Vote, discuss, or propose others.
Simms, for sure.
To kick things off, I will toss Rhalix Ghail into the pot. Whether you were wearing Angelskin cloaks, or snazzy boots and gloves, you endorsed the sinister workings of this villain.
And here I thought I was being special with my baby elf skin tunics...
You don't have to sit in the throne to rule, and I think such an analogy fits Ghail quite well considering how quietly, or not so quietly depending on your relationship to his shop, operated in the Underdark.
Ithikraszt, the False Flame, really should be an option too.
Officer Barkeley, hands down. The man was fickle, devious, unpredictable and dangerous. You never knew if he was going to praise you or turn you to stone, and when he got his dander up he could server some serious whoop-arse.
I think Dms should include a description for each villain some of these villains I never saw in action TBH.
Id also definitely vote on Barkely he was an epic villain hands down but of all these villains listed I voted Intryzz because ive seen him in action tons of times. Phandites I only heard about. And Simms although he was evil I only saw his followers in action. Bhast I do not know how he was a villain. ):
Oh... I forgot Intryzz. He was responsible for so much of the Bad Things that happened to Sanctuary...
Representing the Colonel.
J Dimes. Although Cnl Spitfire was great, I felt the RP of J Dimes and his crew was more well roleplayed and influenced a greater variety of PCs with his interactions.
Kudos to the DMs that possessed him, and made him a very memorable character than many PCs tried to emulate, and even app to be related to.
I voted for Commander Simms, although I should point out that the vote wasn't just for him but for the Spellguard as a whole. Simms wouldn't have been half as great without the others.
After him, definitely Intryzz and Ithikraszt. They both score simply because they were awesome NPC's. These are two NPC's that I'd certainly go back into the Underdark for - my PC has a key to Intyrzz's Inn (though he has no idea what it is for). I secretly hope to walk along one day and see a portal open up.
However, Simms wins my vote because the Spellguard was the most consistent villain throughout the entire span of EfU. No matter what else was going on, they were always there, looming. You had to depend upon them, yet they were as much your enemy as your friend.
None of these compare to Porter Peg-leg.
funk master I
So many options, but I have to go for Etorix
Ghail, of course.
Milmamir, my Ilmateri cleric, was wearing an angelic cloak for over a year. The poor senile old fellow could've had a heartattack when he was told what it was made of.
Representing Demetrius Bhast. I thought he was a cool person who truly used political power instead of massive slaughter to achieve his goals.
Simms.
Becuase of the plausability of his position and explanation of his evil, many of my PC's saw the "logic" of it... that is awesome terrifying evil, because it makes you see the evil in yourself, or in this case your PC.
Quote from: The Beggar;108387J Dimes. Although Cnl Spitfire was great, I felt the RP of J Dimes and his crew was more well roleplayed and influenced a greater variety of PCs with his interactions.
Kudos to the DMs that possessed him, and made him a very memorable character than many PCs tried to emulate, and even app to be related to.
Pfft, Joey Dimes wasn't meant to be related to Johnny Dimes. It was just a throw away character that caused some shit and managed to make a name. Johnny Dimes easily gets my vote for being the pinnacle of badassery though.
Um. Bocho? Game over.
Sheriff Short and/or Lt. Kozamis!
Never got to know whether he was a villain or not, but if the former is true, I'd vote for AZRUS AZZAM.
I really enjoyed Ledskir.
ETORIX!
Temrariel imo
Maalgor imho. But since it's npc Simms was indeed a presence always feared.
Temrariel. Drow liches that plot with slime cults ftw.
Simms was great. Rhalix Ghail had a sort of style that appealed to me, too.
Intryzz, hands down.
Simms was not a villain this is a stupid poll.
Animator Dhimini -- I eagerly await his arrival upon Ymph
To pick only one is sacriledgeous, I'd pick them all except for two: Etorix and Phandiates. They had less charisma and appeal than the others! (for me anyway)
dude this one time like krunto and i and terry and scalebane had these fat character dudes and we pretended they invaded some donut factory, i imagined some sort of giant dude named after the fat pit lord things from wc3 was like the boss evil dude there anyways i choose him
I'm surprised that Bobo the Angry Clown isn't on this list, for as much as people seemed to like fighting him.
Also not mentioned: Moander and Halaster Blackcloak. Yes, they are WotC characters, but they played major roles in EfU and the concepts were definitely improved upon here.
Intryzz is hands-down the best in the poll, but I think the Elder Brain of Ysinode deserves at least an honorable mention. All EfU illithid would have given Lovecraft a bad case of the night terrors.
Spitfire.
That man was epic. I almost once applied to play a Lieutenant of his.
Sheriff Eugene Walters (a.k.a. Sheriff Short) as well as Lieutenant Kozamis should probably be up there. Some of the earlier excellent villains get a bit cheated due to memories fading due to the passage of time, as well as the fact that a lot of players may not have been around for them.
It's kind of interesting to me, but when I look at that list almost every single NPC listed had significant redeeming qualities.
