Villainesses in RPGs (d20)
Myth¸ legend¸ fiction and history are replete with colorful villainesses. In some cases¸ they just happen to be female. But more often¸ their gender is melded into their role as an antagonist¸ and the result is a unique dynamic. Villainesses are¸ by their very nature¸ different then villains. The differences are physiological¸ behavioral¸ societal and sexual. They present a host of unique opportunities in roleplaying adventures
For example¸ here are some archetypes unique to villainesses¸ along with ways these archetypes can be used effectively in a campaign:
Seductress: Villainesses of legend are most often beautiful yet perilous¸ like a thorny rose bush or a brightly patterned venomous snake.
Hag: When not stunningly beautiful¸ villainesses are usually hideous old hags. No longer capable of creating life within¸ they become dedicated to destroying that which exists around them.
Manipulator: While seductresses might manipulate their lovers¸ this archetype specifically refers to a villainesses who plots and schemes in secret.
Duelist: Women are physiologically different from man¸ usually more lightly built and with a different center of gravity.
Brawler: Female dwarves and half-orcs may be a physical match for human males¸ on average.
Matriarch: Child-bearing is a uniquely feminine ability. Consider this fact when designing and playing villainesses. When the player characters defeat an evil queen¸ what do they do with her children?
Tyrant: Historically¸ some female rulers may have felt the need to be extra strict or even harsh so that they might maintain control in a male-dominated world.
Rival: When a campaign includes a female player character¸ villainesses can take the role of rival.
This 46 pages book contains:
17 detailed dark ladies¸ ranging from hystorical ones (like Circe¸ Morgan le Fey¸ Chaterine dei Medici) to fantasy
-three new feats
-two spells
-two magical items
-four weapons
-two monsters
-rules for generating beast-hide enchanted armors.