Hikikomori
Villager
While trying to devise my first 5e scenario I realised there is a big difference between how Charm Person works in 5e and how it works in 1e. The amount of influence the caster has is diminished and the duration of the Charm is reduced by 99%+. "The creature then will regard the [caster] as a trusted friend and ally to be heeded and protected." (1e PHB p.55) vs "The charmed creature regards you as a friendly acquaintance." (5e PHB p.221) Some older modules relied on long duration charms of greater impact that does not seem possible under the 5e rules. Even Dominate Person at fifth level is limited to 1 minute duration.
The idea of a villain using mind control to work through agents appears in fiction and I was inspired by N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God to try something similar myself. The Charm effect used by the Vampire (CR13) in the Monster Manual 5e takes its phrasing from the 1e Charm effect, but even it has a duration limited to 24 hours. I understand the 1e effect was too powerful for its level, but is there any replacement to fill this role at lower CRs?
Right now I'm looking at Yuan-Ti with Suggestion 3x/day and CR3. Not exactly the cult leader I first imagined but it's a start.
The idea of a villain using mind control to work through agents appears in fiction and I was inspired by N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God to try something similar myself. The Charm effect used by the Vampire (CR13) in the Monster Manual 5e takes its phrasing from the 1e Charm effect, but even it has a duration limited to 24 hours. I understand the 1e effect was too powerful for its level, but is there any replacement to fill this role at lower CRs?
Right now I'm looking at Yuan-Ti with Suggestion 3x/day and CR3. Not exactly the cult leader I first imagined but it's a start.