The thing about being a writer and playing D&D is that you have to learn to relinquish control. If you’re the DM, you have to let your player characters do what they want (or at least wrangle them with enough subtlety that they don’t notice), and if you’re a player, you have to embrace the narrative created for you by someone else and accept that the other players are going to do whatever the hell they feel like without regard for your character arc.
I’ve been fortunate enough to play with a lot of excellent, story-minded companions who make it fun to let go and who create really engaging characters. But sometimes, it’s fun to fantasize about building the team out of characters you already know and love from your favorite books—especially an all-female cast, since I’ve never actually gotten to play Dungeons & Dragons with just girls…
So here is my fantasy D&D party, chosen to kick ass and help make for a fun ride!
Flora Segunda—Ranger/Druid
The protagonist of a trilogy of books by Ysabeau Wilce, Flora comes from a military family but longs for a different path: to follow in the footsteps of her idol, famous ranger Nini Mo. Over the course of the trilogy, she gets tricked by magical butlers and wizards, stages daring escapes, captures notorious criminals, and sleuths out decades of terrible family secrets. She’s tough, smart, can do a mean bit of magic, and comes with an awesome dog familiar. She’s also a natural leader.
Princess Eilonwy—Sorcerer
Eilonwy is an enchantress who adventures across the land of Prydain in the company of everyone’s favorite Assistant Pig Keeper, as written by Lloyd Alexander. These books were pillars of my early teen years, and I feel like every female character I write owes a little something to Eilonwy and her honest, straightforward nature. She’s a practical idealist, and I think she would keep the party on track. Her magical hunches and light-bringing skills would also come in handy, she’s good in caves, and she’d keep everyone cheerful. Everyone except, perhaps…
Hester Garlan—Black Guard (Dark Paladin)
Hester is a crook who talks to ghosts in There is No Lovely End by Patty Templeton. She’s completely morally reprehensible, cursed by every dead thing within a hundred miles, and cheap as hell—but what a woman! She fights meaner than a wolverine in a burlap sack and knows how to manipulate the heck out of every soul, living or dead. She’d probably shiv me for saddling her with a bunch of teenage girls, but then she’d get down to the business of turning them into the most badass pack of adventurers to ever get shit done.
Katherine Tremontaine—Fighter
At the beginning of Ellen Kushner’s Privilege of the Sword, Katherine is an uncertain young girl of noble family and dismal prospects. By the end, she’s an expert swordswoman and a duchess—so this is a girl who can get things done. People underestimate her to their own peril, and she knows when to fight and when to talk it out. She’s the kind of girl you want to have around when things get stabby, and I feel like she’d immediately become besties with…
Arya Stark—Rogue
Arya is one of the core protagonists of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, and is most certainly one of the most beloved—I know I’m not the only one who skips ahead to the Arya chapters. Arya is sneaky, good at disguising herself (and will no doubt only get better at it as the series continues), and is also good with a rapier. She’s a little psychotic, and I feel like having Katherine as a best friend would even her out a bit (without taking away her ability to do what needs to be done).
So there we have it, and my only regret is that this game isn’t actually happening right now in my living room. I’m going to have to see what I can do about that.
I feel like special mention should go to Rat Queens, a newer graphic novel that features and all-female adventure party and definitely got me fantasizing about the possibilities. Check it out!
Caitlyn Paxson is a writer and storyteller. She has pursued studies in writing, folklore, and performance in the United States, Canada, England, Scotland and France. Past jobs include being an artistic director of storytelling performances, a fiber arts consultant, a legal document and poetry transcriber, and a shepherdess. She is an editor at Goblin Fruit, can sometimes be found performing with the Banjo Apocalypse Crinoline Troubadours. Her hair defies gravity, and she once tricked a group of tourists into thinking she was a Scottish ghost. www.caitlynpaxson.com
I’d want CJ Cherryh’s Morgaine as Party Leader and fighter…but I’d keep her, and Changeling,far to the front.
Oh, for my other fighter, Elizabeth Moon’s Paks.
You’re missing a healer. My vote goes to Nynaeve al’Meara (from Wheel of Time, for those who don’t know)
I’d want Lena Greenwood, from Jim C. Hines’s Libriomancer and its sequels. Fighter/druid isn’t the most common D&D combo, but Lena damn sure makes it work, and she has some interesting (if rather focused) ‘people skills’ as well.
