TEXT:  
  Call No Man Happy Until He Is Dread 
  Dark Lords in GURPS Discworld 
  by Phil Masters 
  (Note: This article was, of course, inspired by certain passages in Terry Pratchett's The Last Hero, 
  which is really mandatory reading for anyone inspired by it. And for everyone else, of course.) 
  While the Discworld isn't exactly a conventional fantasy world, its inhabitants are at least 
  somewhat aware of the conventions of fantasy, and sometimes live by them. Thus, its Dark Lords 
  are, so to speak, the mirror image of its barbarian heroes (as discussed in GURPS Discworld and 
  GURPS Discworld Also); people who choose to manifest some of the most central, powerful 
  fantasy conventions of all. The two character types aren't so much antagonists -- although 
  traditionally, barbarian heroes do spend a proportion of their time hewing their way across guard-
  infested throne rooms on the way to ornate raised thrones occupied by scowling figures -- as they 
  are opposite numbers, equally idealistic figures who've chosen to pursue a different destiny. 
  That said, Dark Lords are rather rarer than barbarian heroes, especially late in the Century of the 
  Fruitbat. The fact is, barbarian heroism has the advantage of a certain clear, solipsistic simplicity; 
  any itchy kid can take up a big sword, pull on a loincloth, and set out to carve his way to glory, and 
  some turn out to be good at it (or just lucky). Dark Lording demands focus and a willingness to 
  become a part of society (of a sort). One must (or at least should) recruit dim-witted guards, build a 
  suitably grim and imposing palace and a matching reputation, and even plan for the long term. Or 
  at least the medium term, if one insists on being slightly more realistic. 
  Plus, well, Dark Lords just aren't as popular as barbarian heroes. Much as they may complain about 
  the psychotic mood swings and perpetual brawling, ordinary folk have a certain cautious respect 
  and sentimental fondness for hero types, and sometimes, well, it turns out to be necessary to hire 
  someone like that to deal with dangerous wildlife or annoying bandits or whatever. Dark Lords 
  may be living up to popular storytelling conventions, but they're still professionally nasty, when 
  all's said and done. They don't get as many girls; they do get angry mobs. For all the cringing 
  minions, it's a lonely career choice. 
  Still, some people appreciate the dark grandeur of commitment to this role, and there's always 
  some appeal to bossing the neighbors around and ordering annoying tradesmen put to death, so 
  even in this late and decadent age, there's still a few folk out there willing to give it a go. It might 
  even appeal to a few players who want to try something different as a PC. 
  And Remember, Just Don't Smile: The Dark Lord Code 
  Let's be clear; we're not just talking about villains here. Anyone can be vicious, mean, self-centred, 
  and greedy, on the Disc or anywhere else. If we're going to talk about proper Dark Lords, we have 
  to focus on people who're willing to live up to every part of the image, good and bad. This can be 
  dangerously limiting -- definitely a Disadvantage, in game terms -- but it can have subtle benefits, 
  in a give-and-take sort of way. 
  For a big example, let's talk about escape tunnels. Any Dark Lord who knows his job understands 
  that a proper palace, castle, or secret hideout must have a hidden emergency exit; angry mobs and 
  
  lucky heroes are just too commonplace to ignore the threat. Smart heroes and mob leaders 
  understand this rule, too. Really smart ones tactfully ignore it. Defeating and deposing foul enemies 
  is cool and profitable; accepting that, by and large, they'll get away is, well, making sure of future 
  employment. These unwritten rules benefit everybody. However, if the opposition don't respect the 
  conventions, neither will the forces of righteousness. Escape tunnels will be blocked up early. You 
  get the general idea. 
  (Note: Unfortunately, too many mobs and armies aren't playing by the rules these days, whatever 
  the Dark Lords do. This is leading to painful attrition in the ranks of Dark Lords. It's very sad, at 
  least from the point of view of traditionalists.) 
