Help Me Be Evil.

[EntrerisShadow]

pendothrax wrote:

My favorite focus for LE is "science" If I ever get to play in Way of the Wicked I would be the quiet guy with spectacles and maxed healing skill. "The paladins just could not understand that in order to fix the machines you first have to know how to destroy them"

I actually had a LE wizard in 1e/2e days with healing skill and access to cure spells. unknown to the rest of the party, the reason why my cure spells were so potent was the blood and biopsies obtained through nightly vivisection of the half vampire and regenerating party member. I had an extra loot share that rather than going to healing supplies as everyone else thought, actually went towards various experiments.

My favorite fluff for that? Vivisectionist alchemist.

Cruel Anatomist You can use Knoweldge (Nature) in place of the Heal skill. The implications are deliciously wicked.

[pennywit]

Lawful Evil is indeed a great way to go. Always, always, always honor the letter of your agreements.

[Renegadeshepherd]

Bodhizen wrote:

Reinhardt wrote:

Alright, so I think I've come to a decision, thanks to all the spectacular advice you guys have given me. Seriously, it's overwhelming how helpful you guys have been; thank you.

Basically, this is the idea-

I plan to play a Kitsune(male) who used to run an orphanage in a small town. He always cared deeply for children, so it was an easy life-choice for him. However, the racist government decided it would be a good idea to burn his orphanage to the ground while he was away, killing all the children inside.

That would be his motivation for being evil. He hates this evil government, and still protects children whenever possible, but is willing to go to any length to achieve revenge against those who slaughtered those he tried to save.

He would use bluff/diplomacy and possibly disguise to mask his intentions to the party, coming off as neutral or even good to them and anyone else unless he reveals such or someone casts detect alignment. This is to help further his goals.

As far as class, I'm thinking either Sorcerer, or Monk, as the flavor of both those really seems fun, and Monk in particular seems to fit this backstory well.

This would obviously be either LE or NE, as a CE would be unlikely to follow this route, though not impossible I suppose.

Does this seem applicable?

Edit- I hope to have him slowly lose sight of any morals he once had and devolve to the point of a power-obsession.

It is my impression that this doesn't really even qualify (specifically) as a reason to be lawful evil. Lawful neutral, perhaps, but evil? He's basically avenging the dead children. He's an anti-hero. I might suggest an alternative thought based upon the general concept.

He was there at the orphanage when it was destroyed, but it wasn't destroyed by agents of the government, it was destroyed by agents of the church of (insert good-aligned god here) for harboring some sort of demonic presence (that of course your kitsune had no knowledge of). They tortured confessions...

Based on that rough story, I would HIGHLY recommend you watch on youtube the second half of episode 46 and all of 47 of rouroni kenshin (English version). Pay close attention to Anji the Destroyer and you will have a very similar character who you can see come to life. He is also a monk :) in the end the two stories and world will not be identical but perhaps seeing this will bring out something in you the player that is useful.

[Reinhardt]

Well, I just watched those episodes, and by god that's exactly the mindset I was going for with this character. I greatly appreciate your showing me Anji, as he's given me a great deal of insight. I also appreciate being introduced to what appears to be a great anime. So doubly thanks to you, sir.

[Renegadeshepherd]

Reinhardt wrote:

Well, I just watched those episodes, and by god that's exactly the mindset I was going for with this character. I greatly appreciate your showing me Anji, as he's given me a great deal of insight. I also appreciate being introduced to what appears to be a great anime. So doubly thanks to you, sir.

Im glad it was of help to you. also glad that you enjoyed it beyond the research value. As a fan of the show I should warn you that not all of the show is of that quality and depth. Its a LITTLE slow and more comical in first 30 episodes, GREAT from about 30-60, and most don't like what follows as isn't as good as what they watched in 30-60. Even with the detractors im still a proud owner of the series and the 3 DVD movie set Samurai X and continue to watch it after more than 10 years.

[The Morphling]

My favorite character of all time was a Lawful Evil anti-paladin (we called him an "Antidisestablishmentaladin"). He was a worshiper of the god of tyranny, and lived his entire life by the ideals of his deity, believing wholeheartedly that the protection of society and the strength of the lawful government was the most important force to protect. He risked his life repeatedly to uphold the rule of law - but he didn't care one iota for those the law abused. Unfair taxation? The city needs this money more than you do, peasant. Oppression? It prevents rebellion by the lower classes and teaches them their place.

He was extremely fun to play. I also play a lot of Neutral Evil characters. None of them would do spontaneously evil actions "for the fun of it" but none would shy away from vicious actions for their own gain either. I've had evil characters risk their lives to protect others before - because there's a very handsome reward waiting for them, or because they know how much they'll be loved by their adoring fans afterwards. Just make sure that whatever you do, your evil alignment doesn't put you at odds with the party's goals. At odds with their methods? That is fine - and half the fun of being evil.

[Louis Lyons]

Mirroring The Morphling's sentiments, the most enjoyable evil characters to role-play are those who honestly believe that what they are doing is fundamentally correct. They are just the ones who have to make the hard choices and take the actions that no one else is willing to make. In some cases they can be very tragic figures who have no sense of illusion-they know they are rotten through and through and will be damned when their time comes. But they were willing to sacrifice everything, even their immortal souls, in order to accomplish their goals.

The classic example of the right-minded evil character would be the warrior who engages in a campaign of extermination against, say, a bordering nation of orcs. No prisoners or slaves are taken, because he knows orcs are so fundamentally savage, they cannot be controlled, and if any are allowed to escape, they will simply breed like rats and continue to raid and destroy his country in the future. So he engages in mass slaughter down to the last crying orcish babe at its mother's breast in order to ensure the future safety of his nation. He knows that many will look at him as a monster little better than the ones he kills, perhaps even worse because as a member of a "civilized" race, he should be held to a higher standard. But he is beyond caring about his reputation, because a truly righteous man would not care how others view him; a righteous man does what is correct, despite either the enmity or accolades that may be heaped upon him.

I have never enjoyed role-playing an evil character who just does horrible things simply for the lulz. I already have Grand Theft Auto for that kind of release.