Building A Villain, need some help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Building A Villain, need some help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Staple
07-22-07, 01:58 AM I'm building some NPCs for an upcoming campaign, and there's one I've been wanting to do for awhile, but have been having trouble with statting.

The character in question is a fearmonger. He manipulates people using terror and extortion. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty, but prefers to use the threat of dirtying his hands to get what he needs. He's the sort of person that people just get out of the way of if at all possible.

I'm not really sure what classes to use to represent this. I would like to see him use a few levels of Paladin of Tyranny from Unearth Arcana, as the Aura of Despair feature fits him so perfectly, but he seems like the type who should also be a spellcaster.

Does anyone have an ideas on what base classes/prestige classes I should use on this fellow? I'm ok with taking him in other directions, but frankly I'm stumped as to how to get him across. I know this is kind of a broad request, so I don't need a level-by-level breakdown, just some suggestions on where to look to create such a character.
Waldo_di
07-22-07, 02:13 AM Paladin of Tryanny's a nice description or that kind of villian a black guard also would work... Also a evil cleric that uses demons to do his bidding would do the job. Remember he could always have Spell-casting mininons.
Mister_Sinister
07-22-07, 02:18 AM Try the Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror. That's the fear-master, working best of a sorcerer base. Add fiend-blooded from the same book for maximum effectiveness.
unundindur
07-22-07, 09:31 AM A good old enchanter/necromancer could work for this purpose. Using spells like Nightmare, Phantasmal killer, fear, dominate person and all other creepy stuff you can find.

And since you are on to the paladin stuff:

Paladin of tyranny/battle-sorcerer (UA variant).

I can see this bugger in my mind, oh! He is there EEEK! :D
Shining_Darkness
07-27-07, 02:39 AM Try someone who uses a network of spies and bullies to create paranoia. Have you considered a Thrallherd from the XPH?

Or a bard, to make particularly convincing threats (hypnosis, tales and/or songs of his own evil deeds, etc.)
Morka
07-27-07, 12:19 PM He could perhaps start by being a Troglodyte. Its stench would give -2 on all saving throws.
An Hexblade's curse could be useful as well.
RobbyPants
07-27-07, 02:14 PM Try the Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror. That's the fear-master, working best of a sorcerer base. Add fiend-blooded from the same book for maximum effectiveness.
That was going to be my suggestion (well, I guess it still is :P). It's fear incarnate.

Perhaps you mean fear from a non-magical standpoint? I noticed you talked about threats. Really, in this case, any person with a good Cha score and maxed ranks in Intimidate (as a class skill) would work. A tough fighter type could be nice and/or a rogue, who's willing to do what it takes.

Again, if you're looking for magical augmentation, I'd suggest (or second) the Dread Witch.
DwarfPcfan
07-27-07, 03:28 PM Here's my suggestion for the overlord of terror.
Since he's level 15, start like this: Illusionist3/Master specialist2/Dreadwitch5/Fiend Blooded5.

Imagine he's an expert an terror illusions, fear effects, etc.
Then when you're powering him up for the last confrontation (level 20)
go Illusionist3/Master specialist2/ Dread Witch5/Fiend blooded 10

Just remember, lots of vile feats, abyssal inheritor and their devil equivalents...
periscope
07-27-07, 06:18 PM There is a Quori Nightmare Prc in Races of Eberron. Its basically a psionic fearmonger, bringing their foes worst fears to life.

how does he/she inspire fear? Do they do it through mystical means, or do they just rip someones spine out and floss with it?

You said they prefer not to get their own hands dirty, correct? Mindbender is perfect for that. Thrallherd to, and few things are scarier than a mob. Think of it like Village of the Damned or Children of the Corn. Suddenly all these seemingly innocent people start maiming and killing people, or forcing them to kill themselves. I dont know about you, but standing next to a guy who just used Implosion on himself is gonna freak me out.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Staple 07-22-07, 01:58 AM	I'm building some NPCs for an upcoming campaign, and there's one I've been wanting to do for awhile, but have been having trouble with statting. The character in question is a fearmonger. He manipulates people using terror and extortion. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty, but prefers to use the threat of dirtying his hands to get what he needs. He's the sort of person that people just get out of the way of if at all possible. I'm not really sure what classes to use to represent this. I would like to see him use a few levels of Paladin of Tyranny from Unearth Arcana, as the Aura of Despair feature fits him so perfectly, but he seems like the type who should also be a spellcaster. Does anyone have an ideas on what base classes/prestige classes I should use on this fellow? I'm ok with taking him in other directions, but frankly I'm stumped as to how to get him across. I know this is kind of a broad request, so I don't need a level-by-level breakdown, just some suggestions on where to look to create such a character.
Waldo_di 07-22-07, 02:13 AM	Paladin of Tryanny's a nice description or that kind of villian a black guard also would work... Also a evil cleric that uses demons to do his bidding would do the job. Remember he could always have Spell-casting mininons.
Mister_Sinister 07-22-07, 02:18 AM	Try the Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror. That's the fear-master, working best of a sorcerer base. Add fiend-blooded from the same book for maximum effectiveness.
unundindur 07-22-07, 09:31 AM	A good old enchanter/necromancer could work for this purpose. Using spells like Nightmare, Phantasmal killer, fear, dominate person and all other creepy stuff you can find. And since you are on to the paladin stuff: Paladin of tyranny/battle-sorcerer (UA variant). I can see this bugger in my mind, oh! He is there EEEK! :D
Shining_Darkness 07-27-07, 02:39 AM	Try someone who uses a network of spies and bullies to create paranoia. Have you considered a Thrallherd from the XPH? Or a bard, to make particularly convincing threats (hypnosis, tales and/or songs of his own evil deeds, etc.)
Morka 07-27-07, 12:19 PM	He could perhaps start by being a Troglodyte. Its stench would give -2 on all saving throws. An Hexblade's curse could be useful as well.
RobbyPants 07-27-07, 02:14 PM	Try the Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror. That's the fear-master, working best of a sorcerer base. Add fiend-blooded from the same book for maximum effectiveness. That was going to be my suggestion (well, I guess it still is :P). It's fear incarnate. Perhaps you mean fear from a non-magical standpoint? I noticed you talked about threats. Really, in this case, any person with a good Cha score and maxed ranks in Intimidate (as a class skill) would work. A tough fighter type could be nice and/or a rogue, who's willing to do what it takes. Again, if you're looking for magical augmentation, I'd suggest (or second) the Dread Witch.
DwarfPcfan 07-27-07, 03:28 PM	Here's my suggestion for the overlord of terror. Since he's level 15, start like this: Illusionist3/Master specialist2/Dreadwitch5/Fiend Blooded5. Imagine he's an expert an terror illusions, fear effects, etc. Then when you're powering him up for the last confrontation (level 20) go Illusionist3/Master specialist2/ Dread Witch5/Fiend blooded 10 Just remember, lots of vile feats, abyssal inheritor and their devil equivalents...
periscope 07-27-07, 06:18 PM	There is a Quori Nightmare Prc in Races of Eberron. Its basically a psionic fearmonger, bringing their foes worst fears to life. how does he/she inspire fear? Do they do it through mystical means, or do they just rip someones spine out and floss with it? You said they prefer not to get their own hands dirty, correct? Mindbender is perfect for that. Thrallherd to, and few things are scarier than a mob. Think of it like Village of the Damned or Children of the Corn. Suddenly all these seemingly innocent people start maiming and killing people, or forcing them to kill themselves. I dont know about you, but standing next to a guy who just used Implosion on himself is gonna freak me out.