How to play an evil?

[MarcoPazzo]

Hello! My question is simple: how to play an evil? I mean, you create your toon, set the allignement and you're in. But where to live? Who contact? What if i want a band who ask to be paid a toll on the lion's way, example.

Thanks

[Tsidkenu]

My own personal opinion is that 'cartoon evil' is poorly received on a server like this one. I personally prefer playing subtle, discreet evil rather than overt and open as it is easier to get by when no-one knows who or what you really are (besides the select few of like-minded faith).

You will probably find playing a bandit will get old quick when your location is metagamed and a horde of goodies swarm upon you every time. You could try it once or twice but I would never raid in the same location with any regularity.

Threads like these are a good place to start, especially if you plan on starting/joining a cultic style group serving Bhaal or Shar or whoever. With any luck you'll get a PM or two from those kinds of players and can kick it off from there.

Good luck! Evil on BGTSCC is a tough gig, unless you play in UD. Then the shoe is on the other foot

[Face]

Dont let any one get you down just play that bandit if you want to.

[Steve]

Pages 5 & 7 of Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast.

• "For years, the lands between Waterdeep and bustling Amn have been thought of as the Empty Lands, a vast, inconvenient stretch of wilderness folk venture into only to get from one place to another. Legends abound of grisly fates that befell unfortunate travelers at the hands of orcs, trolls, hobgoblins (and worse!) said to infest the area in veritable armies. In recent times, dark evil has arisen in ruined Dragonspear Castle, and the snakemen who inhabit the Serpent Hills are extending their patrols to menace folk far afield. As the merchant Falodel of Amn once put it, 'The only reason to set foot in the Coast lands is to get down from a caravan wagon that's going to make you a lot of coins—when it gets to someplace else.'"
  
  "'[L]eagues upon leagues of lawless waste, home to pirates and outlaws who feast on those who must go north or south while depending on the Sea of Swords as their guide, keeping it in sight so as not to lose their way.'"

The greatest roadblock to Evil Role-play is that few Players really want to do it, and even fewer Players want to react to it, to take it seriously. This, in my opinion, is related to the fact that PCs never die, unless the Player makes that a conscious decision (and often an OOC decision). Combine that with a historic low support of Evil-aligned Guilds and Lore-based factions, it is a tough road to RP.

Like Tsidkenu states, the majority of Evil PCs take the subtle/hidden path, and are Evil, but keep that rather hidden. So, the state of mind is there, but actions are rarely seen.

That said, lore-based Evil (and nuetral-leaning-to-Evil) groups that exist on the Server are:

- Zhentarim (Castle Darkhold)
- Thayan Enclave
- Church of Umberlee
- Church of Shar
- Nascent Iron Throne


There are also more Player driven/created factions, outside of Canon Lore.

[Kiran]

Heya.

I only play evil characters really personally.

Is it hard? I would say it's similar to being good, you got to stick to what your character would do in a situation. What scale of evil are you? There are so many choices out there for gods, alignments and backgrounds.

Are you simply a thief looking to blackmail/bribe folk?

Are you an evil wizard trying to form or join a cult, take over the world?

Are you a fallen paladin, you think the way you do things is right and the other paladins are wrong? Why do you believe this, what are your motives?

The best way to play evil, in my opinion, is to make it believable evil. Like politicians or corrupt cops. How did they get this stage, what happened? If you have never seen house of cards it gives an interesting insight into how power corrupts.

There are a couple of already "evil" guilds out there.

The Zhents is always a good choice, they currently are able to be in Baldurs gate due to a trade agreement, plenty of fun there to be had.

You have the Thayans. ruthless merchants run by wizards (Can be quite lore heavy, but no need to panic, the guild itself happy to teach as you go along and learn yourself)

Ebon blade - These are mercenaries, loyal to coin/contract, but ruthless with no morals (A general belief, might be more to it) This guild is great if you looking for mercenary work, and other folks to rp with of similar ideaoligies. Great spot to start out, in my opinion, less lore heavy.

