In part three of our ongoing series, we’re discussing bad guys you can write into your campaign. The Rival isn’t always evil- sometimes they’re just a jerk. The Rival starts off alongside your PCs, sometimes even as part of the same team. But more success or more popularity, or some other secret on the side of one group or the other sours the relationship, and things cannot stand. The Rival is a powerful trope, and one that can be used again and again in the campaign because they usually don’t want your PCs dead, and there’s less reason for your PCs to kill them off- they used to be friends, and the stakes aren’t high enough. It means they can keep coming back, and if your PCs look like failing, they might even swoop in to help- or need saving themselves. This brings another aspect of moral challenge to the group- to rescue a rival and lose progress, time, and resources, or to leave them? The Rival has a lot in common with the Fallen Hero trope, except that they don’t even have to be Evil. Sometimes, they just want the same thing, and your PCs are in the way. Example: Baron Mordo was the favored pupil of The Ancient One, and had learned at their feet for many years. When Stephen Strange arrived, though, all of that changed- secrets about The Ancient One leaked, and although Mordo and Strange fought together to avenge their shared mentor, they could not see eye-to-eye any more, and became bitter rivals. Willing to enact black magic rituals which Doctor Strange wouldn’t permit, Baron Mordo becomes a life-long threat to Doctor Strange, clashing with him many times. However, there are also times he has been forced by fate or circumstance to work alongside his one-time companion. (Originally posted on Game Masters Stash on 19 August 2018) Categories All Comments are closed.
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