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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Serge" data-source="post: 412365" data-attributes="member: 4049">I agree with both sentiments, but I think that when it comes to evil in general, having the ability to maintain ones own is essential.For CE, physical challenges will be almost constant because it's largely about personal power.  Yes, some CE beings will be craftier and more subtle than others, but in the end, when Demogorgon decides enough is enough and he teleports directly to Graz'zt, all the political power in the world is inconsequntial for CE beings.  There is no or limited amounts of subtlety here, and little to no hiding behind protocol.  It's about how much will I lose right now if I do take a certain action.  A decision not to attack has nothing or little to do with policy but with what can happen if I'm gone and my lackies start to unravel, or another enemy attacks.    In Hell, I think that the physical power of an Arch-Devil is what encourages a greater degree of subterfuge as well as protocol and social requirements.  Unlike real-world Earth, in which an invalid may be king and someone rules behind a throne, why do this in an environment in which belief and power go hand in hand?  Asmodeus needs to be stronger, craftier, and wiser than his rivals and lackies because it ensures that he will remain king in a violent and evil environment.  The others, recognizing his physical threat, spend their time using politics to topple him, only willing to face him physically after they know he can be defeated by lawful means as well as purely physical.If anyone's seen Lion In Winter starring Peter O'Tool and Audry Hepburn (I think), one sees Lawful at work.  Henry II is king because not only is he the strongest, he's also the craftiest.  He uses subterfuge, misdirection, and the law to maintain his position, hiding behind it like a shield and using its letter rather than spirit.  His sons and his Queen likewise do the same, using the law.  But, in the end, much of his power is physical; not even his son, Richard the Lionhearted is willing to blindly fight his father due to both reputation and recognized skill.  CE are a bunch of gangs running around, waiting for the opportunity to strike.  When the do, most times, there's a stalemate until it's decided that the two leaders should meet and see who is the stronger.  When that's resolved, the gang of the loser is either subsumed into the victor's gang, run-off, or destroyed.  This is strictly about personal power, possibly includes tactics, but is not as intricate or strategic as LE as illustrated above.</blockquote>

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