhead!

DM Ben is dead-set on having the majority of The Forgotten Rails’ 3D-printed miniatures, scatter terrain, and starting Hovertrains ready to go! He doesn’t want to scramble to make emergency pieces for the next encounter. That’s such an un-fun feeling for a Dungeon Master, so that’s why we’re being so thorough here. Still, we’re quite pleased with all the new colorful Constructs we’ve been able to share with y’all! So much so, that it’s time to plant the first Construct into our DnD Work Campaign.

Waterdeep’s power circle is incredibly paranoid. They don’t trust a single word out of each other’s mouths. Those suspicions make sense because of the amount of gold on the line here. The Forgotten Rails will be big business, but it will also require a considerable capital investment to run 24-7 throughout the Sword Coast.

The ownership group doesn’t want to deal with living egos and backstabbing intentions, so it built an incredible series of Constructs to protect and serve The Forgotten Rails. Today’s first 3D-printed android miniature definitely falls in the service category.

This 3D-printed miniature comes courtesy of EC3D Designs and their awesome Bolts & Brimstone Kickstarter! When we saw this mechanical Mr. Belvedere, it was an instant print. Today, we’ll put a personality on him and create his starting encounter for our DnD work campaign.

This next encounter will be the group’s very first Construct interaction and is meant to tease the upcoming Forgotten Rails storyline! DM Ben loves introducing new story elements and characters in small bites rather than dropping a ton on the players all at once. They haven’t seen a single Droid or Hovertrain to this point (but they obviously all know it’s coming)! The anticipation has been killing them.

So, let’s meet a Forgotten Rails prototype droid: TK421, also known as “Tech.” Longtime readers know that the 3DRPG crew is a huge fan of Star Wars, and we draw much of our inspiration from that beloved franchise.

Now, why are we showing you two initial 3D prints here? The smaller, broken print was an initial test, as it can be challenging to understand the true size of an STL until it’s physically printed. Thus, it’s not uncommon for us to print a couple of versions of the model to fine-tune it. Then, we’ll use the first print to test some paint colors. Do you do this sort of routine sometimes, too?

We will approach our inaugural robot in much the same way C-3PO evolved throughout the Star Wars movies. Basically, he started as a bucket of bolts and wires, right? That’s the type of story progression DM Ben wants for his players and their first Construct. He’s giving them the broken test print for starters to really drive home what an initial piece of junk this thing is. Plus, we’re always looking ahead and improving this robot over time, and giving players side missions for new parts, features, and skills will be super fun.

Let’s fill in the rest of the NPC details here:

• Colorful Name: TK421 (aka Tech)
• Accent: British (of course)
• Character Race: Construct
• Key Role: Service Droid
• Weapon of Choice: Non-combat. Powers down (e.g., plays dead)

He’ll talk and move like an old robot in every sense of the word — he fits that stereotype to a T. However, per Omin’s orders, he is to service the party in every way possible and be loyal.

TK421 is a clunky prototype droid that Omin is gifting to the players because he wants someone to test drive a new Construct in the wild. Plus, this android will enable Omin to spy…er, keep an eye on the group (until they find and remove that part from him). Besides, Dran is a cheap b@stard, so he wouldn’t just hand over the much more advanced, newer model.

As you probably know, the players are very close to securing their first Bastion – the evil Night Hag’s cabin in The High Forest. At the start of our next DnD game sesh, the group will mop up the witch’s remaining defensive guardians and finally claim her compound.

This is where it’s going to get especially fun! Shortly after the last enemy creature falls, the group will see a small object in the distance rushing toward their cabin door and getting larger and larger as the mysterious outline comes into view! Omin Dran has strapped TK421 to a boar as a means of delivery. They will rush the group at immense speed before making a screeching stop at their front door.

Tech will awkwardly dismount the boar (who then quickly darts off) and approach the group or knock on the cabin door (if they’re all inside). In a classic robot voice, he says, “Who amongst you is the War Wizard, Osavai Herdrilo?” (our party spell caster).

Upon acknowledgment, he says, “Greetings from his honor, Omin Dran. He congratulates you on your victory. You have fulfilled your contract. The droid hands him the Doucmany Satchel to sign even more paperwork. Once all signatures are collected, Tech then produces the deed to the cabin.

TK421 continues, “I am hereby assigned to your party and will complete all duties bestowed to me.” He passes them a sending stone. “Should you ever need to reach me while you are out adventuring, please utilize these Sending Stones. “I can provide a camp status report, give a progress report on my existing duties, or even accept new commands.”

The players will likely celebrate and be in a state of wonderment at these new events! They just got their own robot, for goodness sake!

Now, we haven’t forgotten our two other servant NPCs: the Butler, Barnabus Whiteglove, and the housekeeper, Stella Whiteglove. The party will eventually find them in one of the underground prison cells. They were imprisoned after they refused to follow the Night Hag’s orders and were initially scheduled for termination until our adventurers stormed her cabin. In exchange for their freedom, they pledge their services to the group (assuming they are paid a livable wage).

So, now the players’ Bastion will begin with three servants: a prototype Construct (who slowly develops a mind of his own) and a set of twin workers to service the estate. Hijinx and hilarity are sure to follow!