Which is the best villainous organisation in D&D?

[Flexor the Mighty!]

The Horned Society. I mean duh!

 

[Pseudonym]

I voted Other, because there is no option for the Dreaming Dark from Eberron. Psionic evil from another dimension and their posessed minions spreading their influence among people who don't even know they are being psionically controled.

Neat stuff.

 

[Mythtify]

Hasbro, the ultimate "evil overlord".

 

[Yair]

I voted Red Wizards - classic Evil Empire, legalizing slave trade and whatnot and Microsofting its way into the world's magic item trade. All good.

My absolute favorite is actually the ...ergg.... forgot the name, but it's the opposition in Nobilis; I think Pratricians? They are mysterious beings from beyond the universe whose only concern is the complete annihilation of existence itself, one Platonic Idea at a time. Ooops, no more gravity... Ooopps, no more writing... they use the piecemeal approach to eradicate all creation.
Can't. Beat. That. Pure, ultimate, evil.

 

[NewJeffCT]

The Blue Salamanders

The Blue Salamanders are a secret society that has infiltrated many (or all) of the top governments in Kalamar and are rumored to be run by mind flayers. A lot of potential for political intrigue and more.

 

[Quasqueton]

By far the biggest .. BBEGuys in D&D are:

a Whizzers on the Coast, a Hasbeen subsidiary, with their OGL.

d02 killed D&D

Dungeons & Dragons [current edition] is the only true D&D. All previous editions are just attempts to acheive this level of excellence.

Quasqueton

 

[Desdichado]

I wanted to give it to the Kargat, because I love Ravenloft, as well as the Emerald Claw, because it's a very complex and interesting organization with levels of deception, but I have to hand it to the Red Wizards: they've become classic fantasy evil.

Same here; I think the Red Wizards are nice, iconic, and interesting. Emerald Claw seems a bit stereotypical so far, but given that they are in Eberron, and therefore seem more interesting, more complex and more intrigue-laden than most other official settings as a result, they're probably my number 2 pick.

 

[Turanil]

Dungeons & Dragons [current edition] is the only true D&D. All previous editions are just attempts to acheive this level of excellence.

LOL!

 

[diaglo]

LOL!

i agree.

diaglo "currently playing OD&D" Ooi

 

[MetalBard]

I voted Zhentarim because their organizational goal is quite simple. Essentially they're trying to establish a Zhent-controlled trade route from Zhentil Keep across the Western Heartlands. What's so evil about them is that they're willing to do ANYTHING for that kind of mercantile dominance.

Not sure about the inclusion of the Doomguard as a villainous group. The planar factions are tricky and pinning any of them down as villainous (although many of their members could be) doesn't seem to fit.

The Dreaming Dark from Eberron would be my number two. Haven't played in Eberron yet, but their entire concept is really appealling to me.

The Knights of Takhisis are my number three. Our group has tangled with them before and they've earned my character's fearful respect through their rigid adherence to code and honor (hence the LE) and their ruthless efficiency.

Don't know much about Greyhawk, but this Scarlet Brotherhood is making me consider picking up the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. I've been getting those poster maps in Dungeon and with the mentions of the Scarlet Brotherhood on this thread it's just getting too tempting.