Villains of Mystara issue #1: Bargle the Infamous - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Villains of Mystara issue #1: Bargle the Infamous

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
yellowdingo
Jan 02, 2009 6:51:22 Villains of Mystara
Issue #1

Welcome to Villains of Mystara issue #1. In this Thread we are going to discuss Bargle the Infamous, his history thusfar in the Mystaran Setting, his Stats as a 4.0 Character, his future, and a few Adventure Ideas Involving the wretch.

If you have something to submit please feel free to do so.
#2
yellowdingo
Jan 02, 2009 7:00:29 A quick History of Bargle the Infamous

YEAR...CLASS&LEVEL..........NOTES
AC976: Street Thug...........Aged 14, Bargle picks up wizard by mugging an apprentice of his spellbook. He spends the next sixteen years wandering from master to master seeking knowledge.
AC992: Wizard L2-3...........Bargle is encountered in caves near Threshold. Kills Aleena the Cleric.
AC995: Wizard L5-7...........Bargle is hold up in the ruins of Castle Mistamere (where he appears to be conducting potion and spell research)
AC997: Wizard L9-11.........Bargle becomes Wizard to Baron Black Eagle.
AC1000: Wizard L15..........At this time he is Wizard to Baron Black Eagle (his apparent age is 30/real age 38).
AC1011: Wizard L15..........Bargle deserts the Black Eagle Barony at its fall
AC1013: Wizard L15-17.....Bargle shows up in Alphatia, is recognised by Haldemar of the Princess Ark
AC1016: Wizard L17..........Bargle is involved in fall of Serraine, the flying city of the Gnomes to the forces of Evil.
#3
agathokles
Jan 02, 2009 11:15:18 If you're using 4e, you might consider reverting to the OD&D levels (15th at AC 1000), since 4e has a wider level range than AD&D (at least as used in the Mystara books).

G.
#4
yellowdingo
Jan 02, 2009 18:08:13
If you're using 4e, you might consider reverting to the OD&D levels (15th at AC 1000), since 4e has a wider level range than AD&D (at least as used in the Mystara books).

G.

You were right, the Gazetter says he is 15th level in AC1000.

Further Events for Bargle the Infamous*
AC1017: Wizard L17..........Learning that Marilenev is secretly employing Alphatian Wizards to Enchant Castle Marilenev into a Flying Castle, Bargle disguises himself as a Traladaran wizard named Firebeard and becomes the lover of Lady Magda Marilenev.
AC2023: Wizard L18..........During the Second Marilenev uprising, Bargle murders Lady Magda and absconds with the Flying Castle of Marilenev.
AC2025: Wizard L20..........Bargle Abducts Aleena (see below)

*These are events approximating his activites in my own OD&D Campaign (the wealth of OD&D Marilenev is much greater than in D&D 3.0 -Marilenev turned the entire estate into a flying island before Bargle crashed it on Fletcher Reef - forming Fletcher island -covered with 10,000 undead Peasant farmers (Ghosts) who hate Bargle).

Bargle abducts Aleena

"I intend to father my children upon you." Bargle stroked her cheek and smiled at his own rising pleasure.
"Get off me you monster!" Aleena pushed him away.
"You’re my property now."
"My Husband will get you." She was pure hate.
"Who? Him? He came looking for me at Mistamere." Bargle pulled back the curtain to reveal a very dead and tortured Traladaran shackled to a torture frame. Aleena recognized the broken form before her instantly.
"Noooooo!!!!" Aleena's Scream echoed across the flying castle...

DM Briefing: Her Husband murdered by Bargle, Aleena is abducted from Threshold by Bargle the Infamous. The PCs must penetrate his flying fortress and rescue Aleena. The flying Castle is kept aloft by an Artefact (The wishing ring (Alphaks))-Recharge Cost: Must kill a 36th level Alphatian Wizard and bath the ring in victim's blood.
#5
agathokles
Jan 03, 2009 4:24:05
AC2025: Wizard L20..........Bargle Abducts Aleena (see below)
...

Bargle abducts Aleena
[i]"I intend to father my children upon you." Bargle stroked her cheek and smiled at his own rising pleasure.

