Curelomosaurus
2020-06-26, 11:46 AM
Exemplars of Evil provides a mechanic whereby "villains" can gain lackeys (basically followers) for free simply by being a villain. Is it possible for a PC to qualify as a villain to get lackeys? Exemplars of Evil specifically states that villains can be of any alignment, so even a good-aligned PC could potentially gain lackeys. Here is the closest thing EoE has to a definition of "villain":
Every villain is either a minor villain or a major villain. Minor villains are supporting characters. They have a place and purpose in the plot, but they are not central to it; thus, the PCs can defeat them without derailing the rest of the campaign. Many minor villains are minions of major villains. They might be interesting characters, but they lack the depth of detail and investment of time that you would put into creating a major foe.
Major villains are the principal antagonists in a campaign or adventure. They propel the story, driving the plot and the PCs’ actions toward the grand finale. Major villains are powerful and influential, and they pose a significant threat to the player characters.
From this, it seems like a villain is either a) not central to the campaign and lacking great detail or b) an obstacle to the other PCs who is powerful and drives the story. Is there a way to pull either of these off without derailing a campaign?
For reference, here's the relevant information on gaining and replacing lackeys:
LACKEYS Beneath minions in the pecking order are lackeys, less sig-nifi cant characters who live only to serve and protect their master. Lackeys are less impressive than minions and have lower Challenge Ratings. They might have levels in NPC classes, and they resemble the usual types of cannon fodder that player characters fi ght on a regular basis. A villain’s number of lackeys depends on her Charisma modifier and her Challenge Rating. Add the two values together and consult Table 1–2: Typical Lackeys. (For example, a villain whose CR + Cha modifi er equals 14 typically has twenty lackeys of CR 1, four lackeys of CR 2, and two lackeys of CR 3.) The table is meant only as a guide, so feel free to modify the numbers to meet your needs.
...if you choose to give your villain the Leadership feat, she gains a cohort and follow-ers in addition to any servants she accumulates by dint of her villainy.
For each week that a villain spends recruiting (or enslaving), she can regain a number of lackeys equal to 1d6 + her Cha modifi er.
Every villain is either a minor villain or a major villain. Minor villains are supporting characters. They have a place and purpose in the plot, but they are not central to it; thus, the PCs can defeat them without derailing the rest of the campaign. Many minor villains are minions of major villains. They might be interesting characters, but they lack the depth of detail and investment of time that you would put into creating a major foe.
Major villains are the principal antagonists in a campaign or adventure. They propel the story, driving the plot and the PCs’ actions toward the grand finale. Major villains are powerful and influential, and they pose a significant threat to the player characters.
From this, it seems like a villain is either a) not central to the campaign and lacking great detail or b) an obstacle to the other PCs who is powerful and drives the story. Is there a way to pull either of these off without derailing a campaign?
For reference, here's the relevant information on gaining and replacing lackeys:
LACKEYS Beneath minions in the pecking order are lackeys, less sig-nifi cant characters who live only to serve and protect their master. Lackeys are less impressive than minions and have lower Challenge Ratings. They might have levels in NPC classes, and they resemble the usual types of cannon fodder that player characters fi ght on a regular basis. A villain’s number of lackeys depends on her Charisma modifier and her Challenge Rating. Add the two values together and consult Table 1–2: Typical Lackeys. (For example, a villain whose CR + Cha modifi er equals 14 typically has twenty lackeys of CR 1, four lackeys of CR 2, and two lackeys of CR 3.) The table is meant only as a guide, so feel free to modify the numbers to meet your needs.
...if you choose to give your villain the Leadership feat, she gains a cohort and follow-ers in addition to any servants she accumulates by dint of her villainy.
For each week that a villain spends recruiting (or enslaving), she can regain a number of lackeys equal to 1d6 + her Cha modifi er.