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Crafting Darklords

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Myst_the_Moonscout
Oct 13, 2006 15:01:31 Has anyone here gone about making their own Darklords or would that be some sort of Ravenloft faux pas? I'm making a couple individuals for an adventure (one's more of an evil spirit than a Darklord but I'm using the same principles). The camplaign setting provdies a few example "paths" for budding Darklords that grant them unique powers, but I figure there should be more to it than that to make a memorable character and someone that merits the title. My question is, what do you guys think a Darklord needs to have, apart from an appropriate curse and a background of evil deeds?

To get around geographical issues I'm putting both of them out in one of the seas. I'll post them over the weekend if I have time, and others are welcome to post their own creations if they like. I'm curious to see what sort of evil people find to dredge up from the mists.
#2
Myst_the_Moonscout
Oct 16, 2006 22:12:13 Okay, so the name's not great but it fits. Stats are being a headache, I haven't yet decided what she should be.

Violette the Scorned

Also referred to as “Violette the Innocent” by those with a macabre sense of humour, Violette is a new arrival to Ravenloft, her unique domain located within the Sea of Sorrows. Violette’s presence in Ravenloft is so far known to only a few coastal regions. For the time being, she is simply a rumour on the waves.

Biography: Before coming to Ravenloft, Violette was an heiress to a large kingdom and looked forward to her rulership. Benevolent and naïve, when it became expected of her to marry she selected a husband whom she thought would be the best compliment her motivations and desires for her kingdom and people. The husband she chose was more than pleased to serve the kingdom, but had no intention of ever sharing his throne with his new wife. He subtly arranged for Violette to have less and less to do with the affairs of state and chipped away at her authority while entrenching himself. Violette at first denied what was going on, but it soon became apparent even to her. As he gained more and more influence, he became more brazen, murdering her highest supporters while taking no steps to cover his tracks. When she tried to take her power back, her husband had her confined to a locked portion of their castle. Violette fell into despair and felt she could do nothing to stop him. She tried to convince her husband to free her and at least let her be his wife. He refused. Not long after she received word that her husband was building a harem and intended to sire an heir. Violette snapped.

While deposed as queen she still remained a noble and had access to a money, servants, and an extensive library. With those who remained loyal to her she began to sabotage her husband’s efforts at ruling the kingdom. She had her servants set fire to the guest chambers and poison state dinners. She herself began to collect ancient texts and to study magic. Soon she summoned swarms of insects and sickness to plague the castle, and bent the minds of her husband’s court to turn against him. As her servants carried out her demands she delved further into black lore, especially into the realm of curses. From gathered hair and blood she crafted a dark effigy of her husband. From her place in the castle, Violette could hear the screams as each new monstrosity was born. Her husband’s concubines fled, some taking their misshapen children with them, as rumour spread that he was cursed.

Violette’s husband at first rejected the notion that his meek and easily toppled wife could be the cause of his troubles, but as his courtiers abandoned him and he fell to ruin and suspicion he confronted his wife. He demanded she account for herself. Again, she repeated her request that he let her lead the kingdom, and again he refused. When mist started to rise from the floor, her husband feared black magic and lunged at his wife, who fought back. Blinded by her rage she struck her husband; blinded by the mist he tumbled out of a tower window.

When Violette was brought to Ravenloft the dark powers granted her wish and restored her kingdom- at the bottom of the sea. For three days the corpses of her drowned subjects littered the Sea of Sorrows, leaving Violette with an empty ruin that she could not reach. The dark powers did not take pity on her husband, however. He remains in the ruin of his stolen kingdom, now physically bound to the effigy Violette created.

Personality: Violette is no longer as trusting as she once was, having learned from her husband the dangers of not holding tight to what you want to keep. She sees none of her past actions as unjust, laying full blame for what occurred upon her husband. She believes she was unjustly brought to Ravenloft but seeks to make the most of her new circumstances. Violette only wants her kingdom returned to her, to be granted what she feels it rightfully hers. Inside, Violette still aches for a child but finds only twisted sea beasts resembling her own handiwork. The closest thing she has to a son is the murderous sea stalker, Savo.

Domain: Violette’s domain is a cube in the Sea of Sorrows, stretching from the floor of her submerged kingdom, to the water’s surface. It is populated with sea lions, dire sharks, and all manner of malevolent sea beasts, as well as a clan of mermaids headed by vampires. The undead ghosts and spectres of her subjects wander the ruins of her kingdom, including the water-bloated and decayed corpse of her husband. Violette travels her domain in a large galleon crusted over with barnacles, salt, and bones from being forever at sea. Her own quarters on the ship are as lavish as any throne room. Over time, however, her ship gradually degrades and she must acquire a new one and start her court anew. The only dry land in her domain is a small sandy island only a few meters bigger than the featureless stone tower that sits on it. This tower, a replica of one of the spires of the castle Violette was confined in, is a wandering one-way portal into Ravenloft. Violette knows this and makes periodic checks to see if anyone has inadvertently arrived in her domain, sending either Savo or another of her minions.

