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

[Gradine]

Eberron definitely needs some representation. Problem is, most of the major NPCs also play fairly major political roles.

Heroes:
Boranel ir'Wynarn: A royal who actually does things, this is a good older dude boisterous bruiser type
Jaela Daran: Another cleric option; a young black heroine with incredible power (political, religious, and actual).
Thorn of Breland: If Boranel isn't available, why not send Thorn in?

Anti-Heroes:
Sheshka: The Queen of Stone, a powerful medusa
Lhesh Haruuc: A hobgoblin warlord, just trying to carve at a place to help rebuild his people
Kaius I: Sure, he's an evil vampire dictator, but all he truly wants is peace!

Villains:
Lord of Blades: A mysterious warforged building an army in the Mournlands
Erandis Vol: A young half-dragon, killed before her time, returned as an archlich with no ability to use the mark that was to be her destiny
Masvirik: The Cold Sun, a demonic overlord trapped underneath in the jungles of Q'Barra, corrupting the native lizardfolk and his draconic jailer to serve his own purposes.

 

[BookBarbarian]

snip

This is a well thought out list. I do think it could use a dwarf though. (or did you hav eone and I missed it?)

 

[Lancelot]

This is a well thought out list. I do think it could use a dwarf though. (or did you hav eone and I missed it?)

Nah, I didn't include a dwarf - and that's probably an oversight. I was thinking Obmi (Against the Giants, Gary Gygax's Gord series of novels, etc) for the villains list, but ran out of slots. Although, in a later comment, I did suggest Durkon (dwarven cleric of Thor) from the Order of the Stick webcomic, which is heavily based on 3e D&D.

Muls are sort of half-dwarves, so maybe a notable mul hero from Athas; that also ticks the Dark Sun box. But I'm not very familiar with the setting.

There's Flint Fireforge from Dragonlance, of course, but I'm still trying to avoid characters who are deceased in canon. There's Bruenor from the Drizzt series of books, but I never found him very compelling.

Tell you what: the dwarf I'd nominate is Khelgar Ironfist (hero), from the Neverwinter Nights 2 CRPG. He's quite an interesting character... a traditional dwarven warrior who got beaten up my monks of the Sun Soul in a tavern brawl. The encounter gave him the mistaken belief that, by joining the monkish order, he'll suddenly get better as a bare-knuckle brawler. The problem is that he's only interested in the monk fighting skills. He doesn't understand what celibacy, or poverty, or religion have to do with it all. This leads to a number of humorous situations, and some real character development as he learns more about what actually constitutes being a faithful monk.

I like Khelgar as a choice because: a) he's going for a non-traditional class, rather than the typical dwarven fighter; b) he struggles with real issues around loyalty, faith and aggression; c) there are arguably more people worldwide who are familiar with characters introduced by D&D CRPGs than by tabletop resources. Computer gaming is much bigger than tabletop gaming in general, and there are four D&D CRPGs in general that are recognized as classics: Eye of the Beholder, Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment, and Neverwinter Nights.

Other CRPG characters that could also be worth considering are:
a) Eye of the Beholder: Xanathar (villain)
b) Baldur's Gate: soooo many options, but including Jaheira (hero), Imoen (hero), Edwin/Edwina (antihero), Viconia (antihero) and Jon Irenicus (villain)
c) Planescape Torment: the Nameless One (antihero), Morte (antihero), Dakkon (hero?)
d) Neverwinter Nights: Aribeth (antihero), Ammon Jerro (antihero)

 

[steeldragons]

The only dwarf it could possibly be is Gutboy Barrelhouse.

Though Elkhorn (the LJN action figure dwarf fighter hero) was always a favorite.

 

[BookBarbarian]

Nah, I didn't include a dwarf - and that's probably an oversight. I was thinking Obmi (Against the Giants, Gary Gygax's Gord series of novels, etc) for the villains list, but ran out of slots. Although, in a later comment, I did suggest Durkon (dwarven cleric of Thor) from the Order of the Stick webcomic, which is heavily based on 3e D&D.

Muls are sort of half-dwarves, so maybe a notable mul hero from Athas; that also ticks the Dark Sun box. But I'm not very familiar with the setting.

