One More Villain - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street?

[Rechan]

So, someone in another thread made a comment about Korvosa being London. And how we have such eccentric, Evil villains.

Which made me think, "Then wouldn't Sweeney Todd make an excellent person to drop in as a sidetrek?"

Granted, the "All The World's Meat" sort've steals Todd's thunder. So that may need to be retooled or something. And if one wanted, they could mix in a little Murders at the Rue Morgue/Jack the Ripper, for a more obvious serial killer bent.

Thinking a little more about it, this Demon Barber could be a folkloric figure, and either a ghost, or something worse, which could come back periodically. Sort've like the reverse of Blackjack.

And one needn't lean to the Barber trick. Other things could be a Tanner, or a painter/sculptor

[Shadowborn]

There's a scenario in the Foul Locales: Behind the Gates book by Mystic Eye Games that would probably fit well in Korvosa. Entitled "The Butcher, the Baker..." it involves a trio of shop owners that are involved in the body disposal/exotic foods racket. Each one breaks down a particular part of the body and uses it in their products. Creepy, and a decent investigative/combat scenario, set at as an EL7 encounter.

[DM Jeff]

First, yes! Way back when I read the very first description of Korvosa I began singing for my players...

There's a hole in the world like a great black pit
And it's filled with people who are filled with $h1t
And it's morals aren't worth what a pig can spit
And it goes by the name of...Korvosa!

So game on. And the recomendation of that one scenerio is a great idea to throw in.

-DM Jeff

[The Black Fox]

Strange. I don't get a London feel for Korvosa at all. In my mind, it is clearly an analogue to the Venetian Republic, except it doesn't have canals.

[KaeYoss]

One of my players wants to PLAY Sweeney Todd in Curse of the Crimson Throne.

[graywulfe]

KaeYoss wrote:

One of my players wants to PLAY Sweeney Todd in Curse of the Crimson Throne.

You too? Wow that's funny. Got the same thing in my upcoming game.

graywulfe

[Ross Byers]

KaeYoss wrote:

One of my players wants to PLAY Sweeney Todd in Curse of the Crimson Throne.

They put War Razors in the Player's Guide. What do you expect to happen?

[DM Jeff]

The Black Fox wrote:

Strange. I don't get a London feel for Korvosa at all. In my mind, it is clearly an analogue to the Venetian Republic, except it doesn't have canals.

I get that, but overall I do feel Mr. T could easily fit in quite well in this city.

"At last, my campaign is complete again." :-)

-DM Jeff

[Yasha0006]

Fear the insanity KaeYoss, hear it.

Spoiler:

No that is NOT a typo!

Honestly though, it would make for a very interesting character, you have to admit. Though if he hauls off and starts killing random people with a War Razor you may start to have some issues.

Storyline Spoilers within...

Spoiler:

Here is a suggestion. If someone wants to play Sweeney...maybe require it be an organic process. Going through CotCT wouldn't be a bad impetus for taking some nice fellow and changing them into a cold-blooded killer. Perhaps have the character in question's family be early victims of the Queen's Physicians, thats a good reason to start hating the people of Korvosa for letting his family die or something.

Doing something like that would make the character more believable as well as allowing the GM to enjoy the slow slide into glorious madness.

[Rechan]

Don't forget the final punch:

Spoiler:

Have the Cherished Family Member be one of the redshirts the character must chew through, only to discover it after the fact. Best if this is a senseless killing.

[F. Wesley Schneider]

The Black Fox wrote:

Strange. I don't get a London feel for Korvosa at all. In my mind, it is clearly an analogue to the Venetian Republic, except it doesn't have canals.

Although we haven't gotten to it yet, and probably won't for a bit longer, I totally plan on spinning Caliphas in Ustalav as a smoky, fog, pesudo-fantasy-Victorian-Ripper-esque London. But until then, yeah, I could see the London vibe working in Korvosa with the oppression and the social stratification. Neat.