Playing an Evil Character (An Incubus) - I Need Some Help

[Herremann the Wise]

Hello Everyone,

Our group decided to do something a little different and start up a short campaign where the normal boundaries were dramatically widened. As such, I find myself playing a 1st level Incubus named Faude (Savage Species).

I essentially have two problems:
- When it comes down to it, I'm not that good at roleplaying an inherently evil character (I took this on as something of a challenge).
- I wish Faude to last more than an hours play.

I would appreciate some suggestions of how I could roleplay Faude so that I stay true to his inherent alignment (chaotic evil) but without annoying or distracting the other players with his antics. Now admittedly, this adventuring groups composition is going to be fairly weird so I think there will be a natural tolerance to Faude; I'm just very wary about crossing the line.

Essentially, how do I successfully roleplay an evil character?

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Savage Wombat]

I always thought an Incubus would make a great PC if the group wasn't too power-gamer-y. My thinking would be (unless your GM has opinions about demons) don't play him as that malicious or unpleasant. He's basically selfish, amoral, and a user of other people - much like a lot of gamers I'm sure you've met. Then let wiser heads "redeem" him to some degree.

 

[warlord]

Dude, your a sex demon. Use this to your advantadge. Sexually manipulate everything you see. If you're not up for the sexual manipulation bit remeber Caliban from the the Tempest was half incubus so you could go the whole half-monster/half-man route and lash out at everything.

 

[Switchblade]

As a "social" demon you don't have to play a bloodthirsty nutter. It's much easier to corupt, cheat or betray people who like you. You can play nice as part of your long term strategy. Just remember your outlook and methodology is somewhat different from a good PC. You want information from a begger don't bribe them, intimidate them. You want information from a prisoner don't use bluff/diplomacy but profession (torturer). If the party go along with your "pragmatic" approaches then they get tainted by association. You don't have to go against the rest of the group, betray or steal from them or be a crazed killer to play an evil pc. After all, you are smart, cunning demon, you can see the benefits of loyal dupes/allies.

 

[pawsplay]

You're probably embarassed to show your "evil side." Don't be.

Lure wenches into your room and murder them for their pocket change. Quietly scheme to rule over your fellow PCs, but if you are thwarted or caught, accept the setback with good grace and a laugh... what's a little plotting between supposed friends, right? Eat babies. Savor the suffering around you. Do pointless things just to make people suffer. You are, after all, not Joseph Stalin or Babyface Nelson... you're a frickin' demon.

You are as sadistic as a cat. As unpredictable as a clown. Power and inflicting pain gives you the delightful sense that all is right with existence. You scoff at other's beliefs... heck, you scoff at your own. Never give a sucker an even break.

Still, you're not an unreasonable being. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Keep like minded individuals around for company and the advantage of numbers. Enjoy the good things in life... after all, you appreciate happiness, pleasure, beauty, and all the rest. You just appreciate yours more than anyone else's. There's nothing illogical about that.

The most important tips for getting along with other characters:
- Be entertaining. Above all, regardless of how the characters feel, the players should like your character. Who doesn't love a scoundrel?
- Be respectful of other's beliefs. Well, pretend to be. Your character isn't an idiot, he knows how to appeal to others. Act impatient when others do things like sparing innocent victims, rescuing hostages and the like... at least you can make the most of it. Heroism can be a pleasant distraction, after all.
- Be evil. Especially, be evil when it's smart. Do something really drastic that no one else can undo, that you can look them right in the eye and say, "Well, it worked, didn't it?" Don't be chaotic stupid. Be like the opposite of that. Show that evil and prudence can go hand in hand and reap benefits. Evil is part of your nature. You don't have to try to be evil. In fact, you could pretend to be Good at times, just for a lark.
- Be chaotic. Demons are not the same as devils. Since you're chaotic, there's no reason to be dreary. Contradict yourself. Do things contrary to what others expect. Do things just because they're interesting.
- Be inhuman. You're a demon, so being evil and chaotic is just the beginning. You're immortal. You never experienced love as a child, apart from a terrible kind of pride and protectiveness from your mother. Your mother was evil. You don't do ordinary things and you don't worry about ordinary things, except for amusement.
- Be adventurous. Okay, you're a demon. You're also a PC, which means you should be motivated, curious, dynamic over time, motivated to work with the other PCs, and bold.

Another good tip is to try to form important bonds with other players (if applicable). If someone else is a warlock, you might treat that character with admiring, almost warm affection. Incubi are nothing if not persuasive. Think of yourself as someone devoted to your companion's well-being... at any price, provided it costs you nothing. Ingratiate. Manipulate. Shower your companions with gifts and present them with the results of your actions before they can quibble over your methods.

 

[frankthedm]

Don't crap were you sleep. Don't let them know what you are and Encourage the party to travel far and wide leaving grief their wake. Leave a half feind child in every womb you can. Seduce every breeding age female you can and try and get them to kill thier ex-loves as well. Know when you are leaving town so the others do not catch wind of it.

Remember, every being you energy drain to death rises as a wight the following night unless the DM rules otherwise. Hide bodies everywhere where they can get at children and other non combatents once they rise as wights. Do things right and you will depopulate towns.

 

[STARP_Social_Officer]

I wanted to do this in a campaign once, but my DM wouldn't let me. I wanted to play the part like Peter Cook in Bedazzled - someone who goes out of his way for a little bit of mischief.

 

[Squeaky Bill]

I recommend that you watch Terrance Hill's character in My Name is Nobody. In that movie, Nobody is an arrogant, devious, manipulative, murderous, train robbing drifter who steals apples from little children. You might be looking for just the right mix of relationships, circumstances and vices to make your incubus a character that is both interesting and sympathetic.