Is this ethical as a DM?

[thundershot]

No, I haven't done it yet, but I'm considering it... I told one of the player's in confidence, and he thought it would be neat, but I don't want to spoil it for the rest...

My players have been wanting to try out an evil party for quite some time now. In fact, two of the PC's in the current group ARE evil, but are working with the others to deal with a GREATER evil. After this adv is over, I offered to let the two evil PC's work with an NPC (who is actually my original "big bad guy" from 15 or so years ago in OD&D) in an effort to "take over the world", or basically tilt the balance of power in their own favor, and have a hand at altering the campaign a bit. The other two players would create new evil characters, and I'd take them on their merry trek to attempt a takeover. Once it's done, they're in position, and there's not really much else to do.

Meanwhile, the two GOOD characters would join with some other good characters (controlled by the other two players) would continue on with their adventuring lives, happy and content to be rid of the evil PC's. And then things start changing, and they quest to eliminate the "next big evil" only to come face to face with the evil PC's... controlled by ME. I'd make sure that it's a surprise, but the question of ethics came into play. Is it right to put the players in a position where the current PC's have to battle the former ones?

Just wondering what others think...


Chris

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Off hand, I would say that you're cool as long as the PCs are good with it and you have provided an out option for the former PC NPCs, but I will have to give it some additional thought.

Sounds pretty dang cool, though, if I were running it there would be loads of montage sequences and clues that hinted back to their once harmonios past. Also there would be a nice chance for redemption, maybe the evil PCs can be made to realize that evil works best as Ma and Pop thing rather than a globe spanning megacorp sort of thing.

 

[tabrumj]

The idea sounds cool. Personally I would do it.

 

[Kilmore]

If you wanna pull something like this, you REALLY have to know your players and their wishes. It's not something I would do.

However, you know your players better than I do. At least you understand that there might be some concern about the players' feelings on the matter. It may work out fine. However, I think you should be ready to pull the plug on the idea if it starts getting nasty.

 

[SemperJase]

In my last two groups, whenever a player would change characters, the former PC would come back as an evil NPC.

As long as the players no longer want to play the character, there should be no problems.

If you look at the meta-game, it also is a lesson for the players. That is evil actions have consequences. In this case, the character doesn't stop being evil just because the player no longer plays him. Kinda cool if you ask me.

 

[thundershot]

I know my players very well. One I've known for 15 years, two of them for 7 years, and the other is my wife.

The only one who truly has aspirations for his character plays a Necromancer. By letting them have an evil party, I'm giving him a dream come true with the way this character evolved. And if, after all is said and done, his evil character survives, and he wants to use him to rise from the ashes, that's fine with me. OTOH, if he dies, I'll probably have him resurrected by a powerful cleric and kept hidden away until he wants to use him again.

I would actually have more problem watching Bleskin (my original "bad guy") die... Which is doubtful, with all of the contingency plans he has, it would be difficult to rid of him permanently. Strange how attached I am to several of my NPC's... In any case, it should prove interesting.

Thanks!
Chris

 

[jgbrowning]

I know my players very well. One I've known for 15 years, two of them for 7 years, and the other is my wife.

Well, that seals it for me. You really better know your players now, because she'll get a coup de grace on you if you **** her off.....

hope you make that fort save

joe b.

 

[thundershot]

She's already told me that she doesn't really WANT to play an evil character, but will do it for a little while because the others want to. I doubt she'll be upset to see her character become her adversary... Again, I've always got the good ol' DM contingency plans.



Chris

 

[Darius101]

I like the idea and think you have done a good job of explaining your plans here.

how you handle it can get tricky.....unless you prepare for some of the issues your players may have.

Let us know what happens it sounds really interesting.

 

[Ilen]

That's better then that one DM who told his players to twink up some evil bad guy type characters, took the sheets from them and then told them to create thegood character they were going to play with.