Crisis on Infinite Oerths: 12 Heroes, 12 Anti-Heroes, and 12 Villains of the D&D Multiverse

[Dungeonosophy]

If you were tasked by WotC to select 12 heroes to represent the entire D&D Multiverse in a shared-worlds "Crisis on Infinite Oerths" series of novels, who would you pick? And why? This would be a sort of "Fellowship of the Ring", "Companions of the Hall", or "Companions of the Lance"...but representing all of the D&D Worlds.

What about 12 anti-heroes? (Characters who are morally ambiguous, "grey", or "evil", but who have sometimes been depicted as protagonists, such as Artemis Entreri or Raistlin.)

What about 12 outright villains to serve as their foil?

 

[Lancelot]

Heroes:
1) Minsc and Boo (Baldur's Gate) - because they're the best
2) Drizzt (Forgotten Realms) - love him or hate him, he's too famous not to include
3) Alias (Forgotten Realms) - could be any female FR character, but as good a choice as any
4) Silvara (Dragonlance) - elf who is actually a dragon; interesting twist, and also adds a dragon to the "good" side
5) Rudolph van Richten (Ravenloft) - the wise mentor to the group, without using Elminster
6) Morgan Ironwolf (Erol Otus cover Basic D&D) - one for the grognards; also adds another female to the group
7) Mialee (3e Iconic) - no wizards included yet on the list; one of the "faces" of 3rd edition
8) Fall-From-Grace (Planescape) - non-evil non-sexual succubus, with a fascinating life philosophy; also adds a cleric
9) Tasslehoff Burrfoot (Dragonlance) - adds a rogue, and kender are a better take on a "short" race rather than re-using dwarves or hobbits from Tolkein; also good for comedy value
10) Diana the Acrobat (1980's D&D cartoon) - diversity, adds another rogue, great nostalgia callback
11) [male character of Asian origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity
12) [male character of Middle Eastern origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity

Antiheroes
1) Emirikol the Chaotic (1e DMG) - one for the grognards
2) Dalamar (Dragonlance) - avoids over-using Raistlin; and I always found Dalamar to be the more compelling character
3) Ignus (Planescape) - everburning sorcerer, borderline insane, terrific background
4) Artemis Entreri (Forgotten Realms) - too famous not to include
5) Kitiara (Dragonlance) - some form of redemption arc; she was pretty much a villain for most of her career
6) Tamoko (Baldur's Gate) - it's a deep cut, but she was Sarevok's lover; and a rare female Asian named character in D&D
7) Sarevok (Baldur's Gate) - obvious choice, assuming you've played the sequels
8) Mordenkainen (Greyhawk) - contentious choice, but he's Neutral in alignment and definitely not a "hero"
9) Jander Sunstar (Ravenloft) - repentant elven vampire
10) [female character of African origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity
11) [female character of Middle Eastern origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity
12) [female character of South American origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity

Villains
1) Bargle the Infamous (Basic D&D) - blustering buffoon, comedy value
2) Lord Soth (Dragonlance) - too famous not to include
3) Strahd von Zarovich (Ravenloft) - as above
4) Dispater (Planescape) - probably masquerading as someone else, because his power level dwarfs everyone else on this list; he's the secret mastermind of the group, and always one step ahead of the heroes
5) Venger (1980's D&D cartoon) - nostalgia value; the "outward" leader of the group, although it's actually Dispater pulling the strings
6) Drelnza (1e Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth) - female vampire; daughter of the archmage Iggwilv
7) Makessa (1e/2e Slavers series) - female elf; most interesting, and arguably most formidable, of the slave lords
8) Vlaakith the Lich Queen (Planescape) - ruler of the githyanki
9) Acererak (Tomb of Horrors) - demi-lich; classic villain
10) Eclavdra (Against the Giants) - female drow; classic villain
11) Ashardalon (3e) - red dragon with a demon's heart
12) Shemeshka the Marauder (Planescape) - arcanaloth, notable character from the setting

For anyone who is curious about the "diversity" choices, it's because of the way the original question was phrased. If the question was simply: "Who would you pick from the current roster to represent?", then it'd be easier. However, the question was phrased: "If you were tasked by WotC to select..."

