I have an idea for a tidy little side-quest for The Palace of Fallen Stars that maybe extends into The Divinity Drive. I really like the idea, but I'm at a loss on how to expand it.
Here it is:
In Palace of the Fallen Stars, the juggernaut robot is introduced in the bestiary in the back. However, the juggernaut robot does not actually appear in the adventure or the next, save through a small chance via wondering monster encounters. I initially planned to just through in a juggernaut somewhere, but when I read about Specimen One I was intrigued. Specimen One is specific juggernaut robot that's inactive, save the head, kept locked up by the Technic League, I figured, whilst exploring the Technic League compound, the PCs could stumble upon the head and inactive frame (dismantled and strewn about) of Specimen One. Specimen One could then ask for aid or supply some side-quest. That's where my well of ideas runs dry.
Thoughts and musings are appreciated. :)
Well, of course he begs in Androffan for the PCs to aid him (the obvious thing to do). His entire body and all the parts required to reconstruct him are in the same room and very well catalogued, but even with the PCs knowledge they require the notes on his disassembly in order to try to backtrack how he was dismantled, otherwise the DC is an incredible DC55 Craft Robotics. A certain scientist needs to be tracked down as he has the notes on the studies, which will reduce the DC by 10, and perhaps another scientist has video documentation on it stored in a camera which could lower the DC by an additional 10. So if both are found it can be a DC35 Craft Robotics check to reconstruct him, and as thanks he will of course offer anything up to GM discretion, such as knowledge of the Androffan people, or even up to helping the PCs for a short duration (too powerful to use for too long or the game would become unbalanced, maybe 1 encounter).
Fun part is if the fail the check by 11 or more the body fails to function once again, or they fail by 10 or less they successfully reconstruct him, but damage his programming and have to fight him. Standard evil GM stuff.
I like the thought of using Specimen One though, I may run with this when my group gets to this book. Of course we've still yet to begin until next Saturday, wish them luck at Hetuath!
Well, of course he begs in Androffan for the PCs to aid him (the obvious thing to do). His entire body and all the parts required to reconstruct him are in the same room and very well catalogued, but even with the PCs knowledge they require the notes on his disassembly in order to try to backtrack how he was dismantled, otherwise the DC is an incredible DC55 Craft Robotics. A certain scientist needs to be tracked down as he has the notes on the studies, which will reduce the DC by 10, and perhaps another scientist has video documentation on it stored in a camera which could lower the DC by an additional 10. So if both are found it can be a DC35 Craft Robotics check to reconstruct him, and as thanks he will of course offer anything up to GM discretion, such as knowledge of the Androffan people, or even up to helping the PCs for a short duration (too powerful to use for too long or the game would become unbalanced, maybe 1 encounter).
Fun part is if the fail the check by 11 or more the body fails to function once again, or they fail by 10 or less they successfully reconstruct him, but damage his programming and have to fight him. Standard evil GM stuff.
I like the thought of using Specimen One though, I may run with this when my group gets to this book. Of course we've still yet to begin until next Saturday, wish them luck at Hetuath!
I thought the "Help me!" path was an obvious choice as well, but I was unsure on how to expand upon it. I do like your ideas, especially possibly having to fight it if they reconstruct him incorrectly.
Any ideas on using Specimen One if the PCs don't have Craft Robot?
I think having both the detailed notes and video of the subject, should allow them to attempt it with either Knowledge Engineering or possibly Disable Device (maaybe knowledge of dismantling tech can give you a good idea on how to fix it), but at a -10 penalty to the check, and the usual -5 penalty if they lack the Technologist feat (or the campaign trait Local Ties which is effectively technologist). Of course I doubt anyone without Technologist would have considered attempting such a task. Either way it'll be significantly more difficult.
A DC45 will be difficult to reach for most PCs, so they may need to seek aid from someone more skilled in robotics than they, which is another excellent opportunity to throw in another little side quest to find such a man. Perhaps good Khonnir Baine has learned more of robotics by examining the robots in the ruins the PCs cleared out. Good way to reintroduce a friendly face. :)