While I can't say I've used or made npcs with the sole intent that they be rivals to the PCs, I've had just that sort of thing happen in my games through play. As an example, I had a high priest of St. Curhbert (lawful good) who subscribed to the "Old Testament" ways of the priesthood. He believed in harsh punishment or executions for minor wrongs (severing a thief's hands, regular flagellation of his disciples, etc.) which eventually caught the party's attention during downtime and sought healing, support, etc. It was an interesting dynamic for the players as they struggled with this priest's iron fist approach but who also provided them with much needed help for stamping out evil. It eventually came to a head later and the party killed him, then were branded as murderers.
EDIT: sometimes the story writes itself!
While I can't say I've used or made npcs with the sole intent that they be rivals to the PCs, I've had just that sort of thing happen in my games through play. As an example, I had a high priest of St. Curhbert (lawful good) who subscribed to the "Old Testament" ways of the priesthood. He believed in harsh punishment or executions for minor wrongs (severing a thief's hands, regular flagellation of his disciples, etc.) which eventually caught the party's attention during downtime and sought healing, support, etc. It was an interesting dynamic for the players as they struggled with this priest's iron fist approach but who also provided them with much needed help for stamping out evil. It eventually came to a head later and the party killed him, then were branded as murderers.
EDIT: sometimes the story writes itself!
He challenged paladin to a one on one duel, and then Warlock shot him in the back with Witchbolt.[emoji78][emoji78][emoji78][emoji78][emoji78]
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