There's Flint Fireforge from Dragonlance, of course, but I'm still trying to avoid characters who are deceased in canon. There's Bruenor from the Drizzt series of books, but I never found him very compelling.

Tell you what: the dwarf I'd nominate is Khelgar Ironfist (hero), from the Neverwinter Nights 2 CRPG. He's quite an interesting character... a traditional dwarven warrior who got beaten up my monks of the Sun Soul in a tavern brawl. The encounter gave him the mistaken belief that, by joining the monkish order, he'll suddenly get better as a bare-knuckle brawler. The problem is that he's only interested in the monk fighting skills. He doesn't understand what celibacy, or poverty, or religion have to do with it all. This leads to a number of humorous situations, and some real character development as he learns more about what actually constitutes being a faithful monk.

I like Khelgar as a choice because: a) he's going for a non-traditional class, rather than the typical dwarven fighter; b) he struggles with real issues around loyalty, faith and aggression; c) there are arguably more people worldwide who are familiar with characters introduced by D&D CRPGs than by tabletop resources. Computer gaming is much bigger than tabletop gaming in general, and there are four D&D CRPGs in general that are recognized as classics: Eye of the Beholder, Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment, and Neverwinter Nights.

Other CRPG characters that could also be worth considering are:
a) Eye of the Beholder: Xanathar (villain)
b) Baldur's Gate: soooo many options, but including Jaheira (hero), Imoen (hero), Edwin/Edwina (antihero), Viconia (antihero) and Jon Irenicus (villain)
c) Planescape Torment: the Nameless One (antihero), Morte (antihero), Dakkon (hero?)
d) Neverwinter Nights: Aribeth (antihero), Ammon Jerro (antihero)

I love Khelgar, surprising depth in a character whose life goal was to punch people better.

 

[steeldragons]

12 of each is tough! Especially the "anti-heroes" since I despise those types of characters and don't/haven't read much of the fiction.

Heroes:
Tanis (Dragonlance): 1/2E/M, Ftr
Elkhorn (LJN 80's toy): D/M, Ftr
Vajra (AD&D, Jeff Grubb comic line): (presumably some middle-eastern analogue)H/F, Ftr(? or was she a Rgr?)
Wulfgar (FR, The Crystal Shard): H/M, Bbn
Strongheart (LJN toy line and cameo in the 80's cartoon): H/M, Pal
Ishi Barasume (FR, Jeff Grubb comic line): (Asiatic)H/F, Monk
Gilthanas (Dragonlance): E/M, Ftr/MU
Burne (GH, "his most worshipful Mage of Hommlet"): H/M, MU
Gord the Rogue (Greyhawk, Gord the Rogue book series): H/M, Thf(Acrobat)
Foxilon Cardluck (FR, Jeff Grubb comic line): 1/2/M, Thf
Aleena (Mentzer's Basic): H/F, Cle
Durkon (Order of the Stick): D/M, Cle

Anti-Heroes
Dalamar (DL): E/M, MU
Drizzt (FR): Drow/M, Rgr, nemesis of Eclavdra, despised by Gilthanas
The Cat Lord (GH? MM2): H(?)/M, Thf-Acrobat...and, ya know, king of cats.
Khelben Blackstaff (FR): H/M, MU
Kitiara (DL): H/F, Ftr... this is a hard sell since she is basically a villain throughout the series...but some prequel-stories have her not sooo evil.
Belkar Bitterleaf (Order of the Stick): 1/2/M, Rgr (? Asn?)...just kinda a troublemaker but could be a thwart for Durkon and/or Foxilon (and/or anyone else, really. He can take down just about anybody/thing)
Phanstern (Slave Lords series pre-gen PC): H/M, Ilt
Redcloak (Order of the Stick): Goblin/M (I think?), Cle
Gutboy Barrelhouse (1e DMG): D/M, Ftr
Robilar (GH, Castle Greyhawk/Elemental Evil): H/M, Ftr
Icar (GH, Slave Lords series) H/M (blind), Ftr
Slippery Ketta (GH, Slave Lords series because I need another female) H/F, Thf