  In GURPS terms, these rules can be defined as follows: 
  You are committed to the pursuit of power and self- satisfaction, but as importantly, to getting 
  there with style. Mere triumph is not enough; you have to achieve it in a way that vindicates your 
  approach, and which demonstrates the superiority of your intellect, willpower, and chosen 
  weapons. The principles which you follow may seem selfish, but they are clear and strong 
  nonetheless. 
  You only break your word in large matters, and in a way which causes your victims to curse your 
  treacherous nature; if you make smaller promises, you will keep them, as of course the destined 
  ruler of the world can afford to do so. Never ignore an insult to yourself, your schemes, or the 
  symbols of your rule; rant a lot at whoever is responsible, and then take a complicated revenge. 
  Always take advantage of strong opponents, but only in dramatic and highly visible ways, and if 
  your victims are "obviously" defeated and helpless, engage in some token gloating and then ignore 
  them while you get on with important matters. Weapons and circumstances should be as unequal as 
  possible; you use hideously overcomplicated deathtraps and ornate, flared, barbed, and smoke-
  blackened blades, leaving opponents with simple swords and their wits. (Note that this code only 
  really applies between Dark Lords and hero types; disrespect from peasants and the like calls for a 
  sneer and a dismissive use of overwhelming force, not a rant.) 
  If you are male, you treat women with florid courtesy that obviously overlays a deeply lascivious 
  nature. If you are female, you are slightly more open about your treatment of men, making it clear 
  that you regard them either as fools or as sex objects, and if you're the modern, sophisticated type, 
  your approach to other women has an unnerving breathy slinkiness about it. You also believe in 
  hospitality, providing visitors who aren't yet scheduled for the deathtrap with comfortable lodgings, 
  submissive servants (who should really either be spies or ridiculously easy to subvert), and even a 
  change of clothes.1 
  For -10 points, you live by this code, but you don't forget that the point of being a villain is to win, 
  and dying counts as losing in your book; hence, while the Code drives you to a lot of bad decisions, 
  you can claim with a fairly straight face that it's subordinate to staying alive, or that it's a way to 
  ensure a bit of respect from others. For -15 points, you must live by every aspect of the Code, at 
  whatever threat to your own life. (Well, backing down when there's a sword at your throat is 
  understandable -- and quite villainous -- but a self-respecting Dark Lord will then immediately start 
  plotting his reversion to type.) Frankly, while the -10-point version makes you look stylish, the -
  15-pointer makes you look like a bit of a pantomime character. But some people think that there's 
  no point in being a Dark Lord if you don't take it to the limit. 
  * * * 
  As another aspect of their Code, Dark Lords generally choose servants of exceptional stupidity. 
  This is partly good sense of a sort -- after all, these people will be treated as completely disposable 
  Code of Honor (Dark Lord) 
  -10 or -15 points 
  
  when the roof starts caving in and the heroes charge the throne, and it's a lot easier to hire rampant 
  stupidity than it is to inculcate real, to-the-death, fanatical loyalty. For that matter, given the nature 
  of standard Dark Lord personnel relations and organizational risk-management procedures, the 
  hired help really have to be pretty dumb. But mostly, it's tradition. When a Dark Lord screams 
  "Am I surrounded entirely by incompetents?" or "Do I have to do everything myself?" -- well, the 
  answers are "Yes" and "Yes." Anything else means that he isn't a Dark Lord; he's just an 
  organization man. 
  Alert Internet-using gamers will be aware of a document that defines quite precisely how self-
  respecting Dark Lords should live; the Evil Overlord List. (The discussions of Dark Lord traditions 
  in The Last Hero seem to be a pretty explicit tribute to that list, in fact.) It's well worth any player 
  or GM who's planning to play a Dark Lord printing off the list, reading through it carefully -- and 
  then carefully ignoring every word. Remember, full-face helmets are fine fashion statements for 
  guards, extended explanations are a way of demonstrating one's superior intellect, and physically 
  attractive rebels of the opposite sex must all be assumed to be highly susceptible to the Dark Lord's 
  personal charms. Anything less would be a betrayal of generations of tradition, and would take 
  away the whole point of following this difficult and under-appreciated career path. 
