Dedicated Voter Season 6
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the entry has to be a wonderous item, but can it be evil in nature?
I apologize if this has already been covered.
Thanks
If you go back and read through the 96 past top 32 entries. You'll find one from I think 2008 that is obviously geared toward a villain. The question was asked if they were rejecting items better suited toward villains. The answer was, "absolutely not" as long as its superstar and its wondrous.
Although, my opinion is, it would stand a better chance of making the top 32 if it was also useful to PC's and didn't break the "makes a GM's job harder" rule.
Villain-oriented items (and hence "evil" items) certainly have a place in the game. So a reasonably well-crafted one definitely has a shot at the Top 32. But just throwing an "evil" factor into your item isn't enough to make it stand out or demonstrate Superstar mojo all on its on. It's what your item does and how well it's designed and written that will determine that.
In addition, by crafting a villain item you are going a little more "niche" with your design. And that could immediately limit its playability since it'll primarily become a GM-only item (unless you're playing an all-evil PC campaign or something). Unless your evil item "rocks on toast," it's possible that 32 other items which are useable by all PCs and NPCs, regardless of alignment, could eclipse yours. But the proof is in the pudding. Bring enough mojo and yours could be the one that actually does stand out.
Also, make sure you don't flirt with the item that turns someone into a lich just because it's "evil." Both Sean and James have mentioned how that kind of item might be frowned upon...primarily, because it should be priced as an advantage and not a drawback if it changes someone into a lich...and it also flies in the face of the complicated, in-world limitations for how someone becomes a lich in Paizo's campaign setting. So, proceed with caution. And be awesome!
Hope that helps,
--Neil
Keep in mind that items that are ONLY useful to villains aren't really items; they're plot devices. A cool item that requires sacrificing babies is not likely to make the cut, because there's really no use for the item in a standard game. If, on the other hand, the item just requires blood from a large mammal, then the standard good PCs can still use it, say by slaughtering a deer.
Evil Items?
Well Wedding rings will be DQed right away for 'not being a wondrous item'.
Ah, just call it a wedding band and describe it as a cursed item. Nobody will argue.