Is this NPC still Evil?

[Stormonu]

To me, it would depend on how he intends to react to the PCs if/when the find out about the artifact.

Does he ask the PCs to anonymously return the item and continue his life? Well, then's he not evil.

Does he grab the item and run, trying to avoid the PCs but not willing to give it up? Not evil either, I think, just either scared or greedy.

Does he admit to the crime and turn over the item, hoping for mercy from the PCs? Definitely not evil, and possibly even redeemed.

Does he invite the unsuspecting PCs to dinner on their arrival (and before they learn of whose done the theft) and poison them to hide his theft? Yep, that's evil for sure.

Does he track down the PCs and hire thugs to take out the PC or attempt to kill them himself? Yep, he's evil.

Does he attempt to frame the PCs for the theft, possibly turning them in for a reward? Yeah, that's evil.

 

[weem]

So my question is - Do you think this Rogue is still Evil, if so why?
If not, what alignment would he be now?

Not evil, naa - at least not in my game (though I would not assign him an alignment).

And just for fun...

If this was my story, he would have recently (in the last year) tried to return it and instead of punishing him, they took him in and forgave him... he is now a devout member of that church. In fact, they let him hold onto the artifact as it's best protector, and to remind him that the church is not about what belongs to it, but who finds their way to them.

May not work for you - especially if the pc's are going to be tasked with returning it, or convincing the former rogue to do so -- I just thought I would toss that out there. In fact, maybe if that was the purpose, that's an idea for the result (the church taking him in - thanking him for holding it for them safely for so long, forgiving him etc).

 

[ReeboKesh]

Wow thanks for all the ideas guys. I'll be honest, my main reason for asking is that there is a Paladin in the party and at some point in the adventure a totally unrelated incident will occur around this NPC, possibly resulting him in being falsely blamed. I just wanted to make sure if the Paladin does his Detect Evil he wouldn't get a reading of Evil off this NPC.

But seriously I may turn his background into an adventure thanks to the suggestions in this thread.
Reebo

 

[weem]

But seriously I may turn his background into an adventure thanks to the suggestions in this thread.
Reebo

Absolutely! There is a lot to work with there

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Actually, I'm not convinced he was evil even back in the days. Mere theft can be just chaotic, especially for a lone thief against a monolithic organization.

I concur. Theft is generally not evil, just chaotic. And one event shouldn't necessarily change your alignment - depending on the severity of the action, of course.

 

[WayneLigon]

So my question is - Do you think this Rogue is still Evil, if so why? If not, what alignment would he be now?

Since he's actively worked to avoid a return to, and to atone for, his past Evil ways I'd say he'd probably be at least neutral or that new fancy Unaligned. He could have moved into Chaotic Good, too, depending on the extent of what he's done and how genuine his change of heart has been.