Every setting needs The Big Bad. Not a big bad, THE! Star Wars, Darth Vader was a big bad. He was awesome, but the Emperor was The Big Bad (though he went out like a chump). Harry Potter? Voldemort. Breakfast Club? Richard Vernon. See, you need a TBB.
So my world has been in constant evolution since I’d say the mid 90s. I originally wrote short stories based on Forgotten Realms locations, using my own unique characters. Granted they were also based on D&D races regardless of setting.
When I created my world I started big. I needed room to grow with it. I didn’t want to need a desert kingdom and then suddenly have to remove the “fog of war” or come up with a reason why it didn’t exist before. Even though the majority of my adventures (I was the DM for years) and subsequently my shorts and novels take place in a small corner of that world.
Even before that, I created my big bad. Draen Do’Gra was not his original name. I borrowed a videogame character’s name. No not Sephiroth. I was not that cool. Much more obscure computer game. Draen from the start was not your typical bad guy. When I played him for the group, he exuded confidence and malice with every word. He was not afraid of the “heroes”. Ever. His first incarnation was at the end of a long campaign. He appeared often to taunt them, but the players knew they were approaching the end game.
They were so worried they actually met outside of game to discuss how to beat my big bad. They had taken notes on powers they had seen. They knew he had to be a wizard of sort for example. So they expected the standard array of defenses (stoneskin, haste, etc.). My friend came to me and told me they’d come up with a strategy that would take him down in 20 rounds or less. I smiled and said if they could do it. I’d give them 3x the xp. If they beat him in 30 I’d give them double. If it took them 45 rounds they’d only get regular, and any longer that 45 they’d only get half. They accepted the challenge. They beat him in 44 rounds. A long and brutal 44 rounds. 12 PCs vs. 1 “necromancer”. 5 PCs survived.
And that brings me to my point. The Big Bad should be something the players are not prepared for. It doesn’t matter what they know. There’s always a trick up his sleeve. Minions for back up. Or just plain old min maxing. I once had a white dragon with fire based spells (back when all dragon could cast spells as clerics or mages depending). Party was unprepared for a fireball toting white dragon. They had prepared ice defenses.
Draen is not a hidden big bad either. He is the headmaster of the Necromancy school of Eldar, where the Council of Magic resides. He is also a senior member of that council. It is not a secret Draen seeks magic of ancient power, back when spells had no limits. Though the goddess of magic removed knowledge of them from the world, she did not (or could not) remove sources of that magic. It is no secret that Draen is evil. By hiding in plain sight though, it makes it difficult for heroes to just snuff him out (if it could be done). For Draen, though it means he can also keep tabs on potential obstacles.
That’s a quick summary of my big bad. Next time I will go into more detail on Draen, and his allies, the Council. No not the Council of Magic. Patience. All will be explained in due time.
A Darkness Rising 