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D&D for EVIL Characters/Party

Started by OldSchoolGamer, October 19, 2008, 05:30:06 AM

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OldSchoolGamer

I've always wanted to flip the script and DM for a party of evil characters (or at least a couple evil characters in their own thread).  I am somewhat loose in how I interpret "evil" as an alignment, so just because a character is labeled "evil" doesn't mean said character has to spend every moment of his existence raping, killing and pillaging.  I view "evil" as willing to take advantage of or hurt innocent others to achieve a goal.

The characters in this game would advance and level up just like normal characters in a typical D&D game.  The system I would use is Second Edition.  This may rub some people the wrong way, but I just really don't have the time or inclination to learn Third and Fourth.  The system itself isn't critically important anyway, as I view story to be more important than system.

shadowheart

I'm in!

Evil, oh yes I can do evil. :)

and 2E is one I have some familiarity with (and now have the PDFs of the gamebooks).

What setting are we talking about, out of curiosity?

VandalSavage

I am most definitely interested in this.  Do cement me a spot, if you would.

I eagerly await more details as to setting and storyline.

OldSchoolGamer

The setting is the frontier town of Oldsted, which is run by an empire that is currently in decline.  (In other words, the garrison there is powerful enough to fend off lower-level villains and act as a foil, but weak enough that higher-level villains could wrest control of Oldsted...my way as a DM of giving you something to aspire to, if you wish.)  The town has a decent economy of silver and iron mining, with arable land and a lesser river.

My interpretation of rules tends to be somewhat loose; I view the system as existing to support the story, not the other way 'round.  Mainly the system is there to rough out the boundaries of character power, to prevent "you hit me, no you didn't, yes I did" situations, and to provide "goodies" to aspire to (remember your first game of D&D and that first +1 weapon or potion you discovered...ah, those were the days...)  One element I add is "boons, quirks and banes," which are modifiers applied to characters based on background and conduct during a game.  For instance, a character who runs from battle a couple times might get the bane "Doubtful Courage," which would give a -10% to the loyalty of henchmen and hirelings.  On the other hand, a character who had grown up in hardscrabble circumstances might get the boon "Brawler," which would give her a +1 to hit and +1 on damage in unarmed combat.  A character who charges into battle with little regard for the odds might get the quirk "Hard Charger," giving a +1 to hit on the first attack of a battle, but also assigning a penalty of +1 to his A.C. for that round.  Banes are bad, quirks roughly neutral, and boons are good.  Characters can also advance through notches in a boon, quirk or bane:

Notch 1: "Brawler."  This character has seen her fair share of fights in her rough life. +1 to hit and +1 on damage when fighting unarmed.
Notch 2: "Scrapper." This character is inured to a life fighting for respect on the streets.  +2 to hit, +1 on damage, crits on a 19 or 20 when fighting unarmed.
Notch 3: "Martial Artist."  This character has shown her aptitude, battle-tested and time-hardened, to getting down and dirty in everything from ambushes to bar-room brawls. +2 to hit, +2 on damage, crits on a 19 or 20, 25% chance to disarm opponent when fighting unarmed.

I usually assign new characters a boon, a quirk, and a bane.

For ability scores, I use a point-buy system.  You get 75 points.  15s cost 16, 16s 18, 17s 20, and 18s 22.


Characters may be from any one of the following races.  Since some are inherently more powerful than others, I have added mods to try and even things out.

human (no mods)
goblin (gets two extra ability score points and one extra boon notch)
orc
ogre (+2 to STR, +1 to CON, -1 to INT, gets one less ability score point and one extra bane notch)
troll (regeneration, +1 to STR, -1 to WIS, gets two less ability score points, two extra bane notches, and a -10% penalty to XP)
gnoll
hill giant (+3 to STR, +1 to CON, -1 to DEX, gets three less ability score points, three extra bane notches, and a -20% penalty to XP)
lizard man
werewolf (special)

Characters start at first level.  Evil priests can choose from the following deities:

Lunis (goddess of the night and moon)
Moort (god of death)
Kalestra (goddess of cunning and conniving, sister of Lunis, above)
Baanid (god of battle and destruction)
Decere (god of winter, may be worshipped by any align)
Terrestro (god of the underworld, brother of Moort, above)
Ba-eth (greater demon)

Clerics can also elect not to worship a particular god, instead being mystics of a given sphere or domain.  Sample domains include darkness, death, battle, the underworld, wealth, etc., and can be worked out with me.

shadowheart

OK, sounds interesting.  I have an idea, but I must ask, if you would allow the Complete Book of Necromancers?

:D:D

OldSchoolGamer

I'll evaluate supplements on a case-by-case basis.  Bottom line: if you create an interesting, reasonably balanced character, I have no problem bending the rules some to accommodate him/her.

shadowheart

Fair enough.  I just have an idea for a rather wicked character, and I just wanted to see if I had to use only core 2E stuff or if that supplement's open.  Not sure yet that I want her to be a necromancer in fact, 'cause that's so done!  Might consider another kind of M/U Specialist that isn't necessarily traditionally evil. :)

OldSchoolGamer

Yes, by all means I encourage a multidimensional approach to evil.  Evil doesn't have to mean sacrificing kittens and robbing old ladies.  Evil can be the guy who gets screwed over one time too many and crosses the line, or a guy with a deep misogynist streak who otherwise leads at least a mostly upright life.  Evil can be someone who has a goal that's actually not all that bad...but who will step on and violate anyone to accomplish it.  Evil can be based on ignorance, like a colonist who lands on a new continent and thinks the people there are inferior and put there by the gods to be raped and enslaved.

