Three weeks ago we asked you to tell us about your best worst villain – that one villain that your players will remember for years to come.
We said that if we had 1-5 entries, we’d have one winner. If we have 6-10 entries, we’d have two winners, and if we had 11 or more entries, we’ll have three winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place). Honestly, I didn’t know how many entries we would get, but when the total ran up to 19, I just couldn’t have been happier.
Before I go any further, I’d like to thank everyone for participating – those who submitted entries, the judges (Brian Liberge, 1958 Fury, Charisma Keller, Anthony Laffan, and Alton), and the sponsors (Gnome Stew and Q-Workshop). I love taking part in these contests for a couple of reasons, but mostly it’s because a little friendly competition solidifies us a little more as a community of gamers.
1st place
Jericho Cain, Psychotic Manipulator – by Mike Gorgone
“I noticed several of the entries were characters that started out as allies (or at least pretended to be) before changing sides. I think this is a very good way of developing a character. One of the first rules of writing is “show, don’t tell”, and you should always avoid throwing a “wall of text” at your players when telling your villain’s back-story. Having the future villain allied with the PCs lets them see the descent into evil firsthand, and it helps the PCs feel like they’re part of the story instead of just being told a story. Of the allies-turned-enemies submitted for the contest, Jericho was my favorite. – 1958Fury, judge“
2nd place
Olethros, Necromancer of Vecna – by Michael Jarhling
3rd place
Ratgar, the Sewer-Dwelling Soul Slayer – by Sam Malabre
*Editor’s note – I didn’t vote in the contest, but I was rooting for Ratgar all the way!
All winners will receive two PDFs from Gnome Stew consisting of Eureka: 501 Adventure Plots, and Masks: 1,000 Memorable NPCs. 1st place winner will also get to choose one of the five sets of dice from Q-Workshop (shown below). 2nd place will get second choice, and 3rd place will get third choice.
A PDF of each book
5d6 Metal Steampunk Dice
5d6 Metal Dwarven Dice
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Thanks to everyone for participating!
Chris Stevens
In Chris's opinion, the very best vices are dirt bikes, rock music, and gaming, while the very best medicine is fatherhood. If he could just learn to balance them all, he'd live forever. He's much more creative than intelligent, often wakes up belligerent, and ponders many things insignificant. Lastly, in an effort to transform his well-fed body, P90X, Roller Blades, and Food are all laughing at him. And the pain continues.
Nice! I loved Jericho’s write-up.
Congratulations to the winners.
Well done to the winners, Losing to that caliber of writing and bad guy creating doesn’t feel like losing at all. I’v linked the lot of you on my Gaming soc’s page so I fully expect to see one or more of the winners grace a game or two next season.
I did not honestly expect to win anything after reading some of the others. Jericho seemed lame after Elona. How does a druid (a PC none the less) who causes an altruistic apocalypse not win?
And Shortymonster, I totally want to work the De La Poer twins into a Call of Cthulhu campaign.
I honestly didn’t read any of the others so I wouldn’t get discouraged. Honestly looking at them now I’m not sure I should have even entered.
I don’t do it often, but making a villain out of someone who the players thought was a good guy is one of the two best ways to make a bad guy. Is it cliche? Yes, but when it’s not done very often it can become a powerful, “No way!” kind of thing. Also, the players and their characters end up being more emotionally connected to that villain. It’s just great.
Congratulations Mike G for Jericho Cain. As the 1st place winner, you get first choice of the dice sets. which will it be?
Ah man… I’m torn. But I think I’m going to have to go for the 5d6 Metal Dwarven Dice. Khazâd ai-mênu, after all.
@ Mike G
Excellent choice, sir!
@ Michael J – Oloethros, Necromancer of Vecna
I don’t normally go for the BBEG as the overlord of undead, but the scope of this guy and his undead armies just makes me wish I took part in this game. Well done. Mike took the Dwarven dice, what would you like?
Yay for the winners and yay for the competition!
I’m torn between Elven and Dragon, but… I choose the Dragon Dice.
I choose the elven dice