eldritch machine? [Archive] - Wizards Community

eldritch machine? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
korcheck
02-26-07, 08:27 PM just what the title says what is this eldritch machine i keep reading about? is it in one of the books and i just missed it or what?
InfinityStar8
02-26-07, 08:32 PM Oh Gods not the Eldritch Machine!!! RUN!!!!

hehe, fear not Korcheck, you are really not missing much. The great "Eldritch Machine(s)" are nothing more the the DMs plot device. It's where you can make that "+15 Vorpal Brestplate" or the "Golem Dragon of Uberness." It is basically nothing more then the Eberron way of saying how you can build something that by all other means is not allowed in D&D per Creation feats and skills and magic. It's the "Creation Forge" for Warforged, it's the thing that powers the campaign forward. Hope this helps.
korcheck
02-26-07, 08:33 PM cool thanks that it does.
Sereno
02-27-07, 09:58 AM The other big reason to use Eldritch Machines is to give a low-level bad guy access to powers that only a high-evel NPC should have.

A necromancer that could raise an entire graveyard into the ultimate undead army would be Epic-level, at least. However, a lowly-8th level necromancer could build an Eldritch Machine to accomplish the same effect and be someone that a "typical" Eberron party could defeat.
InfinityStar8
02-27-07, 12:03 PM Sereno is correct in what he said. Usally Eldrutch Machines require some special place/time/ceromony to make them work. So the PCs don't even have to destroy the thing, they might just have to stop whatever it takes to turn the thing on. Then they are safe for the next 100 years, 1,000 years, what ever the requirements were. (Unless it's an 'easy' requirement, they the might need to do more).
Sereno
02-27-07, 01:28 PM Sereno is correct in what he said. Usally Eldrutch Machines require some special place/time/ceromony to make them work. So the PCs don't even have to destroy the thing, they might just have to stop whatever it takes to turn the thing on. Then they are safe for the next 100 years, 1,000 years, what ever the requirements were. (Unless it's an 'easy' requirement, they the might need to do more).

Right, without the effect of the Eldritch Machine (the components, the timing, the ritual that goes along with it, etc) the PCs would be up against NPCs that actually could *cast* world-shaking spells and would need to be world-shakers themselves.

The genius of the Eldritch Machine is that it allows low-level heroes to fight low-level bad guys and STILL have the world hanging in the balance.

IMO, it's one of the *best* parts of adventuring in Eberron, that even low-level adventuring can have a truly epic feel without everyone wondering, "Well, why isn't high-level NPC XXX, YYY or ZZZ doing this????" And, more importantly to me, without relegating low-level adventuring to nothing more than clearing the rats out of Elminster's basement. :)
dxyn
03-05-07, 02:21 PM I recently used an Eldritch Machine as the central plot point in an adventure. The machine was based around an ancient Dhakaani device known as the Eye of Prash Marguul. The Eye was a copper disk about 1 foot in diameter with a Eberron Dragonshard embedded in the middle of it. Through an ancient goblinoid text, a machine platform could be constructed creating what basically amounted to a magical, mobile ray weapon(10d10 damage in a 100 ft ray). It was originally built to use against the invasion from Xoriat. The machine though could only be "charged" or activated during a lightning storm at the ruins of Paluur Draal on the border of Zilargo.

The adventure involved the party trying to recover the Eye without knowing anything about what it would be used for. There was a Silver Flame priest involved who wanted to recreate the machine to spead the Church throughout Khorvaire and eventually a Hobgoblin warlord with the idea of taking Khorvaire back for the gobbos (and himself of course). Nice adventure criss-crossing several nations searching for the device. It actually got built and charged and the party informed Zilargo that there was a goblin army massing nearby. While the mercs and other troops of Zilargo took on the goblins, the party snuck in and disabled the machine and made off with the Eye and the manual for their patron (The Twelve).