Savo
Male human sea-stalker, brb 6.
(stats to come)

The adopted “son” of Violette, Savo is both a brutal, violent creature, and a pitiable one. When he was fully human he worked on a sailing vessel, ironically named The Sea Lion, as a deck hand and grunt. Incredibly strong and resilient but mentally underdeveloped, Savo’s behaviour was kept in check through flogging and confinement. The Sea Lion eventually became lost, adrift within the walls of Violette’s domain and in order to survive the crew was forced to resort to cannibalism. Many of the crewmen preferred to starve rather than commit such an act in the land of mists, but others could not ignore their hunger. The crew tried unsuccessfully to kill Savo. Upon realizing that none of them could hope to fight against him, several crew members jumped ship to test their luck on the waves. Those that remained hoped in vain for rescue until only Savo was left alive. Unbeknownst to him, one of the men Savo killed had been a sea stalker that had snuck aboard the ship. As a result of devouring his flesh, Savo contracted his lycanthropy.

Savo stands well over 6 feet tall, with severely weathered skin marred by countless scars. His hair is dull black and matted with salt and vegetation and he wears nothing except for the bone necklace given to him by Violette. When fighting he eschews weapons of any kind, preferring to simply throttle his opponents with his fists or use his claws in animal form. There is no distinct pattern to which form he uses, assuming his animal form at whim.

Savo is cunning but his comprehension is minimal. He understands the common language but rarely speaks, typically communicating instead with hand gestures and body language. He has a child-like attachment to Violette and roams freely in the waters of her domain, doing as she tells him. Savo remains a cannibal and will lure ships into Violette’s waters by pretending to drown. When he is brought aboard he slaughters the crew and uses the ship as a temporary rest until the food runs out and he moves on. Savo can often be found on one of the many ghost ships that drift through Violette’s domain.
#3
john_w._mangrum
Oct 17, 2006 0:47:31 My one bit of advice is that each darklord's curse should be tied directly into that darklord's heart's desire -- and that desire should be quite down-to-earth.

When you boil it all down, most published darklords want one of the following, in some form: love, respect, or simple acceptance/normality.
#4
gonzoron
Oct 17, 2006 10:27:25 You're not alone in making your own darklords. There are tons of them that people have made in the various netbooks available online. But I for one, usually skip over those sections. I don't see any real niche being filled that is lacking in the current official array of darklords, and I'm happy exploring what's already out there. My advice is make your darklord different than any other. If you don't, what's the point?
#5
Myst_the_Moonscout
Oct 17, 2006 11:09:21 That's part of the reason I wasn't sure about staring this thread. It seems to me that there's no point in making a Darkord of the same influence as Strahd or Azalin, since that would throw things a little out of whack. The one I'm making is more akin to Tristan, generally ignoreable in the politics of the world (I'm assuming. I'm not as familiar with the darklords as others around here are). She exists as a ghost story, for the moment.
#6
ravenloftlover347
Oct 17, 2006 12:27:22 I have made a few darklords myself. I could try digging up a few and post them if you would like.
#7
Myst_the_Moonscout
Oct 17, 2006 13:47:42 Sure. I don't want to just focus on what I'm doing, I would like for this to be a general thread on making darklords. Stuff that other people have done would be great.
#8
The_Jester
Oct 17, 2006 14:14:21 I've made three or hour homebrew domains in my early years with the setting. One I even tried submitting to the Kargatane's Book of S__ series a couple of times.

I'm not proud of any of them and generally shudder at the amature quality of my writing from that time.

