Hey guys. New DM here back playing DnD after a 23 year break. Trying to create a nemesis character for one of my Bard PCs and I thought of "the devil went down to Georgia" song where the devil has a fiddle duel for the soul of a musician. Since I have been gone so long and I'm way out touch with the lore and so on I was wondering if anyone can recommend a type of Devil/Demon that might be musically inclined.
Hmm, not a lot of good "let's make a deal" devils despite that being their thing. I think rakshasa might be close. Or you can use an archdevil if you think that is appropriate (I'm not going to read all the archdevils' details).
Any devil could work. The lore is wide open about individual devils. Just pick one (or create one) and make its musicality a part of its personality or background. A common motif in diabolic temptation is the flute. Maybe your fiend is a tempter or charmer who woos those whose souls it desires into deeper and deeper evils.
You're probably going to want to go with a devil over a demon because if you follow the song, he will be bound by the contract and demons are (mostly) not so good about living up to their end of bargains. And in case you need something special but not overpowered for the golden fiddle to do as a magic item, you could allow it to give an extra bardic inspiration or two every day. Please let us know how this plays out because it wounds like fun.
(As an aside, for as long as I can remember, whenever someone challenges me to do something i know I can do, I will frequently respond with, "I'll take your bet, you're gonna regret cause I'm the best there's ever been.")
A musical nemesis could also be just another inspired Bard who is always trying to one up the player. They try to steal gigs, sabotage your players opportunities to play, maybe even hire thugs to go steal their instrument. Create a Bard who fights dirty and is willing to do anything to be the best in town, and your player is the one standing in their way.
If you want to keep the Devil/Demon aspect, maybe this Enemy Bard finally turns to selling THEIR soul in order to gain the powers they think are necessary to defeat your player for good? Does your PC fight and dispatch the enemy? Or do they take pity and team up to help this Bard get their soul back?
Hey guys. New DM here back playing DnD after a 23 year break. Trying to create a nemesis character for one of my Bard PCs and I thought of "the devil went down to Georgia" song where the devil has a fiddle duel for the soul of a musician. Since I have been gone so long and I'm way out touch with the lore and so on I was wondering if anyone can recommend a type of Devil/Demon that might be musically inclined.
Thanks in advance.
Hmm, not a lot of good "let's make a deal" devils despite that being their thing. I think rakshasa might be close. Or you can use an archdevil if you think that is appropriate (I'm not going to read all the archdevils' details).
You could homebrew a devil.
Thanks :)
Any devil could work. The lore is wide open about individual devils. Just pick one (or create one) and make its musicality a part of its personality or background. A common motif in diabolic temptation is the flute. Maybe your fiend is a tempter or charmer who woos those whose souls it desires into deeper and deeper evils.
A fey (like a satyr) would also fit thematically, but are usually much less of a threat than a devil.
You're probably going to want to go with a devil over a demon because if you follow the song, he will be bound by the contract and demons are (mostly) not so good about living up to their end of bargains. And in case you need something special but not overpowered for the golden fiddle to do as a magic item, you could allow it to give an extra bardic inspiration or two every day. Please let us know how this plays out because it wounds like fun.
(As an aside, for as long as I can remember, whenever someone challenges me to do something i know I can do, I will frequently respond with, "I'll take your bet, you're gonna regret cause I'm the best there's ever been.")
"Not all those who wander are lost"
A musical nemesis could also be just another inspired Bard who is always trying to one up the player. They try to steal gigs, sabotage your players opportunities to play, maybe even hire thugs to go steal their instrument. Create a Bard who fights dirty and is willing to do anything to be the best in town, and your player is the one standing in their way.
If you want to keep the Devil/Demon aspect, maybe this Enemy Bard finally turns to selling THEIR soul in order to gain the powers they think are necessary to defeat your player for good? Does your PC fight and dispatch the enemy? Or do they take pity and team up to help this Bard get their soul back?
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A fiddle made of gold… maybe a succubus…
Wise as a serpent and sly as a fox.
If you would prefer that the fiend is not immediately obvious as a fiend, then an Incubus/Succubus would be a good choice.