AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic

What Active evil factions do we have here on amia nowadays? You don't need to post here if you or your group doesn't want to reveal yourself in public, I'm fine with an anonymous PM.

I'm really interested in returning to amia with an EVIL PC - There can never be to many.

The isle is pretty much crawling with various flavors of Tarkuulans lately.

Shameless plug for my latest post:

viewtopic.php?f=103&t=64432&p=1149016#p1149016

Make a drow.

Actually, let me amend that: Make a real drow. Make an evil, vile drow of lore. Make such a drow and join us in the UD, because we are having tons of fun down there >:3

There are some evil groups about, plus a semi-secret one, and one that still needs to be started.

Or go lone wolf! Get out there and be nasty, draw some attention. But be prepared for pain, because I've heard Evil has it hard (not my experience but that's okies).

In any case, welcome back

(And seriously, make a drow!)

Honestly, the amount of varied RP you can find in Tarkuul will give you -tons- of opportunity. Be it Necromancer RP, evil Cleric, sleuth RP, there are sooo many different niches that can be filled.

That, and the players there are, in my experience, top-notch Rpers. If you don't like what you find in Tarkuul, there are other venues as well. And you can probably learn about them by going to Tarkuul.

I would suggest dipping your toes there. If you find that you don't want it, don't be afraid to make a new character. Test the waters some, figure out where you can fit in and what you'd like to push forward.

NinjaClarinet wrote:

Shameless plug for my latest post:

viewtopic.php?f=103&t=64432&p=1149016#p1149016

The universal answer.

Salandrans.

Sadists the whole lot of them.

Join Malar...
factions are for civilised scum. Create a blood crazed feral maniac and join us for hunts and wild slaughter. Thats our one purpose...oh and destroy civlization in it's entirety.

The Banites of Kohlingen!

Dead wrote:

NinjaClarinet wrote:

Shameless plug for my latest post:

viewtopic.php?f=103&t=64432&p=1149016#p1149016

The universal answer.

Agreed!

Zanshibon might be a dead donkey, but there is DM support for folks that want to delve into the chaotic side of evil (but not the stupid side.)

Silent2001 wrote:

Zanshibon might be a dead donkey, but there is DM support for folks that want to delve into the chaotic side of evil (but not the stupid side.)

and us on the lawfull side look forward to bashing your heads in 8P

You should make a real evil character! Forget those Asmodeus wannabes in the crags or the Tarkuulians, bring on destruction!

Just don't destroy Kohlingen. >.>

Quote:

Ceterum censeo Kohlingen esse delendam

I think o_O

Join the triadic knights.

I'd also recommend considering some Tyrannical Chromatic Flight attempt.

<.< Go chromatic! We need an uprising! I <3 my nemeses.

We're workin' on it! Dang!

If cchromatic dragonkin tickle your fancy, we're working on numbers and can always use more.

Pfft, Tarkuul and dragonkin are so blase. Drow are where it's at. Not those gross touchy-feely Eili-drow that plague the server, but real, evil, nasty drow. Those are the best kind of drow.

There's a bunch of things in the pipeline, too. Just saying. It's a good time to start playing a drow.

Naivatkal wrote:

Pfft, Tarkuul and dragonkin are so blase.

Yeah, whereas evil drows are class-e.

Although on Amia they really are, I have to admit. With the population of goody-good ebony elves. :mrgreen:

While proofreading your submission, I found a typo. I took the liberty of correcting it for you.

Guardian wrote:

Yeah, whereas evil drows are classy.

An assassin guild should come into existance at some point. Not sure why one isn't around at all times, but I'm in for helping one develop.

It's especially hard to have an evil faction based around religion, and many evil-doers tend to be loners because of it. Some combined effort can change this.

I disagree that evil factions based around religion have any less or anymore longevity than another evil faction without a particular spiritual affiliation. The fact is though that as a catalyst for action on the server, evil factions naturally have a higher 'turnover' rate than good ones, this being especially true in the Underdark where the chaos inherent to the society means there's an ever-shifting hierarchy of both houses, and individual PCs.

Murex wrote:

An assassin guild should come into existance at some point. Not sure why one isn't around at all times,

Heehee.

Silkelock wrote:

Quote:

Ceterum censeo Kohlingen esse delendam

I think o_O

Delenda Est Kohlingen?

