Neutral Evil

A neutral evil villain does whatever she can get away with. She is out for herself, pure and simple. She sheds no tears for those she kills, whether for profit, sport, or convenience. She has no love of order and holds no illusion that following laws, traditions, or codes would make her any better or more noble. On the other hand, she doesn't have the restless nature or love of conflict that a chaotic evil villain has.

The neutral evil creature views law and chaos as unnecessary considerations, for pure evil is all-in-all. Either might be used, but both are disdained as foolish clutter useless in eventually bringing maximum evilness to the world. Similar to the neutral good alignment, that of neutral evil holds that neither groups nor individuals have great meaning. This ethos holds that seeking to promote weal for all actually brings woe to the truly deserving. Natural forces which are meant to cull out the weak and stupid are artificially suppressed by so-called good, and the fittest are wrongfully held back, so whatever means are expedient can be used by the powerful to gain and maintain their dominance, without concern for anything.

Neutral evil characters are primarily concerned with themselves and their own advancement. They have no particular objection to working with others or, for that matter, going it on their own. Their only interest is in getting ahead. If there is a quick and easy way to gain a profit, whether it be legal, questionable, or obviously illegal, they take advantage of it. Although neutral evil characters do not have the every-man-for-himself attitude of chaotic characters, they have no qualms about betraying their friends and companions for personal gain. They typically base their allegiance on power and money, which makes them quite receptive to bribes.

The neutral evil is an unscrupulous, self-serving character who is only out for himself. Power, glory, wealth, position, and anything that will make his life more comfortable is his goal. It matters not who gets caught in the middle, as long as he comes out smelling like a rose. This person will lie, cheat, and kill anyone to attain his personal goals.

These characters willingly cooperate with anyone who will further their own ends. They often seek the easy road to fame and fortune, with little concern for the people they trample along the way. They value strength and ability alone. If the neutral evil can use laws to weaken those who stand in the way of his success, he will use them. If he must resort to breaking the law, he will. He has no preference for either method. The only important thing is that he gets what he wants. Laws are tools to use against people, as well as their own sense of honor.

For the neutral evil being, law and chaos are beneath consideration in this character's quest for pure evil in the universe. At the root of this character 's personality is the word "wicked." Evil is his goal; natural and man-made forces, if allowed to take their course, weed out the weak and useless in society. The deserving should take advantage of this condition to further their own goals by any means possible, especially to destroy weaklings who put forward "good" actions to promote the well being of all, which is just an excuse used to deny the deserving their due. To the neutral evil being, life is of no value, for those who cannot take advantage of their superiority don't deserve it, and they'll only interfere with the rightful pursuits of those who do.

A neutral evil character never feels compelled to keep his word. He will attack and kill an unarmed foe (those are the best kind). He will harm and may possibly kill an innocent. He will use torture to extract information and for pleasure. He may kill for pleasure. A neutral evil character will use poison. He will not help those in need without a reward and he works well alone or in a group. He responds well to higher authority until that authority attempts to use the law to hamper his ability to pursue his own agenda. He will follow the law unless breaking it is in his best interest and he's reasonably sure that he will not be caught. He may betray a family member, comrade, or friend if it is convenient to do so and it advances his agenda. Neutral evil characters are indifferent to the concepts of self-discipline and honor, finding them useful only if they can be used to advance their own interests or gain power over others.

Here are some possible adjectives describing neutral evil characters: unfeeling, uncaring, insensitive, unkind, uncooperative (unless it suits them), self-reliant, wicked, cruel, depraved, corrupt, immoral, hateful, vicious, and destructive.

## The Neutral Evil Code

The personal code of a neutral evil character may look like this:

1. You shall lie to advance yourself.
2. You shall harm the innocent to advance yourself.
3. You shall kill to advance yourself.
4. You shall not aid the weak.
5. You shall honor those who are stronger.
6. You shall follow the law only to advance yourself.
7. You shall betray friends, family, community, and nation to advance yourself.
8. You shall not aid those who protect the weak.
9. You shall not show mercy to enemies.
10. You shall seek unlimited power over others.

## Ten Neutral Evil Signs of Weakness

Likewise, a neutral 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 neutral evil philosophy. This list is given in the order of least severe infraction to most severe.

1. Failing to show malice or inflict pain upon an innocent when it would be pleasurable to do so.
2. Not challenging a clearly weak leader for leadership.
3. Keeping your word when doing so would interfere with personal gain.
4. Refusing to commit cruel act that would harm your enemy or rival when appropriate.
5. Making a sacrifice to help another when not important to your survival.
6. Failing to commit cruel acts that are in your best interest.
7. Refusing to kill for personal gain or wealth.
8. Turning down a chance to gain power or wealth.
9. Showing mercy to one who is opposed to you or your cause.
10. Aiding the servants of Goodness.

## The Neutral Evil Adventurer

The following two lists detail common actions undertaken during "adventuring" that are considered honorable and dishonorable for the neutral 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:

* Accused of crime (innocent or not)
* Attacking an unarmed or obviously inferior opponent
* Defeating a superior opponent
* Delivering death blow to a helpless opponent
* Desecrating an enemy's corpse
* Dirty Fighting
* Falsely claiming the 'bragging rights' that belong to another or outright lying
* Fleeing a fight with a superior opponent
* Gloating over a victory
* Neglecting to properly bury a member of one's own race
* Paying off an extortionist or shake-down
* Perpetrate humiliating prank on enemy
* Refusing a fair contest/challenge
* Reporting the illegal actions of enemies to the authorities when profitable
* Taking a bribe
* Taunting an enemy into fighting
* Unjustly slaying a prisoner or unarmed opponent who has yielded
* Walking away from a challenge
* The following actions are dishonorable for this alignment:
* Allowing a disarmed enemy to pick up his weapon
* Allowing the enemy to attack first
* Defeated by an inferior opponent
* Picking up the funeral expenses of someone you slew in combat
* Refusing medical treatment for the good of the party
* Saving the life of another at great risk to own self
* Taking an arrow or hit for someone else
* Taking prisoners

## Neutral Evil and Society

A neutral evil being...

* Values his family, but will not heed their requests necessarily.
* Will provide for friends, and expects to be repaid in some manner.
* Does not seek positions of authority over others.
* Fits in with their society.
* Supports their nation when profitable.
* Supports the law when advantageous to do so.
* Is not concerned with politics, most likely.
* Will keep his word only if it is profitable.
* Will take risks if the benefits are great.
* Will betray family members for personal gain.
* Will betray friends if profitable.
* Will seek to undermine his community and nation, especially if profitable.
* Is not trusted by the community and may have enemies.
* Will kill others to get ahead.
* Uses any means necessary to evade justice.
* Will use wealth to destroy others.

The residents of a community with a neutral evil government are usually oppressed and subjugated, facing a dire future. Neutral evil societies tend to adopt whatever government seems most expedient at the moment. A particular form of government lasts as long as the ruler or dynasty in power can maintain it. Neutral evil countries tend to be brutal dictatorships. Transfers of power are usually marked by shifts in government, often bloody coups. There is a certain apathy about politics and government.