All of that, and I did not actually have to explain or even figure out how someone would create it in the rules. It just was. That is the beauty of the Eldritch Machine.
Alex_
03-06-07, 01:26 PM Eldritch Machine= Mad Super Scientist's freeze ray, moon lazer, or mind control device that he will use to take over ze world!
Zombomaniac
03-06-07, 03:31 PM After reading this tread i have found a new love in the Eldritch Machine.:love:
I've been doing this kind of stuff aready (only works at X time Z place etc.), but had to make real reasons why it worked.:raincloud
Now i have the eldritch machine.:D
The_Robot
03-08-07, 07:53 PM i was actually unsure about this as well. thanks for clearing it up. and since it was cleared up exactly as how i thought eldritch machines worked, they will be playing a major part in major events in my Eberron timeline (ie: a reunited House Cannith/no more Cannith South).
Emeramber
03-11-07, 02:24 PM Each one is a special Device, lovingly crafted by Lord McGuffin, leader of the mysterious race known as the P'laht.
Cifer
03-14-07, 02:55 PM lovingly crafted by Lord McGuffin
Depending on the role of the Machine it may or may not be a McGuffin. The classic world-destroying thingy may of course be one - once it really comes into action, the campaign has ended anyway. The abovementioned undead-creation-machine, however, may indeed be a relatively central thingy that is functional and operating (rule 40: I will be neither chivalrous nor sporting. If I have an unstoppable superweapon, I will use it as early and as often as possible instead of keeping it in reserve.) from the middle of the campaign onwards.
goblin_pride
03-14-07, 03:27 PM The abovementioned undead-creation-machine, however, may indeed be a relatively central thingy that is functional and operating (rule 40: I will be neither chivalrous nor sporting. If I have an unstoppable superweapon, I will use it as early and as often as possible instead of keeping it in reserve.) from the middle of the campaign onwards.

No, no, no, you're supposed to stand in front of the machine monologuing without it ever having been used while the hero is tied up in easily escapable bonds, awaiting certain death from something silly, like sharks with lasers mounted on their heads. I'll report you to the union if you continue to break the BBEG code of conduct like that.
PlaDeDump
03-18-07, 09:20 AM I think this plot device called the eldritch machine is brilliance! Like many others, I never knew what this thingee was. Now I understand how to insert one into my campaign. One of these probably caused the Mourning, but I suppose that's pretty obvious.
Just another user
03-18-07, 07:32 PM The genius of the Eldritch Machine is that it allows low-level heroes to fight low-level bad guys and STILL have the world hanging in the balance.

