Which is the best villainous organisation in D&D?

[Pants]

Oooo so many cool villainous organizations.

My favorites:
Scarlet Brotherhood (GH)
The Aurum (Eberron)
The Zhentarim (FR)

One from each principal setting

 

[cybertalus]

As for the Thayvians, they were "Evil", with the capital 'E' and everything, and then they decided to be the Wal*Mart of magical items. What the hell? Sure, it makes sense from a business point-of-view, but as a DM, it shoots their "evil factor" down like 10 notches. Suddently PC's are like "Well, we could fight them, but they have the best selection of wands in Faerun, and I don't want to lose access to that."

Which is exactly *why* they did it. They set up their enclaves, and get friendly with the locals. The locals let their guard down, so instead of thinking "oh, there goes one of those evil Red Wizards", they go "oh, there goes that guy who sells me magical arrows". By being part of the community they learn things they'd never learn if they were untrustworthy visitors asking questions.

Then, when the time is right and everyone is dependent on them, they make a move. Not against everyone, but against just one place. That place's allies don't dare go to their aid, lest the Red Wizards cut off their supply of magic items. And so the Red Wizards enjoy their new conquest, stay quiet and friendly to everyone else, until once again people let their guard down, and then they do it again.

So yeah, I haven't voted yet, but I'm guessing the Red Wizards are gonna get my vote. Though the Cult of the Dragon is a strong contender too. Of ones not on the list, the drow of Cormanthor, and the Churches of Shar and Auril are some of my personal faves. Of course I'm blissfully ignorant of all the non-Realms groups on the list.

 

[arscott]

As for the Thayvians, they were "Evil", with the capital 'E' and everything, and then they decided to be the Wal*Mart of magical items.

Evil Wizards + Wal*Mart? What could be more evil than that?

Seriously though, the Knights of Takhisis. There are plenty of sinister cabals and assassins, unprincipled murderers and theives and so forth, but these guys are original.

They're lawful evil, but the emphasis is on the lawful part. They're the guys who read the "evil overlord" lists and followed the advice to the letter. They've got honor and chivalry, and would put paladins to shame if the didn't serve the godess of evil.

 

[Testament]

The Emerald Claw seem very cool, and I'm sure will get some more respect as more people play "Grasp of An Emerald Claw". I'm hopefully playing it soon.

The Zhents and the Red Wizards are both great organisations, and are one of the few things I like about the Realms. Even if the Red Wizards are now shopkeepers, it can help create a nice air of paranoia. They're still the Red Wizards of Thay, but now they have diplomatic immunity, in ever major city. What if...cybertalus scenario is exactly right. Looks like old Szass Tam decided that since he's now immortal, he can afford to be patient.

The Swords of Nier in the Arcanis setting (more specifically, in Nishanpur) are great, similar to how Biggus Geekus described the Knights of Takhsis. Although, they're the ones who bring the war as well, and they don't give up ANYTHING without a fight.

For me though, it has to be the Scarlet Brotherhood. Hideously, remorslessly evil, but oh so seductive. I don't care if they're a shameless rip-off of Nazi Germany, it works so well, especially post Greyhawk Wars. They offer order and stability to their people in a world that's gone completely mad.

Plus, they have nice uniforms.

 

[demiurge1138]

I went for the Order of the Emerald Claw, because there's so many levels of plots and conspiracy surrounding them. I also do have to give my respects to the Red Wizards and the Zhentarim, though. And what, exactly, is the Scarlet Brotherhood? My Greyhawk-fu is weak.

Demiurge out.

 

[NiTessine]

I went for the Order of the Emerald Claw, because there's so many levels of plots and conspiracy surrounding them. I also do have to give my respects to the Red Wizards and the Zhentarim, though. And what, exactly, is the Scarlet Brotherhood? My Greyhawk-fu is weak.

Demiurge out.

The Scarlet Brotherhood holds the legacy of the ancient Suel Imperium. Basically, they're the Nazi Germany, trying to subjugate all races under the yoke of the Suel. They even look like the German ideal of Aryans. They're very adept at working in the shadows, and likely have a couple of covert agents in every court of the Flanaess. Assassins, monks, and races bred magically in slavery to fill a specific purpose are all hallmarks of the organisation.

Their power base is a bit out of the way, in the Tilvanot Peninsula, south of what was once the Great Kingdom of the Aerdy. Currently, they also hold the Lordship of the Isles and half of Onnwal as puppet states, though their hold on Onnwal is precarious and likely to slip soon.

They're also the coolest.

 

[Treebore]

My personal favorite is the Scarlet Brotherhood, because I have always played them as the sneak, ultra-secretive group that no one really knows even exists.

Zhentarim are also one of my favorites. Kraken Society is also one of my favorites because I ran them much like the Scarlet Brotherhood, but with a much stronger "pirate" flavor.

 

[Darkness]

This should be a multiple-choice poll.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

This should be a multiple-choice poll.

Heh, yeah.

I went with the Red Wizards. They were evil before the whole merchant thing, but now it just seems even more so. Really, just get little enclaves and shops positioned all across Faerun...then, BAM, attack from all at once. Evil, perfect, and they make money from it for a while, too.

 

[A'koss]

Well, I haven't read enough Eberron to vote Emerald Claw (though given what I've seen of Eberron, it might be the most developed), and I really want to vote for the Zhentarim...who doesn't love a fantasy mafia?...but I've gotta vote for the illithid over-conspiracy. I mean, not only do they have dreams of multiversal conquest, they want to extinguish the sun. Can't get more diabolical than that.

Good on Imret, but I can think of one group whose aspirations reach even higher than the Illithids - the Yugoloths. Now here's a group who has manipulated the Blood War since it began to strengthen the fiendish races for it's own ends. Now they're well on their way towards re-uniting the Tanar'ri and Baatezu under their banner and go and... do... something naughty I'm sure.

Cheers,

A'koss.