Villains:
Obmi (Greyhawk, Gord the Rogue series): D/M, FTR(?), nemesis to Elkhorn
Warduke (GH, LJN toy/cameo of 80's cartoon): H(?)/M, Ftr, nemesis to Strongheart & Tanis
Kelek (GH, LJN toy, cameo in 80's cartoon): 1/2E (?), MU, nemesis to Burne & Khelben. Makes promises/deals with Dalamar
Karak (LJN toy line): 1/2Orc/M, Assassin, nemesis to Gord & Elkhorn.
Eclavdra (GH, Giant series) Drow/F, Ftr/Cle, nemesis to Aleena, Gilthanas & Drizzt.
Verminaard (DL), H/M, Cle, nemesis of Aleena & Tanis.
Tsukiko (Order of the Stick), H (given the name I presume Asiatic)/F, "Mystic Theurge" (necromanceress biotches), nemesis to Ishi and Durkon.
The Lizard King (Fiend Folio) or maybe just Semuanya - [demi]god of lizardmen?, Lizardman/M, uber strong Ftr (maybe skin as a Bbn?)
King Snurre (GH, Giant series): Fire Giant/M, Ftr, nemesis to Wulfgar & Elkhorn
Lord Soth (DL): Death Knight/M, nemesis to Tanis & Strongheart
Drelzna (GH, Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth): Vampire/F, Anti-Paladin, nemesis to Strongheart & Aleena
Dragotha (GH, of White Plume Mountain map fame): Dracolich/M...the near-literal "Skeletor" of this group of miscreant malcontents

Pheeeeew. That was tough.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

there are arguably more people worldwide who are familiar with characters introduced by D&D CRPGs than by tabletop resources. Computer gaming is much bigger than tabletop gaming in general, and there are four D&D CRPGs in general that are recognized as classics: Eye of the Beholder, Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment, and Neverwinter Nights.

Other CRPG characters that could also be worth considering are:
a) Eye of the Beholder: Xanathar (villain)
b) Baldur's Gate: soooo many options, but including Jaheira (hero), Imoen (hero), Edwin/Edwina (antihero), Viconia (antihero) and Jon Irenicus (villain)
c) Planescape Torment: the Nameless One (antihero), Morte (antihero), Dakkon (hero?)
d) Neverwinter Nights: Aribeth (antihero), Ammon Jerro (antihero)

Yeah, good point. The scenario is that the team represents the entire D&D Multiverse...not just Forgotten Realms. So I'd go for only 3 to 6 FR characters per 12-character team.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

steeldragons: nice pick of Gord the Rogue and Robilar. Great list!

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Durkon (Order of the Stick): D/M, Cle

Anti-Heroes
Drizzt (FR): Drow/M, Rgr, nemesis of Eclavdra, despised by Gilthanas

Villains:
Tsukiko (Order of the Stick), H (given the name I presume Asiatic)/F, "Mystic Theurge" (necromanceress biotches), nemesis to Ishi and Durkon.

While I am fine with your list for the most part Just wanted to say something about these three. On Heroes if you were going to take characters from Order of the Stick, I don't get why you chose Durkon of all characters to represent the Heroes instead of Roy or Elan. Durkon's thing was he was more boring then the rest of them.

On Villains it's once again if you are going to pick a villain to represnet Order of the Stick why pick the relatively minor villain Tsukiko rather then main villain Xykon.

Lastly on Anti Heroes. This is just a straight up correction. Drizzt is not an anti hero, he is just a straight up hero. He's a nicer and more noble person then most on your Heroes list like Wulfgar and Gord.

 

[Eltab]

I don't think FR villians like Szass Tam, Bane, Asmodeaus, Lloth, Shar, Gilgeam, Set, Sebek, and Manshoon got that memo. I guess you could add Greyhawk/FR immigrant Acerak to that list. There villains that you defeat and there are villains that will always live to fight another day and keep reappearing again and again. You might kill Demogorgan in your game, but in the setting he keeps popping his heads up again and again.

Szass Tam and Manshoon are the two on that list who are not gods. (And Acererak has potentially been placed within the PCs' reach; thanks, ToA.)
I'm not aware of any adventures or novels where either of those two show up (or can be pinned down) to fight the PCs face-to-face. They've always been the sort to send minions and wannabee lieutenants out to eliminate bothersome meddlers.

Manshoon could make the list, though: who else has at least a dozen clones who do something awesome when they awaken?
- One founds the Zhentarim
- Another becomes the Vampire beneath Westgate and corrals the city's underworld