If the party is in a spot of unexpected trouble against a group of generic foes (ie, not directly related to the plot or major villains), a standard way of "saving" the party is to have a group of powerful NPCs show up and rescue them. But not only is this fairly implausible, but it also feels cheap.
However, a good twist on this is to have the party's Arch-Nemesis show up. He's been keeping tabs on them, he's gathered his henchmen and buffed them all to hell, and he's ready to take his revenge. The whole group teleports in, and sees the party getting attacked.
"DOGS! HOW DARE YOU STAND BETWEEN ME AND MY PREY!" and the villains starts laying into the people whupping on the party. That's when you pass the party leader, or hell, just anyone in the group, a note that says: "RUN FOOLS!"
Not only does this save the party, it's a great memorable experience, AND it's a way to show off the villain's tactics and forces available to him.
Fighter using a dead hollowed-out goblin as a bag to hold his magic biscuits?
Wizard hurling bottles of poop and eggs instead of fireballs?
Frenzied berzerker being slowly and agonizingly drowned by a giant clam?
Time for a Madness Check.
Showing posts with label villains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label villains. Show all posts
The Legato
The obstacle/person that must be overcome before the party is able to confront the Big Bad. Usually the second in command, or at least the second greatest challenge to the party. In any case, the Dragon is LOYAL and is trusted enough by the Big Bad to be relied on as the last line of defence. (If they are not trustworthy, they are not the Legato, they are The Starscream).
Sometimes the Legato is actually smarter than the Big Bad, and/or stronger. But the Legato is willing to follow the Big Bad, who might have have political connections or leadership capabilities (the Legato is often a loner). The Legato might also be content as a second-in-command, and not dealing with the pressures of leadership.
The Big Bad might have some direct hold/power directly over the Legato, forcing him to obey and follow commands. In these cases, the hold had better be pretty good to use the Legato as a last line of defence, or else the Legato will find a way to go against his master in the end (often involving sacrificing himself to help the party and/or just to thwart the Big Bad.)
Will sometimes be the main opposition the party/hero will face during the adventure, while the true Big Bad works behind the scenes and only occasionally makes appearances. Hence, the Legato becomes more the primary villain than the real Big Bad (Legato is a prime example of this, as is Vader.)
Samples:
• Errtu is this to Akar Kessel.
• Legato (obviously) is this to Knives.
• Darth Vader is this to Emperor Palpatine.
• Transmetal Dinobot in Beast Wars is this to Megatron.
• Pasha Pook has TWO Legatos; Artemis Entreri and LaValle. Both are more powerful, but Pook is a better leader, has connections, and is willing to lead.
Sometimes the Legato is actually smarter than the Big Bad, and/or stronger. But the Legato is willing to follow the Big Bad, who might have have political connections or leadership capabilities (the Legato is often a loner). The Legato might also be content as a second-in-command, and not dealing with the pressures of leadership.
The Big Bad might have some direct hold/power directly over the Legato, forcing him to obey and follow commands. In these cases, the hold had better be pretty good to use the Legato as a last line of defence, or else the Legato will find a way to go against his master in the end (often involving sacrificing himself to help the party and/or just to thwart the Big Bad.)
Will sometimes be the main opposition the party/hero will face during the adventure, while the true Big Bad works behind the scenes and only occasionally makes appearances. Hence, the Legato becomes more the primary villain than the real Big Bad (Legato is a prime example of this, as is Vader.)
Samples:
• Errtu is this to Akar Kessel.
• Legato (obviously) is this to Knives.
• Darth Vader is this to Emperor Palpatine.
• Transmetal Dinobot in Beast Wars is this to Megatron.
• Pasha Pook has TWO Legatos; Artemis Entreri and LaValle. Both are more powerful, but Pook is a better leader, has connections, and is willing to lead.
Eviler Than Thou
When there is not one major villain, but TWO, and their plots often clash and intertwine. The two are usually drastically different, such as direct and violent vs clever schemer. They will also have vastly different moral/personal beliefs, which ensures that when they inevitably meet, they dislike each other. The heroes are caught in the middle and have to deal with the two different styles.
As the schemes begin to collide, the villains will look upon each other with disdain and disapproval, and even hatred. Despite t his, sometimes they will team up against the heroes, both intending to double-cross the other or turn the situation into their own benefit, or some other ulterior motive.
Sometimes one of them will begin a scheme so terrible that the other will be shocked and willingly work with the heroes to defeat the threat. If the threat is really, really bad (so bad that there's no way the terrible scheme villain could ever be considered anything BUT the major baddie after), either the scheming villain will die and the team-up villain becomes the primary antagonist, or the team-up villain becomes a good or neutral character and gives up his villainous ways, and the scheming guy remains the primary antagonist.
Samples:
• Magneto in X2, Stryker - after teaming up with the X-Men to defeat Stryker, Magneto seizes the opportunity to try to kill all the humans on earth using Stryker's plan. This is an example of a Terrible Scheme resulting in the team-up villain becoming the primary antagonist, at least for the remainder of the movie.