Regardless of the current political environment, it's simply business sense to broaden your market as widely as possible. D&D has historically under-represented non-male non-European groups. If I'm looking to create new media and new stories, I'm looking to expand the player base. That requires new characters. To be honest, I might even drop some of the more established names above to make way for fresh blood. However, the grognard in me would love to keep some of the deeper cuts like Bargle and Morgan Ironwolf - maybe with fresh takes on their characterization.

 

[Nevvur]

If you were tasked by WotC to select 12 heroes to represent the entire D&D Multiverse in a shared-worlds "Crisis on Infinite Oerths" series of novels, who would you pick? And why? This would be a sort of "Fellowship of the Ring", "Companions of the Hall", or "Companions of the Lance"...but representing all of the D&D Worlds.

What about 12 anti-heroes? (Characters who are morally ambiguous, "grey", or "evil", but who have sometimes been depicted as protagonists, such as Artemis Entreri or Raistlin.)

What about 12 outright villains to serve as their foil?

I'm hoping this thread produces some arguments about which characters qualify as heroes and which as anti-heroes.

I honestly can't name 12 of each because I never read the fiction much, aside from the earlier Dragonlance novels. You mentioned Raistlin, and he's definitely an anti-hero I'd care to see more of.

Others of interest to me: Tanis and Tasslehoff as hero and anti-hero respectively. The other heroes of the lance were fine, but after Raistlin, I enjoyed them most.

If we're not limited to novels, I do believe the world could use more Minsc.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

4) Dispater (Planescape) - probably masquerading as someone else, because his power level dwarfs everyone else on this list; he's the secret mastermind of the group, and always one step ahead of the heroes

No idea why you picked Dispater. He is not even that memorable among the Arch Devils. Asmodeus the actual King of Hell would be a better choice.

I would also take out Venger, Makessa and Drelnza, and put in more iconic villains like, Tiamat, Orcus and Demogorgon.

 

[Lancelot]

No idea why you picked Dispater. He is not even that memorable among the Arch Devils. Asmodeus the actual King of Hell would be a better choice.

I would also take out Venger, Makessa and Drelnza, and put in more iconic villains like, Tiamat, Orcus and Demogorgon.

...because the original question asked to pick 12 villains to serve as "foils" for the chosen heroes (and possibly the anti-heroes). Picking Asmodeus, the archlord of the Nine Hells... and Tiamat... and Orcus... and Demogorgon... to face off against Minsc and Tanis is a bit ridiculous, yeah?

On my list of 12, Dispater is the only "power" (i.e. god-like entity) included. I also specifically called him out as masquerading as someone else; concealing the bulk of his powers. Considering he's the ruler of an entire planar layer, with potentially millions of devils at his beck and call, it's arguably ridiculous to even include him in the list. But still... what the heck.

As to his prominence, I'd have to dispute you on that one. Dispater is arguably the most significant of all the archdevils; perhaps all the lower planar powers.

1) He was one of only 8 archfiends listed in the original 1e Monster Manual.
2) He was the only one of those eight archfiends to also feature prominently in 2e. Geryon lost his layer, Baalzebul was replaced by "Triel the Fallen", Asmodeus became "the nameless lord of Nessus" until the very last days of 2e, Orcus "died" and became Tenebrous, Demogorgon and Yeenoghu were relegated to minor status in the Monstrous Mythology splatbook, and Juiblex nearly vanished. Dispater, by contrast, was a major Planescape player and the central character in the module Fires of Dis.
3) He was back in 3e, along with all the other archfiends... and he was one of only two archdevils to get an official D&D mini (the other being Mephistopheles).
4) ...and, surprise surprise, he was the only archdevil officially statted up in 4e (Manual of Planes)
5) ...and he's still kicking along in 5e.

He is, other than Asmodeus, the only archdevil who has gone the entire distance. Tiamat was replaced by Bel was replaced by Zariel. Mammon was renamed Minauros for a time. Belial was supplanted by his daughter Fierna. Geryon was replaced by Levistus. Moloch was replaced by the hag countess Malagard was replaced by Glasya. Baalzebul was renamed Triel for a time. Mephistopheles was betrayed and replaced by Molikroth (2e), then it was revealed that Molikroth was Mephistopheles all along (3e ret-con).

So, don't sell the Big D short. He's a survivor.

 

[Eltab]

The problem with naming 12 Villains is, villains are supposed to be defeated - therefore they don't have much staying power*. Contrast that with the heroes, who each get multiple serieses of novels about them.

