Help me design a BBEG

[IcyCool]

So, for the current arc, I've got a Gnoll Warlock that I'm going to be setting up as my BBEG. I figure he'll have about 9 class levels to play with, and I'm not sure what, if any, prestige classes he should jump into. I'm not really looking for numbers to be crunched (I can do up the details myself), but if someone wants to do it, I won't complain .

After having taken over leadership of his tribe/band, he's busily conquering neighboring tribes/bands so that he can build a small, personal army that he can use to conquer and keep some territory. He's got a couple of lieutenants that are capable war-leaders, though he himself isn't too shabby when it comes to tactics. I have been really warming up to the idea of him going into Acolyte of the Skin, reasoning that he has aquired his current leadership position out of brutality and fear, and going this route would only serve to increase those attributes.

Any suggestions on where I should go with him?

 

[Krafen]

Theme-wise Acolyte of the Skin works very well for the Warlock. Unfortunately, it severely weakens a Warlock to take more than a level or two. The 1/2 casting progression in exchange for fairly minor benefits is painful. There aren't really any Warlock prestige classes out there. The only one I've considered for the Warlock I play is Mindbender. That's mostly just for telepathy, though, simply because telepathy is such a cool ability to have. If the demonic taint appeals to you for this character, I suggest either fiendish or half-fiend.

 

[azmodean]

Do you have a more detailed idea of what his powers are, or are you still at the, "he's a gnoll warlock" stage? Mostly I'm wondering if he works at range or if he goes all hideous blow on his enemies

If you're going for a semi-diabolic NPC, I'd agree with Krafen and just give him the half-fiend or fiendish template. Fiendish is nice and flavorfull without eating up a lot of levels

 

[Jdvn1]

Draconic is a pretty nice +1 LA template, from Draconomicon. Plus he could have a pet wyrmling...

 

[IcyCool]

Do you have a more detailed idea of what his powers are, or are you still at the, "he's a gnoll warlock" stage? Mostly I'm wondering if he works at range or if he goes all hideous blow on his enemies

If you're going for a semi-diabolic NPC, I'd agree with Krafen and just give him the half-fiend or fiendish template. Fiendish is nice and flavorfull without eating up a lot of levels

Well, sadly I'm mostly at the "he's a Gnoll Warlock" stage. I had always entertained using the Acolyte of the Skin, and was delighted to see that it was revised in Complete Arcane. I agree that progressing through it will drastically reduce his EB Warlock ability. Half-fiend appears to suffer from the same issue. I think I may add the fiendish template. Does anyone have any good PrC ideas? Should I just stick with Warlock?

As to your question of if he works at range or if he goes all hideous blow, well. He is still a Gnoll. A slightly more intelligent Gnoll, but a Gnoll all the same. I could see him softening them up at range, but he's the sort who would be wanting to look you in the eye as you died. So, ranged capability, but in-your-face specialty.

 

[pogre]

Not a Warlock, but this gnoll would make a rockin' BBEG!