Post/Author/DateTime	Post
shadowflamedancer 06-30-05, 11:25 PM	After reading a little on the nature of evil (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=395862) I am trying to think up an intersting BBEG for an upcoming campaign, and I thought "where better to get inspiration than the boards?" so here I am. I was wondering if people would please post the story of some of their more interesting villians. I'm looking for unique and inspirational evil doers more so than "I'm an evil necromancer, and I want power". I am really looking for backstory and character history more than stats, although if you have them on hand to copy and paste I wouldn't mind. Thanks everyone.
Thomar_of_Uointer 07-01-05, 12:42 AM	Never got a chance to use this one. The idiot barbarian started screaming "THE HALFLING IS LYING!" repeatedly just as negotiations with five lizardfolk were about to end successfuly. In the campaign, humans had been deforesting to an excessive degree, so a unicorn started doing nasty stuff like poisoning wells and stirring up goblinoids. I was going to continue it from there, but the campaign ended rather stupidly.
Winter Fallout 07-01-05, 12:55 AM	I had an Aristocrat who secretly was a Vampire. Basically a noble who had a seat on the council and everything, everyone believed he was human. While Vampires are evil, he wasn't evil about it. He did things like feed off of blood for his own survival. The only thing was that he was lonely, sleeping in his coffin inside his mansion all day, he only longed for companionship. He was engaged to marry the daughter of the towns mayor. The mayor's daughter was an NPC, who one of my PC's wanted to get together with, the fact that she was engaged to the vampire was enough motivation for him to be an enemy and a threat. After the PC's found out he was a Vampire that just made killing him a bonus. Chance's were he would have made the mayor's daughter into a Vampire as well if she wasn't killed. My PC's believe the Vampire is dead, they will soon find out how wrong they are. He isn't really a BBEG, but still an intersting villain, and a powerful threat.
Sargon 07-01-05, 01:53 AM	Hmm Well The back story to my favorite Villian would take alot to explain.. but To Shorten it up, When Tarkin RaHashlar was but a meer apprentice wizard The City of Istbar had a slight crisis. Several Skeletons where wandering around town attacking Towns folk. The City's Magisrats qucikly called in the nearest available adventures to handle the problem, which just happen to be two Paladins of Tyr and a Cleric of Tyr on a pilgrimiage to a shrine of Tyr (Sapposedly where Tyr lost his hand). The adventures delt with the Skeletons post haste. The Town then charged Tarkins master with creating the skeletons.. and sent the Justice of Tyr to his door. The trial and execution was swift, it happened the next day. Tarkin's neck was saved only becasue he was an apprentiace and not capable of creating or controlling undead. Tarkin was run out of town however. An Independent investigation showed that the Town Magistrate forged proof that Tarkin's Master was resonsable for the Skeletons. Tarkin never proved it but suspected the Local authorties of ubtaning and releasing the Skeletons as a ploy to rid themselves of the Wizard and his Apprentice. Tarkin Found a new Mentor, one who shared his hatred of gods and thier servants. His New Mentor Taught Tarkin how to steal the only power gods really had, Divine Magic. It was during this time that Tarkin devised a plan to get back at Tyr. (( Tarkin holds the Clergy of Tyr resonsable do to the fact that the did not conduct a full investigation and uncover the Farce)). He obtained for himself an amulet of False Alignment and joined the Church of Tyr. Sine he was some what of a arace spell caster already supplmented by the fact that he could sap divine energy he quickly gained a footing in Church Politics.. He had ot be Carful though, As to Not give away his true purpose. Many Years Past and Tarkin Secured (by magically assinating his rivial) the postion of Pontiff of Tyr.. And thats where my Camapaign picks up.. under the leadership of Tyr.. The group is suspicious of him but has no reason to belive he is evil, and other church members have accually spoken well of him. I'm going to have Tarkin Send the Party to the other side of the planet to find Scyllua Darkhope (FFRCS p 164) and bring her back to Tyr. (this will get the players away from Tarkin so they won't be suspicous and Scyllua will play a role later when its time for the big battle when the PCs accually do realise that Tarkin is Evil and have to confront him). Lvl Wise Tarkin is a lvL23 character Wiz 8/HP 3/UrP 2/MyTh 10