Also, “Rat Queens” is one of the greatest things ever.
Vin (Mistborn) – Rogue
Thorn (Half a War) – Barbarian
Korra (Legend of Korra) – Monk/Fighter
Tiffany Aching (Discworld) – Witch
Susan Sto Helit (Discworld) – Party Leader – Teacher
I don’t care that there are 2 Discworld Characters here.
I can’t figure out if adding Granny Weatherwax would be the best idea or the worst idea.
And yes, PrinceJvstin, Morgaine was on my list as well, with the same proviso.
@5 I’m betting Granny Weatherwax would add herself to the party, wether they like it or not. Just to keep those young ‘uns safe.
1) Leia Organa (“Star Wars”) – Party Leader
2) Marion Ravenwood (“Raiders of the Lost Ark”) – Rogue
3) Brienne of Tarth (“Game of Thrones”) – Fighter/Paladin
4) Nixnissa “Nix” So Dasheem (“God’s War”) – Ranger
5) Private J. Vasquez (“Aliens”) — All-Around Bad-Ass
Nynaeve Al’Meara
Come on, now…
Kitai- Codex of Alera ( two sword Ranger?/possibly rogue/or druid/ or healer ???, it gets complicated by the end and not sure how it would exactly translate into D&D) simply too good a character to not to have. the fact that she doesn’t know how to lie and is completely upfront blunt about everything would add so much to the party. I could see a lot of head slapping from her comments, but completely awesome in any combat.
1) Nynaeve Al’Meara (Wheel of Time)- Healer/Mage
2)Vin (Mistborn)- Fighter/Rogue
3) Sabetha (Gentlemen Bastards) – Theif
4) Murphy (Dresden Files) – Monk/Badass
5) Vlora (Powder Mage) – Ranger
Vin, Sabetha, and Murphy can be all stealthy, then Nynaeve and Vlora can blow it all to Hell when it inevitably goes wrong.
What, no votes for Malazans?
Tavore Paran or Yan Tovis-party leader
Lostara Yil-fighter
Skwish and Pully–magic users
Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter (The Deed of Paksenarrion) – Paladin.
You know, this was a really fun thought excercise. I now want to put together a similar party for characters by female authors or a “no white guy” party.
Taking 4 Sethra Lavodes would be cheating, I think …
@10, Nynaeve can sneak, too. She just doesn’t have to bother very often.
My picks:
Samarka-la (Range of Ghosts) Wizard
Tara Abernathy (Three Parts Dead) Sorcerer-ish
Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr (Confederation Books) Fighter
Royina Ista (Paladin of Souls) Cleric, poor Bastard
Isyllt Iskadur (The Necromancer Chronicles) Spy, Necromancer
@14: the question is, can you take both Sethra and Kiera in the same party?
You know, Caitlyn, I have never played D&D. But surely Garth Nix’s SABRIEL belongs in there somewhere? Cordelia Vorkosigan for leader. I agree with Tiffany Aching witch.
@17, oh a Vorkosi-verse cut:
Cordelia Vorkosigan – Leader/Fighter
Elli Quinn – Fighter/Thief
Taura – Fighter
Elana Bothari-Jesek – Fighter/Quartermaster
Lady Alys Vorpatril – Socialite and Spy
Thank you for including me in this awesome list! I, too, am a huge fan of Ysabeau S. Wilce’s FLORA books . . . and of her whole world of Califa – including the “grownup” stories, which have some real kick-ass women in them (plus the inimitable Tiny Doom) – happily now all collected as PROPHECIES, LIBELS & DREAMS by Small Beer Press —
— also read as an Audiobook by the divine Nick Sullivan, who plays Lord Ferris in my audiobooks (read, mostly, by me) of both SWORDSPOINT and TPOTS. The image posted in your article is one created by Canty for the audiobook, so I thought it was fair to mention it here – giving credit where it’s due! I’ve been very lucky in my illustrators. ;)
Arya is a good rogue, but you’ll also need a tank like Brienne.
Also, Marigold from Questionable Content should bring genre awareness.
First of all, I love that the link calls it a dad party. Imagine the puns.
