Trillian_CinVin
Cadet
The very first character I ever playing in a MMOG was a Dark Elf on EQ's server Xegony, back in, as we say, the day. She belonged to a Tier'dal guild which had been around since EQ beta (if you can imagine that). They were lawful evil, who never believed what they were doing was evil in the first place. They were religious zealots and extremists - essentially, they could be anyone - they just happened to be Dark Elves, which automatically gave them the "evil" moniker.
Throughout gaming I have taken what I learned in that guild and applied it to different areas. As a matter of fact, I'm so good at playing "evil" that I have often tended to make people very very angry when they realise my character isn't what she seemed to be (thus pulling wool over the eyes of their character who was supposedly all knowing and all seeing). It was because I wasn't blatant; and people are so used to "evil" being blatant they're somehow capable of making the right decisions all the time.
But in my presence as an evil character, the right decision is more than often the wrong one...but only if you're standing on the wrong side of my ambitions as an evil character.
The above is unfortunately very true. I cannot count how many times I've seen "evil" guilds spring up in the most unlikely places, with the most unlikely characters solely because people believed they could somehow bend all the rules possible in order to just be jerks to other people (roughly the same amount of people who are playing a evil race or character as a loving, happy, misunderstood character that would rather be raising bunny rabbits). I have seen people claim to "turn evil" in PvP groups and start killing everyone they're grouped with in order to loot their bodies, falling back on the "I was possessed by a demon and turned evil!" rationalisation.
One of the reasons I play an evil character so well is I never, and I mean NEVER, let on my character is evil. There is no giveaway; no maniacal laugh, no babbling in a insane "cute" way (has anyone ever met someone truly insane? they're not cute believe me). No sharpening of daggers in a corner, no sneer, no smirk. Granted, my character class may be assassin because it says so on my character profile (and there is nothing I find more annoying than someone who just seems to KNOW my character, who is sitting at a table in a robe, reading a book, is an assassin - can we PLEASE do away with any class labelling in profile?). But does being an assassin make them evil? Everyone assumes so...therefore, they completely ignore the fact that my very demure, seemingly considerate priest has been manipulating several people at once to her own ends until they're at each others' throats.
There are always going to be people who walk about as half-demon/dragon/succubi with huge wings and forked tongues...walking around in a city unscathed. It's boggling, but it happens - trying so hard to be seen as EVIL they practically have a neon sign above their heads. However, there is much skill and enjoyment to be had in playing a character which no-one is aware is actually evil. No hint via race, no hint by having black eyes, or forked tongues or loads of money and power. This is the manipulator-type of evil, and I'm good at it. This is where the spying comes in, the manipulation of two rival guilds into destroying one another, and even bigger events in question.
This however should always be played responsibly; it requires being able to gauge who can handle you coming in and embroiling them into the storyline, and who is going to powerplay suddenly knowing you're evil and striking a pose saying "I am too powerful for you, get thee behind me". We'd like to think we're capable of spotting evil and having nothing to do with it...but if you honestly look at day to day occurrences, the fact is there's "evil" going on all around us; corporate companies using cheap labour/child labour, wars being fought as an excuse to get the resources from another country. Of course, this is all veiled several dozen ways so we don't actually SEE the big picture, but it's there. We just allow ourselves to be tricked into believing it isn't.
If you're lucky, you can find someone to play your counterfoil to your evil character, the one who knows he's being tricked in some way, but because the offer is so good...so hard to pass up, he does it anyway - will said person pay the price? Possibly, maybe even probably. But even the greatest, strongest king or queen, even the wisest sage, when shown opportunity, will take it.
______________
The Alignments of Evil: here are the definitions as per Dungeons and Dragons - there's often a lot of grey area when we start talking about alignments, but I have made my own personal notes in bold.
Lawful Evil
"Dominator"
Lawful evil is the methodical, intentional, and frequently successful devotion to a cruel organized system.
A lawful evil character methodically takes what he wants within the limits of his personal code of conduct (which are frequently his laws, as this alignment tends to only work for people in positions of power) 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's comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but is willing to serve. He is loath to break promises, and he is therefore very cautious about giving his word unless a bargain is clearly in his favour.
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 feel these personal morals put them above unprincipled villains but also know that they are protected by the orderly, systematic structure they exist in. An example of a lawful evil organisation would be a cult practising human sacrifice and torture, with a strict code of conduct, strict system of heirarchy, but evil practises.
Many lawful evil characters use society and its laws for selfish advantages, exploiting the letter of the law over its spirit whenever it best suits their interests.
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 personification of lawful evil.
A tyrannical ruler who drafts the rules that call for the suffering of many, but then must obey them himself is lawful evil. A greedy land baron who allows his people to starve in a famine when he hosts lavish feasts is also lawful evil. Essentially, they are people or groups who have strict orderly codes or laws, but those codes ultimately cause the needless suffering or death of others.