Evil Glowstick 07-01-05, 05:12 AM	Vampires are great. I had my pc's work for the vampire who was also the BBEG. Kind of.... They knew he was a vampire but didn't care much about that. They were evil too. They just wanted to kill him because he was an A-hole. The final battle they ended up getting the main guys sister(also vamp, but less powerfull) to join them in the fight agents the BBEG. Then turned on each other before the battle was over and the BBEG watched them do a TPW while he stood by and did nothing. Ah what a campaign. Any way can't go wrong with a vampire
Malice Duskblade 07-01-05, 08:26 AM	There were the four brothers. Pinyak, Olchan, Hask and Daltreg. They are listed in birth order, last to first. As it turns out, they were all born to the Erinyes Kathaleth through the corruption of a Paladin named Frayn. When the gods walked the world in the time of troubles, Hextor spawned a son. This son built a kingdom upon bodies, but was slain by his own son. On his dying curse, he decreed that his essence - the essence of Hextor, would forever be contained within his family line, that should the line ever be broken, the essence released. Frayn was the descendant of that line, and through the devil Kathaleth four sons were born - half devil, half god. Each of the brothers had power. Pinyak was the assassin, the death unseen. Olchan was the law, judge and executioner. Hask was the threat in the shadow, lord of devestation. Daltreg was the general of the armies and the commander of all else. Olchan was slain shortly after this knowledge was known, and he had aleady learned to summon devils himself. Pinyak fought with him, but escaped this battle to fight again. Olchan's body burst into flames, leaving the orb of corruption - a six inch round orb, weightless (an important item in the campaign). Daltreg was fought again on the plains of Mezza Ja'Roulk, the hellish swamps of rotting death. His minions dead and himself close, he escaped this combat. The remaining brothers confronted the team. Daltreg and Hask, with Pinyak lurking in the shadows. At this time, they had gained power from Hextor and Kathaleth. Hask had four arms (and multiattack, with a weapon in each) and Daltreg had become one with fire (permanant fire shield, flaming burst to any weapon he weilded). After the battle begun, Pinyak joined in (he was now one with shadows, long story). Pinyak and Daltreg perished, leaving behind the orb of murder and the orb of tyranny. Hask escaped into the night. Any character holding more than one orb soon found himself at odds over alignment and nature. The orbs corrupted his soul, drawing him to cause death and suffering. The orbs had to be split amongst the team. Each weigh heavy to the soul, their weight growing as the manifestation draws near. The manifestation is the return on an ancient evil. I could elaborate on this, but this will do here. Think epic storyline - I'm using enough space aleady with the four brothers alone. Hask remained free, containing the final orb within him. The four-armed villain, only to grow stronger with the power of Kathaleth and Hextor. Of course, when the time is right, Hask will not fight the team alone. Kathaleth and Hextor will return life to the orbs, bringing all four brothers into play at the end of all things....
Gurthoron 07-01-05, 11:33 AM	I've always been a fan of the druid/ranger who fights against the encroachment of nature by technology. The type that regretfully hunts and kills woodcutters that are abusing the forest, that sort of thing. To put a spin on it, have the person ordering the woodcutters etc. be a blighter or something. Another great one is the Defiants. They are a group who lives near the base of the sigil tower, and are opposed to dieties. Lots of info on them in the Planar Handbook. Anyway, they are a group I could see being composed of all different alignments, working together against what they see as the great imposters: The dieties everyone worships. Makes a great opponent for parties heavy in divine magic as they are specifically resistant to it. Judging by your reference to the other thread, I'm assuming you are looking for people who are not shining examples of evil, people that carry on normal lives except for a few aspects. Classic example is the religious zealot, detouring off their path of good due to their perceptions. (Think Crusades) Or theres the nobleman who is charismatic, friendly, and gives to the poor. But hes a rascist. In fact, the KKK is an example of an evil foe who view themselves as doing the right thing. I guess that is similar to the religious zealot though. Another interesting villian example: Loki and Bartleby from Dogma. Semi-fallen angels with bitterness but still some good in them. Well, I hoped I helped. Good luck.
