Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lancelot" data-source="post: 7359313" data-attributes="member: 30022">Heroes:1) Minsc and Boo (Baldur's Gate) - because they're the best2) Drizzt (Forgotten Realms) - love him or hate him, he's too famous not to include3) Alias (Forgotten Realms) - could be any female FR character, but as good a choice as any4) Silvara (Dragonlance) - elf who is actually a dragon; interesting twist, and also adds a dragon to the "good" side5) Rudolph van Richten (Ravenloft) - the wise mentor to the group, without using Elminster6) Morgan Ironwolf (Erol Otus cover Basic D&D) - one for the grognards; also adds another female to the group7) Mialee (3e Iconic) - no wizards included yet on the list; one of the "faces" of 3rd edition8) Fall-From-Grace (Planescape) - non-evil non-sexual succubus, with a fascinating life philosophy; also adds a cleric9) 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 value10) Diana the Acrobat (1980's D&D cartoon) - diversity, adds another rogue, great nostalgia callback11) [male character of Asian origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity12) [male character of Middle Eastern origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversityAntiheroes1) Emirikol the Chaotic (1e DMG) - one for the grognards2) Dalamar (Dragonlance) - avoids over-using Raistlin; and I always found Dalamar to be the more compelling character3) Ignus (Planescape) - everburning sorcerer, borderline insane, terrific background4) Artemis Entreri (Forgotten Realms) - too famous not to include5) Kitiara (Dragonlance) - some form of redemption arc; she was pretty much a villain for most of her career6) Tamoko (Baldur's Gate) - it's a deep cut, but she was Sarevok's lover; and a rare female Asian named character in D&D7) Sarevok (Baldur's Gate) - obvious choice, assuming you've played the sequels8) Mordenkainen (Greyhawk) - contentious choice, but he's Neutral in alignment and definitely not a "hero"9) Jander Sunstar (Ravenloft) - repentant elven vampire10) [female character of African origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity11) [female character of Middle Eastern origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversity12) [female character of South American origin] - don't know an appropriate choice, but required for diversityVillains1) Bargle the Infamous (Basic D&D) - blustering buffoon, comedy value2) Lord Soth (Dragonlance) - too famous not to include3) Strahd von Zarovich (Ravenloft) - as above4) 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 heroes5) Venger (1980's D&D cartoon) - nostalgia value; the "outward" leader of the group, although it's actually Dispater pulling the strings6) Drelnza (1e Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth) - female vampire; daughter of the archmage Iggwilv7) Makessa (1e/2e Slavers series) - female elf; most interesting, and arguably most formidable, of the slave lords8) Vlaakith the Lich Queen (Planescape) - ruler of the githyanki9) Acererak (Tomb of Horrors) - demi-lich; classic villain10) Eclavdra (Against the Giants) - female drow; classic villain11) Ashardalon (3e) - red dragon with a demon's heart12) Shemeshka the Marauder (Planescape) - arcanaloth, notable character from the settingFor 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.</blockquote>

Verification