BBEG Speeches [Archive] - Wizards Community

BBEG Speeches [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shekias
01-28-07, 05:02 PM I've been wondering, is there anyone who has their BBEG(s) give speeches to the PC's about what their plan is or what their ultimate role is or do you just have them silently attack the PC's?
Montuban
01-28-07, 05:27 PM I've long wondered where this went in D&D. Its such a cinematic staple that has almost never happened in a game I've run or played in. When running the PCs always say "I charge him" as soon as a known enemy is in sight. While playing the PCs do the same and I need to dash along instead of talking or else I'll miss all the action. What I usually try as a DM is to either set up a fight so there are stairs or a long hall or other obstacle that impairs the PCs movement but not their hearing. A few round of condescending monologue usually intensifies the PCs vengeful streak. Also I like to say a prepared wuote whenever a BBEG drops a party member.
trapspringer
01-28-07, 05:43 PM This kind of thing usually happens in movies when the BBEG is in a position that does not leave him vulnerable to attack (or so he thinks).

That means that the players need to be in a position that would require some time and effort to escape, and the bad guy needs to be free to make his exit at any time.

While the PCs are in prison, in a pit, cought in a flooding room with a grated cieling, fighting in a gladiatorial arena, tied up, tied down, or the like are all excellent times.
Aryxbez
01-28-07, 09:20 PM Usually I will have some terrain like stairs and such.

Mostly I don't have any PCs attack till the villain gets his
speech done, more climatic in my opinion.
Ramses III
01-28-07, 09:55 PM I don't like doing speeches, it makes the game feel like some cheesy B-movie. I consider how I've characterized the BBEG, and roleplay him or her accordingly. Thus Jack the Fair, the notorious pirate (and Eldritch Knight), might drop some witty one-liner before attacking or try to engage the PCs in a conversation to manipulate them into revealing how much they know, but he won't give a monologue telling the PCs how much they are totally pwnt and how he's going to use the ancient artifact he's stealing (though his raven familiar, Parrot, might do exactly that, at least until Jack tells him to "shut his beak" -- the bird does love to gloat). The dark knight Aaron Cavait on the other hand, confronted by a group of heroes who wanted him dead but dared not attack while he was surrounded by his hobgoblin minions, simply ignored the PCs. It was great, it really infuriated them and was totally in character for him -- they were literally no threat to him at the time, and he had no reason to tell them what business he was about or even acknowledge their empty threats.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shekias 01-28-07, 05:02 PM	I've been wondering, is there anyone who has their BBEG(s) give speeches to the PC's about what their plan is or what their ultimate role is or do you just have them silently attack the PC's?
Montuban 01-28-07, 05:27 PM	I've long wondered where this went in D&D. Its such a cinematic staple that has almost never happened in a game I've run or played in. When running the PCs always say "I charge him" as soon as a known enemy is in sight. While playing the PCs do the same and I need to dash along instead of talking or else I'll miss all the action. What I usually try as a DM is to either set up a fight so there are stairs or a long hall or other obstacle that impairs the PCs movement but not their hearing. A few round of condescending monologue usually intensifies the PCs vengeful streak. Also I like to say a prepared wuote whenever a BBEG drops a party member.
trapspringer 01-28-07, 05:43 PM	This kind of thing usually happens in movies when the BBEG is in a position that does not leave him vulnerable to attack (or so he thinks). That means that the players need to be in a position that would require some time and effort to escape, and the bad guy needs to be free to make his exit at any time. While the PCs are in prison, in a pit, cought in a flooding room with a grated cieling, fighting in a gladiatorial arena, tied up, tied down, or the like are all excellent times.
Aryxbez 01-28-07, 09:20 PM	Usually I will have some terrain like stairs and such. Mostly I don't have any PCs attack till the villain gets his speech done, more climatic in my opinion.
Ramses III 01-28-07, 09:55 PM	I don't like doing speeches, it makes the game feel like some cheesy B-movie. I consider how I've characterized the BBEG, and roleplay him or her accordingly. Thus Jack the Fair, the notorious pirate (and Eldritch Knight), might drop some witty one-liner before attacking or try to engage the PCs in a conversation to manipulate them into revealing how much they know, but he won't give a monologue telling the PCs how much they are totally pwnt and how he's going to use the ancient artifact he's stealing (though his raven familiar, Parrot, might do exactly that, at least until Jack tells him to "shut his beak" -- the bird does love to gloat). The dark knight Aaron Cavait on the other hand, confronted by a group of heroes who wanted him dead but dared not attack while he was surrounded by his hobgoblin minions, simply ignored the PCs. It was great, it really infuriated them and was totally in character for him -- they were literally no threat to him at the time, and he had no reason to tell them what business he was about or even acknowledge their empty threats.