Special bonus today as not only have I created the Daleks from Doctor Who for you to use in your Fifth Edition campaigns, but I’ve also made a video of that shares the creative process. Enjoy!
The Daleks were a warrior race made up of genetically engineered mutants belonging to fundamental DNA type 467-989 who were originally from the planet Skaro. The mutants were usually encased inside armor consisting of polycarbide and the metal Dalekanium.
On many occasions, the Daleks openly acknowledged a single Time Lord, the Doctor, as their greatest enemy. The Doctor described them likewise, and, in their tenth incarnation, stated that a Dalek was “not just metal, it [was] alive,” that “inside that shell, there [was] a creature born to hate, whose only thought [was] to destroy everything and everyone that [wasn’t] a Dalek, too.” The Tenth Doctor also noted that from birth, the Daleks were encased in a cold metal shell unable to feel anything, claiming that was why they “scream[ed].” The War Doctor also said that Daleks were “not robots”, but “savage, incredibly intelligent, living, breathing creatures housed inside a war tank”.
The Daleks fought the Time Lords in the Last Great Time War, ending in the near-total destruction of the Dalek race until they rebuilt their empire by using a progenitor. Intensely xenophobic and bent on universal domination, the Daleks were hated and feared throughout time and space. Their goal was to eradicate all non-Dalek life, as programmed by their creator.
[su_note note_color=”#fafafa”]
Dalek
Medium construct (Dalek), lawful evil
Armor Class 21 (exterior battle armour)
Hit Points 37 (6d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
Abilities Str 12 (+1), Dex 10 (+0), Con 16 (+3), Int 17 (+3), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 7 (-2)
Skills History +6, Perception +7
Damage Resistances cold, fire
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages all
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
“Exterminate!” Once per turn, the Dalek can deal an extra 7 (2d6) damage to a creature it hits with a weapon attack if the Dalek is within 5 feet of one of its allies that isn’t incapacitated.
Actions
Multiattack. The Dalek makes two attacks with its gunstick.
Plunger. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (6d8) psychic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Intelligence saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Gunstick. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 100/300 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (3d8) radiant damage.
[/su_note]
BroadSword is HERE.
The PDF version of BroadSword Monthly just arrived on my Patreon. All Patrons of silver tier and above receive a FREE copy of the 100-page adventure book plus all of the other PDFs on my Patreon.
Thumbnail art from BBC. Flavor text from Doctor Who Fandom.
Interesting description. however, there are some inaccuracies.
In the second Doctor Who adventure “The Daleks”, with the first Doctor, the Doctor and crew land on Skaro, and are aided by the Thals, against the Kaleds [now the Daleks].
In “Genesis of the Daleks” [Tom Baker, The Fourth Doctor], the Doctor and crew are deposited on Skaro at the end of the millennium-long Civil War between the Kaleds and the Thals, by one of the Timelord Council with the Mission of exterminating the Daleks once and for all before they begin [This is a Genocide Mission]. But the Doctor reasons that no-one, not even him, has the right to do so, because there is always the chance of change, and because something else worse may take their place.
Regarding the Gunstick Attack, it may apparently be Radiant Damage, but careful attention to detail regarding how it is portrayed on screen allows one to note the following:
1). The Target enters inverse video, with the skeleton clearly shown.
2). This indicates that a form of X-Ray / Radiation Weapon is in use.
3). I D&D terms, X-Ray is effectively Necrotic [reduces maximum AND current HP Damage variety].
Thus, the Gunstick should be typed Radiation [Necrotic], and should also cause a Constitution Save [suggested DC 15, based on given Attributes]]. The ongoing Effect should be treated as if a Poison which requires Restoration [not remove/cure poison] to heal. The immediate and ongoing Radiation Damage should be “Lose 3 Constitution points per Hour [repeat save]. Loss is temporary unless it reduces Constitution to zero, or causes adjusted hit points to be reduced below zero, which causes Death”.
PS. I actually met and spoke to Tom Baker, The Fourth Doctor, at a Book signing in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, back in the Seventies.
Regards,
Christopher Andrew Simpson.
Yeah, like I said in the video, with 50 years of show, I’m bound to get a bunch of shit wrong.