Second of all, I was terrible at this. I didn’t want to just copy suggestions as posted here, and I didn’t take many characters from literature, so I had:
I like the inclusion of Korra as the brute who breaks down all of the doors without bothering to see if they are unlocked. Aveline from Dragon Age 2 as the sensible one. Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève as the brains of the operation. Kahlan Amnell(but only the TV version, since I’ve not read the books) as the heart. And I hate picking two characters from the same universe, but how can I have Aveline and not have her witless foil, Isabela, rounding out our archetypes with her rogue-y ways.
Velvet (Belgariad) – Rogue
Sethra Lavode – Wizard
Paksenarrion – Paladin
Nynavae al’Mera – Cleric
Kerowyn (Lackey’s Velgarth) – Warrior
Sgt. Agruna (Discworld) – Ranger
I love seeing all these choices! And Tiffany Aching – YES! Sabriel and Korra would also be amazing. It’s totally hilarious to me that I didn’t think to include a healer, because I never, ever think about that until everyone in the party is mostly dead.
Fighter and party leader — Kerowyn, from By the Sword
Barbarian fighter — Doyousse, from a series of stories by Charles Saunders
Rogue — Sabetha, from Locke Lamora’s Gentlemen Bastards
Fighter/Magician — Alanna, from Song of the Lioness
Healer/Magician — Katara, from the original Avatar, the last Airbender
Yeah, so, we’re a little fighter heavy.
I could just cheat and grab the entire cast from David Eddings’ “Belgariad” :)
That didn’t go well…. I missed a word…. “Female”
Polgara Sorceress
Liselle – Thief
Poledra – Paladin
Cyradis – Cleric (?)
Ariana – Healer
I dont really know much about the ‘roles/classes’ but this would be my group (honestly, ive just picked some of my favourite female characters) –
Arya Stark (ASOIAF) – my favourite female character
Ka-Poel (Powder Mage Trilogy) – just finished this trilogy and she is badass
Apsalar/Sorry (Malazan Book of the Fallen) – i love tragic characters and she is one of the best
Althea Vestrit (Liveship Traders) – im a 21 year old male and im not ashamed to admit that i actually ‘fell in love’ with a fictional character
Vin Venture (Mistborn)
@27 um, should there be a spoiler there for Vin?
I actually wanted to talk about Althea Vestrit. I just finished Liveship Traders (which I enjoyed way more than the Assassin’s Series) and I must say that I’m a little surprised about your Althea love. Pretty much everyone in Hobbs’ books upset me at one point or another (not a negative; her characters are very realistic and realistically flawed) but I found Althea in particular a little self-centred and judgey. Would you like to come to her defense?
Yarn,
Its been a while since i read Liveship Traders but Althea will always be a favourite of mine.
I know she isnt really ‘likeable’ but there was just something i found ‘endearing’ about her and i remember really liking the relationship between Althea and Brashen and wishing that i could have that sort of dynamic with someone (i know they had problems and were seperated for most of the series, but i liked the fact that they always ended up with each other). I like that she is a tomboy and an underdog etc
I was also pretty heartbroken (im a very emotional young man) during the last book when Kennit does what he does (im sure you know what im talking about). Kennit is one of my favourite characters but i found myself really hating him for what he did
Basically, there are a few reasons i like her but its hard to explain why i have such an attraction to her.
No Hermione love? great skills great logistics great strategy.
Nynaeve is thebest , but I’d be tempted to take Aviendha instead, if I’m limiting myself to one per world. she’s an excellent dual class fighter (or Rogue? she loves sneaking) and mage.
Polgara, Vin, yes.
Um, I feel like this will expose me to a lot of hate, but Linden Avery the Chosen, especially if I don’t have Nynaeve.
Oh. Never mind, I’d rather have the First of the Search as a fighter.
Hm, I need another fighter. Gil-shalos or maybe StarHawk
from Barbara Hambly.
I loved someone’s suggestion of Princess Leia, especially after she was recently slighted in the action figure news. but thinking about Leia raises the possibility of Mara Jade.
and then, of course there’s Buffy.
this could go on and on.
@29 I think that’s one of the great things about Robin Hobb. Her characters are so real that different people respond to them in different ways. I didn’t like Althea or Kennit, but I enjoyed the series. (I did have a healthy chunk of resect for Wintrow. Now, there’s a hero).
