20 Dressings for a Villain's Throne
Thrones are meant to present an image of power. The exalted personage occupying a throne is important and sits in style and comfort while others stand in their presence. Reclining in a throne is a symbol of the office the individual occupies. A throne needs to be functional and ceremonial, representing whatever power or religion grants the monarch his authority.
Add depth and flavour to your villain’s throne, with these 20 pieces of dressing:
The throne is knocked over, and a noose hangs from the ceiling directly above it.
The throne is badly rotted, rusted or otherwise surrendered to time.
The throne clearly once had gold leaf over its surface and gems embedded in it, but someone has pried the gems out and scrapped the gold off.
A handaxe is embedded in the back of the throne.
The throne is badly burned.
The throne is covered in blood. This blood could be fresh or it could be old, dried and crusty.
A human male’s head is impaled upon an iron spike on the back of the throne. The head is badly rotted and the individual is no longer recognisable.
A dead goblin (or other appropriate humanoid for the dungeon) sits in the throne.
The words “Rajin sat hear” is crudely carved into the throne’s seat.
A large pile of dung has dried on the throne’s seat.
A family of hungry rats have nested within the throne’s cushion. They bite anyone sitting on the throne.
Termites infest the throne’s legs.
The cushions on the throne are badly sweat stained.
A bouquet of dried flowers lies at the feet of the throne. A strip of black ribbon holds them together.
A dead rat is nailed to the back of the throne; blood has pooled on the seat.
The remains of a meal are scattered about the throne. A gnawed chicken leg is on the ground, and an empty bottle rests on the seat. Breadcrumbs are scattered liberally about.
A warm blanket is draped across the throne’s arms.
The throne is in pristine condition, as if someone had cleaned it recently.
The throne has been smashed and broken. No piece larger than a human hand remains intact. Marks on the throne suggest an axe was used.
A dusty white sheet covers the throne. Underneath, the throne is intact. The sheet is voluminous; something, or someone, could be hiding underneath.
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This is an extract from Dungeon Dressing: Thrones by Greg Marks. The book is available in 5e, OSR< Pathfinder 1 and Pathfinder 2 editions.
Design Greg Marks Art Matt Morrow