Uhm... by 2025, Aleena Halaran is going to be 47 years old... maybe Bargle should have acted a bit earlier :D

GP
#6
yellowdingo
Jan 03, 2009 8:01:16
Uhm... by 2025, Aleena Halaran is going to be 47 years old... maybe Bargle should have acted a bit earlier :D

GP

Aleena is one of those rare beauties who Looks 25 til she's fifty. Besides Bargle is a Potion of Youth kind of guy and Age is no Barrier for Bargle. He seduced Magda Marilenev for her flying Castle.

You are right though. Bargle is more likely to have his way with Aleena's Daughter.
#7
Vatras
Jan 04, 2009 20:26:09 I am going to use Bargle as shadowy figure in low heroic (my group has tangled with minions of him thus far), and as a minor villain in high heroic, where he appears as the instigator of the plot to be thwarted, but is not present himself. In the lower paragon tier he will become a major villain and finally the PCs will be able to confront him directly (the showdown might not be in combat but at court and a political skill challenge, though).

My players have thus far the impression that he likes to borrow military personnel of the Black Eagle Barony for his leutnants and that he favors the use of poison. I intend him to be a sorcerer as he appears in the Conan stories: more traps, tricks and poison than real magic, and politically motivated. His intentions are to become a figure of influence and wealth, to leave behind his lowly origins. He is using von Hendriks as his tool to rule the Barony and he intends him to succeed Stefan on the throne to Karameikos, always staying the grey eminence. Being rich and influential on this level is the height of his ambition, though, he is not going to have delusions about ruling the world.

For this purpose he has to be a charismatic and clever man, able to influence people to see things his way. There is a shortage on charm spells, which means he has the necessary skills. As his actual class does not matter much (he relies on minions, poison and subterfuge) I will cast him as a warlock and have him MC into wizard (which opens Bloodmage for him). I was considering to MC into cleric and go Divine Oracle, which would fit him as well, but preferred the darker Bloodmage in the end.

Bargle the Infamous
Human Warlock (star pact) 15
STR 11
CON 16
DEX 11
INT 16
WIS 13
CHA 22

Languages: Common, elvish, giant, goblin, primordial
Skills: Arcana, History, Bluff, Streetwise, Intimidate, Insight, Diplomacy
Feats: Ritual Caster, Alchemy, Arcane Initiate, Action Surge, Linguist, Skilltraining (Diplomacy), Danger Sense, Psychic Lock, Twofold Curse
Powers:
At-wills: Eldritch Blast, Eyebite, Dire Radiance
Encounter: Thunderwave, Dreadful word, Frigid darkness, Sign of ill omen, Bloodpulse
Daily: Armor of Agathys, Tendrils of Thuban, Thief of five fates
Utility: Beguiling tongue, Ambassador imp, Warlock's leap, Soulburn

This build is not what a PC would pick, but what Bargle could have chosen according to the few informations about him in the books. He starts out lowly and becomes a polished and crafty coutier, who deals a lot with humanoids too. He needs to be a ritual caster and alchemist to accomplish what is attributed to him - he could employ an alchemist, but I prefer him to be the poisoner himself. Since there is nothing like the charm spells of old, he needs the skills to achieve a similar effect.
Some of the powers are needed for plots, like Ambassador imp, others are more defensive or for flavor (Warlock's leap, Beguiling tongue) than a player would pick - but Bargle is a coward at heart and prefers to get away than slug it out to the end.
#8
Cthulhudrew
Jan 09, 2009 4:42:46 A lot of Bargle information
#9
havard
Jan 09, 2009 9:59:48
A lot of Bargle information

That's a good thread

Havard
#10
yellowdingo
Jan 09, 2009 22:47:11 Horrorfyingly the Wizards Guys got his new 4e stats wrong.

Bargle 4e controller

At the point where he Kills Aleena (RED Players Manual) he casts a 2nd level spell:Invisibility, followed by three first level spells: Magic Missile (single Missile meaning he is less than L5), Charm Person, then Sleep. In OD&D This is a 7th level spellcaster. Yet he exhibits the Power of a 4th level Wizard (lacking 3rd and 4th level spells at this point).

