Alignment of NPC's... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alignment of NPC's... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kaeso
06-21-06, 03:10 AM Ok so I've been running a campaign for my players, and there are a number of evil NPC's that eventually run into the PC's. They have positions such as sheriff, merchant, mayor... and I was wondering. If an NPC is evil, how are possibly attitudes affected? Since they're evil, should I have them treat the PC's rudely? I've never really seen any reason to play an evil NPC as polite, but now that I think about it I don't see why one can't be. So do any of you change NPC personalities and attitudes based on alignment?
Zeromus
06-21-06, 03:18 AM Well it really depends on if the evil NPCs want something from the PCs. For example, the evil NPC-mayor of such and such town knows that the PCs would be willing to adventure for him, so he's polite to them until he gets what he wants. Or on the flip side, the evil NPC wants nothing from the PCs who have actually been a thorn in her side, so she's less than courteous. it really depends on the situation I guess. Why, would the NPC not be polite? Look at the idea of Lucifer for example, he's evil, hates you, and wants your soul, but he's really nice about getting it...
Pegasos989
06-21-06, 04:36 AM Ok so I've been running a campaign for my players, and there are a number of evil NPC's that eventually run into the PC's. They have positions such as sheriff, merchant, mayor... and I was wondering. If an NPC is evil, how are possibly attitudes affected? Since they're evil, should I have them treat the PC's rudely? I've never really seen any reason to play an evil NPC as polite, but now that I think about it I don't see why one can't be. So do any of you change NPC personalities and attitudes based on alignment?

Soo... You think that evil guys should be rude but are as mayors, etc.?

How did he get to be mayor? Was he chosen or did he make some deal with sherif and say "I rule this place now." Cause if he was chosen, he certainly is very polite! If he rules the place like a tyran, he might be rude.

Being evil doesn't mean that they must be rude any more than being good would. Lawful evil serfi might still do his job properly, be polite when people come to tell him about crimes and then go beat the **** out of the criminal and hang him for the small thievery.

Many cruel rulers have been said to be very polite and civilized.

It all depends on the person. If he is a ruler without any grudge against PCs, yes, I assume that he would be polite.
If he is a racist, he might be very rude against half-orc but not against other adventurers.
terrainmonkey
06-21-06, 07:14 AM okay, i'll bite.

if you want to see how evil people who own business or hold public office, just watch a season of Deadwood. the first 2 seasons are out on DVD. This isn't neccessarily a plug for the show, but it is a good character study. Al swearengen is probably the best evil bad guy in the show, yet he runs a bar/brothel and is nice to people. EB Farnum is the mayor, but he is a sneaky pest, who is nice to people to thier faces but curses them behind thier backs. he owns a hotel. I could go on, but you get the point. I've portrayed several evil people in my campaign as nice, freindly, and charismatic, only to have them turn out to be evil. Evil folks have wants, needs, desires, and motivation to be nice all the time, just like good folks. thier actions are what can be considered evil. but i don't want to get into an alignment debate, so i'll end it there. Just take a look at shows like deadwood and sopranos for inspiration. history is also good for seeing how evil people can be leaders of countries and cities around the world.
Horatio Hornblower
06-21-06, 07:24 AM The Sopranos and other organized crime shows are good examples of evil being nice to get their way.

Old style organized crime bosses treat people in their neighborhoods very well. They give a lot of their ill gotten gains to charity and become well respected members of society. When the Feds show up nobody is willing to testify against their good neighbor.

Lawful Evil in action.
CzarGarrett
06-21-06, 10:54 AM Plus any evil character with half a brain isn't going to push away the PCs immediately.

Be nice and polite, draw them in- that way you can find their weaknesses/flaws more easily and be able to gain an upper hand.

Or at the very least, use them to take out your other enemies.
pres_man
06-21-06, 11:27 AM One thing you also have to decide is what does it take to be considered evil? Where is the line in the proverbial sand drawn? Is the school yard bully evil? Is the merchant that underpays his workers evil? How about the bank guy foreclosing on the family farm?

Let's say that you view the typical domenstic abuser as evil. Many of these people put on a totally different face to the world. People are often shocked when they learn later that Mr. So-and-So had been beating his wife and kids, he always seemed like such a nice man.

Yet even if you just limit the absolutely totally wicked to being evil, how many mass murderers have been described as a "totally normal guy" by their neighbors?