• In Beast Wars, Megatron and Tarantulas. Both have their own plots and distrust the other, but they do not outwardly fight, and they still fight together against the heroes. Megatron is more of a wiser, bigger-picture villain, while Tarantulas is more focused on personal gain/power.
As the schemes begin to collide, the villains will look upon each other with disdain and disapproval, and even hatred. Despite t his, sometimes they will team up against the heroes, both intending to double-cross the other or turn the situation into their own benefit, or some other ulterior motive.
Sometimes one of them will begin a scheme so terrible that the other will be shocked and willingly work with the heroes to defeat the threat. If the threat is really, really bad (so bad that there's no way the terrible scheme villain could ever be considered anything BUT the major baddie after), either the scheming villain will die and the team-up villain becomes the primary antagonist, or the team-up villain becomes a good or neutral character and gives up his villainous ways, and the scheming guy remains the primary antagonist.
Samples:
• Magneto in X2, Stryker - after teaming up with the X-Men to defeat Stryker, Magneto seizes the opportunity to try to kill all the humans on earth using Stryker's plan. This is an example of a Terrible Scheme resulting in the team-up villain becoming the primary antagonist, at least for the remainder of the movie.
• In Beast Wars, Megatron and Tarantulas. Both have their own plots and distrust the other, but they do not outwardly fight, and they still fight together against the heroes. Megatron is more of a wiser, bigger-picture villain, while Tarantulas is more focused on personal gain/power.
Death Takes a Holiday
Something happens to the personification of Death which makes no one able to die. At first this seems like a great thing, but it quickly turns into disaster - people severely injured but unable to die and in great pain, overpopulation/lack of food, supplies, living space...or other disasters. The end result is that the mystery of what has happened to Death must be solved.
Often Death is captured or imprisoned in some fashion. Sometimes it's more silly, like he's just on holiday.
Could make for an interesting quest to free Death, probably from some Death Cult (meaning to pay tribute to Death, but unknowingly screwing him over), or some Good Cult (naively meaning to prevent Death, which they interpret as Evil). With the Good Cult, they might be taught the errors of their ways and free Death, or they might be fanatics and have to be killed. With the Evil Cult, they probably will be the fanatic route and end up facing a very annoyed Death god.
If the party tries to take advantage of the no-death clause for personal gain, they quickly learn that others, more powerful than them, are going to do the same thing TO them.
Often Death is captured or imprisoned in some fashion. Sometimes it's more silly, like he's just on holiday.
Could make for an interesting quest to free Death, probably from some Death Cult (meaning to pay tribute to Death, but unknowingly screwing him over), or some Good Cult (naively meaning to prevent Death, which they interpret as Evil). With the Good Cult, they might be taught the errors of their ways and free Death, or they might be fanatics and have to be killed. With the Evil Cult, they probably will be the fanatic route and end up facing a very annoyed Death god.
If the party tries to take advantage of the no-death clause for personal gain, they quickly learn that others, more powerful than them, are going to do the same thing TO them.
Broken Pedestal
A mentor figure who taught a main character everything they know, and is revered by said character, has some dark secrets and/or is revealed to not be as good as they seemed. Often the mentor will explain his actions as "for the greater good" or "for their/your own good" but the sense of betrayal is still strong.
In some cases, not only are they imperfect, but they're downright bad, maybe even using their status as mentor to further their evil ways. Creates a sense of betrayal, surprise, and probably anger and/or thirst for vengeance. It will always come down to a final confrontation between mentor and student, of course, if the mentor is actually evil.
Sample:
• Professor X seemed like a savior and perfect person, but then MUCH, much later you learn that he lied about Vulcan's team's death, AND ignored the sentient danger room's cries for help.
• Jade Empire, your mentor/sensei trains you and coaches you throughout the entire game, only to reveal it's all been one giant plot to conquer the universe, which you learn as he beats you down.
In D&D, this could be used with an NPC, but only one who is recurring and trusted. A great example of this was Terelas/Stelera, the priestess in the forest town within Undermountain, who worked with the party to supposedly solve the mystery of the imps, disappearing townsfolk, etc. In reality, it was actually her behind it all, and by working with the party she knew how to avoid detection, AND she managed to frame (and kill!) the town's championi, Baris, who was actually good and trying to ferret out the truth himself.
In some cases, not only are they imperfect, but they're downright bad, maybe even using their status as mentor to further their evil ways. Creates a sense of betrayal, surprise, and probably anger and/or thirst for vengeance. It will always come down to a final confrontation between mentor and student, of course, if the mentor is actually evil.
Sample:
• Professor X seemed like a savior and perfect person, but then MUCH, much later you learn that he lied about Vulcan's team's death, AND ignored the sentient danger room's cries for help.
• Jade Empire, your mentor/sensei trains you and coaches you throughout the entire game, only to reveal it's all been one giant plot to conquer the universe, which you learn as he beats you down.
In D&D, this could be used with an NPC, but only one who is recurring and trusted. A great example of this was Terelas/Stelera, the priestess in the forest town within Undermountain, who worked with the party to supposedly solve the mystery of the imps, disappearing townsfolk, etc. In reality, it was actually her behind it all, and by working with the party she knew how to avoid detection, AND she managed to frame (and kill!) the town's championi, Baris, who was actually good and trying to ferret out the truth himself.