Not only that, but they are also a good way to give a NPC high level abilities without the risk that the PCs take them and use for their own gain.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
korcheck 02-26-07, 08:27 PM	just what the title says what is this eldritch machine i keep reading about? is it in one of the books and i just missed it or what?
InfinityStar8 02-26-07, 08:32 PM	Oh Gods not the Eldritch Machine!!! RUN!!!! hehe, fear not Korcheck, you are really not missing much. The great "Eldritch Machine(s)" are nothing more the the DMs plot device. It's where you can make that "+15 Vorpal Brestplate" or the "Golem Dragon of Uberness." It is basically nothing more then the Eberron way of saying how you can build something that by all other means is not allowed in D&D per Creation feats and skills and magic. It's the "Creation Forge" for Warforged, it's the thing that powers the campaign forward. Hope this helps.
korcheck 02-26-07, 08:33 PM	cool thanks that it does.
Sereno 02-27-07, 09:58 AM	The other big reason to use Eldritch Machines is to give a low-level bad guy access to powers that only a high-evel NPC should have. A necromancer that could raise an entire graveyard into the ultimate undead army would be Epic-level, at least. However, a lowly-8th level necromancer could build an Eldritch Machine to accomplish the same effect and be someone that a "typical" Eberron party could defeat.
InfinityStar8 02-27-07, 12:03 PM	Sereno is correct in what he said. Usally Eldrutch Machines require some special place/time/ceromony to make them work. So the PCs don't even have to destroy the thing, they might just have to stop whatever it takes to turn the thing on. Then they are safe for the next 100 years, 1,000 years, what ever the requirements were. (Unless it's an 'easy' requirement, they the might need to do more).
Sereno 02-27-07, 01:28 PM	Sereno is correct in what he said. Usally Eldrutch Machines require some special place/time/ceromony to make them work. So the PCs don't even have to destroy the thing, they might just have to stop whatever it takes to turn the thing on. Then they are safe for the next 100 years, 1,000 years, what ever the requirements were. (Unless it's an 'easy' requirement, they the might need to do more). Right, without the effect of the Eldritch Machine (the components, the timing, the ritual that goes along with it, etc) the PCs would be up against NPCs that actually could cast world-shaking spells and would need to be world-shakers themselves. The genius of the Eldritch Machine is that it allows low-level heroes to fight low-level bad guys and STILL have the world hanging in the balance. IMO, it's one of the best parts of adventuring in Eberron, that even low-level adventuring can have a truly epic feel without everyone wondering, "Well, why isn't high-level NPC XXX, YYY or ZZZ doing this????" And, more importantly to me, without relegating low-level adventuring to nothing more than clearing the rats out of Elminster's basement. :)
dxyn 03-05-07, 02:21 PM	I recently used an Eldritch Machine as the central plot point in an adventure. The machine was based around an ancient Dhakaani device known as the Eye of Prash Marguul. The Eye was a copper disk about 1 foot in diameter with a Eberron Dragonshard embedded in the middle of it. Through an ancient goblinoid text, a machine platform could be constructed creating what basically amounted to a magical, mobile ray weapon(10d10 damage in a 100 ft ray). It was originally built to use against the invasion from Xoriat. The machine though could only be "charged" or activated during a lightning storm at the ruins of Paluur Draal on the border of Zilargo. The adventure involved the party trying to recover the Eye without knowing anything about what it would be used for. There was a Silver Flame priest involved who wanted to recreate the machine to spead the Church throughout Khorvaire and eventually a Hobgoblin warlord with the idea of taking Khorvaire back for the gobbos (and himself of course). Nice adventure criss-crossing several nations searching for the device. It actually got built and charged and the party informed Zilargo that there was a goblin army massing nearby. While the mercs and other troops of Zilargo took on the goblins, the party snuck in and disabled the machine and made off with the Eye and the manual for their patron (The Twelve). All of that, and I did not actually have to explain or even figure out how someone would create it in the rules. It just was. That is the beauty of the Eldritch Machine.
Alex_ 03-06-07, 01:26 PM	Eldritch Machine= Mad Super Scientist's freeze ray, moon lazer, or mind control device that he will use to take over ze world!
Zombomaniac 03-06-07, 03:31 PM	After reading this tread i have found a new love in the Eldritch Machine.:love: I've been doing this kind of stuff aready (only works at X time Z place etc.), but had to make real reasons why it worked.:raincloud Now i have the eldritch machine.:D
The_Robot 03-08-07, 07:53 PM	i was actually unsure about this as well. thanks for clearing it up. and since it was cleared up exactly as how i thought eldritch machines worked, they will be playing a major part in major events in my Eberron timeline (ie: a reunited House Cannith/no more Cannith South).
Emeramber 03-11-07, 02:24 PM	Each one is a special Device, lovingly crafted by Lord McGuffin, leader of the mysterious race known as the P'laht.
Cifer 03-14-07, 02:55 PM	lovingly crafted by Lord McGuffin Depending on the role of the Machine it may or may not be a McGuffin. The classic world-destroying thingy may of course be one - once it really comes into action, the campaign has ended anyway. The abovementioned undead-creation-machine, however, may indeed be a relatively central thingy that is functional and operating (rule 40: I will be neither chivalrous nor sporting. If I have an unstoppable superweapon, I will use it as early and as often as possible instead of keeping it in reserve.) from the middle of the campaign onwards.
goblin_pride 03-14-07, 03:27 PM	The abovementioned undead-creation-machine, however, may indeed be a relatively central thingy that is functional and operating (rule 40: I will be neither chivalrous nor sporting. If I have an unstoppable superweapon, I will use it as early and as often as possible instead of keeping it in reserve.) from the middle of the campaign onwards. No, no, no, you're supposed to stand in front of the machine monologuing without it ever having been used while the hero is tied up in easily escapable bonds, awaiting certain death from something silly, like sharks with lasers mounted on their heads. I'll report you to the union if you continue to break the BBEG code of conduct like that.
PlaDeDump 03-18-07, 09:20 AM	I think this plot device called the eldritch machine is brilliance! Like many others, I never knew what this thingee was. Now I understand how to insert one into my campaign. One of these probably caused the Mourning, but I suppose that's pretty obvious.
Just another user 03-18-07, 07:32 PM	The genius of the Eldritch Machine is that it allows low-level heroes to fight low-level bad guys and STILL have the world hanging in the balance. Not only that, but they are also a good way to give a NPC high level abilities without the risk that the PCs take them and use for their own gain.