So when he is encountered in Castle Mistamere (RED DM Manual) he is described as a Wizard of 5th - 7th level with Charmed Ogres (a 4th level Charm Monster spell is only available to 7th level wizards or better).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 yellowdingo Jan 02, 2009 6:51:22	Villains of Mystara Issue #1 Welcome to Villains of Mystara issue #1. In this Thread we are going to discuss Bargle the Infamous, his history thusfar in the Mystaran Setting, his Stats as a 4.0 Character, his future, and a few Adventure Ideas Involving the wretch. If you have something to submit please feel free to do so.
#2 yellowdingo Jan 02, 2009 7:00:29	A quick History of Bargle the Infamous YEAR...CLASS&LEVEL..........NOTES AC976: Street Thug...........Aged 14, Bargle picks up wizard by mugging an apprentice of his spellbook. He spends the next sixteen years wandering from master to master seeking knowledge. AC992: Wizard L2-3...........Bargle is encountered in caves near Threshold. Kills Aleena the Cleric. AC995: Wizard L5-7...........Bargle is hold up in the ruins of Castle Mistamere (where he appears to be conducting potion and spell research) AC997: Wizard L9-11.........Bargle becomes Wizard to Baron Black Eagle. AC1000: Wizard L15..........At this time he is Wizard to Baron Black Eagle (his apparent age is 30/real age 38). AC1011: Wizard L15..........Bargle deserts the Black Eagle Barony at its fall AC1013: Wizard L15-17.....Bargle shows up in Alphatia, is recognised by Haldemar of the Princess Ark AC1016: Wizard L17..........Bargle is involved in fall of Serraine, the flying city of the Gnomes to the forces of Evil.
#3 agathokles Jan 02, 2009 11:15:18	If you're using 4e, you might consider reverting to the OD&D levels (15th at AC 1000), since 4e has a wider level range than AD&D (at least as used in the Mystara books). G.
#4 yellowdingo Jan 02, 2009 18:08:13	If you're using 4e, you might consider reverting to the OD&D levels (15th at AC 1000), since 4e has a wider level range than AD&D (at least as used in the Mystara books). G. You were right, the Gazetter says he is 15th level in AC1000. Further Events for Bargle the Infamous* AC1017: Wizard L17..........Learning that Marilenev is secretly employing Alphatian Wizards to Enchant Castle Marilenev into a Flying Castle, Bargle disguises himself as a Traladaran wizard named Firebeard and becomes the lover of Lady Magda Marilenev. AC2023: Wizard L18..........During the Second Marilenev uprising, Bargle murders Lady Magda and absconds with the Flying Castle of Marilenev. AC2025: Wizard L20..........Bargle Abducts Aleena (see below) These are events approximating his activites in my own OD&D Campaign (the wealth of OD&D Marilenev is much greater than in D&D 3.0 -Marilenev turned the entire estate into a flying island before Bargle crashed it on Fletcher Reef - forming Fletcher island -covered with 10,000 undead Peasant farmers (Ghosts) who hate Bargle). Bargle abducts Aleena* "I intend to father my children upon you." Bargle stroked her cheek and smiled at his own rising pleasure. "Get off me you monster!" Aleena pushed him away. "You’re my property now." "My Husband will get you." She was pure hate. "Who? Him? He came looking for me at Mistamere." Bargle pulled back the curtain to reveal a very dead and tortured Traladaran shackled to a torture frame. Aleena recognized the broken form before her instantly. "Noooooo!!!!" Aleena's Scream echoed across the flying castle... DM Briefing: Her Husband murdered by Bargle, Aleena is abducted from Threshold by Bargle the Infamous. The PCs must penetrate his flying fortress and rescue Aleena. The flying Castle is kept aloft by an Artefact (The wishing ring (Alphaks))-Recharge Cost: Must kill a 36th level Alphatian Wizard and bath the ring in victim's blood.
#5 agathokles Jan 03, 2009 4:24:05	AC2025: Wizard L20..........Bargle Abducts Aleena (see below) ... Bargle abducts Aleena [i]"I intend to father my children upon you." Bargle stroked her cheek and smiled at his own rising pleasure. Uhm... by 2025, Aleena Halaran is going to be 47 years old... maybe Bargle should have acted a bit earlier :D GP