Naivatkal wrote:

nice comment

Guardian wrote:

Yeah, whereas evil drows are class-e..

While reading you post i noticed that you are rather anal to the point of twitness, i took the liberty of correcting it it

Kraniumbrud wrote:

Naivatkal wrote:

nice comment

Guardian wrote:

Yeah, whereas evil drows are class-e..

While reading you post i noticed that you are rather anal to the point of twitness, i took the liberty of correcting it it

Pot meet kettle. There's a difference between making a joke as Naivatkal did and being snarky as you are being. Don't derail a topic with such.

As Laktavian posted if you want a Drow, or any Underdarker for that matter, now's the time to start investing.

Depending on how the current plotlines wrap up, you may just have a blank canvass to make a name for yourself.

Bini wrote:

I disagree that evil factions based around religion have any less or anymore longevity than another evil faction without a particular spiritual affiliation. The fact is though that as a catalyst for action on the server, evil factions naturally have a higher 'turnover' rate than good ones, this being especially true in the Underdark where the chaos inherent to the society means there's an ever-shifting hierarchy of both houses, and individual PCs.

Quite true. Those evil factions who've been successful for prolonged periods of time were usually the goal orientated ones, opposed to the deity based religious ones. Tarkuul's proven to be quite a shining example to follow after for a (potentially) evil faction or system.

Ive been gone along time, almost three years and I have been informed that evil is still very present but much like back then still has it hard. I found out one faction has mostly been wiped out so dont be surprised if one of my evil chars tries to recruit for the dead faction to get it up and running, muahahaha.

Cordorian Guard. Why choose any of the lesser evils? :wink:

Playing evil can be a really grueling and trying experience. Though as always I think it's the most indepth of the RP forms.

In a larger sense there is a cry of demand for a greater variety of evil. I think the emphasis should not be so much to conglomerate the forces of evil to the one acting tribe of evil, that is, evading a cookie-cutter approach to being a blackguard, assassin, or monster, but rather a more creative and constructive mentality as to what a villain is.

I am going to use Batman as an example.

The allure of batman is not because we're so in love with a man in a dark mask and all his pretty gadgets, really, we're attracted to the story because of the villains. They're entirely more popular than the hero. They are, really, normal people who have specific talents and specific flaws in some shape or form, who have been wronged by society, or see wrong in society, and instead of holding those grudges in silent shame or passive-aggressive nature, as most good quiet people do, they choose to test their meddle in the world, much in the way an artist acts to receive the audience that they often times do not even care for. Or as a clown would, you see.

All creative villains are in their own way, artists. They have a motivation that is as much a personal empathy to change the world in what they perceive as 'better'. No evil character should murder senselessly, and if they do murder senselessly, they do so not knowing it is wrong, but rather, the right thing to do, with a motivation, with a reason. Even a chaotic evil character has a foundation of how the world should be and will act ruthlessly toward achieving it.

Also needing some correction, I would say, is the forces of good. In reality, evil deserves great empathy from those who are 'good'. Good does not senselessly kill evil because they exist in the realm opposed to what is the norm. Rather good is more engaged to try and cure evil, to help it survive itself. Their struggle is to stop them from doing harm to others and themselves. To result to instantaneous violence because, "Well James over there is a Cyricist. HE MUST DIE." Is in its own way, a total error. Much less, the lawful creatures who do nearly only think and act according to codes and orders. They will act mechanically toward the 'evil' beings no matter what. They even must constantly test themselves when they are obeying and disobeying their own code. One does not see reason in an evil character's actions and then ignore it simply to kill them.

I think villains in large, can be a protest against beings like this who think on terms of formula and institution. Which may not even perceive as evil to some, but that's entirely my point: Evil is often an act of empathy, incorrect empathy to those of law and code. But to the neutral man, to the chaotic man, the villain deserves a level of compassion.

I criticize this point because I think the average roleplayer ignores these challenges and thinks too constricted on the lines of black-and-white gameplay, as if the personality should only suit the needs of a game. As if life is a game. Cookie-cutter and dull, to me. "He is 'LE' therefore it is all right to kill him." Or, "he has been causing panic, therefore a witch hunt is in order." Likewise people who take on evil simple to "Bully the world" or to kill senselessly, are not in my opinion any better. This isn't a place ultimately to show off your cleverness in powerbuilding and then incorporate it into your Roleplay. You ass hats! Bullies! True conflict is devised out of a depth of creativity, not in playing a chess game.

