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.

Creatures of this alignments are great respecters of laws and strict order, but life, beauty, truth, freedom, and the like are held as valueless, or at least scorned. By adhering to stringent discipline, those of lawful evil alignments hope to impose their yoke upon the world. Obviously, all order is not good, nor are all laws beneficial. Lawful evil creatures consider order as the means by which each group is properly placed in the cosmos, from the lowest to the highest, strongest first, weakest last. Good is seen as an excuse to promote the mediocrity of the whole and suppress the better and more capable, while lawful evilness allows each group to structure itself and fix its place as compared to others, serving the stronger, but being served by the weaker.

These characters believe in using society and its laws to benefit themselves. Structure and organization elevate those who deserve to rule as well as provide a clearly defined hierarchy between master and servant. To this end, lawful evil characters support laws and societies that protect their own concerns. If someone is hurt or suffers because of a law that benefits lawful evil characters, too bad. Lawful evil characters obey the law out of fear of punishment. Because they may be forced to honor an unfavorable contract or oath they have made, lawful evil characters are usually very careful about giving their word. Once given, they break their word only if they can find a way to do it legally, within the laws of the society.

The cliché that there is "No honor among thieves" is false when dealing with the lawful evil character. This is a person who is driven to attain his goals through force, power, and intimidation. Yet the lawful evil stands apart from the norm, with his own, personal, code of ethics. He expects loyalty from his minions, punishing disloyalty and treachery with a swift merciful death. A lawful evil character will define his terms and live by them, whether anyone else likes it or not. (3)

Lawful evil characters value the allegiances that they have with their cause, government, religion, or other organization. They also value those individuals that they call allies. Betraying a friend is just as much a transgression for the lawful evil as it is for the lawful good. Lawful evil characters always try to work within the law, since it's the safest way to ensure your own success. Breaking the law results in possible punishment and forfeiture of both wealth and power, and the lawful evil is loath to give up what he has attained through his own determination. These characters also like to use the law to destroy their enemies. If a lawful evil can find devastating evidence of a rival's wrongdoing, you can be assured that he will use this information to his own advantage.

This character seeks to increase his power over others within the hierarchy of the universe, with the strongest first and the weakest last. Naturally, most adherents of this alignment wish to be first. Like the other two lawful alignments, the lawful evil being normally holds that strict order is of utmost importance, but he sees it as necessary to further the ends of the deserving (strong ) over the undeserving (weak and worthless). Usually it is that being's own ends that are to be promoted above all others, but he respects the will of the group and the power and authority of those above him--unless he believes his superiors are not deserving of that position. A lawful evil being is seldom subject to the secular laws of good society in general, as he sees those laws as restrictive and unfair because they deny the worthy their proper place. So-called "good" is seen as a means by which the undeserving are placed and maintained in positions of power, whereas each person should be allotted his place by his leaders according to personal merit. Life is valueless to the lawful evil character; those too weak to defend their possessions and positions don't deserve to have them in the first place.

A lawful evil character will keep his word if he gives it and will never lie, although he may mislead or withhold information. He will attack and kill an unarmed foe and will harm an innocent. He will use torture to extract information, but never for pleasure. He will kill only to advance himself, never for pleasure. A lawful evil character will use poison. He will not help those in need without a reward and he prefers to work with others. He responds well to higher authority, is trustful of organizations, and will always follow the law. He will never betray a family member, comrade, or friend. Lawful evil characters respect the concepts of self-discipline and honor. (5)

Here are some possible adjectives describing lawful evil characters: cruel, vengeful, proud, callous, hostile, taciturn, malevolent, calculating, plotting, merciless, domineering, severe, tyrannical, commanding, organized, and respectful of authority and power.

Well known lawful evil characters from film or literature include: Darth Vader (Star Wars), Magneto (Marvel Comics), Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter), and the Borg (Star Trek, the Next Generation).

Equivalent alignment in other game systems: Aberrant (Palladium), Road of Blood (Vampire), Dark Side (Star Wars), Evil (Warhammer), Corrupt (Alternity).

### **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...

* Respects the authority figures in his family and obeys their mandates.
* 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.