Alain McGoose - a Villain NPC by DMatt
Who is Alain McGoose?
McGoose is a Geesefolk actor famous for his outrageous and incredible acting skills. Having performed in several kingdoms and brought to life many different characters, he has attracted quite the sect of passionated fans throughout the years.
However, Alain holds a secret no one knows: every time he takes on a new character for a play, he comes to believe that he is, in fact, that character.
- Personality Trait: I truly believe I am the characters I play, and that's why I am so good at what I do.
- Ideal: The world is boring; enacting great stories is the only way to make it interesting.
- Bond: The signed copy of my favorite book is my most valuable possession.
- Flaw: You think you understand art? literature? Well, let me tell how things really work...
- Mannerism: McGoose speaks with a lisp, and waves his open arms up and down when exasperated.
Villain Motivations
Alain McGoose has recently been offered the job of his life: play Magnus the Necromancer in a play adaptation of his all-time favorite book, A Song of Life and Death.
The novel follows a boy raised in a city near deep water who from a young age had the ability to speak with the dead, comforting them in their abandonment. As he grew up, these spirits taught him forbidden magical arts. His increasing power and the unfairness of life ultimately lead the boy to adopt the identity of Magnus the Necromancer and lead an army of undead beings from the city's cemetery in a quest of revenge against the living that had forgotten them. After being defeated by a group of adventuring heroes, Magnus repented for his doings, then leaving the city in order to find a better, more enlightened way of helping the dead.
From the moment Alain McGoose accepted to play the role of the Necromancer, he came to believe that he is in fact that character, and will now re-enact all the actions done by the Magnus in the story. He has learned necromancy, and will start his journey from the local cemetery, expecting to be defeated by a group of adventurers in time to repent.
However, why does he so vehemently believe to be those personas? Is it the effect of a childhood trauma? Is he under a curse, or simply mad? Thatis a question only the gods - and the DM - may answer.
Opposing the Players and Solutions
There are many ways in which McGoose could oppose the player characters as he lives the journey of Magnus. He will keep "posing" as an actor while working on his plan, having access to his wealth, the influence of his fame, his necromancy spells, and his sect of fans who might do almost anything for him.
For an engaging experience, it is important that the players actively work against the "mysterious necromancer" creating havoc in the city and occasionally interact with Alain, without immediately linking them as one and the same. The realization may slowly come as it becomes apparent that the evildoings follow the happenings in A Song of Life and Death.
McGoose's plan may be stopped if the players subdue and lock him away before his operation is completed, or if the party defeats him after he goes through with his acts (thus bringing to an end the reenactment of the book by allowing his redemption). The party may also seek help from the book's author to thwart real-life Magnus' plan, or even find a way of curing McGoose's condition.
This Villain was inspired by @theaussiedm's guides on "how to create engaging Villains".
Art by: triciab79
Magnus the Necromancer
Medium humanoid, chaotic neutral
- Armor Class 12 (15 with Mage Armor)
- Hit Points 45 (10d8)
- Speed 25 ft. walk, 30 ft. swim
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 9 (-1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4)
- Saving Throws INT +6, CHA +7
- Skills Deception +7, Performance +10, Persuasion+7
- Senses darkvision 30 ft., Passive Perception 11
- Languages Common, any three other languages
- Challenge 6 (2,300)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Actor. Magnus the Necromancer can mimic the speech of another person or the sounds made by other creatures.
The World is a Stage. Magnus has advantage on Charisma (Performance / Deception) checks to pass off as a different person.
Legendary Resistance (3/day). If Magnus fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead; he does so with a loud scream, forcing its vocal cords. After spending all its uses of Legendary Resistance, it cannot use its Actor trait until it takes a long rest, as its lisp becomes stronger.
Spellcasting. Magnus the Necromancer is a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). Magnus has the following Wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): Mage Hand, Poison Spray, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost
1st level (4 slots): Charm Person, Disguise Self, Mage Armor, Speak with Animals
2nd level (3 slots): Mirror Image, Wither and Bloom
3rd level (3 slots): Animate Dead, Counterspell, Speak with Dead
4th level (3 slots): Blight, Death Ward
5th level (1 slots): Danse Macabre
Actions
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.