  Anyway . . . Any PC or major NPC who wants to be considered a proper Dark Lord really must 
  take the above Code of Honor, and live by the associated rules. Plenty of people who look a bit like 
  Dark Lords don't, but they're not Dark Lords; they're just villains. In fact, it can be used in the 
  following: 
  Born to Ruin: The Dark Lord Template (100 points) 
  Attributes: ST 10 [0]; DX 11 [10]; IQ 13 [30]; HT 10 [0]. 
  Advantages: Ally Group (2-5 75-point minions, appear 12 or less) [20]; Comfortable Wealth [10]; 
  Fearlessness +2 [4]; Full Literacy [5]; Status +2 [10]; and 30 points from: improved Attributes 
  [varies]; Absolute Timing [5]; Acute senses [2/level]; Alertness [5/level]; Ally (trusted lieutenant, 
  backroom necromancer, etc.; may be Unwilling) [varies]; larger, more capable, or more frequently 
  available Ally Group [varies]; Attractive Appearance [5]; Charisma [5/level]; Clerical Investment 
  [10]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Contacts (spies) [varies]; Cultural Adaptability [25]; Danger Sense 
  [15]; Daredevil [15]; Disease-Resistant or Immunity to Disease [5 or 10]; Enhanced Dodge [15]; 
  Extra Life [25]; additional Fearlessness [2/level]; Hard to Kill [5/level]; High Pain Threshold [10]; 
  Intuition [15]; Less Sleep [3/level]; Luck [15 or 30]; Night Vision [10]; Peripheral Vision [15]; 
  Reputation (as a potential employer, among scum and warrior losers) [varies]; Single-Minded [5]; 
  additional Status [5/level]; Strong Will [4/level]; Temperature Tolerance [1/level]; Voice [10]; 
  Voice of Command [15]; or additional Wealth [varies]. 
  Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Dark Lord) [- 10]; and a total of -25 points from increasing the 
  Code to -15 points [-5]; Age [varies]; Albinism [-10]; reduced Appearance [varies]; Attentive [-1]; 
  Bad Smell [-10]; Bad Temper [-10]; Broad-Minded [-1]; Bully [-10]; Callous [-6]; Clueless [-10]; 
  Compulsive Spending [varies]; Compulsive Vowing [-5]; Cowardice [-10]; Cursed (Divine Curse) 
  [varies]; Delusions [varies]; Disturbing Voice [-10]; Dreamer [-1]; Easy to Read [-10]; Enemies 
  [varies]; Extravagance [-10]; Fanaticism (self) [-15]; Fat [varies]; Gigantism [-10]; Glory Hound [-
  15]; Greed [-15]; Gullibility [-10]; Hunchback [-10]; Imaginative [-1]; Jealousy [-10]; 
  Lecherousness [-15]; Low Empathy [-15]; Lunacy [-10]; Manic-Depressive [-20]; Megalomania 
  (requires Fanaticism) [-10]; No Sense of Humor [-10]; No Sense of Smell/Taste [-5]; Oblivious [-
  3]; Odious Personal Habit (ranting) [varies]; One Eye [-15]; Overconfidence [-10]; Paranoia [-10]; 
  Proud [-1]; Reclusive [-10]; Reputation (as, well, a big bad person) [varies]; Sadism [-15]; Secret 
  [varies]; Self-Centered or Selfish [-10 or -5]; Skinny [-5]; Social Stigma (Overdressed Foreigner) [-
  10]; Solipsist [-10]; Sterile [-3]; Stubbornness [-5]; Trademark [varies]; Truthfulness [-5]; 
  Unluckiness [-10]; Vow [varies]; or Workaholic [-5]. 
  Primary Skills: Intimidation (M/A) IQ-1 [1]- 12; Leadership (M/A) IQ [2]-13. 