Esgay 07-01-05, 12:06 PM	I don't know why but i've always had a soft spot for dopplegangers, what if every NPC in authority the P.Cs had met in the region was a doppleganger? to put a spin on it, what if the dopplegangers were doing a better job than the previous authority figures and the people were happy? ooo moral dilemma
Crashmurdoch 07-01-05, 01:14 PM	My favorite villian has to be Moebius the Timestreamer from the Legacy of Kain games. He's killed in the first game, but since he travels through time he can be found in all the games. The guy is a real pain to the heroes(?) of the story and you really just want to stick a sword in him everytime he shows up. Aside from the first game you never really fight him, he's just this figure manipulating things from the shadows, cause time to flow the way his master wants it too. A real pain in the butt who weasels his way out of fights at the last moment, dissapearing or sicking minions on the heroes. I can't say much more without giving away his fate to those who would like to play the game, so if you want to see a great villian, play the Legacy of Kain series!
psionic pi master 07-01-05, 01:26 PM	In my campaign the family of one of the charectors is going to go evil, and began a purefacation campaign. If the player doesn't go along with this (which he'll have to or turen evil) he gets declared un-pure and a traitor, and The family puts a bounty on him. Some family tensions there... Of cuorse thats only a side plot they main bad-guy could be the emperor for all you know.
Bort333 07-01-05, 01:30 PM	Not much background but an interesting villian in my campaign. Beyls. 3,000 year old vampire. Powerful wizard and vampire, he sought domination, but was defeated by a powerful Lich known as "The Cold." He was made to server as a mere guardian, until one day a heroic band of adventures (my PC's) tried to get past him. The vampire at first easily subdued them. Taking over the mind of the rogue with his dominating gaze. Cutting off half the party with a wall of Force and killing the druids animal companion. The party was doomed... but Beyls wanted some fun first. He hated The Cold and didn't much care if these people thwarted its plans. So he made them an offer. "Give up one memeber of your party for me to consume, and the others will go free" The insuing chaos was.... great. :evillaugh It came down to a tie beween the WarMage and a Barbarian. The WarMage sensing things not going his way... choose this momemnt to strike with a maxamized force orb at the vampire. SHOCKED! The vampire realed back as the Druid dispelled the domination upon the rogue. SHOCKED! The Barbarian struck true and did more damage. "How could this happen to ME??" He cursed and dimensioneded door away. "They will SUFFER for this." He informed "The Cold" of the parties actions and the hunt was on. Undead minions followed and harried the party throughout the catacombs. Finnally the Vampire himself confronted them. "I go now to prepare a nice homecoming for you all" as he dropped a fireball and was on his way. He returned to the parties home far before they did. To the rogue, he harried, stalked, and cast all manner of illusions on his sister. She went insane, screaming about the walls trying to drown her in blood. She ended up taking her own life. To the Ranger he turned her own son against her. The son fed her poisened food and attempted to kill her. The vampire also killed her animal companion an eagle. To the Warmage he couldn't do much too, his family was behind the walls of the most powerful arcane house. But he could send an unending amount of Nightmares to him. Nightmares that should he fail a save be unable to get back his spells that were used that day. (Quite frustrating for him). The Druid had one of his best friends a fellow druid murdered by the Vampire. Beyls has since atacked the party on numerous occasion. One time he dominated the WarMage and had the Warmage kill the paladin with a maxamized flame wave. The party has gone over the oceon, the vampire will not follow. But the Warmage and the rogue's family are still on this side of the seas.... :devil:
Sargon 07-01-05, 01:45 PM	Wow i'm not gonna quote all that but Evily done Bort... Bort the Vampire Vashan.. yeah thats sounds good
DragonDeadite 07-01-05, 03:24 PM	Concept: A Lich Lord is directly connected to Vecna, able to call upon his holy might whenever he needs to. So... here's what I made. Mextrius: Lich Lord Wizard 8/Cleric 12/Mystic Theurge 6/ Blackguard 3.... Yeah... do I REALLY need to go any further into this? Okay... I will... He runs a rather HUGE city as a tyrant but lets three smaller factions take care of things. The players are needing to kill Mextrius, but before they can do that they have to go through... pretty much three small armies. What's more fun than getting the characters to go up against an enemy that they'd have to be level 30 before defeating? (They're lvl 4, FYI)
psionic pi master 07-01-05, 04:17 PM	Remember evil is relative... theres the chaotic good terrist groups, extreme paladins, and radical law inforcment groups. These would probaly be better for side plots though.