I suggest your characters strengthen their back-stories as to why they personally follow Bane, or why they personally follow Torm (for that matter) I am of course not pointing any fingers at any one player. But I would like to see more exceptional motivation and story for what seems often, a large parade of powerbuilders. You can do this! Put some energy into creating their identities.

To summarize the point further, we should have an evil that makes sense to us. That internalizes smoothly to the 'good' who feels empathy, pity, compassion and anger toward them. You dig?

Also villains need to incorporate choreographed, theatrical numbers into their shenanigans. For example:

Evil bard?

Sunkin's post is great.

Through talking to people who have been playing on this server for a long time, and my own observations, I've noted that a large amount of the Good/Evil RP on this server revolves around murderous PVP (and PVM, murderous children, gigantic hordes and Garagosians abound). That kind of interplay is also the most obvious - which is a big factor as to why it seems so prevalent - but considering that the game's combat mechanics are the only truly neutral arbiter, it makes sense why evil (and good) factions would rush headlong into combat to let the dice gods decide who's right, and who's dead. Anybody can monologue over a corpse, but anyone who's run a game of D&D will tell you just how hard it is to converse before the fight starts (or skip the fight altogether!).

I hope there are tons of situations out there beyond obvious sight where conversion is being attempted as a viable alternative to murder (or ignoring as you walk out in a huff!) on the sides of good and evil. In a world where people can die and come back multiple times in a single combat, the only real victory is getting your opponent to see your side. Might be easier with a song and dance, that's true...

Last edited by Palin489 on Fri, Feb 01 2013, 0:05 AM, edited 1 time in total.

The polarization of DnD (Gods hate other gods and their followers follow suit) leads to this black and white good vs evil issue. In fact gods are some of the most dulling factors in the RP from what I can see. The way the gods are in Faerun sets the tone which we see in these merciless poorly thought out aggressions.

Also.. Sunkinsheep stealing my heart.

This is why my Evil Guy is awesome :3

Whilst I agree with the majority of Sunkin's post I do feel the need to point out a few notable exceptions, seeing as D&D is a game with few (if any) shades of grey.

If my characters see any of the "evil" races they won't be all understanding and merciful. Unless there's a reason for them to be understanding (and there usually isn't.)

So, necromancers that desecrate the sanctity of the dead? Paladins better be smitin' those beeches.

Chromatic dragon disciples will have their wings clipped.

Palemasters wanting to be corpses? Well, most of my characters will gladly grant them that wish.

Tieflings acting like their ancestors? Gun get smacked.

Though, most of my evil characters will adhere to the above rules too. Why? Because for most of my characters it's simply easier to chip chop folks down as opposed to spending huge amounts of time trying to steer them away from their path.

Those are just my characters though. Hacking and slashing (bar the old Red Snowy plot) is usually the last thing you can do to come out victorious. As a few of my poor subjects will probably attest too. Also; the onus of convincing good guys that theres more than meets the eye with these nameless/faceless bad guys is on them. Not the good guys.

Also, these big plots you're citing CoA, are a very easy and usually fun way to be inclusive on a server that has at least 100+ players and usually only 1 DM overseeing the actions of 40+ players at any given time. Try convincing fourty guys to have a James Bond conversation with your nefarious bad guy

Like I said; sometimes it's just easier to destroy evil then pray and hope it changes.

And hell, if you're obviously evil, why the hell would anyone want to chit chat with you? You probably eat puppies. Be smart, be hidden!

+1 for sunkin. One of the greatest pitfalls I see in evil characters...is evil characters that self-identify as evil. No sane, rational person identifies them self as evil. As sheep said, the best villains are the ones that (misguidedly) believe they are trying to do right by the world. There's been several times where Luca's been described to me as a "shadow paladin" or "dark paladin". I take that as the highest sort of praise, because to me that means I'm successfully playing a very "human" bad guy. Characters that stomp around loudly proclaiming "I am a servant of GENERIC DARK LORD HERE and I am here to spread death, suffering and EVIL!" are very unrealistic characters to me, and should really be the exception rather than the norm for the evil alignment. As I said, that takes a very special sort of insanity for a character to end up that way, and most people don't have the sensitivity or knowledge to play such a being compellingly. It's always a little disappointing for both myself and Luca when he's approached by those two-dimensional baddies. He can only shake his head and go "welp, you're obviously off your rocker. Can't take a chance on you, have a nice life."

