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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Imaculata" data-source="post: 6735510" data-attributes="member: 6801286">I don't think it's that black and white. Can you not value freedom, while still adhering to some code or set of rules? For example, a hired swordsman. He believes in his duty, and in always completing his job. He could be ruthless in his methods (evil), yet be true to his word, and always finish what he was hired to do (lawful). And yet, he could also value freedom, and value not being in the permanent service of anyone. He picks his own jobs, and goes where he likes. Couldn't any value become corrupted? What of a lawful evil knight who shows mercy to unarmed peasants, yet is merciless to his armed opponents, and still burns the village down as he was ordered to do? Lawful evil behavior if you ask me, yet not so black and white. Mercy can be shown out of goodness (not wanting to do harm) or out of principle (only killing worthy armed opponents). An evil character could also spare the lives of peasants, so they can tell others what they saw that day. An evil kind of mercy, but mercy none the less.I completely disagree. I don't believe you can make any assumption about that at all. Plenty of lawful evil characters may think twice about being a ruler, since it also burdens them with a lot of responsibility, and makes them a target. A lawful evil character could follow an evil leader (for example, a stormtrooper in service of the evil empire), without wishing to take the place of their superior (who often get choked by Darth Vader if they fail their job.) There are also plenty lawful evil characters who do not serve anyone, yet do not rule anyone either.You are conflating one lone villain, with an army of villains. Give the Joker an army, and you have a force that can cause just as much suffering as your example wicked empire. If you are talking about whether one form of evil is more dangerous than another, you must look at them as individuals.Yes, a lawful evil character might inspire loyalty, and command many evil minions towards a single purpose. But so could a chaotic evil character. But a lawful evil character is consistent in their motives. A chaotic evil character is unpredictable. I understand, but I think the argument for it is not very strong.</blockquote>

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