D&D 5E Who are the famous characters of D&D

[Wuzzard]

The problem is that D&D worlds are worlds full of your characters, not WOTC's. There's nothing particularly memorable about "quest-giver guy from five adventures ago," and "hiding out in the last room of the dungeon, spell caster antagonist" at the end of the last adventure that was almost the same as the "hiding out in the last room of the crypt, spell caster antagonist" from the previous adventure.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I think it all depends on the edition you start with. For some, it’s Bargle and Aleena. Others, Bigby, Melf, Mordenkainen. Still others, Drizzt and Elminster. Krusk and Mialee.

The villains, on the other hand, have much greater recognition, as we keep coming back to Tiamat/Takhisis, Strahd, Soth, Grazz't, Orcus, Lolth, and the whole rogues gallery, edition after edition.

 

[TwoSix]

I think it all depends on the edition you start with. For some, it’s Bargle and Aleena. Others, Bigby, Melf, Mordenkainen. Still others, Drizzt and Elminster. Krusk and Mialee.

The villains, on the other hand, have much greater recognition, as we keep coming back to Tiamat/Takhisis, Strahd, Soth, Grazz't, Orcus, Lolth, and the whole rogues gallery, edition after edition.

It's difficult to imagine a comic book selling where different heroes fight the same rogue's gallery each issue, without the villains starting to look like the protagonists. That's a big impediment to establishing a D&D IP, where the players are expected to always generate new heroes.

I've said it in other threads, but D&D really needs to look to various MOBAs as how to generate a roster of identifiable heroes with diverse play experiences.

 

[steeldragons]

Aleena
Bargle
Gord

Most of the following need an updating in look and renaming to something cooler, "Strongheart" in particular is too corny for a BBQ...could be his last name or an epithet or something, but they still make the list:

The Good Guys:
Strongheart (the human paladin) [rename]
Ringlerun (the human wizard)
Charmay (the human/female wizard)
Mercion (the human/female cleric)...or use Aleena.
Elkhorn (the dwarf fighter)
Melf, though I think Peralay is a much more "elf" sounding name and would go with that...or rename entirely (or just use Gilthanus) (the elf fighter-mage)
Northlord (human barbarian) I'd probably rename and keep "Northlord" as a title.
Deeth (human/female fighter, "crusader" of some kind) I'd probably rename
Figgin (halfling thief)
Garn Greygaze (gnome illusionist/thief)

Extended/second string
Hawkler (human or half-elf? ranger...with a hawk!) in desperate need of a renaming.
Silverrain (the elf/female fighter or ranger, not sure) probably rename...in today's parlance, could keep the name, make her a "wood elf", and keep Peralay as the "high elf."
Aurelia (the human or half-elf, not sure, female ranger)
Caruso (the half-elf bard) rename...I just never liked it.
Filigree (the half-elf/female druid), I'd probably rename. It's a perfectly good name...but it's, ya know, a real thing.

The Bad Guys:
Warduke (presumed human fighter, I guess he gets to keep the corny name)
Kelek (human, maybe half-elf?, wizard)...or use Bargle.
Drex (human fighter..I might make him a dwarf to give the "good guy" demihumans someone, kinda, "on their [non-human] level" in addition to the stumpy half-orc. Zarak)
Raven (human/female cleric)
Helena (human/female illusionist)
Zarak (half-orc assassin)
Zorgar (human barbarian)
Ogre King (an ogre mage, so a warrior-with-tricksy-magic guy, that obviously needs a new name and keep "Ogre King" as the title)

Set it up like a He-man/MotU serial, Warduke (or Kelek) and his minions are out to bring evil/conquer the goodly kingdom of something cool/magical/niceguyland.

A D&D Justice League [or for today's audience, an Avengers] defending the world, thwarting plots, inhuman (orcs, undead, demons) invasions, and seeking out dangerous objects/weapons/magics and powerful treasures...get Bruce Timm or the Avatar:Last Airbender guys on board and you have a hit.

 

[TwoSix]

Aleena
Bargle
Gord

Most of the following need an updating in look and renaming to something cooler, "Strongheart" in particular is too corny for a BBQ...could be his last name or an epithet or something, but they still make the list:
<snip>

A D&D Justice League [or for today's audience, an Avengers] defending the world, thwarting plots, inhuman (orcs, undead, demons) invasions, and seeking out dangerous objects/weapons/magics and powerful treasures...get Bruce Timm or the Avatar:Last Airbender guys on board and you have a hit.

That's a cool list. Are they NPCs in your game?

 

[Sacrosanct]

A D&D Justice League [or for today's audience, an Avengers] .

Not to digress, but today's audience will soon be exposed to the Justice League as well. Between the crossovers like Arrow+Flash+the new one in January with ATOM, and the new Batman v Superman (Dawn of Justice) that also includes Wonderwoman, we will be seeing an official Justice League in the same way the Avengers are now. What's that saying, "Imitation is the best form of flattery?" With all the $ the Marvel franchise has made, I'm just surprised we haven't seen it sooner.

 

[Mephista]

People are familiar with the heroes of the three FR novel lines as well as Minsc and Boo. Then, the standard villains that cross boundries - the demon lords, the archdevils, Vecna and Soth and Strahad. Taimat, Lolth and Gruumsh. I think Bahamut, Moradin, and maybe generic elf-god and the latter mostly because he's based off Elrond and other elf-lords in LotR. Well, the same with Moradin and Gruumsh too, I suppose - both are LotR expies of Aulë and Sauron, respectively.

 

[TwoSix]

Not to digress, but today's audience will soon be exposed to the Justice League as well. Between the crossovers like Arrow+Flash+the new one in January with ATOM, and the new Batman v Superman (Dawn of Justice) that also includes Wonderwoman, we will be seeing an official Justice League in the same way the Avengers are now. What's that saying, "Imitation is the best form of flattery?" With all the $ the Marvel franchise has made, I'm just surprised we haven't seen it sooner.

Yea, that started rolling as soon as the Avengers was announced, and into overdrive when Avengers made the money it did. It's already listed on IMDB as targeted for 2017. It even has Aquaman! Although the Berlanti TV shows (Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl) won't be in the movie.

 

[strider13x]

No mention of Corl

 

[strider13x]

Corellon Larethain. (don't know how to edit last post...)