Many of them, in fact, went to considerable effort to keep the people of Sanctuary safe, and were - overall - a benefit to the majority of its citizens.
That doesn't mean they weren't villains. <_<
Dogshead is my personal top villain.
I vote for Ghail. Quiet and on the side, no one new he was a villian till it was too late.
Etorix was second IMO, as he could have torn the city apart if he wished yet did not, and we could do nothing about it.
Third in my mind was the Appetite was always the "sky is falling" kind of villian that no one thought would arise yet did, and the city fell.
I suppose I am of the few who have no idea why Bhast is considered a villian. Another one of those things where IG secrets never make it to the player who is not on 24/7. :(
Perhaps he was more prevalent IG before fall of the Tigereyes, as I showed up shortly after their demise?
Hmm, I Met Phandiates once as I was in the group that killed him but even then, I am not quite sure how long he was a villian for, as I had never heard of him before.
Etorix all the way! Suave when needed, fearsome when angered, fickle and childish and terribly deadly! And such a spectacular part in the end-game!
Quote from: Ommadawn;108443That doesn't mean they weren't villains. <_<
No, but that is what makes them
good villains as opposed to 80s action cartoon antagonists.
J'aime Simms
Am I allowed to say Thomas Alqvin? He was fairly sedate as far as villains go, but I thought he was an awesome character.
Absolutely Bhast. A villain that gives massive amounts to charity is win, imo. Just look at Pablo Escobar.
I never understood how Bhast was evil. ):
None of these people were as hardcore as Azzam. Wait, sorry, AZZAM.
Quote from: Dr Dragon;108480I never understood how Bhast was evil. ):
Exactly
Bhast gets credit for being maybe the only one listed who was a complete push-over in terms of combat, could easily have been killed by any level 5 adventurer, but accomplished quite a tremendous lot.
Quote from: Howland;108442It's kind of interesting to me, but when I look at that list almost every single NPC listed had significant redeeming qualities.
Many of them, in fact, went to considerable effort to keep the people of Sanctuary safe, and were - overall - a benefit to the majority of its citizens.
Nailed it.
I love a villain that you can identify with. Even if you know they are totally and irredeemably evil, they still maintain enough humanity that you can sympathize with their cause. They aren't some mustache twirling fools that are evil for the sake of being evil. They are individuals who had a clear guiding philosophy that often worked to the majorities benefit.
Although, while the villains and NPC's of the past were great, I am hoping EfU:A charts a new direction. I was really excited by the prospect of banner factions - groups that were united by a guiding philosophy, but ultimately left the positions of leadership to the players. I have always been (and will likely continue to be) an individual that supports player lead factions, with NPC's who play supportive roles rather than strong roles of leadership.
As great as NPC's like Azzam were, I still feel that he could never compare to characters like Barrister Fawkes. It is impossible for the DM Team to replicate the consistency of the interactions between players and NPC's the same way PC to PC interaction can be done, and cannot devote anywhere near as much time and attention for one on one interaction.
Anyway, not to derail the thread. I am just hoping that nostalgic memories do not prompt the appearance of more DM groups, which I already feel are too excessive in number, power and scope. >_>
Bobo the angry clown was responsible for more carnage, death, and playerkill than any of these.
I voted for Etorix though.
Had to go with Spitfire! This is based off of who could have been the best, not the one who was used the most.
Intyrzz is a close 2nd. 3rd, someone who isn't up there-- Mr. Poppers! (or whatever the name of the kiddy slave-owner was)
Have no fear, Aldrick. Although NPC villains are excellent and will always have their place, they are usually not quite so dynamic and fun as PC villains (and heroes, etc.). The only problem with PC villains is that you have to rely on players.
Some food for thought? (perhaps for another thread)
As long as this list is of NPC villains, and it could be longer, how about one for the good guys? I get the feeling it would be considerably shorter, with the good Baron and a handful of seekers being the ones significant one I can remember off hand (though there are certainly more I'm just not thinking about).
Quote from: Johannes;108467Am I allowed to say Thomas Alqvin? He was fairly sedate as far as villains go, but I thought he was an awesome character.
I will cast my vote for him. He was the Jesus of Nercomancy in the Underdark, he didn't hate he just animated and pursued his dreams of being a happy bartender that sent people to SoO's deathtrap on occasion and provided a means to shelter the good fellows who followed the scholar on his escape.
Quote from: PanamaLane;108498Some food for thought? (perhaps for another thread)
As long as this list is of NPC villains, and it could be longer, how about one for the good guys? I get the feeling it would be considerably shorter, with the good Baron and a handful of seekers being the ones significant one I can remember off hand (though there are certainly more I'm just not thinking about).
We should do that, and than do a nominations thread for Team Good/Evil PC's, I'd cast my votes to Rinaldo Montezzi and Ortred for evil, they really were fun to RP with, even though I was gunning for the first and working with the second in a round-a-bout manner.
Form a circle!
Ortred was more lawful neutral than evil (in my honest opinion).
Quote from: 9lives;108531Form a circle!
