My next character is going to be evil...

Aelfinn · March 08, 2006, 01:16:56 PM

Quote from: EnkhiduI like thinking about comic book characters whenever I want inspiration on alignments. So with that in mind...

Victor von Doom. Doom is the epitome of LE. Ordered in thought and in goals, and completely ruthless in treatment of his enemies: an extreme case of the ends always justifying the means.

very good analogy. phantom rep+

Cyberzombie · March 08, 2006, 03:00:46 PM

LE are good team players, or they aren't do the L part right. (Which has always been my quibble with devils as portrayed in D&D -- I love the setting of Hell, mind you, but it doesn't strike me as terribly LE).

You can even be nice and personable. You just don't have the moral qualms of the good guys...

cranberry · March 08, 2006, 03:05:13 PM

Quote from: Vermicious KnidI'll take a honorable asshole over "my alignment dictates I behave like a lunatic" any day.

Whether that's now CN should act is a topic unto itself.

As to the original topic, I'll echo that as long as the person is working within the party and didn't do anything my character considered extraordinarily heinous, I don't think I'd care.

Knightcrawler · March 08, 2006, 03:38:48 PM

Straight out of the SRD for you.

QuoteLawful Evil, "Dominator": A lawful evil villain methodically takes what he wants within the limits of his code of conduct without regard for whom it hurts. He cares about tradition, loyalty, and order but not about freedom, dignity, or life. He plays by the rules but without mercy or compassion. He is comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but is willing to serve. He condemns others not according to their actions but according to race, religion, homeland, or social rank. He is loath to break laws or promises.
This reluctance comes partly from his nature and partly because he depends on order to protect himself from those who oppose him on moral grounds. Some lawful evil villains have particular taboos, such as not killing in cold blood (but having underlings do it) or not letting children come to harm (if it can be helped). They imagine that these compunctions put them above unprincipled villains.
Some lawful evil people and creatures commit themselves to evil with a zeal like that of a crusader committed to good. Beyond being willing to hurt others for their own ends, they take pleasure in spreading evil as an end unto itself. They may also see doing evil as part of a duty to an evil deity or master.
Lawful evil is sometimes called "diabolical," because devils are the epitome of lawful evil.
Lawful evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents methodical, intentional, and frequently successful evil.

Cyberzombie · March 08, 2006, 03:53:09 PM

The problem with the book definition of LE is that it is so... humourless. It's quite possible to be LE and still be a nice enough guy.

Knightcrawler · March 08, 2006, 04:08:32 PM

Quote from: CyberzombieThe problem with the book definition of LE is that it is so... humourless. It's quite possible to be LE and still be a nice enough guy.

True, a lot depends on your play style and your DM. I think the vast majority of gamers run their characters as Lawful Evil even if their not actually that alignment. Basically out for money, glory and xp. And will do whatever they can get away with do procure these.

Cyberzombie · March 08, 2006, 04:16:30 PM

Quote from: KnightcrawlerTrue, a lot depends on your play style and your DM. I think the vast majority of gamers run their characters as Lawful Evil even if their not actually that alignment. Basically out for money, glory and xp. And will do whatever they can get away with do procure these.

I thought about bringing that up, but I thought it might be a thread derailment.

I know I've run plenty of characters that were LE (or maybe even NE) while their character sheet said NG...

Knightcrawler · March 08, 2006, 04:24:24 PM

Quote from: CyberzombieI thought about bringing that up, but I thought it might be a thread derailment. I know I've run plenty of characters that were LE (or maybe even NE) while their character sheet said NG...

This is one of the reasons most of my characters in teh last couple of years have been true neutral. That an a DM that has made large use of Protection from Good and Protection from Law spells.

And I don't really think that its a thread derailment, the OP is about alignment and party interaction.

Bagpuss · March 08, 2006, 04:33:25 PM

You lot are all so willing to shake hands with the devil. I'm going to cross post this at EN-World and see if I get the same reaction.

Knightcrawler · March 08, 2006, 04:36:19 PM

Quote from: BagpussYou lot are all so willing to shake hands with the devil. I'm going to cross post this at EN-World and see if I get the same reaction.

Do not speak that evil name.

Cyberzombie · March 08, 2006, 04:39:19 PM

Quote from: BagpussYou lot are all so willing to shake hands with the devil. I'm going to cross post this at EN-World and see if I get the same reaction.

The devil is a nice enough bloke, but he's prone to leaving you holding the bag (Hell, that is).

[/Sandman]

Knightcrawler · March 08, 2006, 04:42:20 PM

Quote from: BagpussYou lot are all so willing to shake hands with the devil. I'm going to cross post this at EN-World and see if I get the same reaction.

Hey I already have a spot reserved at his poker table.

Enkhidu · March 08, 2006, 04:43:40 PM

Quote from: Sobek... He also understood that, as a hired killer, he was marked as one of dubious trustworthiness. The only way to establish his credentials was to always deal squarely with people and never turncoat for more money...

I remember, a few years ago, reading some story hour or another with the line (from a PC to an NPC) "You're scum. But you're scum that stays bought. I can respect that."

Xavier Lang · March 08, 2006, 04:56:52 PM

One of the Lawful Evil characters I liked was Audi Ibn Jhad from "Rose of the Prophet". He fought back to back against members of his own church because he had sworn an oath to protect the person his church was going to kill.

Sobek · March 09, 2006, 12:27:49 AM

Quote from: KnightcrawlerTrue, a lot depends on your play style and your DM.

True. I have a player in my Eberron game who is playing a Valinar Warmage, and really playing up the glory-hound aspect. With the Eberron "squishy alignments", I almost had her talked into running an Evil character. That could have been doubly amusing because I'm letting her husband "playtest" some stuff from BoED.