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Davairus
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Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 10351
Location: 0x0000
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 Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:02 am Post subject: Roleplaying evil characters effectively |
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This is not an "evils dont pk" guide. It is some pointers I have gathered around the net. Lots of people on AR play evils, specifically evil chaotics, so I dug up some chaotic stuff as well. Anyway.. blah.
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"Evil" implies hurting, oppressing, and killing others. Some evil creatures simply have no compassion for others and kill without qualms if doing so is convenient. Others actively pursue evil, killing for sport or out of duty to some evil deity or master. Animals and other creatures incapable of moral action are neutral rather than good or evil. Even deadly vipers and tigers that eat people are neutral because they lack the capacity for morally right or wrong behavior. |
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Chaotic characters follow their consciences, resent being told what to do, favor new ideas over tradition, and do what they promise if they feel like it.
"Chaos" implies freedom, adaptability, and flexibility. On the downside, chaos can include recklessness, resentment toward legitimate authority, arbitrary actions, and irresponsibility. Those who promote chaotic behavior say that only unfettered personal freedom allows people to express themselves fully and lets society benefit from the potential that its individuals have within them. |
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Lawful Evil, "Dominator"
A lawful evil villain methodically takes what he wants within the limits of his code of conduct without regard for whom it hurts. He cares about tradition, loyalty, and order but not about freedom, dignity, or life. He plays by the rules but without mercy or compassion. He is comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but is willing to serve. He condemns others not according to their actions but according to race, religion, homeland, or social rank. He is loath to break laws or promises.
This reluctance comes partly from his nature and partly because he depends on order to protect himself from those who oppose him on moral grounds. Some lawful evil villains have particular taboos, such as not killing in cold blood (but having underlings do it) or not letting children come to harm (if it can be helped). They imagine that these compunctions put them above unprincipled villains.
Some lawful evil people and creatures commit themselves to evil with a zeal like that of a crusader committed to good. Beyond being willing to hurt others for their own ends, they take pleasure in spreading evil as an end unto itself. They may also see doing evil as part of a duty to an evil deity or master.
Lawful evil is sometimes called "diabolical," because devils are the epitome of lawful evil.
Lawful evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents methodical, intentional, and frequently successful evil.
Neutral Evil, "Malefactor"
A neutral evil villain does whatever she can get away with. She is out for herself, pure and simple. She sheds no tears for those she kills, whether for profit, sport, or convenience. She has no love of order and holds no illusion that following laws, traditions, or codes would make her any better or more noble. On the other hand, she doesn’t have the restless nature or love of conflict that a chaotic evil villain has.
Some neutral evil villains hold up evil as an ideal, committing evil for its own sake. Most often, such villains are devoted to evil deities or secret societies.
Neutral evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents pure evil without honor and without variation.
Chaotic Evil, "Destroyer"
A chaotic evil character does whatever his greed, hatred, and lust for destruction drive him to do. He is hot-tempered, vicious, arbitrarily violent, and unpredictable. If he is simply out for whatever he can get, he is ruthless and brutal. If he is committed to the spread of evil and chaos, he is even worse. Thankfully, his plans are haphazard, and any groups he joins or forms are poorly organized. Typically, chaotic evil people can be made to work together only by force, and their leader lasts only as long as he can thwart attempts to topple or assassinate him.
Chaotic evil is sometimes called "demonic" because demons are the epitome of chaotic evil.
Chaotic evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents the destruction not only of beauty and life but also of the order on which beauty and life depend.
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Before making an evil character you should realize it can be more difficult than others, make sure you have a good idea beforehand of what your character’s goals are. You most likely won’t get far role-playing an "evil" character if you can’t make any friends. Allies can be beneficial even if the character doesn’t use violence or warfare to exact his evilness. Lastly make sure to be convincing, in general not many people are evil. Define your character as being one of those unique few |
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Making a villain
* What makes you a villain? Most characters don’t just decided on a whim that they want to be evil. This should stem from your character’s history and not the player’s desire. Be unique. Some-thing that is not often seen, or that people fear or misunderstand is often labeled "evil". Go against the grain. This means speech and mannerisms as well as appearance.
* "Evil is in the eye of the beholder." So you want to be evil to some - not all. Perhaps even most, but always have a way out. If you don’t, you’re setting yourself up for the fall.
* Focus. Know what it is you want to accomplish. Be open to change. Nothing stays static for too long. If it can go wrong, it will. Plan ahead. Might does not equal malevolence. You can have the biggest chakram, an infinite DreamSoul elemen, and a whole slew of offensive arts, and are still just a thug.