But there's always gothic archtypes, stories, and ideas that have not been adapted and interesting lords to make. So have fun.
#9
zombiegleemax
Oct 22, 2006 20:23:00 Is there a template any where around?
#10
gonzoron
Oct 22, 2006 21:49:01 I believe we've had this answer from some of the authors before, or something like it: Since the darklords are so varied in personality, style, and form, and since each one gets gifts and curses personalized to their individual sins, there's no point in a unified darklord template.
#11
Myst_the_Moonscout
Oct 23, 2006 10:56:16 We also aren't talking everyday villains here like other template creatures, and Darklords are not for PC use to a template seems unneccesary. The campaign setting has a loose framework for general power gained as characters become more evil but that's about it.
#12
The_Jester
Oct 23, 2006 14:00:39 IIRC, there were some guidelines in the Ravenloft: Dungeon Master's Guide for darklords. But it's been a few years since I really looked at the book.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Myst_the_Moonscout Oct 13, 2006 15:01:31	Has anyone here gone about making their own Darklords or would that be some sort of Ravenloft faux pas? I'm making a couple individuals for an adventure (one's more of an evil spirit than a Darklord but I'm using the same principles). The camplaign setting provdies a few example "paths" for budding Darklords that grant them unique powers, but I figure there should be more to it than that to make a memorable character and someone that merits the title. My question is, what do you guys think a Darklord needs to have, apart from an appropriate curse and a background of evil deeds? To get around geographical issues I'm putting both of them out in one of the seas. I'll post them over the weekend if I have time, and others are welcome to post their own creations if they like. I'm curious to see what sort of evil people find to dredge up from the mists.
#2 Myst_the_Moonscout Oct 16, 2006 22:12:13	Okay, so the name's not great but it fits. Stats are being a headache, I haven't yet decided what she should be. Violette the Scorned Also referred to as “Violette the Innocent” by those with a macabre sense of humour, Violette is a new arrival to Ravenloft, her unique domain located within the Sea of Sorrows. Violette’s presence in Ravenloft is so far known to only a few coastal regions. For the time being, she is simply a rumour on the waves. Biography: Before coming to Ravenloft, Violette was an heiress to a large kingdom and looked forward to her rulership. Benevolent and naïve, when it became expected of her to marry she selected a husband whom she thought would be the best compliment her motivations and desires for her kingdom and people. The husband she chose was more than pleased to serve the kingdom, but had no intention of ever sharing his throne with his new wife. He subtly arranged for Violette to have less and less to do with the affairs of state and chipped away at her authority while entrenching himself. Violette at first denied what was going on, but it soon became apparent even to her. As he gained more and more influence, he became more brazen, murdering her highest supporters while taking no steps to cover his tracks. When she tried to take her power back, her husband had her confined to a locked portion of their castle. Violette fell into despair and felt she could do nothing to stop him. She tried to convince her husband to free her and at least let her be his wife. He refused. Not long after she received word that her husband was building a harem and intended to sire an heir. Violette snapped. While deposed as queen she still remained a noble and had access to a money, servants, and an extensive library. With those who remained loyal to her she began to sabotage her husband’s efforts at ruling the kingdom. She had her servants set fire to the guest chambers and poison state dinners. She herself began to collect ancient texts and to study magic. Soon she summoned swarms of insects and sickness to plague the castle, and bent the minds of her husband’s court to turn against him. As her servants carried out her demands she delved further into black lore, especially into the realm of curses. From gathered hair and blood she crafted a dark effigy of her husband. From her place in the castle, Violette could hear the screams as each new monstrosity was born. Her husband’s concubines fled, some taking their misshapen children with them, as rumour spread that he was cursed. Violette’s husband at first rejected the notion that his meek and easily toppled wife could be the cause of his troubles, but as his courtiers abandoned him and he fell to ruin and suspicion he confronted his wife. He demanded she account for herself. Again, she repeated her request that he let her lead the kingdom, and again he refused. When mist started to rise from the floor, her husband feared black magic and lunged at his wife, who fought back. Blinded by her rage she struck her husband; blinded by the mist he tumbled out of a tower window. When Violette was brought to Ravenloft the dark powers granted her wish and restored her kingdom- at the bottom of the sea. For three days the corpses of her drowned subjects littered the Sea of Sorrows, leaving Violette with an empty ruin that she could not reach. The dark powers did not take pity on her husband, however. He remains in the ruin of his stolen kingdom, now physically bound to the effigy Violette created. Personality: Violette is no longer as trusting as she once was, having learned from her husband the dangers of not holding tight to what you want to keep. She sees none of her past actions as unjust, laying full blame for what occurred upon her husband. She believes she was unjustly brought to Ravenloft but seeks to make the most of her new circumstances. Violette only wants her kingdom returned to her, to be granted what she feels it rightfully hers. Inside, Violette still aches for a child but finds only twisted sea beasts resembling her own handiwork. The closest thing she has to a son is the murderous sea stalker, Savo. Domain: Violette’s domain is