Teflon Billy
Explorer
I allow it with the same caveat I allow any character: 'there must be a reason why you will not betray the group"
After that, anything goes.
After that, anything goes.
Do You Allow Evil PCs?
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Azazyll
First Post
Hand of Evil said:
I have as well. I like the idea of evil being what you do, not how you necessarily think of yourself. I recently started an eberron game, and strictly forbade evil PCs. That left me with a lawful good paladin and a whole bunch of morally neutral people around him. Still, I'd rather they do that than not play the good guy well. Any alignment can be difficult to play, uppity paladins get just as many complaints as party killers.
Trickstergod
First Post
What does your average adventurer do?
Kills things to take their stuff, often in such exotic locales as cemetaries and temples (sometimes abandoned, sometimes...not so much).
Really, the entire idea that most of the people who do this stuff would be good is all a bit silly. Of course, that's not how all adventure's go, but it's not too far off of a stereotype, at least.
In either case, I fall somewhere between #3 and #4. However, this comes with the understanding that the character will fit in with the part (at least for a while; I don't mind a little inter-party conflict - things can get a bit boring without some, I think). It also means the character is realistically evil, not the kind that would get the individual killed at a rather early age or level or some ridiculous, comic-book, moustachio-twirling evil.
Kills things to take their stuff, often in such exotic locales as cemetaries and temples (sometimes abandoned, sometimes...not so much).
Really, the entire idea that most of the people who do this stuff would be good is all a bit silly. Of course, that's not how all adventure's go, but it's not too far off of a stereotype, at least.
In either case, I fall somewhere between #3 and #4. However, this comes with the understanding that the character will fit in with the part (at least for a while; I don't mind a little inter-party conflict - things can get a bit boring without some, I think). It also means the character is realistically evil, not the kind that would get the individual killed at a rather early age or level or some ridiculous, comic-book, moustachio-twirling evil.
Most players who want to play evil PCs say their character is evil, but what usually happens is the character gets played, at best, neutral. Usually, though, the character ends up being chaotic good or chaotic neutral.
That said, I was in a game where one player did roleplay an evil character correctly. He didn't return from the Temple of Elemental Evil with the rest of us.
That said, I was in a game where one player did roleplay an evil character correctly. He didn't return from the Temple of Elemental Evil with the rest of us.
IronWolf
blank
I am a hard sell on an evil PC. But if I know the player and know they aren't doing it simply to "cause trouble" I will consider it. This usually entails them justifying why the character is best suited for an evil alignment and how he or she plans to mesh with the existing party. Perhaps they have an underlying motive for adventuring with a party, if the motive is good enough then I would allow it.
Lord Pendragon
First Post
I do not allow evil PCs, period. I don't like to roleplay evil. I don't like to fantasize about evil. I don't like to create encounters for evil to overcome.
I understand that some people do enjoy these things. I don't think that makes them evil, nor do I begrudge them their roleplaying, which is every bit as valid as mine. But for me personally, I do not enjoy it. So I don't DM it, and I don't play it.
I understand that some people do enjoy these things. I don't think that makes them evil, nor do I begrudge them their roleplaying, which is every bit as valid as mine. But for me personally, I do not enjoy it. So I don't DM it, and I don't play it.
CRGreathouse
Community Supporter
No restrictions here.
In actual practice, though, my players don't choose their alignment as such; they play their characters and I inform them of any shifts in their alignment 'on the fly'. Generally new characters are good (possibly neutral), and as play progresses the party turns evil. This has happened so many times I almost assume it's the nature of the game. It starts subtle -- occasional greed and less-than-pure means to generally good ends, then to overt greed and larceny. From there, outright mercenary behavior comes next, at which point any remaining good PCs generally desert the group. Alliances with powerful evil forces comes next: we've had a party ally with a giant evil snake (the Ha-Naga) as well as the archdevil Calandrian.
Sigh... it's the price I pay for free will.
In actual practice, though, my players don't choose their alignment as such; they play their characters and I inform them of any shifts in their alignment 'on the fly'. Generally new characters are good (possibly neutral), and as play progresses the party turns evil. This has happened so many times I almost assume it's the nature of the game. It starts subtle -- occasional greed and less-than-pure means to generally good ends, then to overt greed and larceny. From there, outright mercenary behavior comes next, at which point any remaining good PCs generally desert the group. Alliances with powerful evil forces comes next: we've had a party ally with a giant evil snake (the Ha-Naga) as well as the archdevil Calandrian.
Sigh... it's the price I pay for free will.
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