why I play evil characters

[trimeulose]

We all know that there is always a great flame war on whether or not one should be able to play evil characters. I don't wish to argue with anyone on this thread, and I very well don't intend to. The point of this thread is to provide enlightenment as to why I so often and so acurately play evil characters.


First things first why does anyone play any character. They role-play to take on a new apperance or a new idea. They do it to gain insight and more often than not they do it to take on a role that is unlike they live from everyday life. When was the last time I murdered someone on the street. Never. In real life I wish all of my fellow man peace and tranquility, in short freedom. However just as it is in the real world so must it be in gaming world. There are both good and bad people. If I can't, nay, if I won't be an evil person in real life. How will I ever know what they are capable of. How will I know what to expect, when to expect it, and how to avoid it. It's quite simple, role play evil characters. If you play a good character and simply face evil characters all the time it seems as if evil has no order, no ability, and relies on the unpredictability of that to survive. Quite the opposite. By playing evil characters I have gained an insight that I could only have gained in real life by becoming a stalker, murderer, drug dealer, or theif. That is the first reason that I play evil characters to gain insight.


That leads to the second reason as to why I play evil characters: To be creative. A good number of people tell me that by playing evil characters that I have automatically consigned myself to being dull, flat, unoriginal, and redundant about my characters. The same people yell at me when I make a CE rogue that has friends. The same people argue that if I was playing the rogue correctly then he would have no friends. Case in point. Those exact same people make a LG paladin that is only in the adventure for the money. They tell me that as long as they help others then it doesn't matter that they are greedy. To sum up those people- They say I can't develope an evil caharacter with good attributes because it goes against the implied rules of alignment, Then they make a good character and strictly go against his class restrictions of greed and such and then argue that even though it is clearly stated (as opposed to being implied) that they can not do something such as that, that they can do it that way because its his/her character and they can develope it anyway they wish and that the rule is a stupid rule to begin with. Well I never was a reasonable person, when I think I'm right. I say that anyone can have friends. Look at Osama bin Blown Uppin, he has friends, followers, a loving wife, and children. Someone obviously likes him, and he obviously likes them. The point is that alignment does not ever EVER dictate individual actions, rather it is an explanation of the characters overall attitude and actions. If I run into town and mercilessly slaughter hundreds of thousands of people men women and children alike, only to save a little girl becuase I thought she looked innocent and pretty in her little pink dress, What would I be. Would you dare call me CG in the midst of the dead. Would you call me CE in the midst of them both. Would you call me CN to my face as I threatened you. The point is, what is my overall attitude (why did I kill those people and threaten you) and what was my overall actions. The Alignment would be Evil probably Chaotic. NE would have enslavedor killed everyone including the girl, LE would have enslaved (not saying they have to, but it is likely). The point is that I wish to develope my characters attitudes and actions so that there is always an unique attribute about them, but still remaining on the large as evil. Therin lies the second reason I play evil characters.


The next is quite simple, I wish to play evil characters because it is not the conventional way of doing things. the more people tell me that evil is not the way to do something or that Evil has to many restrictions, the more I wish to show how versitile the alignments can be.


The Final reason I wish to play evil characters is a variation on the first. I play evil characters to release myself of this prison I have created for myself. I am a devoted Eagle Scout, a heartfelt brother in the OA, and foremost a faithful Christian. I am expected day in and day out to do almost every menial task and every bit of service, and rightfully so. I am devoted to cheerful service. I strongly hold to my faith in the higher power for every breatht that I take and every thought I make. That leaves no time to be evil in real life. If I just once fail in my tasks in real life it makes it all the worse. When someone bad does bad things in real life it is expected of them, but when someone who is expected to do good does bad the whole world watches. Just look at the british nanny. She was entrusted and because of that the world hated her. OJ simpson, the world loved him for so long because he was awesome on the football field and he was funny in The Naked Gun series. For him to even be involved in the trial was obsene, and we grew to despise him for it. That is why I play evil characters, because I can never BE evil IRL. Correction: I WILL never willingly be evil IRL.


This is not directed at anyone person you must all understand that. I value everyone's opinions, good or bad; smart or ignorant. I also wish everyone well with their thoughts. You should be able to express you thoughts with your words, at all times. But I do have a right to defend/explain myself. I hope that the ones that matter will understand. As a matter of fact I'm sure they will.