This is my preferred style of evil, mostly because it is so strict, so apparently RIGHT on the surface and nearly accepted, that you can see it anywhere. And I'm not thinking knee-jerk fundamentalist religious groups either; I'm thinking any large corporation, any multimillionare, any incredibly successful business which is usually standing on the backs of its underpaid, understressed workers. The worst thing is - most people just accept that's the way the world works. Chilling, isn't it? Because of its rigid rules and strictures, it's sometimes very difficult to play, but it is precisely being limited to a "box" which makes the challenge of playing something so foreign to my very nature so enjoyable.
Neutral Evil
"Malefactor"
Neutral evil is pure pragmatism without honor and without variation.
A neutral evil character does whatever he can get away with. He is out for himself, pure and simple. No tears for those he kills, whether for profit, sport, or convenience, and he has no love of order and holds no illusion that following laws, traditions, or codes would make him any better or more noble. On the other hand, he does not 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.
Career criminals, particularly those who harm others for money, such as hitmen, are the most obvious example of Neutral Evil.
Here is where assassins come in. I have seen assassins played who had no real desire to be assassins...they tried to play it that they were neutral or even neutral good - but the reality is, if they were truly such good characters, wouldn't they have stopped accepting money for ending lives? There's a lot of scope for playing the slightly tortured character in this role, but it's one that's difficult to keep going. Still, worth a try.
Chaotic Evil
"Destroyer"
Chaotic evil is power without control, selfishness unfettered by any law.
A chaotic evil character does whatever his greed, hatred, and lust for destruction drive him to do. 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. Fortunately, 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.
These characters will commit any act to further their own ends. Chaotic evil is sometimes called "demonic" because demons are the embodiment of chaotic evil.
Many serial killers would fit this description, as would indeed most of the more violent and reckless criminals found in the worst sorts of places.
My opinion here - this type of character shouldn't be played in a roleplaying scenario. There is no reason anyone would let a serial killer live in a game unscathed. It's again the "demonic" walking-about-with-batwings scenario. Play a chaotic evil character and you will probably find yourself labelled very quickly for being a griefer. I'd avoid this one.
Throughout gaming I have taken what I learned in that guild and applied it to different areas. As a matter of fact, I'm so good at playing "evil" that I have often tended to make people very very angry when they realise my character isn't what she seemed to be (thus pulling wool over the eyes of their character who was supposedly all knowing and all seeing). It was because I wasn't blatant; and people are so used to "evil" being blatant they're somehow capable of making the right decisions all the time.
But in my presence as an evil character, the right decision is more than often the wrong one...but only if you're standing on the wrong side of my ambitions as an evil character.
Role-playing evil and doing a good job of it is very difficult. Too many people set up evil guilds or create evil characters which in all honesty are nothing more than idiotic thugs without reason nor purpose - anyone can be a thug, only a true master can role-play being really evil.
Evil is not being mean, nasty, rude or confrontational nor does it require you to steal, maim, kill, pillage or generally act like a jerk. Anyone doing those things all the time would quickly become ostracized by the community in which they live.
Unfortunately, the majority of folk being "evil" are actually just being downright annoying and bordering on harassment in my own experience. Like it or not, Alliance and Horde are essentially good thinking beings (not too sure about the undead of course). Evil people should therefore be in the minority - carefully manipulating things behind the scenes to further their own desires. - World of Warcraft player
The above is unfortunately very true. I cannot count how many times I've seen "evil" guilds spring up in the most unlikely places, with the most unlikely characters solely because people believed they could somehow bend all the rules possible in order to just be jerks to other people (roughly the same amount of people who are playing a evil race or character as a loving, happy, misunderstood character that would rather be raising bunny rabbits). I have seen people claim to "turn evil" in PvP groups and start killing everyone they're grouped with in order to loot their bodies, falling back on the "I was possessed by a demon and turned evil!" rationalisation.
One of the reasons I play an evil character so well is I never, and I mean NEVER, let on my character is evil. There is no giveaway; no maniacal laugh, no babbling in a insane "cute" way (has anyone ever met someone truly insane? they're not cute believe me). No sharpening of daggers in a corner, no sneer, no smirk. Granted, my character class may be assassin because it says so on my character profile (and there is nothing I find more annoying than someone who just seems to KNOW my character, who is sitting at a table in a robe, reading a book, is an assassin - can we PLEASE do away with any class labelling in profile?). But does being an assassin make them evil? Everyone assumes so...therefore, they completely ignore the fact that my very demure, seemingly considerate priest has been manipulating several people at once to her own ends until they're at each others' throats.
Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked. - Machiavelli
There are always going to be people who walk about as half-demon/dragon/succubi with huge wings and forked tongues...walking around in a city unscathed. It's boggling, but it happens - trying so hard to be seen as EVIL they practically have a neon sign above their heads. However, there is much skill and enjoyment to be had in playing a character which no-one is aware is actually evil. No hint via race, no hint by having black eyes, or forked tongues or loads of money and power. This is the manipulator-type of evil, and I'm good at it. This is where the spying comes in, the manipulation of two rival guilds into destroying one another, and even bigger events in question.
This however should always be played responsibly; it requires being able to gauge who can handle you coming in and embroiling them into the storyline, and who is going to powerplay suddenly knowing you're evil and striking a pose saying "I am too powerful for you, get thee behind me". We'd like to think we're capable of spotting evil and having nothing to do with it...but if you honestly look at day to day occurrences, the fact is there's "evil" going on all around us; corporate companies using cheap labour/child labour, wars being fought as an excuse to get the resources from another country. Of course, this is all veiled several dozen ways so we don't actually SEE the big picture, but it's there. We just allow ourselves to be tricked into believing it isn't.
Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. - Machiavelli
If you're lucky, you can find someone to play your counterfoil to your evil character, the one who knows he's being tricked in some way, but because the offer is so good...so hard to pass up, he does it anyway - will said person pay the price? Possibly, maybe even probably. But even the greatest, strongest king or queen, even the wisest sage, when shown opportunity, will take it.
______________
The Alignments of Evil: here are the definitions as per Dungeons and Dragons - there's often a lot of grey area when we start talking about alignments, but I have made my own personal notes in bold.
Lawful Evil
"Dominator"
Lawful evil is the methodical, intentional, and frequently successful devotion to a cruel organized system.
A lawful evil character methodically takes what he wants within the limits of his personal code of conduct (which are frequently his laws, as this alignment tends to only work for people in positions of power) 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's comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but is willing to serve. He is loath to break promises, and he is therefore very cautious about giving his word unless a bargain is clearly in his favour.
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 feel these personal morals put them above unprincipled villains but also know that they are protected by the orderly, systematic structure they exist in. An example of a lawful evil organisation would be a cult practising human sacrifice and torture, with a strict code of conduct, strict system of heirarchy, but evil practises.
Many lawful evil characters use society and its laws for selfish advantages, exploiting the letter of the law over its spirit whenever it best suits their interests.
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 personification of lawful evil.
A tyrannical ruler who drafts the rules that call for the suffering of many, but then must obey them himself is lawful evil. A greedy land baron who allows his people to starve in a famine when he hosts lavish feasts is also lawful evil. Essentially, they are people or groups who have strict orderly codes or laws, but those codes ultimately cause the needless suffering or death of others.
This is my preferred style of evil, mostly because it is so strict, so apparently RIGHT on the surface and nearly accepted, that you can see it anywhere. And I'm not thinking knee-jerk fundamentalist religious groups either; I'm thinking any large corporation, any multimillionare, any incredibly successful business which is usually standing on the backs of its underpaid, understressed workers. The worst thing is - most people just accept that's the way the world works. Chilling, isn't it? Because of its rigid rules and strictures, it's sometimes very difficult to play, but it is precisely being limited to a "box" which makes the challenge of playing something so foreign to my very nature so enjoyable.
Neutral Evil
"Malefactor"
Neutral evil is pure pragmatism without honor and without variation.
A neutral evil character does whatever he can get away with. He is out for himself, pure and simple. No tears for those he kills, whether for profit, sport, or convenience, and he has no love of order and holds no illusion that following laws, traditions, or codes would make him any better or more noble. On the other hand, he does not 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.
Career criminals, particularly those who harm others for money, such as hitmen, are the most obvious example of Neutral Evil.
Here is where assassins come in. I have seen assassins played who had no real desire to be assassins...they tried to play it that they were neutral or even neutral good - but the reality is, if they were truly such good characters, wouldn't they have stopped accepting money for ending lives? There's a lot of scope for playing the slightly tortured character in this role, but it's one that's difficult to keep going. Still, worth a try.
Chaotic Evil
"Destroyer"
Chaotic evil is power without control, selfishness unfettered by any law.
A chaotic evil character does whatever his greed, hatred, and lust for destruction drive him to do. 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. Fortunately, 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.
These characters will commit any act to further their own ends. Chaotic evil is sometimes called "demonic" because demons are the embodiment of chaotic evil.
Many serial killers would fit this description, as would indeed most of the more violent and reckless criminals found in the worst sorts of places.
My opinion here - this type of character shouldn't be played in a roleplaying scenario. There is no reason anyone would let a serial killer live in a game unscathed. It's again the "demonic" walking-about-with-batwings scenario. Play a chaotic evil character and you will probably find yourself labelled very quickly for being a griefer. I'd avoid this one.