Many of the above tables involve a villain’s minions. An adventure is usually improved by having some of these minions be unusual in some respect. In particular, if the villain has an interesting minion, the nature of the minion can generate some interesting ideas about the villain’s plot. This might seem backward, but creating an adventure isn’t always a linear process. Ideas about “later” parts, or little details, can sometimes generate fantastic ideas for the adventure’s overall structure.
d20 | Nature of Minion | Unusual Characteristic | Reason Why in Villain’s Service |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Animal trainer or monster wrangler |
An excellent spy or information gatherer |
Addicted to substance provided by villain |
2 |
Assassin |
Badly scarred |
Advisor (privy to villain’s plots and has input into his plans) |
3 |
Barbaric military leader with troops (intelligent) |
Blind or deaf |
Believes villain is his only true friend |
4 |
Barbaric military leader with troops (stupid) |
Crippled or maimed |
Charmed or enchanted by villain |
5 |
Expert on local area, brilliant mastermind |
Demon-possessed |
Convinced that villain’s brilliant plans will succeed and that he will be rewarded for helping |
6 |
Intelligent peasant (possibly one of several minions) |
Distinguished by a particular piece of clothing the minion always wears |
Deceived as to the real nature of the villain’s activities |
7 |
Knight |
Distinguished by a particular sigil or badge that the minion always wears |
Grateful retainer (saved from something by villain) |
8 |
Magic-user |
Distinguished by a strange tattoo or birthmark |
In love with villain |
9 |
Nobleman, merchant, guild official, or city official (intelligent) |
Has a relatively powerful magic item |
Loyal henchman (enjoys working with villain) |
10 |
Nobleman, merchant, guild official, or city official (stupid) |
Highly religious |
Loyal retainer (pledged by honor) |
11 |
Powerful warrior (barbaric) |
Highly superstitious |
Loyal slave (purchased by villain) |
12 |
Powerful warrior, civilized |
Insane (megalomaniac) |
Receives food and shelter |
13 |
Priest |
Insane (schizophrenic) |
Receives payment |
14 |
Soldier |
More powerful than the villain, but follows villain’s orders (see next column to determine a reason) |
Receives share of treasure |
15 |
Sorceress |
People routinely forget the minion’s face |
Unwilling minion (villain can ruin his reputation or bankrupt him at will) |
16 |
Stupid peasant (possibly one of many such minions) |
Very charismatic compared to the villain |
Unwilling minion (villain holds loved ones hostage) |
17 |
Suave military leader with troops (cruel and silky) |
Very concerned with personal appearance |
Using villain for his own purposes |
18 |
Thief |
Very honorable (by some particular code, possibly a very warped sense of honor) |
Villain has control of minion’s soul in some fashion, or holds it captive |
19 |
Thug |
Very rude and arrogant compared to the villain |
Villain’s loyal kinsman |
20 |
Witch doctor, witch, or druid |
Well known in the local area |
Worships villain as a god, messenger of a god, or holy person |