  
  Secondary Skills: Riding (P/A) DX-1 [1]-10; Savoir-Faire (M/E) IQ+2 [0]-15; Tactics (M/H) IQ-2 
  [1]-11; and 4 points in any Combat/Weapon skill or skills of choice. 
  Background Skills: A total of 7 points in any of Acting (M/A); Administration (M/A); Alchemy 
  (Discworld) (M/H); Appreciate Beauty (M/VH); Area Knowledge (own domains or region or the 
  entire Disc) (M/E); Bard (M/A); Chess (M/E); Detect Lies (M/H); Fast Talk (M/A); Hidden Lore 
  (M/A); Holdout (M/A); Intelligence Analysis (M/H); Interrogation (M/A); Languages to taste 
  (M/A); Occultism: Demonology (M/A); Performance/Ritual (M/A); Poisons (M/H); Sacrifice (note 
  prerequisite) (M/H); Shouting at Foreigners (M/H); Stealth (P/A); Strategy (M/H); Streetwise 
  (M/A); Thanatology (M/H); Theology (M/H); or Traps/TL (M/A). 
  Notes: If buying Wealth up (and really, high Wealth is obligatory for any Dark Lord above the 
  rank beginner level), don't forget the bonus to Status. Note also that high Status grants a free IQ+2 
  default to Savoir-Faire skill (factored in above), and that some of the Disadvantages offered carry 
  penalties to skills. A Dark Lord really should have plenty of Quirks, by the way. 
  One option for an Ally, especially among more thoughtful Dark Lords, is an Igor (see GURPS 
  Discworld Also, pp.DA60-1). Others include renegade wizards or occasionally witches to provide 
  magical firepower, and burly warriors in really fancy black armor to provide plain muscle or 
  tactical command functions. None of these are mandatory, but a Dark Lord who wants to last a 
  novel rather than a short story will need at least one such assistant, if only for ablative protection. 
  Merging this template with a wizard template from GURPS Discworld Also, or adding ST, DX, 
  HT, and better weapon skills, will make for a truly formidable (and accordingly expensive) Dark 
  Lord who really can do everything -- or at least most things -- himself. Of course, the focus needed 
  to achieve high ratings in these other fields rather distracts from proper Dark Lording, and it's 
  generally at least assumed that Unseen University looks askance at graduates who go into the 
  conquest business, but some people manage it. 
  Darkness on the Edge of Town: The HQ 
  Every serious Dark Lord dreams of settling down in a place of his own, although to begin with, a 
  certain amount of leading armies in rampages of conquest (or running to keep ahead of heroes, or 
  indeed angry peasants) is part of the accepted career path. 
  The ideal Dark Lord HQ is of course a looming dark tower, built of cyclopean masonry and with 
  no or only small windows.2 However, some Dark Lords develop a taste for underground 
  complexes,3 and others make do with what they can find. After all, getting somebody in to build a 
  proper tower is going to be a long and expensive process, and too many builders are prone to 
  demanding payment in advance, especially when your job specification uses words like "evil" and 
  "threatening" in every line. Thus, until one gets to the level of supernatural oomph which can work 
  up the full flame- illuminated black stone number at a gesture (preferably complete with local 
  external climate and lighting control), it's often easier to take over and adapt existing structures. 
  These then have to be embellished to accepted Dark Lord standards; aside from choice of building 
  materials, there's other things which work well on a budget, such as making as many fixtures and 
  fittings as possible smoke-blackened (using cheap fuel keeps costs and lighting levels down and 
  smoke volumes up -- a triple win), and maybe inviting a few families of gargoyles to move in and 
  improve the look of the battlements. 