Fanatic-Templar 07-01-05, 04:27 PM	My all-time favourite villains are Darth Vader ( from Star Wars ) and Kefka ( from Final Fantasy VI ). Darth Vader is just the image of the dark lord, yet redeems himself at the end. Kefka's raving mad. As for my own villains, my favourite is always the one I'm working on right now. But I can't disclose that info, because some of my players roam about the board. Of my past villains, I had a Paladin who was leading a small guerilla band, who clashed repeatedly with my players who supported the invading lord. Note that the players were good as well. Made some very strange episodes.
Androcus Divinicus 07-01-05, 04:29 PM	Well. I've used vampires and doppelgangers and evil necromancers ... together. :) The original villians were a team of two brothers, one a military commander, and the other a ... cleric of Nerull I believe that had established a raiding compound north of a group of small towns. PCs were of fairly low level at this point, and the evil brothers were a good "villian". However, a vampire (actually something I call a Greater Vampire, as I've never really liked the DnD vampires ... mine is much more like ... an Anne Rice vampire, or White Wolf games vampire) was living in a secret room off of the cave complex below the evil brother's home. The PC's ended up taking the evil brother's home and living there, oblivious to the presence of the vampire. The whole story gets a little long, but what ended up happening was a doppelganger servant of the vampire managed to kidnap one of the PCs and inpersonate him. PC actually got to BE the villian for a while, and he ended up luring the party towards a vampire ambush that they ... barely survived. Regards, Justin.
shadowflamedancer 07-02-05, 12:24 AM	My all-time favourite villains are Darth Vader ( from Star Wars ) and Kefka ( from Final Fantasy VI ). Darth Vader is just the image of the dark lord, yet redeems himself at the end. Kefka's raving mad. :love: You just can't go wrong with Kefka! I :inlove: FFVI
Orcboss 07-02-05, 01:48 AM	I've always kinda liked villains with an element of tragedy to their stories. The ones who've had just one too many bad breaks that forced them into lives of evil. A lot of the Batman villains have this to one degree or another.
