Lawful Evil
A lawful evil villain methodically takes what he wants within the limits of his code of conduct without regard for whom it hurts. He cares about tradition, loyalty, and order but not about freedom, dignity, or life. He plays by the rules but without mercy or compassion. He is comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but is willing to serve. He condemns others not according to their actions but according to race, religion, homeland, or social rank. He is loath to break laws or promises.
This reluctance comes partly from his nature and partly because he depends on order to protect himself from those who oppose him on moral grounds. Some lawful evil villains have particular taboos, such as not killing in cold blood (but having underlings do it) or not letting children come to harm (if it can be helped). They imagine that these compunctions put them above unprincipled villains.
Some lawful evil people and creatures commit themselves to evil with a zeal like that of a crusader committed to good. Beyond being willing to hurt others for their own ends, they take pleasure in spreading evil as an end unto itself. They may also see doing evil as part of a duty to an evil deity or master.
Lawful evil is sometimes called "diabolical," because devils are the epitome of lawful evil. Lawful evil creatures consider their alignment to be the best because it combines honor with a dedicated self-interest. Lawful evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents methodical, intentional, and frequently successful evil.
The Philosophy of Lawful Evil
Lawful evil is the philosophy that the self is best advanced through the apparatus of the state. It is a philosophy of egoistic collectivism. This philosophy holds that people should behave egoistically and that the state exists to elevate the worthy to positions of power. Lawful evil can also be associated with rule egoism, universal ethical egoism, and social darwinism.
Lawful evil philosophers generally maintain that there is metaphysical order in the multiverse and thus may support doctrines of hard determinism, predeterminism, fatalism, predestination, and/or necessitarianism. They may believe in fate or destiny. They tend to be moral objectivists, holding that values exist in the external world independently of and external to our comprehension of them; that they can be found and known; and that they must be used as principles for human judgments and conduct.
The ideal government for this alignment is an authoritarian state with codified laws supporting a social order in which radical egoism is rewarded and altruism is punished. Lawful evil beings want the power of the state to be used for the benefit of the self. Retributive justice is used to punish those who threaten the social order.
The Lawful Evil Code
A code of conduct for a lawful evil organization may look like this:
1. You shall not lie.
2. You shall harm the innocent to advance yourself or promote order.
3. You shall kill to advance yourself or promote order.
4. You shall not aid the weak.
5. You shall honor legitimate authority that promotes you and your comrades.
6. You shall follow the law.
7. You shall not betray others.
8. You shall not aid criminals or those who protect the weak.
9. You shall use the law to advance yourself and your comrades.
10. You shall seek unlimited power over others and unlimited order in society.
Ten Lawful Evil Signs of Weakness
Likewise, a lawful evil character may consider the following as signs of weakness. A sign of weakness indicates that the character is straying from the cruel tenets of the lawful evil philosophy. This list is given in the order of least severe infraction to most severe.
1. Failing to use the law to harm others, even when there is no chance for personal gain.
2. Failing to assist or avenge a peer.
3. Failing to dominate those not worthy of respect.
4. Breaking your word to your peer or ally.
5. Refusing to punish the disobedient. Not pursuing vengeance when appropriate.
6. Failing to commit cruel acts that are in your best interest.
7. Failing to further your cause when opportunity presents.
8. Turning down a chance to gain power or wealth. Failing to corrupt an institution or being for material gain.
9. Betraying your superior without cause. Breaking your word to your superior.
10. Aiding the forces of Freedom and Goodness. Breaking a sacred oath.
The Lawful Evil Adventurer
The following two lists detail common actions undertaken during "adventuring" that are considered honorable and dishonorable for the lawful evil alignment. An honorable action is one that is in keeping with the spirit of this alignment, while dishonorable actions tend to be those which bring shame to the character in the eyes of his or her alignment peers. Note that an action which is considered honorable by one alignment may be considered dishonorable by another alignment and vice versa.
The following actions are honorable for this alignment:
Allowing a disarmed enemy to pick up his weapon
Allowing the enemy to attack first
Allowing the enemy to remove their dead/wounded from the field
Defeating a superior opponent
Delivering death blow to a helpless opponent
Desecrating an enemy's corpse
Gloating over a victory
Neglecting to properly bury a member of one's own race
Paying off an extortionist or shake-down
Reporting illegal actions to the authorities
Taking a bribe
Taking prisoners
Taunting an enemy into fighting
Unjustly slaying a prisoner or unarmed opponent who has yielded
The following actions are dishonorable for this alignment:
Accused of crime (innocent or not)
Being taken prisoner
Convicted of a crime
Defeated by an inferior opponent
Falsely claiming the 'bragging rights' that belong to another or outright lying
Fleeing a battle that's obviously going poorly
Fleeing a fight with a superior opponent
Fleeing a fight with an equal opponent
Killing a host who has provided you food or shelter
Picking up the funeral expenses of someone you slew in combat
Refusing a fair contest/challenge
Saving the life of another at great risk to own self
Surrendering
Taking an arrow or hit for someone else
Treason
Walking away from a challenge
Lawful Evil and Society
A lawful evil being...
Values lifelong commitment to a romantic partner.
Obeys all personal contracts.
Respects the laws and authority figures of the community and nation.
Considers public service in a leadership role an honor.
Supports the legal procedures of the nation, without regard to their own discomfort.
Seeks secure employment, believing hard work will pay off in the end.
Will betray law-breaking family members for personal gain. Will not betray family if loyal.
Will betray law-breaking friends if profitable. Will not betray loyal friends.
Will seek to undermine his community and nation, if profitable and legal.
Is not trusted by the community and may have enemies.
Will kill others to get ahead.
Uses any legal means necessary to evade justice.
Will use wealth to destroy others.
A community with a lawful evil government usually has a codified set of laws, which most people obey out of fear of harsh punishment. The government is marked by its severe laws, involving harsh punishments regardless of guilt or innocence. Laws are not intended to preserve justice so much as to maintain the status quo. Social class is crucial. Bribery and corruption are often ways of life. Adventurers, since they are outsiders who may be foreign agents, are viewed with great suspicion. Lawful evil kingdoms often find themselves quashing rebellions of oppressed peasants clamoring for humane treatment.
No Comments