Who makes the Coolest Evil Noble Family?

[Trit One-Ear]

My players are about to meet a very powerful Noble family, and one of their largest oppositions in their current adventure. A family grudge goes back between one of the character's fathers, and the patriarch of this noble family. Now this family is responsible for his father's disappearance. As they first start to get clues towards who their true enemy is... I need to decide what race to make this family!

In this kingdom, most races are at least decently represented in the King's Court, so the basic D&D races are all possible. In your opinion, what race would make the best for this "Evil Noble Family?"

Trit

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I don't know about "best," but they'd never expect gnomes, pixies, satyrs, wilden or shardminds.

 

[Dragoslav]

Tieflings would be too predictable. I voted for an elven race.

 

[Trit One-Ear]

Tieflings would be too predictable. I voted for an elven race.

Agreed. They were my first impulse, which usually is a sign for me to think of something more unique.

Trit

 

[The Human Target]

Human= specifically the Gravelstokes from Monster Vault 2.


If not them, dwarves.

 

[Ferghis]

I thought tieflings would be too obvious as well, although that would give room to play on that very issue ("we're always being accused of evil, when will this end?"). Eladrin would work well, given the long lifespans and ancient heritage, but I don't see elves and half-elves in the same way. Dragonborn would play for a nice intimidating presence (which ain't nothing), but not much else.

Humans are probably the most flexible in this sense. The patriarch of the Lannisters is the specific person I'm thinking of.

 

[Argyle King]

Bullywugs

Because I think frogs in powdered wigs are funny.

 

[Ryujin]

Humans would be the most ubiquitous. I would vote for Eladrin, though, because they could take a long view, that covers decades, without breaking a sweat. they would also be able to bring to bear threats from the Feywild, that might make for interesting twists.

 

[Kinak]

I'd go for whichever race the PC's father is. He could be a distant relative or a competitor.

Without that connection, I'd probably go for dragonborn or eladrin.

For the dragonborn, I'd make them actually a clan of humans who worship the Queen of Dragons and perform a ritual at the birth of each child, bathing them in dragon's blood and changing their form. The blood? Comes from a very old, very abused metallic dragon sealed beneath the house. The PC's father? Probably discovered some hint of their secret.

For the eladrin, I'd make them elitists based on age and experience. The other races are young and stupid, needing "firm guidance." Their patriarch is the family's public face, but it's real rulers are the preserved skulls of old patriarchs, now spending their time exploring the Astral Sea from the crypts beneath the house. The PC's father? Probably just ran afoul of one of the family's countless plots.

Cheers!
Kinak

 

[the Jester]

The only thing scarier than an evil gnome is a whole family of evil gnomes.