Yeah, I know where you're coming from on that one Silent. And there's totally room for irredeemable or immutable evil (or just uncountable evil!) in any D&D game.

You think it's the will of the gods that monks have to put up with color coded alignment while any other player can simply refuse pnp spells? Everyone knows Mathus is evil but I bet they couldn't tell you why… Mathus doesn't think he is, but anyone with eyes and the ability to recognize colors just "knows" he's basically skinny Akuma.

Oh, irredeemable evil can be the best kind. Espcially if it becomes irredeemable after creation.

And if you can't be hidden, be untouchable. The constant, lingering presence of malice that everyone knows exists, but can't seem to pin down.

Easier said than done, 'kums.

I kinda find irredeemable evil to be the most boring, actually.

And yeah, it's hard to roleplay with people when everybody knows you're evil but nobody actually knows what you've done. My best "Ghost like Swayze" impression, Hackums, is to run away really fast, usually crying.

NinjaClarinet wrote:

There's been several times where Luca's been described to me as a "shadow paladin" or "dark paladin". I take that as the highest sort of praise, because to me that means I'm successfully playing a very "human" bad guy. Characters that stomp around loudly proclaiming "I am a servant of GENERIC DARK LORD HERE and I am here to spread death, suffering and EVIL!" are very unrealistic characters to me, and should really be the exception rather than the norm for the evil alignment.

Though I do agree with everything else you have said, and though I do know your character very well and you know my character very well I have to disagree that the mentioned type of evil and the mentioned type of characters are that unrealistic for one simple reason. Evil and good in FR are not abstract terms. They are rather defined. They even exist as divine domains. Therefore characters who exist to spread evil, for the sake of evil itself, are not that unrealistic.

Mind that I am absolutely against defining generally abstract terms of good and evil, but from the cannon lore point of view, unfortunately, we are being forced to accept those terms as defined and definitive.

Also +10 to everything Sunkin Sheep said. For instance my main character firmly believes that what he is doing is not evil at all, and should not even be socially awkward for that matter, and from his own point of view he would lean more towards neutral alignment, but the things he is actually doing, whether he deems them evil or not, are by lore defined as evil and therefore his alignment matches this nature.

Dead wrote:

For instance my main character firmly believes that what he is doing is not evil at all, and should not even be socially awkward for that matter, and from his own point of view he would lean more towards neutral alignment, but the things he is actually doing, whether he deems them evil or not, are by lore defined as evil and therefore his alignment matches this nature.

That's the most interesting kind of evil, to me. In a way, it's redeemable, depending on the circumstances. But those circumstances are so unlikely, guys like Lucius might as well be permanently damned.

Bini wrote:

Easier said than done, 'kums.

Not really. I've managed it for a while.

Naivatkal wrote:

Bini wrote:

Easier said than done, 'kums.

Not really. I've managed it for a while.

You're asking us to assume that you're not a genius.

Back when I last played consistently, I had the chance to play with a very evil, very secretive group of people. Through that RP I came about meeting other sorts of evil, and back then there was a lot of great evil players. Whether in our own faction or others, I almost exclusively got to play with interesting characters that had been, and were still being well developed. I'm not sure if something changed drasticly since then, but reading through the thread makes it seem as though "evil has gone bad." Is that really true?

As Dead said, Evil and Good are defined things in FR and that's the setting we're playing. With that said, however, we're not being watched over by the FR creators, and the DM team seems to appreciate a less simple view of what being evil is. If that's that case, embrace it! Be evil, but be evil smart. Evil doesn't lack passion, heart, brains or, for that matter, love! Now with that said, having an evil "lord of deth n destrction lol" isn't all bad, and I suggest that you, the player, takes advantage whenever someone willingly takes on the role of a bullseye for Good's wrath.

Personally, I love any kind of evil. Especially the kind that Lawful Good paladins are.

CouncilofAutumn wrote:

Naivatkal wrote:

Bini wrote:

Easier said than done, 'kums.

Not really. I've managed it for a while.

You're asking us to assume that you're not a genius.

Well, not to toot my own horn or anything, but I am a doctor, after all.

Active Evil Factions

Who is online