I'm sure that maybe this thread has been created before, but I'm not gonna go on a DnD Beyond forum deep dive. So tell me, in what ways should a Neutral Evil Player Character be played? If you have played as one before, maybe you could leave in the comments how you did so? What unique spins to you put on your NE character?
Being evil does not mean being a jerk. It's about malicious intent or selfish desires. Or a mix of both. Some of the most evil people can also be the nicest people. Look at child predators. They can be very nice to lure in their victims before their true nature reveals itself.
Think of it like the Big Bad Wolf from the story Little Red Riding Hood. He's initially nice and appears very helpful all because he's trying to get information out of her so he can have a bigger feast. Being neutral evil means you won't go out of your way to hurt someone nor help someone but you won't hesitate to take advantage of a moment for your own personal gain or sadistic tendencies, whatever they may be.
Having decided to embark on a career of evil, your next step is determine "evil how?" Is it greed for wealth, status or power at any cost? Are you consumed with hatred for someone or something? Are you compulsively violent? Are you simply someone who wants to watch the world burn (that's probably more chaotic evil)? Or are you simply selfish, where you'll cheat and take advantage of others honor and engage in similar exploitations of social workings or chaos opportunities, but nothing on any grand scale (so you're just kinda a jerk if anyone really new you, but you keep those cards close to your vest)?
With your evil motivated, from there you got a simple tool to think through how your character would act in certain situations. You probably won't stick your neck out for other party members unless there's some really strong preexisting bond or you need them as a means to an end resulting in your gain or advancement of your agenda.
So it's no different on the "how" front from playing any other alignment. What motivations define the character as evil, and play from there.
One essential element: whatever you do on your career of evil, to paraphrase Blue Oyster Cult, I know you will not apologize. That's right, being evil means never having to say you're sorry (because you don't care...).
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
There are many interpretations. One way of many is to be "goth'.
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Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish From GoT would be one interpretation of a N/E character
True. And even Littlefinger really loves Cat and helps her daughter (Sansa) without expecting anything in return because of that love.
That wasn’t love. He wanted her to be his. He didn’t want her to love him, he wanted to possess her. Wanting to possess another human being is as evil as it gets.
I agree with the last sentence completely. And it’s been a long time since I read the books or watched the show. I remember it being romantic but unrequited, but you could be right.
It's not about reality of the music scene, it's about the common perception - the poseurs that the majority identifies as Goth. If that's what the majority identifies as Goth, that's the descriptor that's easiest to use for it.
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Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
It's not about reality of the music scene, it's about the common perception - the poseurs that the majority identifies as Goth. If that's what the majority identifies as Goth, that's the descriptor that's easiest to use for it.
But what does that have to do with evil? I know plenty of Goths and their nicer than most of the people I meet on a daily basis.
It's not about reality of the music scene, it's about the common perception - the poseurs that the majority identifies as Goth. If that's what the majority identifies as Goth, that's the descriptor that's easiest to use for it.
But what does that have to do with evil? I know plenty of Goths and their nicer than most of the people I meet on a daily basis.
Because they are poser Goths with no real angst! LOL.
I agree with the last sentence completely. And it’s been a long time since I read the books or watched the show. I remember it being romantic but unrequited, but you could be right.
It's not about reality of the music scene, it's about the common perception - the poseurs that the majority identifies as Goth. If that's what the majority identifies as Goth, that's the descriptor that's easiest to use for it.
But what does that have to do with evil? I know plenty of Goths and their nicer than most of the people I meet on a daily basis.
Because they are poser Goths with no real angst! LOL.
Perky goths are cool 😊😊😊
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I'm sure that maybe this thread has been created before, but I'm not gonna go on a DnD Beyond forum deep dive. So tell me, in what ways should a Neutral Evil Player Character be played? If you have played as one before, maybe you could leave in the comments how you did so? What unique spins to you put on your NE character?
About the same as you play a good character.
Just because someone is evil, doesn’t mean they need to be an *ss. Read this
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/jessicagarrison/the-devils-harvest-excerpt-jessica-garrison-contract-killer
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
I believe this can help you very much:
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
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Being evil does not mean being a jerk. It's about malicious intent or selfish desires. Or a mix of both. Some of the most evil people can also be the nicest people. Look at child predators. They can be very nice to lure in their victims before their true nature reveals itself.
Think of it like the Big Bad Wolf from the story Little Red Riding Hood. He's initially nice and appears very helpful all because he's trying to get information out of her so he can have a bigger feast. Being neutral evil means you won't go out of your way to hurt someone nor help someone but you won't hesitate to take advantage of a moment for your own personal gain or sadistic tendencies, whatever they may be.
Having decided to embark on a career of evil, your next step is determine "evil how?" Is it greed for wealth, status or power at any cost? Are you consumed with hatred for someone or something? Are you compulsively violent? Are you simply someone who wants to watch the world burn (that's probably more chaotic evil)? Or are you simply selfish, where you'll cheat and take advantage of others honor and engage in similar exploitations of social workings or chaos opportunities, but nothing on any grand scale (so you're just kinda a jerk if anyone really new you, but you keep those cards close to your vest)?
With your evil motivated, from there you got a simple tool to think through how your character would act in certain situations. You probably won't stick your neck out for other party members unless there's some really strong preexisting bond or you need them as a means to an end resulting in your gain or advancement of your agenda.
So it's no different on the "how" front from playing any other alignment. What motivations define the character as evil, and play from there.
One essential element: whatever you do on your career of evil, to paraphrase Blue Oyster Cult, I know you will not apologize. That's right, being evil means never having to say you're sorry (because you don't care...).
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Basically be really nice and charming, but always try and manipulate others and turn every situation to your own advantage.
Never help someone unless you can justify how it benefits you.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
There are many interpretations. One way of many is to be "goth'.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
Which shows that the individual knows nothing about actual goth subculture.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish From GoT would be one interpretation of a N/E character
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Agreed
True. And even Littlefinger really loves Cat and helps her daughter (Sansa) without expecting anything in return because of that love.
That wasn’t love. He wanted her to be his. He didn’t want her to love him, he wanted to possess her. Wanting to possess another human being is as evil as it gets.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I agree with the last sentence completely. And it’s been a long time since I read the books or watched the show. I remember it being romantic but unrequited, but you could be right.
It came across as more “obsessive” than “romantic but unrequited” to me.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
It's not about reality of the music scene, it's about the common perception - the poseurs that the majority identifies as Goth. If that's what the majority identifies as Goth, that's the descriptor that's easiest to use for it.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
But what does that have to do with evil? I know plenty of Goths and their nicer than most of the people I meet on a daily basis.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Because they are poser Goths with no real angst! LOL.
Okay. Maybe you’re right. Maybe we just saw it thru different lenses.
Perky goths are cool 😊😊😊