SammasterT 07-02-05, 11:52 AM	One of my favourite villians just happens to be a PC, who wasn't originally envisioned as an evildoer. His name was Hector, born to a humble family in a small town (Wheloon) in a flawless kingdom of good kings, fair laws, and shining knights (Cormyr). His mother worked as a chamber maid in the castle of the local lord, and managed to win his favour, thus earning for her son an apprenticeship with a diviner-friend of the lord's. This diviner reared Hector up in his peacable art, and set his mind on fire with tales of Elminster the Mage and his heroism. So, at the beginning of the campaign, Hector was but a wide eyed country boy with dreams of one day being a great hero mage (like Elminster). However, such things as beautiful women, free training, recognition by men of means, and the desire for power and greatness soon led him into full-fledged membership within the Cult of Tiamat. This in turn led him inot a quest for a dreaded tome known as the Necronomicon and to a pact with a demon that required him to spill that blood of an innocent. So, in return for a lead on the whereabouts of this tome, Hector hired a young Untherese (Mesopotamian) boy to do a job for him. He led the lad into a back alley and then brained him with his staff, only to realize that he might have trouble getting the corpse out of the gate. So, he went and hired another young lad, this time to venture out of the city walls within him and do some work. So, making their way to a far off hill, Hector had the lad build a small stone cairn, following the completion of which he brained the lad and the poor youths blood over the altar in the name of the demon. The quest at last led out to an very isolated, muchly crumbled, barely intact surface ruin in the middle of a vast, desolate grassland. Here, Hectors party was ambushed by a large pride of displacer beasts, and when it became apparent to Hector that hsi party of cultists would be overwhelmed, he fled deeper into the ruin ...finding a partially intact tower, in which he wormed and snake through some debris, to find a very dark staircase descending down on the otherside. Making his way down the stairs, he was overcome with cold fear and for the first time met the terrifying Nameless Fiend, keeper of the Necronomicon. The fiend offered Hector continued life and magical power in exchange for his soul, an impressive altar, and a annual sacrifice of innocence, and Hector feared death and desired power so greatly, that he agreed ... signing his soul over to the Fiend. After a short time of tutelage at the hands of the Fiend, Hector made his way back to the West where he ran into his old lover, who had since quit both HEctor and the Cult of Tiamat, and his original adventuring buddies, who had since gone their own way. He accompnaied them on a mission into an old, isolated prison/mining colony, where an orc tribe soon learned of their prescence and placed the prison under siege. While a fierce batlte raged between this rather large party of adventurers and the orcs in the depths/groundlevel of the prison-mine, Hector decided it would be smart if he pulled up the rope that his companions would need to climb the shaft if things went ill. His ex-lover, also a mage, discovered him doing this and (astutely)took it as a betrayal. A mage battle ensued, culminating in the ladies body falling down the shaft, dead, even as the first of the adventurers broke for the rope. This was the rogue, Corwin, who didn't make an issue of the body at first and just asked Hector to throw down the rope. Hector refused, and fled with his slamiey bodyguard into the upper reaches of the prison. When Corwin followed, Hector had his bodyguard kill him. In the end, Hector escaped back to civilization with all that was necessary for him to collect the reward, while everyone except the warrior Tyros (an ex-Zhent, who had once chopped three of Hectors fingers off for screwing up on watch) perished. Hooking bakcup with the Cult of Tiamat, in hopes that their quest for the Necronomicon might help him get his soul back, he led them out to the ruin of the Nameless Fiend; picking up a boy-servant along the way to later use as a sacrifice. Reachiung the ruin they battled what they thought was the Fiend, and overcame it to win the Necronomicon. However, as they searched for the contract containing Hector's soul, the Fiend appeared again and drove off all of them save for they great, dark, brutish warrior, that seemed indomitable and entirely resistent to pain or fear. The Fiend hung him up in the "Chains of Suffering" (think Hellraiser) and his girlish screeches and cries followed them on their flight form the ruin. By the time they started making their way home, it was time for the annual sacrifce, but the boy-servant he had picked up had grown on him, so instead, he had his servant lure another little boy away, and them made they lad help him sacrifce the other boy. Eventually, Hector would reject both his vocation as wizard and his lust for power (kinda), win the contract for his soul back, and become a priest of the god of renewal, BUT .... the Fiend allowed him to have his soul back, because in the winning of it he brought with him a number of pure and powerful servants of the light whom the Fiend took to torture and corrupt. Also, the with the Necronomicon, the Cult of Tiamt has gated Tiamat herself into the world, and given new life to the original founder of the Cult of the Dragon. Currently, Tiamat and this prohpet/son/consort of hers are laying waste numerous cities and peoples in fulfillment of a prophecy that tells of how, even as Dragonkind once ruled the world, so to shall they again. HEctor is trying to redeem himself by stopping them. Personally, I wanted to make this character into an NPC, so I could go on using him as a bad guy, but whats a DM to do?