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Lawful Evil is a moral alignment or ethic in pen-and-paper role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. It describes a combination of lawfulness and malevolence.
Characters classified as Lawful Evil strictly adhere to rules, laws and hierarchy, but their actions often serve evil purposes. They are intent on pursuing their own goals and interests, even if this comes at the expense of others. Lawful Evil characters can be devious, power-hungry and ruthless, as long as they remain within the boundaries of the rules.
In contrast to Chaotic Evil characters, who are unpredictable and anarchic, Lawful Evil characters have a pronounced preference for organization and structure. They may be members of an evil organization or tyranny in which they exploit their position of power to achieve their goals.
However, this does not mean that all characters with a Lawful Evil alignment are law-abiding or follow the same rules. How Lawful manifests in characters is completely different. Some Lawful Evil characters follow their own code or have their own rules by which they act.
How Do You Play Lawful Evil Right?
Correctly playing a Lawful Evil character requires an understanding of the fundamental characteristics and motivations of this alignment. Here are some guidelines for playing a Lawful Evil character properly:
- Observe laws and rules: Lawful Evil characters strictly adhere to rules, laws and social hierarchies. They recognize the importance of order and stability and use these to advance their own interests. Make sure your character adheres to existing structures, even if they are ethically questionable.
- Motivation: Lawful Evil characters act primarily from questionable motives. They pursue personal goals, power gain or the fulfillment of their own needs, even if this comes at the expense of others. Make sure your actions aim to promote your own interests while staying within the boundaries of your own rules.
- Manipulation and intrigue: Lawful Evil characters are often skilled at manipulating others and spinning intrigue to achieve their goals. Use your knowledge of hierarchy and others’ weaknesses to maximize your own advantage. Be careful and consider the possible consequences if you are exposed by others.
- Respect authority: Lawful Evil characters respect authority and hierarchy as long as it helps them achieve their own goals. Follow orders from superiors or superior figures, but look for opportunities to strengthen or expand your own position.
- Moral dilemmas: An interesting aspect of playing a Lawful Evil character is that they often face moral dilemmas. Find ways to make moral decisions that serve your own interests while also respecting laws and rules. This can lead to inner conflicts and complex character development.
Lawful Evil: Examples from Pop Culture
- Darth Vader (Star Wars): Darth Vader is a classic example of a Lawful Evil character. He serves the Empire and follows its strict hierarchies and rules. Although he commits cruel and evil acts, he does so within the structures of the Empire and strives to maintain order and control.
- Jaime Lannister (Game of Thrones): Jaime Lannister is another example of a Lawful Evil character in Game of Thrones. He is a masterful tactician and fighter who strives for power and control. He operates within his own laws and rules, but his methods are often cruel and unscrupulous. His family comes above everything else for him.
- Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter): Lord Voldemort is a Lawful Evil character in the Harry Potter series. Although he pursues an extremely evil goal – gaining power over the wizarding world – he follows the structures of wizarding society and forms a hierarchy within his followers. He uses his manipulation skills to enforce loyalty and obedience.
- Frank Underwood (House of Cards): Frank Underwood from the TV series House of Cards also embodies Lawful Evil. He is an unscrupulous politician who adheres to political rules and hierarchy to gain power. His actions are selfish and often ruthless, but he uses existing political structures to achieve his goals.
Dealing with a Lawful Evil Character as Player and Dungeon Master: Here’s How
When a player plays a Lawful Evil character, it’s important that they talk with the Dungeon Master and other players about expectations and boundaries. Clarify how the character fits into the group dynamic and how conflicts that may arise from moral differences should be handled. Since Lawful Evil characters often pursue their own selfish goals, conflicts can arise with other characters in the group, especially if they have a strong moral compass. It’s important to handle these conflicts in a way that doesn’t impair the fun and balance of the group. Constructive communication between players and finding compromises can help.
But a Lawful Evil character also offers great opportunities for character development and inner conflicts. Dungeon Masters can create situations where the character faces moral dilemmas and is forced to reflect on their motivations and actions. This can lead to interesting character development and give them depth.
Let Lawful Evil characters have a strong influence on the game world. As a Dungeon Master, you can show the consequences of their actions in the story and with NPCs. Show how their selfish decisions can have effects on others and how their reputation and relationships change as a result.
The boundaries of evil: Even with a Lawful Evil character, there are limits. As a player or Dungeon Master, clarify how far the character can go before it becomes overly disruptive or problematic for the gaming group. Certain actions, such as arbitrarily killing innocent people, can negatively affect the game. It’s important to stick to the game rules and common sense.
I personally actually quite like having Lawful Evil characters in campaigns; they offer great roleplaying opportunities and moral conflicts without derailing the story too much. However, I think that since all players should pull together in pen and paper games, Lawful Evil characters fit better in an evil party than in a good one. This way you avoid conflicts preventively.
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