  That said, a good HQ really will feature some quite radically divergent architectural options. For 
  example, most sensible large houses in low-tech societies have stables outside, while fortresses 
  have big courtyards where things like animals can be looked after. Dark Lords, by contrast, want 
  towers. Plain towers, with no outbuildings to diminish the effect. If they therefore have to keep 
  their Steeds of Doom indoors, well, the smell must be regarded as a small price to pay. And talking 
  of those steeds -- the front door has to be big. When the Dark Lord or his Trusted Lieutenants Ride 
  
  Forth, they should expect to be able to do so at an imposing walk if not a full gallop, and preferably 
  three abreast if they want. If that means that they need indefensibly large, vulnerable doors, well so 
  be it. 
  Despite the budget options, it's clear that, in game terms, a Dark Lord needs well above average 
  Wealth levels, and may have problems until the local peasantry are well and truly oppressed. This 
  in turn leads many Dark Lords who are still on the way up to cut corners -- or rather, to lurk in 
  them, limiting themselves to embarrassingly small secret lairs. This is well enough if they can at 
  least manage one of the aforementioned underground labyrinths, but others play far too 
  dangerously with their own images; a Modest Town House Of Despair really doesn't cut it. This is, 
  at least, one good reason why Dark Lords should go out adventuring; looking for some abandoned 
  ruin which they can convert inexpensively to their requirements sometimes seems like a good plan. 
  The drawback is that they can't always select the location as precisely as they might choose -- 
  sullen remoteness is all very well, but you've got to be within striking distance of worthwhile 
  conquests -- but a smart Dark Lord can adapt. 
  Interior Decor 
  Given that the job sometimes involves entertaining -- whether the guests are willing and/or invited, 
  or, more likely, not -- a Dark Lord has to worry as much about the internal as the external structure 
  of his HQ. Vicious and devious traps are, of course, the first concern, but a Dark Lord on the way 
  up will usually discover, after some initial experiments, that it's possible to go too far with these. 
  When one carefully recruits underlings for limited intellect, too many traps with too cleverly 
  refined disarming mechanisms can mean that one loses staff far more rapidly than one actually 
  nails those annoying keen-eyed heroic interlopers. Anyway, a certain style and even restraint in 
  trap design is part of the Code. Anyone can make their home lethally dangerous; it's making it 
  interesting that's the challenge. 
  Low lighting levels are certainly part of the deal -- and also unavoidable, if you've managed to 
  avoid having too many windows -- but other than that, there's really no reason to cut back on 
  creature comforts too far. If the lighting is low enough, visitors are unlikely to notice that your 
  Dark Throne has a nice comfy seat cushion, and anyway, a certain amount of Decadent Luxury is 
  part of the image (unless you're going for the full ascetic Grim And Inhuman Overlord effect, 
  which really does take dedication). As for your staff, well, if you can afford it, they probably 
  deserve some comforts, which may also help to keep them loyal, and may cause them to Go Soft, 
  which is another part of the Code in some people's books. Anyway, that brings us on to the next 
  and final section . . .  
  It's a Death Trap, It's a Suicide Rap: Underlings 
  Because lastly, it's worth considering those people who form a significant part of the above 
  template, and indeed of the whole Dark Lord ethos; the Minions. 
  In fact, these tend to come in various levels of competence -- note all the talk about "elite troops" at 
  the climax of many stories involving Dark Lords. The Ally Group included in the template 
  represent a personal following -- the relatively tough guards around the throne who can make a 
  Final` Confrontation scene relatively interesting without the throne room having to be packed to 
  the rafters with disposable thugs. Still, all that's absolutely needed is someone to slow the 
  opposition down a little while the Dark Lord gloats and/or makes a break for the secret tunnel (thus 
  escaping to ensure a sequel). 
  Reasonably successful Dark Lords recruit whole Dark Armies of rather less personal followers, 
  who are merely employees rather than Allies, and who probably have significantly lower points 
  totals. Heroes traditionally chew through these with contemptuous ease, although sheer numbers 
  can be a problem after a while. They can be represented with standard GURPS "minor character" 
  stats -- say ST 11, DX 10, IQ 8, HT 10, and a couple of weapon skills at around 12. For the elite, 
  
  personal following, however, it's worth offering a more detailed character sheet: 
  Dark Lord Minion (75 points) 
  Attributes: ST 13 [30]; DX 12 [20]; IQ 9 [-10]; HT 12 [20]. 