GrinningHound

I am interested.  I used to play 2nd edition....10 years ago or so, and I don't have the books, so, that might pose a *small* problem as I don't know the exact numbers for stuff.  If you would help me make my character I'm sure I could manage, though, with only minimal on the spot instruction.

My character idea isn't totally fleshed out, as I've only just read this ad, but suffice to say he'd be a sort of mercenary/wandering warrior who falls into greed and for wealth and glory a bit too deeply.

OldSchoolGamer

Quote from: GrinningHound on October 19, 2008, 08:28:57 PM
I am interested.  I used to play 2nd edition....10 years ago or so, and I don't have the books, so, that might pose a *small* problem as I don't know the exact numbers for stuff.  If you would help me make my character I'm sure I could manage, though, with only minimal on the spot instruction.

My character idea isn't totally fleshed out, as I've only just read this ad, but suffice to say he'd be a sort of mercenary/wandering warrior who falls into greed and for wealth and glory a bit too deeply.

That works...those who plunder for others often take a share for themselves, too...

shadowheart

Point-based purchase of attributes:  What is the cost for attributes between 11-14?  I assume 10 is 0 and you get points back for 9 or below?


OldSchoolGamer

Attributes below 15 are on a point-by-point basis.  75/6=12.5, which means that stats are two points above the statistical average (10.5) for a toss of 3d6.  I hate stat inflation...in my games, a 16 is uncommon, a 17 rare, and 18 truly exceptional...as it should be.

Transgirlenstein

..I love 2nd edition!  I would love to be in on this.  I'm thinking of maybe a savage druid or ranger?
Busy with freelance writing work.  Replies slow.  Feel free to prod me. 

Formally Tripping Satyr, Tripping Snake and QueenTrippingserpent.  Often known as Trip.

Ons/Offs: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=19217.0

Seeking Games!: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=71239.0

VandalSavage

I have in mind an utterly anti-social - albeit very cunning and adaptable - brute in mind to play.  Human, but one whose background would make "raised by wolves" akin to growing up with the Brady Bunch.  He will not have a problem getting along with those he must, but this young savage is, essential, no more than an animal.

Others are to be exploited however possible, or eliminated as threats.  All creatures are below him, or soon will be.  And his appetites are considerable.

Some manner of Warrior would be most suitable.  Might we use Kits, if approved?

RubySlippers

What no elves, dwarves, halflings or gnomes that just went bad - elves make awesome evil people they live a long time and when they go dark can be just wrong. A halfling that is evil and greedy is not pretty.

I was thinking a Half-Elf (specifically half-drow) who is a mullticlass not sure with what yet there are so many options are you sticking to the books or may I get - creative - a bit. Within the classes normally allowed naturally. I will likely do the loyal henchwoman archetype likely LE or a pragmatic NE - as in why should she take risks when others are ambitious and will get the heat first and SHE can still gain her desires for power.  ;)

(I have to see if I still have my books, I should have my PH and Priests Handbook at least.)


shadowheart

Cool, looks like we got a group, after a fashion at least. :D

OK, will work up my evil magic user soon as I can and PM her to you.

Transgirlenstein

wow we dont have a gnome..I love gnomes.  I mgiht change my character to a gnome cleric.  Not sure to which God though.
Busy with freelance writing work.  Replies slow.  Feel free to prod me. 

Formally Tripping Satyr, Tripping Snake and QueenTrippingserpent.  Often known as Trip.

Ons/Offs: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=19217.0

Seeking Games!: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=71239.0

RubySlippers

They have a racial evil diety some big mole thing.

I can't play I don't have a 2nd Edition Players Handbook to make a character up with.

sleepingferret

Quote from: RubySlippers on October 22, 2008, 12:08:22 PM
I can't play I don't have a 2nd Edition Players Handbook to make a character up with.

She could play... I sent her a copy of the PHB.

As for myself.... what about using the Complete Ninja's Handbook?  Or what about a drow fighter/thief?

RubySlippers

This is important since if I take a bard its a big benefit of the class - are you using proficiencies or not? (Frankly I love them but that is up to the DM but it would be nice.)

shadowheart

Still working on my evil little bi .. er .. witch :)


GrinningHound

Okay, still thinking about just how I want my character.  I don't want him to start out evil, just a little ambiguous, and ambitious.

I want him to be the type of epic warrior that would be in legends, akin to Hercules, Samson, Conan, (Kratos :P), meaning larger than life, and capable of legendary feats (strangling Hill Giants, pushing aside boulders, etc.)

So, basically I'm looking at an 18 STR.  :P  The character will descend into darkness and such as the game progresses.  Fighters in 2E got followers and castles, right?

I might multiclass him into a dark paladin as we go, depending on the events in the story.

RubySlippers

And my bard will emulate his tale of greatness and gladly serve at his side and to the rear a bit, as long as she can share in his glory.

Are you going to be LE?

GrinningHound

Not sure.  Depending on how the story goes and how the character evolves he could turn out to be lawful, neutral, or chaotic.  I'm not sure yet.

He'll probably hate magic users.  :P

RubySlippers

I could do a Fighter/Bard and when he looks at her just turn to show her Fighter half to him perhaps.

;D