#6 yellowdingo Jan 03, 2009 8:01:16	Uhm... by 2025, Aleena Halaran is going to be 47 years old... maybe Bargle should have acted a bit earlier :D GP Aleena is one of those rare beauties who Looks 25 til she's fifty. Besides Bargle is a Potion of Youth kind of guy and Age is no Barrier for Bargle. He seduced Magda Marilenev for her flying Castle. You are right though. Bargle is more likely to have his way with Aleena's Daughter.
#7 Vatras Jan 04, 2009 20:26:09	I am going to use Bargle as shadowy figure in low heroic (my group has tangled with minions of him thus far), and as a minor villain in high heroic, where he appears as the instigator of the plot to be thwarted, but is not present himself. In the lower paragon tier he will become a major villain and finally the PCs will be able to confront him directly (the showdown might not be in combat but at court and a political skill challenge, though). My players have thus far the impression that he likes to borrow military personnel of the Black Eagle Barony for his leutnants and that he favors the use of poison. I intend him to be a sorcerer as he appears in the Conan stories: more traps, tricks and poison than real magic, and politically motivated. His intentions are to become a figure of influence and wealth, to leave behind his lowly origins. He is using von Hendriks as his tool to rule the Barony and he intends him to succeed Stefan on the throne to Karameikos, always staying the grey eminence. Being rich and influential on this level is the height of his ambition, though, he is not going to have delusions about ruling the world. For this purpose he has to be a charismatic and clever man, able to influence people to see things his way. There is a shortage on charm spells, which means he has the necessary skills. As his actual class does not matter much (he relies on minions, poison and subterfuge) I will cast him as a warlock and have him MC into wizard (which opens Bloodmage for him). I was considering to MC into cleric and go Divine Oracle, which would fit him as well, but preferred the darker Bloodmage in the end. Bargle the Infamous Human Warlock (star pact) 15 STR 11 CON 16 DEX 11 INT 16 WIS 13 CHA 22 Languages: Common, elvish, giant, goblin, primordial Skills: Arcana, History, Bluff, Streetwise, Intimidate, Insight, Diplomacy Feats: Ritual Caster, Alchemy, Arcane Initiate, Action Surge, Linguist, Skilltraining (Diplomacy), Danger Sense, Psychic Lock, Twofold Curse Powers: At-wills: Eldritch Blast, Eyebite, Dire Radiance Encounter: Thunderwave, Dreadful word, Frigid darkness, Sign of ill omen, Bloodpulse Daily: Armor of Agathys, Tendrils of Thuban, Thief of five fates Utility: Beguiling tongue, Ambassador imp, Warlock's leap, Soulburn This build is not what a PC would pick, but what Bargle could have chosen according to the few informations about him in the books. He starts out lowly and becomes a polished and crafty coutier, who deals a lot with humanoids too. He needs to be a ritual caster and alchemist to accomplish what is attributed to him - he could employ an alchemist, but I prefer him to be the poisoner himself. Since there is nothing like the charm spells of old, he needs the skills to achieve a similar effect. Some of the powers are needed for plots, like Ambassador imp, others are more defensive or for flavor (Warlock's leap, Beguiling tongue) than a player would pick - but Bargle is a coward at heart and prefers to get away than slug it out to the end.
#8 Cthulhudrew Jan 09, 2009 4:42:46	A lot of Bargle information
#9 havard Jan 09, 2009 9:59:48	A lot of Bargle information That's a good thread Havard
#10 yellowdingo Jan 09, 2009 22:47:11	Horrorfyingly the Wizards Guys got his new 4e stats wrong. Bargle 4e controller At the point where he Kills Aleena (RED Players Manual) he casts a 2nd level spell:Invisibility, followed by three first level spells: Magic Missile (single Missile meaning he is less than L5), Charm Person, then Sleep. In OD&D This is a 7th level spellcaster. Yet he exhibits the Power of a 4th level Wizard (lacking 3rd and 4th level spells at this point). So when he is encountered in Castle Mistamere (RED DM Manual) he is described as a Wizard of 5th - 7th level with Charmed Ogres (a 4th level Charm Monster spell is only available to 7th level wizards or better).