I was thinking like a fire and brimstone preacher type.
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How they behave depend on where they are. In Cheliax, where it is the state religion, they are commaning and do not stand any opposition. Where it is tolerated, but only as long as it doesn't violate the state law, they make sure not to violate these laws. A good example is Korvosa, where when they had to perform human sacrifice to sanctify their new temple, they did that with only volunteers (although there are suspicions they were charmed; nothing was proven though), raised them from dead afterwards and paid them generously.
raising a human sacrifice? wouldn't that undo whatever the sacrifice was for?
Who knows. They may still be damned to Hell anyway, they just got an extension. I'm sure Asmodeus made sure that he doesn't lose on the deal.
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I'd go with statements like this, to get into the mindset:
It's perfectly legal.
They totally deserved it.
They had the chance to help themselves, but obviously they were too lazy.
I just want order. In order everyone has a chance to prosper.
Evil? Nah, I just have a realistic outlook.
Evil? Look at those demon worshippers! They are all about destroying and killing!
These goody-goodys mean well, sure. But have you ever checked out the collateral damage they cause?
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raising a human sacrifice? wouldn't that undo whatever the sacrifice was for?
That might not have been specified. Maybe the traditional ritual only required humanoid sacrifices as a pro forma part, other faiths can de- or consecrate temples without them, after all.
And besides, this is the go to faith for abusers of loopholes. "It doesn't say we can't" is perfectly in character for an Asmodean cleric. Heck, Asmodeus might have left in that loophole intentionally for just such occasions.
To elaborate on the "raising sacrifices", because while it isn't essential by itself, it does demonstrate how (I think) Asmodeus' faith operates:
The clerics sanctifying the temple might have been able to just skip the "sacrifice" part. But it's a lawful faith - you don't just change things just because it's inconvenient. Doing so would have demonstrated weakness, so even if it might not result in direct punishment, it wouldn't bring you any favor either.
They could have asked Asmodeus for permission (in person or through intermediaries, there are easy ways to ask gods yes/no questions), but Asmodeus never says "Yes", he says "Yes, but...", and the fine print is very fine and often painful. And don't forget: His clerics aren't his friends, they're his slaves, and they'd be asking him for permission to do a sloppy job.
Now, following the rules and traditions in letter, but breaking their spirit? All they're proving is their wit. They got Asmodeus a new temple, and they didn't need any exceptions to be made for them, they got it done all by themselves. By Asmodeus' standards, exploits like these aren't just allowed - they are expected. The spirit of the law is unimportant. What matters are only the letters of the law and what you can get away with.
Now, following the rules and traditions in letter, but breaking their spirit? All they're proving is their wit. They got Asmodeus a new temple, and they didn't need any exceptions to be made for them, they got it done all by themselves. By Asmodeus' standards, exploits like these aren't just allowed - they are expected. The spirit of the law is unimportant. What matters are only the letters of the law and what you can get away with.
That was definitely how my Chelish noble PC operated -- she would obey the laws to the letter, but also do everything she could to "pervert" those laws towards lawful good ends.
That was definitely how my Chelish noble PC operated -- she would obey the laws to the letter, but also do everything she could to "pervert" those laws towards lawful good ends.
And Asmodeus can respect that!
He doesn't like or support it since it upsets the Perfect Hierarchy by suggesting that there are meaningful relationships besides "master/slave" or "exploiter/exploited" (which, after all, are the only true way to order the world), but he respects cunning and wit, even when they're wielded by someone foolish.
Question: Why would anyone ever trust a cleric of Asmodeus? Their contracts are never worth the paper they're written on and they're about as honest and pleasant to deal with as clerics of Rovagug.
An Asmodean always follows the letter of the contract, and only loophole-cheats you if the results are worth it - if they can get away with it and it won't cost them future business. And they're still mortal, so others can loophole-cheat them right back, and Asmodeans consider breaking a contract to be a grave sin.
Put a loophole in a contract with a Calistian and they rip the contract apart and stab you. Put a loophole in a contract with an Asmodean and they'll pretend they were just being generous because admitting you tricked them would make them look bad.
And they're definitely more pleasant to deal with than followers of Rovagug. Followers of The Rough Beast think stabbing is a polite way to start a conversation. Followers of Asmodeus only stab you if they think they will benefit from it and aren't contractually obliged to be nice.
Question: Why would anyone ever trust a cleric of Asmodeus? Their contracts are never worth the paper they're written on and they're about as honest and pleasant to deal with as clerics of Rovagug.
Because, clerics of Asmodeus can give you spellcasting: Spellcasting Contract
That, my friend, is why it is so tempting to play a cleric of Asmodeus.
Question: Why would anyone ever trust a cleric of Asmodeus? Their contracts are never worth the paper they're written on and they're about as honest and pleasant to deal with as clerics of Rovagug.
You need to be sure that your goals and their align.
If a cleric of Rovagug is summoning demons and setting them loose all over Cheliax, you should be able to trust a cleric of Asmodeus to help you put them down.
But if he just randomly stops by to make you an offer that seems too good to be true, don't even consider the offer.
Don't forget that Alignment is just one aspect of a character.
Lawful Evil can be gloomy and depressed or it can be jolly and cheerful. Most of the traits that make up personality are entirely unrelated to alignment.
Fire and Brimstone i.e. follow the law or you will face punishment certainly fit the lawful evil philosophy fine though.