  Advantages: Either Combat Reflexes [15] or any one of Alertness +2, Extra Hit Points +2, 
  Fearlessness +5, High Pain Threshold, Night Vision, or Toughness (DR 1) [all 10], plus any one of 
  Collected, Deep Sleeper, Disease-Resistant, Full Literacy, or Rapid Healing [all 5]. 
  Disadvantages: Duty (to the Dark Lord, 12-) [-10], plus any one of Bad Temper, Bloodlust, Bully, 
  Clueless, Confused, Easy to Read, Gigantism, Gullibility, Impulsiveness, Indecisive, Intolerance, 
  Jealousy, Literal-Minded, No Sense of Humor, Odious Personal Habits (-2 reactions), 
  Overconfidence, Self-Centered, Selfless, Social Stigma (minority group or overdressed foreigner), 
  Solipsist, Struggling, or Ugly [all - 10]. 
  Quirks: Add two to taste; common choices include things like "Thinks he's a real ladies' man," 
  "Addresses all opponents as 'Scum,'" or Alcohol Intolerance (see p.CI79). [-2] 
  Skills: Axe/Mace-12 [2]; Blackjack-12 [1]; Brawling-12 [1]; Broadsword-12 [2]; Gambling-8 [1]; 
  Interrogation-8 [1]; Intimidation-10 [3]; Knife-12 [1]; Polearm-11 [1]; Riding (horse)-11 [1]; 
  Savoir-Faire (Military)-9 [1]; Scrounging-9 [1]; Shield-12 [1]; Spear Throwing-12 [1]; Streetwise-
  9 [2]; Survival (any one terrain type)-8 [1]; Tactics-7 [1]. 
  According to the precise nature of the Dark Lord and his organization, GMs might like to adjust 
  the Duty (quite possibly making it Extremely Hazardous), or even switch it for a Sense of Duty if 
  the follower is actually motivated by some kind of personal loyalty rather than simply having 
  blundered into this job and lacking the sense to get out. For that matter, an unusually sentimental 
  Dark Lord might represent a Patron (or an Ally, depending on points levels); arguably, anyone with 
  an Ally Group is in this position towards its members, but it was left off the minion character sheet 
  as just being too contrary to the Dark Lord ethos. And yes, Dark Lords are forever losing 
  experience bonuses for betraying their Ally Groups. It beats dying alongside them. 
  Successful Dark Lords, with rule over substantial territories, grant their minions 10 or 15 point 
  Legal Enforcement Powers, and probably a bit of Status. This can all help raise the Ally Group 
  members' points values to 100 each; upgrading the Advantage is all part of getting on in the Dark 
  Lord business. (Conversely, minions whose Dark Lord tries too hard can gain Enemies, which can 
  balance any points gains.) 
  Note also that this is merely a typical, "general purpose" follower.4 Players and GMs should feel 
  free to rearrange the design and even come up with completely new character concepts, covering, 
  say, burly, sadistic, but gullible jailers, swift-footed messengers with no sense of self-preservation, 
  deeply unprepossessing spies, minor Trusted Lieutenants who can actually go one-on- one with a 
  hero for a reasonable time, and so on. 
  As all the above should make doubly clear, proper Dark Lords recruit for stupidity; it reduces the 
  dangers of excess ambition or refusal to obey suicidal orders, and generally fits with the Code. In 
  fact, the hard core of the profession pride themselves on the dumbness of their minions. It is 
  possible to find people with functioning brains in the service of a Dark Lord, but they'll usually be 
  rated as Trusted Lieutenants rather than underlings. At best, they can be treated as individual 
  Allies, and given character sheets not that unlike a Dark Lord themselves, or a modified version of 
  something out of GURPS Warriors or maybe GURPS Wizards; perhaps more common, however, 
  is the ambitious type. Just because a Lieutenant is Trusted, doesn't automatically mean that the 
  trust is justified. Entry into the profession of Dark Lording can be difficult, and sometimes, an ad 
  hoc apprenticeship ends rather sooner and more messily than the mentor intended. 
