Primus

* 3e
* 2e
* 1e

* 2e
* 1e

**Primus** (pronounced: /ˈprimʌs/ *PREE-mus* or: /ˈprɪmʌs/ *PRI-mus*), also known as **The One and Prime** and the **Supreme Modron**, was a Greater Power and the immortal ruler of Mechanus and the modrons. While it retained godlike power within its realm, Primus was not immortal and could be killed.

“
Quote? You desire a quote? The One and the Prime does not give 'quotes'.
”
— Primus to a record keeper of the Fraternity of Order

## Description

Primus appeared as a large being—sometimes in a form of an androgynous gold-skinned humanoid with an face of emotionless expression. While in Mechanus, its body remained half-submerged in an energy pool within the center of the Great Modron Cathedral. Primus' form was connected to the expansive interface network known as the *Infinity Web*. Primus' hands always remained unseen. Its right hand was obscured by vibrant, rainbow hued radiance, and the left was shrouded in black clouds.

The Supreme Modron retained much of its form after it was slain and reborn as a vestige. As Primus was no longer bound to the *Infinity Web* and its energy pool, its humanoid form manifested atop a floating platform of a bronze seal, intricately linked to cogs, gears, and other revolving machinery.

## Personality

Primus was a manifestation of perfect logic and strict order. It was linked with the plane of Mechanus and they shared the same goals and actions. While some believed it only concerned itself with the plane's modrons, others believed Primus sought to extend perfect law and order throughout the entirety of the multiverse.

It absolutely detested the tanar'ri of the Abyss, and held similar, if not as intense, enmity for the baatezu of the Nine Hells.

## Abilities

Primus was considered a greater deity in Mechanus. Its power over the modrons was absolute. Nearly all modrons obeyed the orders of Primus and carried out its plans, save for those that were disconnected from Primus' network and went 'rogue'.

Despite its immense power while in Mechanus, Primus was incapable of dispatching avatars to other planes of existence. It could however instantly transport any being it touched to either Arcadia or Acheron, by mere touch of its right or left hand respectively. Primus itself was entirely immune to magic.

While Primus held the powers of a god, it was not immortal and could still be killed. Whenever slain, the highest-ranking secundus modron was promoted to its position and became the new Primus.

## Possessions

Primus had access to the Grand Orrery, an elaborate and complex device that calculated the changes between the heavenly bodies of space, the numerous planes of existence, and the infinite powers of the cosmos.

## Activities

The One and Prime established the rules and laws that governed all of Mechanus and its inhabitants. Through its supervision of the modrons, Primus maintained near-perfect order within the plane. Primus could issue to each modron telepathic commands and perceive the plane through their eyes, by means of the *Infinity Web*. Primus was often subtle in its maneuvering, arranging for events that would cause its followers to take actions that were deemed most suitable.

Due to the fact many modrons died in the lower planes during their Great Modron Marches, Primus sought a solution to lessening their casualties as a result of the eternal Blood War.

## Worshipers

While there were no known cults of Primus within Mechanus, it was worshipped as a deity by modrons. Primus was capable of creating new monodrones and could grant any modron divine powers.

As a vestige, Primus was capable of attracting binders, spellcasters that gained powers from powerful extra-planar beings.

## History

At some point in existence, Primus created a massive stone crafted in complex geometry known as the *Spawning Stone* and imbued it with the essence of law itself. It then cast it into the plane of Limbo, believing it would cure its chaotic nature and establish some form of order. This act had an effect that was diametrically opposed to Primus' original intent: it led to the creation of the slaadi race. The Slaadi then proceeded to annihilate every modron outpost within all of Limbo.

Primus was said to have once adjudicated the trial of Asmodeus, when he was accused of horrific atrocities by the angels of Celestia. In the end, Primus did not find wholly in favor of either party. Rather he rebuked the celestial angels and ensured Asmodeus would always have to be bound to the force of law.

The One and Prime and its distinguished position among the modrons were known in the Realms since at least since −346 DR. It was that year the plane of Mechanus was discovered by the Netherese archmage, Lady Polaris.

