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<h1>THE ART OF VILLAINS</h1>
<p>If the Player Characters represent a heroic and positive force in the world, Villains are the opposite. Being the Game Master, it is your responsibility to create, introduce, and portray these characters.</p>
<p>
If the Player Characters represent a heroic and positive force in the world,
Villains are the opposite. Being the Game Master, it is your responsibility to
create, introduce, and portray these characters.
</p>
<p>You already know about what differentiates a Villain from a typical Non-Player Character in terms of rules: that is to say, the access to Ultima Points. This section, on the other hand, contains advice on what you should focus on when creating and portraying an antagonist within the story.</p>
<p>
You already know about what differentiates a Villain from a typical Non-Player
Character in terms of rules: that is to say, the access to Ultima Points. This
section, on the other hand, contains advice on what you should focus on when
creating and portraying an antagonist within the story.
</p>
<p>So, let’s get to it: what makes a good Villain?</p>
<h2>GOALS</h2>
<p>This is the most important aspect of any antagonist: they want to accomplish something. Be it reshaping the world, exacting revenge upon those who made them suffer, or conquering a neighboring region, Villains must have goals.</p>
<p>
This is the most important aspect of any antagonist: they want to accomplish
something. Be it reshaping the world, exacting revenge upon those who made
them suffer, or conquering a neighboring region, Villains must have goals.
</p>
<p>Goals are extremely useful for you as a Game Master: when you don’t know how a Villain would act or react to a given situation, look at their goals and you will most likely find an answer.</p>
<p>
Goals are extremely useful for you as a Game Master: when you don’t know how a
Villain would act or react to a given situation, look at their goals and you
will most likely find an answer.
</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Minor Villains</strong> generally have simple or at least very personal goals, such as saving someone's life, stealing a magical artifact, or seizing control of a village.</li>
<li><strong>Major Villains</strong> should have complex goals that can affect a large number of people, such as conquering a kingdom, or destroying a divine being.</li>
<li><strong>Supreme Villains</strong> have goals that can affect the entire world and change the laws of reality: rewinding time, erasing soul energy, or even becoming a deity.</li>
<li>
<strong>Minor Villains</strong> generally have simple or at least very
personal goals, such as saving someone's life, stealing a magical artifact,
or seizing control of a village.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Major Villains</strong> should have complex goals that can affect a
large number of people, such as conquering a kingdom, or destroying a divine
being.
</li>
<li>
<strong>Supreme Villains</strong> have goals that can affect the entire
world and change the laws of reality: rewinding time, erasing soul energy,
or even becoming a deity.
</li>
</ul>
<p>Remember that Villains can also escalate: perhaps a young wizard (minor Villain) suddenly realizes he must steal magical energy from an entire country to revive a loved one, thus becoming a major Villain. Then, when the attempt fails — likely due to the Player Characters’ intervention — the desperate wizard seeks a way to merge with the deities of time and space, erasing reality and creating a timeline that never was... a fitting and tragic goal for a supreme Villain.</p>
<p>
Remember that Villains can also escalate: perhaps a young wizard (minor
Villain) suddenly realizes he must steal magical energy from an entire country
to revive a loved one, thus becoming a major Villain. Then, when the attempt
fails — likely due to the Player Characters’ intervention — the desperate
wizard seeks a way to merge with the deities of time and space, erasing
reality and creating a timeline that never was... a fitting and tragic goal
for a supreme Villain.
</p>
<p>Having some Villains turn into allies throughout the campaign is just as important: this encourages Players to seek dialogue with their adversaries and to consider both sides of a situation, instead of simply assuming that everyone is either good or evil.</p>
<p>
Having some Villains turn into allies throughout the campaign is just as
important: this encourages Players to seek dialogue with their adversaries and
to consider both sides of a situation, instead of simply assuming that
everyone is either good or evil.
</p>
<p>— Philip Forlenza (Order #)</p>
<p>— Philip Forlenza (Order #)</p>