ROFLOL
More people should vote for Etorix, imo. He survived swallowing a gnomish suicide bomber. Can Simms or Intryzz claim that?
Simms base got bombed loads of times and has outlasted many rebellions Simms also survived the Chosen and the appetite. Can Etorix claim that?
Simms eats babies, what?
You people are weird.
Who did you vote for, Metropakt?
The DMS! They took away my sanctuary!
Demetrius Bhast, clearly, Han Wern!
GAH I WISH I KNEW MORE ABOUT BHAST! ):
Intryzz was probably my favorite to possess, but Sheriff Eugene Walters takes the cake!
Walters/Kozamis.
Quote from: Mort;108544Ortred was more lawful neutral than evil (in my honest opinion).
Agreed, his interactions punished chaos rather than oppress the suspect and his suspected evilness was never really shown in any way other than working with evil which begs the question of him even being behind any evil caused by the government. He kept his hands clean enough to outsiders to easily hold other people accountable for any evils he caused. Even parts of the illusionary "Team Good" would rather have Ortred alive than dead at the current state of things.
Etorix swallowed an explosive gnome, that's better than everything you just claimed DrD.
*As the body of Sheriff Walters burns, he gives off a smell like that of a fine roasted pork*
It was something close to that, I lost the screenshot when lightning fried my comp.
Still, Bhast gets the vote in my opinion, because like DrD alluded to, he was the only villain on the list the people were not sure about. In fact, most common folk (especially from upper) loved the man, up to and even after his death. Whereas someone like Etorix was always simply feared, or Simms always just hated, Bhast was deceptively charming and easy to like.
Of course, I'm a little biased, having spent a lot of time interacting with him near the onset of the server.
But a villian is only as good as what he is rememebered doing. For those of us who only know Bhast as a non-visible mayor, or some months after his death heard comments that he was a Chosen do not make him in any way a favourite villian for me. Was he chosen for a day, a year, 50 years? For those that actually know what he accomplished then it might make a great deal of sense. But if he accomplished so much, why is it not common knowledge?
As for some names up there, I suppose they were gone before my arrival. I don't know them. But Bhast was around a good bit before his demise and he was a nobody during that time and had no visible affect to the server or my character. I had never heard anyone complain or praise the man during that time.
Ahh, so much is missed and lost. Alas Babylon.
I miss Grulpo and his stones the most. :(
Do you have to ask? INTRYZZ INTRYZZ INTRYZZ
(I swear, if he doesn't show up on the surface, or at least creates a Pyrimo portal I will, I will... I will be really pissy on IRC! TAKE THAT! FIGHT THE POWER! RAAAAWR!!11)
Ithikraszt is missing, as noted. I'd have voted for him. In his stead, Intryzz, easily.
Also, "Metro Pack the Nefarious Chest" was one of my favorites.
Really, only a few people outside the DM team knew the full extent of Bhast's superb scheming and treacherous power plays so I understand why people are questioning his place on this poll.
So disregarding Bhast for a moment (who gets my first vote!) I would say Ghail.
Rich, foppish Cyricist who organizes the deaths of soft-skinned Lower youths to be used in his tailoring business, re-selling the products to the upper class and well-to-dos of Sanctuary, to fund opulent orgies and parties for all his high-brow Cyricist buddies? So awesome.
Questioning, no. Attempting to make some one spill the beans, yes. ;)
No one hasn't put a "Anything named Thomas" option yet =(
Why isn't there a thread for the best PC villian?
Oh, and Etorix was pretty badass. Though Intryzz was creepy as well.
A lot of us, player and DM alike, are of mind that those sort of threads have more negatives than they do positives.
Yeah I realize now that's a valid point.
Intryzz for sure. When using to play dumb characters that nasty squid-face was very creepy! I know he could trick me IG to give him my small brain without any effort! :S
I loved Intryzz. I hate Etorix, and his lack of class. Intryzz was classy.
But, my favorite villain of all time is Crazy Andy.
Etorix had plenty of class.
Etorix in human form was pretty awesome, if you got to meet him.
Etorix's class may have been transparent to many, since he seldom deigned to interact with the general PC population, but the Great Shadow Death was indeed classy.
Quote from: Caddies;111512Etorix had plenty of class.
Yea. I think there was at least level or two of Shadow Dancer in there...
[badum-ching!]
I never met any of 'em....
Extorix actually had 31 levels of Dragon, nothin' else
That is not correct, metagamer.
One reason I'm glad the character list is gone is that players can stop metagaming NPC levels. The problem was not that they'd metagame them so much as that it was WRONG metagaming. It's quite a lot of work to keep the levels of every particular NPC correct for what it should be, so we often didn't bother, adjusting only in those situations in which it was needed.
I personally ran several events in which Etorix wined and dined PCs. Don't tell me he wasn't classy. There was six course meals, and golden wine goblets.
Etorix: (10) Dragon (10) Gnome Eater (20) Dandy
Yeah etorix was pretty bad-ass in human form, that was the only time I got to meet him. In the shadow arena.
Etorix was magnificent, especially in the Baldev Cole/Julian Fryar saga.