Modron, Tertian
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[The tertian is, oddly enough, the modron with the most adventure appearances in D&D 3.5. Which isn’t saying much. But two different high level Dungeon Magazine adventures, “The Quicksilver Hourglass” and “Diplomacy”, used the presence of a tertian as an indicator that the forces of Law were interested in the particulars of that plot. I ran the latter adventure when I was in college, and wore a DEVO energy dome as an indicator when I was speaking in character as the modron.]
Modron, Tertian CR 19 LN Outsider (extraplanar) This metallic humanoid is tall and broad, with a head like a triangular helmet. It carries an oversized mace, and a ball of similar size and composition grows from its tail.
Tertian modrons are the judges of Regulus, and they represent Law among Primus’ hierarchs, even more so than other modrons. In all legal matters concerning modrons, tertians are judges and experts, and they may act as ambassadors or attorneys to represent modron interests. Even when they are not arguing a case, their very presence may be used as a tool by the highest ecclesiasts of lawful churches. Creatures in a tertian’s presence are compelled to tell the truth, and thus tertians may be used as witnesses for especially important trials, contracts and treaties. They are the highest ranking modron that can regularly be found outside of Regulus, although they do most of this travel through astral projection.
A tertian’s actions are deliberate, to the point where they can choose to accept the average result when attacking, defending or using one of their skills. A tertian usually seeks to incapacitate rather than kill enemies, using a combination of melee and magic to batter an enemy unconscious and to stun, paralyze or otherwise hinder foes. Most tertians are comfortable in the thick of melee, using Whirlwind Attack to strike at multiple enemies and Spring Attack to avoid being pinned down.
The courts of the modrons are intimidating to mortals, but not inherently hostile. The death penalty is typically reserved for rogue modrons, chaotic outsiders or other creatures seen as beyond redemption. Mortals are considered able to be swayed, and thus sentences handed down by the tertians are more often community service, compelled by geases and marks of justice, if need be. If a defendant is seen as requiring more severe punishment, or is judged to need to be removed from society completely for a time, they are trapped in an imprisonment spell to await the months, years or centuries deemed to be a suitable sentence.