And then there is the Underdark of course, plenty of guilds down there if that is catered to all sort of evil.

Most active I know of is the Bregan's, mercenaries and intrigue kind of guild, but there are also many cool houses you can join. Can be a bit more heavy hopping into the Underdark, but most people down there are happy to help you along the way.

Best thing to do it to try it out, make sure you are okay with losing now and then and have fun with it.

[Wolfshear]

Like others have already said, playing evil is a tough gig.

I've been playing on and off on this server for years now, almost exclusively playing evil characters. And I can attest it can be both incredibly difficult rp to get real traction in, but also incredibly satisfying when you do. For some the challenge itself can be rewarding but it can be alot of work for anything beyond simple "evil" such as banditry as you mentioned. (Though I think banditry is a perfectly viable way to go)

The guilds already mentioned are definetly a good place to look to meet other like minded individuals or even find people that might help guide you or figure out what you want to do.

The only real piece of advice I can give about playing evil is patience. It's a tough gig but sticking it through can see some interesting returns.

Ah, patience and trying not to take things personally too much. There is a greater risk of metagaming and what not when playing evil. But most people on the opposite side of the fence can be pretty cool. While there are a few bad apples, there are some good aligned toons I have enormous respect for. And some of my best rp has come from the rivalries therein.

Another good way to go about it, especially if going the subtle route is to consider playing evil almost like playing a game of chess. Every move you make should be working towards something and always in an effort to try to outsmart your opponent. Alot of fun can be had in the challenge of outwitting all the people that might try to bring you down..You'll win some and you'll lose some..But the game itself can be horridly entertaining and even thrilling in some cases.

All in all I wish you all the best in pursuing evil and welcome to the darkside...We have cookies.

[Darradarljod]

All the best for your undertaking. There must be a few good old threads on these boards about playing evil characters on BGTSCC.

Playing an evil character can be great fun - on the other side of the coin, in my experience, I found it can also be quite lonely.

I like your idea of a bandit waylaying travellers on the road... there've been a couple around Soubar in the past. I hear bridge trolls are in fashion this year.

[MarcoPazzo]

Thanks everybody for your replies, its clarified a lot. It could be a start to find 4 or 5 people and start together as evil organization/cultists? so we won't be alone and maybe the staff could help us, starting and keep taking the things politely. In this state of things, i would like to start with something simple: bandits on the way asking tolls, orcs (half orcs?) getting an area for gruumsh, intimidating to be paid... stuff like this. And the good people of the FAI would LOVE (i guess) investigating and come to kick us away

Because, you know, my opinion is that to enjoy a good character, you need an evil character to fight with, a nemesi. Otherwise it finishes a bit grinding or waiting the Event. We raise good paladins to 30 and..?

UD situation is pretty much the same, but reversed. We raise the most evil drow wizard ever, but we cannot "use" it against a nemesi.

Obviously someone will be permakilled in all of this affair. But i'm ready because it would be funny for me and for the killer.

Let me know if it is something i'm wrong with because i'm actually new here around and don't want to bother anyone =) (forgive my poor english too, though)

[aaron22]

only play evil here. I play many different forms of evil. I like it. It is more fun and more challenging at the same time. its lonely. but id rather be on my own or with just another doing stuff than sitting in a tavern comparing the seams on our new dresses over tea. that stuff BORES THE HECK OUT OF ME!!! being evil is harder than being good here. you gotta do it well and be very open, honest, and most of all, respectful in your OOC convos with the goodies you will run into. they will not always be that with you though so learn to dust that off. I have openly evil and often aggressive toons but I always give ones I run into the right of way(OOCly) unless they are obviously breaking the rules to conflict with me. that happens too. PvP will happen if you are openly evil. secret evil can avoid it.

taking the evil path is for people that want excitement at every corner, but have the patience to deal with the nonsense that is to be generally unwanted on the server. oh and can have fun by themselves because that will be the norm.

there are a lot of really friendly and understanding people playing here. these are great to be evil with and for. have fun and play the evil YOU want. you can also do as I did and play different forms of evil to see what you enjoy most.