Becoming the Mask
A character takes on a fake identity for some reason, and as time progresses, finds themselves growing more and more comfortable in the fake identity and the way they are treated. A possible sole reason is that the character falls in love with someone who they're supposed to be taking advantage of. Either way, they end up wanting to remain in the fake identity.
A slight variation is when a hero is pretending to be a villain (likely a henchman or the like) and finds himself forced to commit some terrible act while in the persona, then later is forced to come to grips with what they have done.
Samples:
• Intertia pretending to be Impulse, finds himself liking the love and friendship he receives
• Hawkgirl in Justice League, who joined the team as a spy, but came to appreciate them. Fell in love with someone she was supposed to be duping, AND betrayed her people by staying with the League.
Another variation is when a character creates a fake personality to be able to act anonymously, but becomes so involved and committed to the personality that they eventually become the fake persona, and their real self becomes the mask. (Batman/Bruce Wayne, Walter Kovacs/Rorschach)
A slight variation is when a hero is pretending to be a villain (likely a henchman or the like) and finds himself forced to commit some terrible act while in the persona, then later is forced to come to grips with what they have done.
Samples:
• Intertia pretending to be Impulse, finds himself liking the love and friendship he receives
• Hawkgirl in Justice League, who joined the team as a spy, but came to appreciate them. Fell in love with someone she was supposed to be duping, AND betrayed her people by staying with the League.
Another variation is when a character creates a fake personality to be able to act anonymously, but becomes so involved and committed to the personality that they eventually become the fake persona, and their real self becomes the mask. (Batman/Bruce Wayne, Walter Kovacs/Rorschach)
Mirror Universe
Alternate reality, where alternate versions of the main characters exist. Through some bizarre circumstance, they cross over to the normal universe, or the normal characters cross over to the alternate one.
Sometimes the alternate characters are evil twins (Justice Lords), other times they're just alternate selves (Fullmetal Alchemist).
In D&D, this has many possibilities. The easiest would be having the evil twins be enemies, or even just having one party member's evil twin be an opponent (especially a smart one who "knows how they think.")
Another option would be a temporary team-up, where they work with their alternate selves to avoid some major catastrophe that affects both realities. Or for a twist, to fight their evil twins, they have to work with the GOOD twins of their regular enemies. (IE, Justice League working with alternate reality good Luthor, to fight the Justice Lords.) You could take this even further by having the team-up members be a mix of real and alternate selves, but that might be too confusing.
Another option that would be less encounter-based would be meeting their alternate selves, who are fundamentally the same except for a major, major difference which isn't learned until after teaming up with them for a while. Maybe they're willing to execute in cold blood, or intensely religious, or even VAMPIRES (or werewolves.) But important to note that despite these differences, they are not dealbreaking, ie the party reaction should be one of shock and "what do we do now?" and not "They're monsters, kill them!"
Finally, another option that simplifies things by eliminating the need for two groups is having the party end up in their alternate selves' bodies. (Maybe the alternates end up in THEIR bodies, but maybe their minds just disappear for awhile.) Party has to deal with strange world, strange friends, and unknown EVERYTHING. Makes for an interesting mini-adventure. Sample: JLA ending up in alternate bodies in Rock of Ages storyline.
Sometimes the alternate characters are evil twins (Justice Lords), other times they're just alternate selves (Fullmetal Alchemist).
In D&D, this has many possibilities. The easiest would be having the evil twins be enemies, or even just having one party member's evil twin be an opponent (especially a smart one who "knows how they think.")
Another option would be a temporary team-up, where they work with their alternate selves to avoid some major catastrophe that affects both realities. Or for a twist, to fight their evil twins, they have to work with the GOOD twins of their regular enemies. (IE, Justice League working with alternate reality good Luthor, to fight the Justice Lords.) You could take this even further by having the team-up members be a mix of real and alternate selves, but that might be too confusing.
Another option that would be less encounter-based would be meeting their alternate selves, who are fundamentally the same except for a major, major difference which isn't learned until after teaming up with them for a while. Maybe they're willing to execute in cold blood, or intensely religious, or even VAMPIRES (or werewolves.) But important to note that despite these differences, they are not dealbreaking, ie the party reaction should be one of shock and "what do we do now?" and not "They're monsters, kill them!"
Finally, another option that simplifies things by eliminating the need for two groups is having the party end up in their alternate selves' bodies. (Maybe the alternates end up in THEIR bodies, but maybe their minds just disappear for awhile.) Party has to deal with strange world, strange friends, and unknown EVERYTHING. Makes for an interesting mini-adventure. Sample: JLA ending up in alternate bodies in Rock of Ages storyline.
Along Came a Spider
A villain strings the party along with a series of clues and baits, intentionally left to toy with or test the pursuers. Hard to believe at times, but makes for entertaining mystery stories.
Sample:
• Riddler in Batman. Even realizes it at times but finds himself unable to stop leaving clues, even though it always gets him caught.
Sample:
• Riddler in Batman. Even realizes it at times but finds himself unable to stop leaving clues, even though it always gets him caught.
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