  
  Family: Another variation on this theme appears when a Dark Lord not only stays in touch with 
  his family, but gets on well enough with them to let a few of them stay around the Dark Tower. 
  Sometimes, this means a cackling crone-witch of a an aunt in some side room (reserved, pleasant-
  featured aunts, with or without magical talent, would be letting the Code down), but any Dark Lord 
  with long-term ambitions will really want children -- and a few somehow manage it. Sons, 
  unfortunately, seem to slip into the Unwisely Trusted Lieutenant role with appalling ease; being 
  brought up by someone with lousy parenting skills, who nonetheless convinces you that you're an 
  Heir To Power, is doubtless bad for team spirit and moral sense. Daughters, who traditionally take 
  after their mothers for looks (save that they may inherit their father's tendency to darkness, at least 
  in hair color), are prone to the Convent Schoolgirl Stereotype problem; being sheltered and spoilt, 
  they fall for the first well-built male hero who walks through the door, and things go downhill from 
  there. Ah well, at least it's in accordance with the Code. 
  Non-Human Minions: Most Dark Lords are equal opportunity employers (except in the matter of 
  intelligence); they rather pride themselves on hiring the scum of every community on the Disc. 
  Dwarf minions are rare, but highly valued for their bullet-headed robustness; they can be trusted to 
  obstruct any onrushing heroes for just that crucial moment longer. In game terms, you can add the 
  dwarf racial package to the above character sheet, which costs a net 18 points as it comes complete 
  with Axe/Mace skill at DX, and then find another -18 points in Disadvantages from somewhere. 
  (It's not hard; just pull a couple more off the options list.) 
  Troll minions are even more pleasing, on the surface, being blessed with vast natural stupidity and 
  resilience, but trolls sometimes have a certain rock-headed common sense which makes them 
  surprisingly tricky to employ. Still, plenty of Dark Lords have worked well with trolls. In game 
  terms, trolls have to be bought as individual Allies or, at a pinch, as members of a 100-point Ally 
  Group; if you're in a hurry, use the "Hick Troll" template on p.DA60 of GURPS Discworld Also as 
  a model for the latter. 
  Undead and other creatures of the night also have a traditional place as minions (especially for 
  Dark Lords with magical talent or a theological bent) and a high points cost. Vampires are more 
  likely to go into the Dark Lord business themselves than to serve others (and werewolves really 
  wouldn't get on with Dark Lords, by and large), but zombies (see pp.DA29-31) are, well, made to 
  serve. The snag, again, is the high points cost, which may be reduced by piling on the 
  Disadvantages (zombies do lose body parts rather easily), but not usually much below 100 points, 
  if that. Lastly, a really good Dark Lord HQ may have some Gargoyles (see pp.DA25-6), as already 
  mentioned, and might feature a Bogeyman or two (pp.DA22-3) in the cellars or under the stairs, 
  but those are more in the nature of free-willed and independent-minded architectural features than 
  sidekicks. 
  1 Your guest wardrobe tends to have a lot of black leather or metallic swimwear; you know that 
  guests will appreciate this. 
  2 Basalt or obsidian are considered the best choice of stone, although they cost a mint and are a 
  pain to work; use of black cladding over more mundane structural minerals is frankly tacky, but if 
  the cowed peasantry don't get close enough to see, well, where's the harm? 
  3 Although these seem to attract a certain class of hero like wasps to open jam jars, almost always 
  in small mixed parties of thugs, kleptomaniacs, god-botherers and UU rejects, for some reason. 
  4 Who can put up a tolerable fight with whatever weapons come to hand rather than being really 
  useful with any of them. 
   
  
  Article publication date: August 2, 2002 
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