How many robots do you like in your fantasy settings?

For all its flaws, I like the idea of Pathfinder's mutagenic-fluid powered robots.

Steampunk bots like steel golems and trapsetting robots sounds awesome too! Probably some evil dwarven smith making these things to guard treasure and kill intruders.

MANY! Many robots/creations powered by magic, spirits, technology, etc.

Fantasy covers a very wide range of settings. In many of them, robots are likely just magical creations (usually rare monsters), but in others they can fit in. If you're just going for a setting-neutral product, I'd at least throw in some guidance to what effects having commonplace robots would have on a fantasy setting. I can imagine that having robot PCs/henchmen (henchbots?) in Greyhawk or Forgotten Realms would be different from having them in Dark Sun.

I want all of the robots!

Just brainstorming, but an empire of robots would make an interesting replacement for an Evil Overlord as the main threat of a campaign. They could be an implacable threat, without being explicitly evil. And the contrast with fantasy tropes would make for a stark divide.

Quote from: Pat on November 12, 2021, 06:29:34 AM
Just brainstorming, but an empire of robots would make an interesting replacement for an Evil Overlord as the main threat of a campaign. They could be an implacable threat, without being explicitly evil. And the contrast with fantasy tropes would make for a stark divide.

So, like trying to hold the line against a Modron march?

Chicks dig giant robots.

Gargantuan fantasy mecha powered by giant hamsters running in wheels, and piloted by insane gnomes.

I want to make a joke about A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court, but it's just not coming together. 

I'm into Talislanta.

Robots + Fantasy = Hell's yes.

Quote from: HappyDaze on November 12, 2021, 08:07:29 AM

Quote from: Pat on November 12, 2021, 06:29:34 AM
Just brainstorming, but an empire of robots would make an interesting replacement for an Evil Overlord as the main threat of a campaign. They could be an implacable threat, without being explicitly evil. And the contrast with fantasy tropes would make for a stark divide.

So, like trying to hold the line against a Modron march?

Less polyhedral.

Plus, have you seen the Modrons from 1e's MM2? They were clearly organic, and became more humanoid as they passed up the ranks. Which I just realized is the opposite of transhumanism. Modorons are transrobotists.

Quote from: Pat on November 12, 2021, 04:16:18 PM

Quote from: HappyDaze on November 12, 2021, 08:07:29 AM

Quote from: Pat on November 12, 2021, 06:29:34 AM
Just brainstorming, but an empire of robots would make an interesting replacement for an Evil Overlord as the main threat of a campaign. They could be an implacable threat, without being explicitly evil. And the contrast with fantasy tropes would make for a stark divide.

So, like trying to hold the line against a Modron march?

Less polyhedral.

Plus, have you seen the Modrons from 1e's MM2? They were clearly organic, and became more humanoid as they passed up the ranks. Which I just realized is the opposite of transhumanism. Modorons are transrobotists.

By 3e, they were mecha. I don't recall 2e.

Quote from: psiconauta_retro on November 11, 2021, 11:06:49 PM
MANY! Many robots/creations powered by magic, spirits, technology, etc.

Then you sir might like to purchase my Frantabulous Robot Generator!

D&D and fantasy in general has had sci-fi elements since pretty much the get-go.

Robots pop up in Expedition to the Barrier peaks and any given iron golem could be a robot of some sort depending on the players and DM.

This isnt even getting into clockwork contraptions that pop up as well.

Red Steel for 2e D&D introduced clockwork PCs. Then theres the Complete Book of Shiar for 2e that had rules on creating clockwork creatures. And well before that there were things like the Iron Cobra. Or you could take things that seem magical and rework them into some sort of tech.

The big question as always is "Do they fit a given campaign or setting?" and that of course will vary hugely from one to the next.

The frequency and scope of use can be a big factor. A single golem can be a game changer for PCs or foes. But say mechanical people with stats close to human and demi-human levels can fit in. And really it is not that big a stretch to have a PC that uses one of the standard races as its base. But is really some sort of mechanical creation.

And that can be applied to about anything. Halflings night fit one campaign, but not another. Or even a setting where there are not humans. Or there are no demi humans. Or even one where there are no monsters at all. Just people and animals.