Being rude is not an alignment issue. Good folk can be just as rude as evil folk.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kaeso 06-21-06, 03:10 AM	Ok so I've been running a campaign for my players, and there are a number of evil NPC's that eventually run into the PC's. They have positions such as sheriff, merchant, mayor... and I was wondering. If an NPC is evil, how are possibly attitudes affected? Since they're evil, should I have them treat the PC's rudely? I've never really seen any reason to play an evil NPC as polite, but now that I think about it I don't see why one can't be. So do any of you change NPC personalities and attitudes based on alignment?
Zeromus 06-21-06, 03:18 AM	Well it really depends on if the evil NPCs want something from the PCs. For example, the evil NPC-mayor of such and such town knows that the PCs would be willing to adventure for him, so he's polite to them until he gets what he wants. Or on the flip side, the evil NPC wants nothing from the PCs who have actually been a thorn in her side, so she's less than courteous. it really depends on the situation I guess. Why, would the NPC not be polite? Look at the idea of Lucifer for example, he's evil, hates you, and wants your soul, but he's really nice about getting it...
Pegasos989 06-21-06, 04:36 AM	Ok so I've been running a campaign for my players, and there are a number of evil NPC's that eventually run into the PC's. They have positions such as sheriff, merchant, mayor... and I was wondering. If an NPC is evil, how are possibly attitudes affected? Since they're evil, should I have them treat the PC's rudely? I've never really seen any reason to play an evil NPC as polite, but now that I think about it I don't see why one can't be. So do any of you change NPC personalities and attitudes based on alignment? Soo... You think that evil guys should be rude but are as mayors, etc.? How did he get to be mayor? Was he chosen or did he make some deal with sherif and say "I rule this place now." Cause if he was chosen, he certainly is very polite! If he rules the place like a tyran, he might be rude. Being evil doesn't mean that they must be rude any more than being good would. Lawful evil serfi might still do his job properly, be polite when people come to tell him about crimes and then go beat the **** out of the criminal and hang him for the small thievery. Many cruel rulers have been said to be very polite and civilized. It all depends on the person. If he is a ruler without any grudge against PCs, yes, I assume that he would be polite. If he is a racist, he might be very rude against half-orc but not against other adventurers.
terrainmonkey 06-21-06, 07:14 AM	okay, i'll bite. if you want to see how evil people who own business or hold public office, just watch a season of Deadwood. the first 2 seasons are out on DVD. This isn't neccessarily a plug for the show, but it is a good character study. Al swearengen is probably the best evil bad guy in the show, yet he runs a bar/brothel and is nice to people. EB Farnum is the mayor, but he is a sneaky pest, who is nice to people to thier faces but curses them behind thier backs. he owns a hotel. I could go on, but you get the point. I've portrayed several evil people in my campaign as nice, freindly, and charismatic, only to have them turn out to be evil. Evil folks have wants, needs, desires, and motivation to be nice all the time, just like good folks. thier actions are what can be considered evil. but i don't want to get into an alignment debate, so i'll end it there. Just take a look at shows like deadwood and sopranos for inspiration. history is also good for seeing how evil people can be leaders of countries and cities around the world.
Horatio Hornblower 06-21-06, 07:24 AM	The Sopranos and other organized crime shows are good examples of evil being nice to get their way. Old style organized crime bosses treat people in their neighborhoods very well. They give a lot of their ill gotten gains to charity and become well respected members of society. When the Feds show up nobody is willing to testify against their good neighbor. Lawful Evil in action.
CzarGarrett 06-21-06, 10:54 AM	Plus any evil character with half a brain isn't going to push away the PCs immediately. Be nice and polite, draw them in- that way you can find their weaknesses/flaws more easily and be able to gain an upper hand. Or at the very least, use them to take out your other enemies.
pres_man 06-21-06, 11:27 AM	One thing you also have to decide is what does it take to be considered evil? Where is the line in the proverbial sand drawn? Is the school yard bully evil? Is the merchant that underpays his workers evil? How about the bank guy foreclosing on the family farm? Let's say that you view the typical domenstic abuser as evil. Many of these people put on a totally different face to the world. People are often shocked when they learn later that Mr. So-and-So had been beating his wife and kids, he always seemed like such a nice man. Yet even if you just limit the absolutely totally wicked to being evil, how many mass murderers have been described as a "totally normal guy" by their neighbors? Being rude is not an alignment issue. Good folk can be just as rude as evil folk.