Are there any Living Greyhawk or Living Forgotten Realms characters that could qualify for the list? ('Diversity' of an unexpected sort.)

* For instance, in Star Wars, Thrawn made a profound impression but only survived for three novels. (He subsequently got retro-fitted into the Prequel generation for a handful of novels.)

 

[cbwjm]

I'm not sure I could think of a total of 12 for each, I would try to make it as diverse as possible with respect to the various fantasy races, I'd try not to go all humans, elves, dwarves, and halflings. Having not read the books, I can't say where the main tiefling Faradeh from Brimstone Angels would fit, but I would include her in the list of heroes or antiheroes (side note, I've heard these books are really quite good, anyone read them?). I'd try to make sure I have as many of the settings covered as possible, though not necessarily within each group.

Heroes: Dragonbait, Sturm Brightblade, Tasselhoff, King Bruenor, Drizzt, Minsc (I've read some of the recent comics, great stuff), Laurana. Despite wanting to keep away from the standard fantasy races, the majority of my choices seem to be exactly that.
Antiheroes: Faradeh (tentative), Dalamar the Dark.
Villains: Orcus, Vecna, Lord Soth, Count Strahd, Iuz, Iggwilv, Lolth. These are all big names and end game villains, I'd like there to be some lower level ones as well though it depends if you want them directly foiling the heroes or working behind the scenes moving pieces to interrupt them.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

Great lists Lancelot and cbwjm.

You covered most of mine. I would only add:

Heroes:

Aleena the Cleric (from Mystara, from the Red Box Set, who was killed by the dastardly Bargle. For this story, of course characters may be resurrected to make the roster.)

Anti-Heroes:
Eric the Cavalier (from the D&D Cartoon Show)

Villain:
Egg of Coot (from Blackmoor)

Though I'd pull most from Forgotten Realms (and Dragonlance, since the novels still sell), between the heroes and anti-heroes, I'd also want at least one rep from Ravenloft, Greyhawk, Mystara, Blackmoor, Birthright, Dark Sun, Eberron, Nerath, and Spelljammer.

 

[cbwjm]

Great lists Lancelot and cbwjm.

You covered most of mine. I would only add:

Heroes:

Aleena the Cleric (from Mystara, from the Red Box Set, who was killed by the dastardly Bargle. For this story, of course characters may be resurrected to make the roster.)

Anti-Heroes:
Eric the Cavalier (from the D&D Cartoon Show)

Villain:
Egg of Coot (from Blackmoor)

Though I'd pull most from Forgotten Realms (and Dragonlance, since the novels still sell), between the heroes and anti-heroes, I'd also want at least one rep from Ravenloft, Greyhawk, Mystara, Blackmoor, Birthright, Dark Sun, Eberron, Nerath, and Spelljammer.

Aleena would be a good one.

I was reminded of another classic villain, this time a bit lower in level than that gods, demons, and liches in my first list, Warduke the villainous warrior. I remember as a kid having the colouring books, this was before I even knew what dungeons and dragons was and he stood out as being a more memorable image than the heroes and other villains.

 

[Lancelot]

Aleena is a good choice although, as you say, she's presumed dead in canon. That was one of the reasons I avoided Tanis, Laurana, etc from Dragonlance. I'm not up-to-date with my novels, but the folks on my list above were "alive" (or their fate was ambiguous) the last time I read about them.

I like Eric the Cavalier as a choice, but... as an antihero? Seems a bit harsh to put him in with folks like Raistlin and Artemis Entreri. Eric is a whiner and a coward, but he's not malicious. He's never killed an innocent (in fact, probably never killed anyone at all). I know that the strict definition of antihero is "a protagonist lacking heroic characteristics like morality, courage, etc", but still...

As for the Egg of Coot - phew. That might be too deep a cut. I've played and DM'ed the DA1-4 Blackmoor series and have a passing familiarity with the setting history. But even I struggle with identifying anything notable about the Egg. Other than the name, of course.

Not very familiar with Dark Sun or Eberron, but agree they should be represented. Did Spelljammer and Birthright even have any notable characters? I can't think of any.

Arguably, there should be more characters from other media options. I thought very seriously about including Jim Darkmagic. Given how many people come to D&D through podcast views, there should probably be one or more notable podcast characters on the list. Maybe even some webcomic characters: how about Durkon from Order of the Stick? D&D, and D&D-inspired work, has gone far beyond the tabletop these days.