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Everyone likes surprises, andDungeons & Dragonsplayers are no different.
Sometimes, it makes sense to have an obvious antagonist who telegraphs their evil with every interaction.
However, that’s not the only way to create a villain.
‘Secret Villains’ are antagonists the players don’t initially realize are the ‘bad guys.’
Norse gods, dragons, and goblins await in your next Viking-inspired D&D campaign.
Cinema, TV, and books have all used this technique effectively.
(OK, Scoobie Doo might be a little ham-fisted with its secrets.)
A secret villain hits hardest when it’s someone the players truly don’t suspect.
What Is A Secret Villain?
They might also have a trusted character turn bad at the right moment.
Secret villains also work in D&D campaigns.
A good secret villain may arouse suspicion from time to time.
But before the big reveal, the players should never feel certain they’ve identified the villain.
But DMPCs are disliked by many players and DMs.
When your DMPC is successful, you risk resentment from the other players.
When your DMPC fails at a task, you risk a different kind of resentment.
You don’t want your players to depend on a DMPC or resent the presence of one.
But it must make sense.
The DM needs to create some prior scenarios that now force the player to think:Ah, yes.
Local Innkeeper
The party typically grows to trust the innkeeper of the local tavern.
Playing this character as an affable, simple person can be fun.
Get the party to lower their guard and talk to the innkeeper openly.
Then, have the party ambushed or surprised using information only the innkeeper could possibly know.
Clues could involve official papers, sigils, brooches, or weapons issued by the militia.
Especially if the party first defeats the obvious bad guy, believing their goal is achieved.