I think the deepest emotional connection I’ve ever had is with Tiffany Aching. Wee Free Men breaks me every single time.
Korra (Legend of Korra) – monk
Izabel (Saga) – illusion wizard
Tenar (Earthsea) – cleric
Kanya (The Windup Girl) – fighter
Jessica (Dune) – bard
Since Wheel of Time received no love in the article, I’m going all WofT:
Egwene al’Vere – Battlemage/Leader
Nynaeve al’Meara – Battlemage/Healer
Min Farshaw- Bard/Thief/Scholar
Aviendha – Battlemage
Either Birgitte (archer) or Faile (Rogue)
I’m gonna suggest getting pulpy with Jirel of Joiry as a fighter- swings a mean two-handed sword, knows how to deal with eldritch horrors.
Getting meta-gamey, I’ll nominate Yevelve as a paladin or fighter/cleric (it’s not exactly clear what her “class” is, but she can cast spells as well as fight).
All-Overlooked Team:
Lady from The Black Company: mage/warrior, leader
Elizabeth Orme from Pilocene Exile: mage (GrandMaster metapsychic)
Shimmer from the Crimsons Guard: mage/fighter
Rhapsody from Symphony of Ages: bard
Eowyn from Lord of the Rings: warrior
Sethra Lavodes – Wizard/Fighter — Jame (Godstalk) – Rogue/Fighter — Buffy – Fighter/Leader — Velvet (Belgariad) — Rogue/Spy — Nynaeve al’Meara – Battlemage/Healer
Best of all none of these ladys know how to quit
Ok, there was no Malazan love… and there are so many strong women in that series here is my all woman party from Malazn Book of the Fallen:
Apsalar/Sorry – thief/assassin
Tattersail – mage
Hellian – fighter
Lady Envy – mage/healer
Korlat – fighter/mage/DRAGON
Fardan Sort – fighter, party leader
This party could stomp most anything it came across.
Any room for a couple of Joe Abercrombie’s characters?
• Ferro Maljinn — fighter
• Practical Vitari — fighter/assassin?
/@@@@@
Happy for all the mentions of Paks, but have to add her lesser-known but equally kick-butt sister in paladinhood, Eva Forge (Horns of Ruin). Also suprised I’m the first to mention Lythande?
Regardless, great lists, all!
I’d have to add Barbara Hambly’s “Starhawk” to the party. Not only is she a kickass warrior, but she’s also a leader who isn’t afraid to knock heads together. As second-in-command of a mercenary company, she’s definitely D&D materiel. ^_^
OK, I like this idea.
Kelardry of Mindelan (Protector of the Small): Fighter, maybe multiclassing in Marshal. Also Badass. Party leader and strategist, also Big Good, Knight In Shining Armor.
Vin Venture (Mistborn): Rogue, Badass. Knight In Sour Armor, Broken Bird, God Mode if needed.
Toph Beifong (Avatar: The Last Airbender): Firepower/artillery caster, Badass. Refuge In Audacity. Comic relief when needed, Ensemble Darkhorse.
Granny Weatherwax (Discworld): Support caster and ruthless psychology. Also Badass (duh). Team Mom (if crotchety), mentor figure. Knight In Sour Armor.
Eshonai (The Stormlight Archive): Fighter. Backup to Kelardry, token nonhuman, very much The Lancer. Also Badass. (I just love Eshonai, I actually had to stop reading to cry when she got corrupted in the storm)
I don’t know if Nightblood is male or female (or if it even matters; do sentient swords have gender identity?), but somebody should use that sword. Because Nightblood is awesome.
Yay for Nynaeve and Eowyn, and double yay for Vin.
I’m not sure mine quite fit for D&D. I think victorian space opera would work better. :)
Heris Serrano (Hunting Party, etc) – Palidin / Leader
River (Firefly/Serenity) – Monk
Lila Black (Keeping It Real) – Tank
Echo (Dollhouse) – Specialist (at whatever you happen to need at the time)
Ghost (Ghost comic) – Assassin
Funny that none of the Dragaeran fans mentioned Aliera. Not only do I want her in my party, I want her drinking with me in the tavern after the adventure.
The best thing about this thread? I don’t know some of these characters– which means a new book list to start working through!
That said, I agree with #22 on wanting both Paksennarion & Kerowyn in my party.