How to use Van Richten in my campaign?

[Mephisto of the FoS]

Even though 2E sources list his alignment as Chaotic Good, I've always felt his steely focus on getting his targets at any cost and general indifference about protecting or comforting their victims gives him an "evil path" vibe.

I think earlier editions had some sort of a patronisation toward Chaotic Good, considering it only a little bit better than neutral.

He was CG but he had an alignment change over the years of hunting Natalia.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Even though 2E sources list his alignment as Chaotic Good, I've always felt his steely focus on getting his targets at any cost and general indifference about protecting or comforting their victims gives him an "evil path" vibe.

I think earlier editions had some sort of a patronisation toward Chaotic Good, considering it only a little bit better than neutral.

He was CG but he had an alignment change over the years of hunting Natalia.

Butchering her whole family, including those too weak due to young or old age to fight back, didn't help.

[Mistmaster]

In the mistworld he did not kill her family. Because when he arrived at her home he found out she had a child with him. He saved his son and went baxck to Mordentshire

[Mephisto of the FoS]

In the mistworld he did not kill her family. Because when he arrived at her home he found out she had a child with him. He saved his son and went baxck to Mordentshire

I smell a Dexter scenario in this...

Recognizing the boy's trauma and the subsequent development of his sociopathic tendencies, Harry trained Dexter to channel his gruesome bloodlust into vigilantism, killing only heinous criminals who slip through the criminal justice system.

[Mistmaster]

Until now, this has not happened but it could certenly happen. However, the kid is now living happily in Mordent. The problems will become when the kid hit puberty. True lichantropy is heriditary, after all.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

In the mistworld he did not kill her family. Because when he arrived at her home he found out she had a child with him. He saved his son and went baxck to Mordentshire

What's mistworld?

[Mistmaster]

It is my rewritingof the demiplane as a full material plane. You can find it here viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10496 and in QTR Issues from 23 onwards. QtR versions of articles listed here are better and sometime contains retcons.

[Drinnik Shoehorn]

Recently I've started to see Van Richten as a Rupert Giles figure.

When we first meet Giles, he's the stuffy Librarian who is uptight around Buffy and dedicated to his job. He's wound a little tight and keeps his private life very private.

Then we find out about his Ripper days. Giles was a tearaway as a teenager, and he did a lot of unsavoury things, the only one that's mentioned is summoning Eiyghon for thrills. But even when the chocolate makes him a teenager in Band Candy, we see he has no respect for the law, isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and is genrally a thug.

And as the series progresses and he gets more comfortable around Buffy, he shows more of that side, and we see flashes of it (when he threatens Snyder, when he threatens Glory's minion when the girls' backs are turned, and when he kills Ben). GIles, on the surface, is calm and collected, but deep down he is an angry man who will do what is right.

And I see Van Richten as very much the same. Play him as the bumbling old mentor when he first meets the party, because that's partly who he is, but mostly who he wants the world to see him as. Then throw hints at his ruthlessness, at his single mindedness, but also his compassion and his ability to recognise when he is wrong.

Tony Head would be a good choice for Van RIchten in a live action Ravenloft as Giles is the perfect template.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

Recently I've started to see Van Richten as a Rupert Giles figure.

When we first meet Giles, he's the stuffy Librarian who is uptight around Buffy and dedicated to his job. He's wound a little tight and keeps his private life very private.

Then we find out about his Ripper days. Giles was a tearaway as a teenager, and he did a lot of unsavoury things, the only one that's mentioned is summoning Eiyghon for thrills. But even when the chocolate makes him a teenager in Band Candy, we see he has no respect for the law, isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and is genrally a thug.

And as the series progresses and he gets more comfortable around Buffy, he shows more of that side, and we see flashes of it (when he threatens Snyder, when he threatens Glory's minion when the girls' backs are turned, and when he kills Ben). GIles, on the surface, is calm and collected, but deep down he is an angry man who will do what is right.

And I see Van Richten as very much the same. Play him as the bumbling old mentor when he first meets the party, because that's partly who he is, but mostly who he wants the world to see him as. Then throw hints at his ruthlessness, at his single mindedness, but also his compassion and his ability to recognise when he is wrong.

Tony Head would be a good choice for Van RIchten in a live action Ravenloft as Giles is the perfect template.

That's pretty much what I had in mind. Like, I didn't read or watch Buffy, but that's the typical 'monster hunter' archetype.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

There's actually another question I want to ask:
It seems from the Guides that Van Richten is a deeply religious person, even considering to become a priest.
But of what religion?
Ezra was unheard of in Darkon during his time, and I can't imagine him continuing to worship The Eternal Order after discovering Azalin's nature.

[The Dark]

The Faith of the Overseer is one possibility. It was founded in Martira Bay per Bleak House, but Gaz II established that there's a branch in Rivalis, which is van Richten's hometown. Their clergy are counselors and (non-magical) healers, which aligns nicely with van Richten's medical studies.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

The Faith of the Overseer is one possibility. It was founded in Martira Bay per Bleak House, but Gaz II established that there's a branch in Rivalis, which is van Richten's hometown. Their clergy are counselors and (non-magical) healers, which aligns nicely with van Richten's medical studies.

Interesting, but when did it start? Did it exist when van Richten actually lived in RIvalis? I always thought it was very recent.

[The Dark]

The Faith of the Overseer is one possibility. It was founded in Martira Bay per Bleak House, but Gaz II established that there's a branch in Rivalis, which is van Richten's hometown. Their clergy are counselors and (non-magical) healers, which aligns nicely with van Richten's medical studies.

Interesting, but when did it start? Did it exist when van Richten actually lived in RIvalis? I always thought it was very recent.

It was founded in 650 BC (per Ravenloft Campaign Setting and Ravenloft Player's Handbook) and van Richten was born in 671 BC.

[TheArcaneWeirdo]

The Faith of the Overseer is one possibility. It was founded in Martira Bay per Bleak House, but Gaz II established that there's a branch in Rivalis, which is van Richten's hometown. Their clergy are counselors and (non-magical) healers, which aligns nicely with van Richten's medical studies.

Interesting, but when did it start? Did it exist when van Richten actually lived in RIvalis? I always thought it was very recent.

It was founded in 650 BC (per Ravenloft Campaign Setting and Ravenloft Player's Handbook) and van Richten was born in 671 BC.

Oh, so it fits just fine! Thanks.