Primus was killed by Tenebrous—the dark vestige created after the death of Orcus—during the demon lord's quest for divinity. Tenebrous then temporarily took over its position as head of the modrons, and initiated an unscheduled Modron March in order to recover his lost *Wand of Orcus*.

While the role of Primus was replaced by one of its secundi, the mind of the previous Primus remained present in the multiverse in the form of a vestige.

## Appendix

### Notes

1. ↑ Nearly every source refrains from referring to Primus with gendered pronouns. The only exception is the *5th edition Monster Manual*.

### Appearances

Adventures
*The Great Modron March* • *Dead Gods*
Card Games
*Blood Wars*
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
**Referenced only**
Dreams of the Red Wizards (*The Harrowing of Hell*)
### Gallery

Concept art for 5th edition Primus, by Conceptopolis
### Further reading

* Mark Jindra (2001-09-21). The Modrons (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for *Manual of the Planes 3rd edition*. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-09.
* Matthew Sernett (March 2006). “The Ties that Bind: A Primer on Pact Magic”. In Erik Mona ed. *Dragon* #341 (Paizo Publishing), pp. 68–74.

### References

1. ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). *Monster Manual II 1st edition*. (TSR, Inc), p. 86. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 David "Zeb" Cook (1994). *Planescape Campaign Setting, A Player's Guide to the Planes*. Edited by David Wise. (TSR, Inc), p. 61. ISBN 978-1560768340.
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 David "Zeb" Cook (1994). *Planescape Campaign Setting, Monstrous Supplement*. Edited by David Wise. (TSR, Inc), pp. 16–22. ISBN 978-1560768340.
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Matthew Sernett (March 2006). “The Ties that Bind: A Primer on Pact Magic”. In Erik Mona ed. *Dragon* #341 (Paizo Publishing), pp. 72–73.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Gary Gygax (August 1983). *Monster Manual II 1st edition*. (TSR, Inc), p. 91. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. *Dragon* #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 28.
7. ↑ Monte Cook, Colin McComb (1997-10-28). *The Great Modron March*. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR, Inc.), p. 12. ISBN 0-7869-0648-0.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Monte Cook, Colin McComb (1997-10-28). *The Great Modron March*. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 11–13. ISBN 0-7869-0648-0.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). *Monster Manual 5th edition*. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 224. ISBN 978-0786965614.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Colin McComb, Monte Cook (July 1996). “The Dark of the War”. In Ray Vallese ed. *Hellbound: The Blood War* (TSR, Inc.), p. 69. ISBN 0-7869-0407-0.
11. ↑ Jerry Holkins, Elyssa Grant, Scott Fitzgerald Gray (June 18, 2019). *Acquisitions Incorporated*. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 134. ISBN 978-0786966905.
12. ↑ Colin McComb, Monte Cook (July 1996). “The Dark of the War”. In Ray Vallese ed. *Hellbound: The Blood War* (TSR, Inc.), p. 33. ISBN 0-7869-0407-0.
13. ↑ Greg Marks, Carl Sibley (March 2021). *The Harrowing of Hell* (DDAL-DRW08) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Dreams of the Red Wizards (Wizards of the Coast), p. 29.
14. ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (May 29, 2018). *Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes*. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 9–10. ISBN 978-0786966240.
15. ↑ >slade (1996). *How the Mighty Are Fallen*. (TSR, Inc), pp. 3, 31. ISBN 0-7869-0537-9.
16. ↑ Monte Cook (December 2, 1997). *Dead Gods*. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-0786907113.
17. ↑ Monte Cook (December 2, 1997). *Dead Gods*. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37. ISBN 978-0786907113.

### Connections

Modrons
Logical Beings of Law and Order
**Base Modrons:** Monodrone • Duodrone • Tridrone • Quadrone • Pentadrone
**Hierarch Modrons:** Decaton • Nonaton • Octon • Septon • Hexton • Quinton • Quarton • Tertian • Secundus

**The One and the Prime:** **Primus**