a cube in the Sea of Sorrows, stretching from the floor of her submerged kingdom, to the water’s surface. It is populated with sea lions, dire sharks, and all manner of malevolent sea beasts, as well as a clan of mermaids headed by vampires. The undead ghosts and spectres of her subjects wander the ruins of her kingdom, including the water-bloated and decayed corpse of her husband. Violette travels her domain in a large galleon crusted over with barnacles, salt, and bones from being forever at sea. Her own quarters on the ship are as lavish as any throne room. Over time, however, her ship gradually degrades and she must acquire a new one and start her court anew. The only dry land in her domain is a small sandy island only a few meters bigger than the featureless stone tower that sits on it. This tower, a replica of one of the spires of the castle Violette was confined in, is a wandering one-way portal into Ravenloft. Violette knows this and makes periodic checks to see if anyone has inadvertently arrived in her domain, sending either Savo or another of her minions. Savo Male human sea-stalker, brb 6. (stats to come) The adopted “son” of Violette, Savo is both a brutal, violent creature, and a pitiable one. When he was fully human he worked on a sailing vessel, ironically named The Sea Lion, as a deck hand and grunt. Incredibly strong and resilient but mentally underdeveloped, Savo’s behaviour was kept in check through flogging and confinement. The Sea Lion eventually became lost, adrift within the walls of Violette’s domain and in order to survive the crew was forced to resort to cannibalism. Many of the crewmen preferred to starve rather than commit such an act in the land of mists, but others could not ignore their hunger. The crew tried unsuccessfully to kill Savo. Upon realizing that none of them could hope to fight against him, several crew members jumped ship to test their luck on the waves. Those that remained hoped in vain for rescue until only Savo was left alive. Unbeknownst to him, one of the men Savo killed had been a sea stalker that had snuck aboard the ship. As a result of devouring his flesh, Savo contracted his lycanthropy. Savo stands well over 6 feet tall, with severely weathered skin marred by countless scars. His hair is dull black and matted with salt and vegetation and he wears nothing except for the bone necklace given to him by Violette. When fighting he eschews weapons of any kind, preferring to simply throttle his opponents with his fists or use his claws in animal form. There is no distinct pattern to which form he uses, assuming his animal form at whim. Savo is cunning but his comprehension is minimal. He understands the common language but rarely speaks, typically communicating instead with hand gestures and body language. He has a child-like attachment to Violette and roams freely in the waters of her domain, doing as she tells him. Savo remains a cannibal and will lure ships into Violette’s waters by pretending to drown. When he is brought aboard he slaughters the crew and uses the ship as a temporary rest until the food runs out and he moves on. Savo can often be found on one of the many ghost ships that drift through Violette’s domain.
#3 john_w._mangrum Oct 17, 2006 0:47:31	My one bit of advice is that each darklord's curse should be tied directly into that darklord's heart's desire -- and that desire should be quite down-to-earth. When you boil it all down, most published darklords want one of the following, in some form: love, respect, or simple acceptance/normality.
#4 gonzoron Oct 17, 2006 10:27:25	You're not alone in making your own darklords. There are tons of them that people have made in the various netbooks available online. But I for one, usually skip over those sections. I don't see any real niche being filled that is lacking in the current official array of darklords, and I'm happy exploring what's already out there. My advice is make your darklord different than any other. If you don't, what's the point?
#5 Myst_the_Moonscout Oct 17, 2006 11:09:21	That's part of the reason I wasn't sure about staring this thread. It seems to me that there's no point in making a Darkord of the same influence as Strahd or Azalin, since that would throw things a little out of whack. The one I'm making is more akin to Tristan, generally ignoreable in the politics of the world (I'm assuming. I'm not as familiar with the darklords as others around here are). She exists as a ghost story, for the moment.
#6 ravenloftlover347 Oct 17, 2006 12:27:22	I have made a few darklords myself. I could try digging up a few and post them if you would like.
#7 Myst_the_Moonscout Oct 17, 2006 13:47:42	Sure. I don't want to just focus on what I'm doing, I would like for this to be a general thread on making darklords. Stuff that other people have done would be great.
#8 The_Jester Oct 17, 2006 14:14:21	I've made three or hour homebrew domains in my early years with the setting. One I even tried submitting to the Kargatane's Book of S__ series a couple of times. I'm not proud of any of them and generally shudder at the amature quality of my writing from that time. But there's always gothic archtypes, stories, and ideas that have not been adapted and interesting lords to make. So have fun.
#9 zombiegleemax Oct 22, 2006 20:23:00	Is there a template any where around?
#10 gonzoron Oct 22, 2006 21:49:01	I believe we've had this answer from some of the authors before, or something like it: Since the darklords are so varied in personality, style, and form, and since each one gets gifts and curses personalized to their individual sins, there's no point in a unified darklord template.
#11 Myst_the_Moonscout Oct 23, 2006 10:56:16	We also aren't talking everyday villains here like other template creatures, and Darklords are not for PC use to a template seems unneccesary. The campaign setting has a loose framework for general power gained as characters become more evil but that's about it.
#12 The_Jester Oct 23, 2006 14:00:39	IIRC, there were some guidelines in the Ravenloft: Dungeon Master's Guide for darklords. But it's been a few years since I really looked at the book.