* Violence does not equal villainy. A politician in power can be ten times more corrupt than a convicted killer who acted in self-defense. Destruction isn’t always the answer either. Hostages present a much more complicated situation than simply planting a bomb.
* Crime is not always the best avenue for those of the dark alignment. This is especially true in Underlight. Be creative and find other methods to achieve your goals.
* Morality is important. Most evil doers have compromised moral values. Either they’re working for themselves and don’t think the rules apply to them, or they’re working for the common good but don’t understand what’s appropriate and what’s not.
* The end can justify the means. You’re saving the Dream the way you see fit. If a few souls get lost along the way, what is that to compare to the lives you’ll save after the fact? You can either end up the hero or a martyr if you’re not careful.
* Remember that you didn’t do anything wrong if you didn’t get caught. And the more people that support your side of the story, the less likely you are to be labeled a "threat" to society as a whole.
* Set standards. Be prejudice. If you think one way, then others are misguided or utterly wrong. They’re either agreeing with you, or they disagree with you. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe, and teach it to those impressionable Newly Awakened.
* Honor is for the dead. The difference between a hero and a fool is luck. The difference between a coward and a corpse? Stupidity. Live to fight another day.
* Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Never let them see it coming. A good villain always has his/her ace in the hole; and usually the joker as well.
* Don’t be afraid to ask for help in your endeavors. Just be careful what you wish for. Minions are just that. People will work for reward before friendship. Greed can be good motivation. Re-member that if they see a way to use you as a stepping stone, they will. Especially if it gives them what -you- have.
* Take small steps at first. Test the waters. You can’t be bad until you know what good is.
* Trademarks. If it’s been done, it’s probably been done better. Find your own path, and let that aspect be yours and yours alone. Make yourself memorable.
* Achilles heel. Every bad guy has one. Illness. Disability. Pangs of regret. Love for family. A persistent obsession. Maybe this is what drives your character.
* Turning over a new leaf. Evil doers don’t make many friends. When it becomes unbearable, there are always other options. This also makes an incredibly good smoke screen. |
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Remmenon
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 104
Location: Edmonton AB Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:44 am Post subject: Omg! |
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Oh my god Davarius! You and mee ar sooo alike!
I always thought the most evil person( or most powerful) was the one that didn't have lift a finger, but manipulate words, actions, whatever to get the desired result wether that's lying, cheating, whatever.
This post is sooo important to people who want to play evil. Especially people who want to survive as evil. Too many times I see people who go out, kill everyone, try to kill everyone and get beat down by the real powerful evils. It's not about killing everyone people, it's about making alliances with those you can't beat, then taking advantage of the situation when they are most weakest to show your dominence.. Or using them to do your dirty work through lies, even when they don't realize it.
This is the best judgement of if you're the purest evil or not. Can you get somone killed without even touching them yourself? Can you lie and convince someone else to do your dirty work? If so, You are definately evil. Real power is being able to get something done without you having to do it. Example, a god says " I want you to kill this person.". If you think the powerful person is the guy who killed the person the god wanted, You're definately wrong. The really powerful person is the guy who said "I want you to kill this person" and actually got him killed!!!..
It's just another variation of evil, and I hope you can tie it in to Davarius's post because it devinately defines the different types of evils. But To me, Real power has been getting things done without any real actions but just words. Because Words take less effort haahaaa |
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marsd
Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 832
Location: Magewares
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 9:25 am Post subject: |
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| This post is probably too deep for 99% of the players. |
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Davairus
Implementor
Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 10351
Location: 0x0000
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:17 am Post subject: |
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Youre just saying that because you got pked today.  But anyway yeah.. people play evil and get whooped because they lack backup and whatnot. Can't Rambo evils.. look at every evil-only race and you will see a huge vuln
illithid - slash
fire - ice
duergar - water
drow - silver (material vuln on arrows)
..takes alliances. Even evil chaotics need to make ranking buddies and shit like that. Hope this information helps. |
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Grayden
 
Joined: 21 Jun 2005
Posts: 632
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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I will rip out your soul and eat the essence of your every being before I paint the forest with all your fam... oh lost track of thought, how about ranking.
I like evil but even with our numbers we will never rule, because sure I rank with you now but when it is convient I may just kill you and move on.
Grayden Grim of the bloody fields of torn rancid "sun dried" corpses |
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Altheripper
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
Posts: 326
Location: Vancouver, WA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Can't rambo evils? Does the name Hauser ring a bell? Of course, he didn't have to deal with any vulns. |
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Davairus
Implementor
Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 10351
Location: 0x0000
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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| That was before they lost dodge and blindness. |
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