D'jviek K'shar




P.S.Sorry I edited the Return key in, it seemed that when the message finaly posted on the boards that all the returns were left out. I should have checked it before I checked out.

 

[Sodalis]

I usually live by the rule of : "Why ask WHY? when HOW? is so much more fun."- the Violator (spawn)

Obviously, there will be exceptions to this rule, like "why shoudl I jump of the bridge," and not" How should i jump off the brdge.."

But in this case, rather than asking, "why is playing an evil char fun?" you shoudl ask, "How is it fun?" and then you will come up all the good things that a evil char can do that a good char cant- like killing guards that wont let them pass a gate (knowing he is lower lvl) or aligning yourself with an evil politician and have him do a lot of dirty work and then killing him and taking his post and reaping the benefits...

But this rule only works in makebelieve where you can have fun. in real life, Why is a good question to ask, and usually keeps you out of trouble.

 

[Psyduck]

Applaud...

 

[pontus]

*Looks at the massive block of text. Shakes head.*

Learn to use the return key more if you want people to read what you say.

 

[Villano]

Alignment Sucks

The very subject of alignment seems to cause more problems than it supposedly solves.

My solution? Dump alignment, and use the Honor system of Rokugan.

 

[LordMelkor{Talos}]

Well I personally play evil characters more than good, I find evil impressive and fascinating, I actually consider myself CN with evil tendencies in real life, actually I might have been CE if I had opportunity to do evil acts, but actually I have a weak personality and I am often abused and exploited by others

 

[Crothian]

There really isn't anything wrong with evil PCs. Even if you through out the Alignment system people can still play evil or good, they just don't record it on the character sheet.

I allow evil Pcs as long as neither of the following happen:

1) You don't disrupt the party. I like party unity and I don't like two players getting into arguements weekly.

2) When you comit evil acts, expect consquences.

 

[Humanophile]

Playing evil is fine if A> everyone knows and expects it, and the game is arrayed accordingly, B> you play a subtle, intelligent evil that can still have friends and admirers, and knows enough to hide an iron fist behind a velvet glove, and especially C> you don't tresspass to the point of making the game uncomfortable for other players. If you can pull all of those off, you have my blessings to play evil, although first you'll either have to impress me by playing a good character very well, or else write a nonevil alignment on your character sheet, and do a very good job playing evil within the restrictions above. (Well, B and C. And try to hint at A so people aren't as pissed when you do decide to undertake acts of evil.)

I think the main problem that people have with playing evil (as well as a host of other "I don't allow that in my game" things) is that for every player who can do it right, there's several more who do it wrong in an almost painful manner. And while most adventurers can be mercenary if not evil by nature, most of us have had experiences with evil characters who were whirlwinds of rape, blasphemy, sadism, and less realistic evil acting than the player being a dick and trying to shock/disgust the other players. I know that at least I have seen too many people misplay evil (and even some neutral) alignments in such a horrible way that I don't want that door opened unless I know I can trust the player in question.

So if you can play it right, either as an excellent acting experience or a beer and pretzels carnage fest, all the more power to you. Just don't expect me to embrace evil characters with open arms in any game I play, from any player.

 

[Darkcross]

Playing Evil

The problem with playing Evil is that Evil is easy. I'm not saying that portraying an Evil character is any easier than portraying a Good one, but that from the perspective of a character, in most settings, being Evil is much easier than being Good. Doing Evil deeds often represents no significant challenge (in addition to being somewhat distasteful.)

Evil is generally portrayed as pervasive (in most fantasy settings Evil is always rearing its ugly head somewhere) and seductive ("Luke, you must resist the Dark Side ...") While Good is something that must be aspired to and which requires sacrifice (a Paladin's code.)

It's the sacrifice and constant battle against overwhelming forces that IMO makes for good drama (or melodrama). For me, to effectively play a challenging game as an Evil character would require a setting in which these roles are reversed -- where Good is easy and Evil is hard.

-- Darkcross

 

[psionotic]

*Looks at the massive block of text. Shakes head.*

Learn to use the return key more if you want people to read what you say.

Amen to that!! I failed my roll against the unending text's inimidation check.