Roleplaying » Discussions


How do you play an "evil" character?

  • July 9, 2019

    I have had a really interesting idea for a character build, but I always stumble shortly after starting my Skyrim playthrough.

    Background (limited): My character is egotistical (boastful), narcissistic (loves self), and conceited (superior).  The build is aimed toward a dark necromancer-style design, though there are subtle nuances.  In essence, my character believes in helping people by giving them immortality through soul trapping.  However, to keep my playthrough from being a "kill and soul trap everyone you meet" playthrough, I am weaving some mod-related influences into that playstyle (giving meaning to those who are targeted for immortality).

    My typical start and stop:

    1.  Begin Skyrim-walk around a little bit (RP my start)

    2.  Find some people (who always need help), say "no" to their request [I don't care to help them]

    3.  Rinse and repeat while doing other things until I feel like I am simply don't have a clear direction in continuing to play, then deleting the character for a bit until I try again.

    My Question:  How you do play that type of "evil" character?

    If you never help anyone, you really have nothing to do in Skyrim.  Obviously, I do find situations where helping is needed, but they are very rare and hard to justify (in my mind) to a more self-centered character.  I guess I can start to overlook the simplified dialog in Skyrim and "invent" more in my mind that could motivate me to assist some people.  I'm just looking for ideas.

    Thank you all in advance!

  • July 9, 2019

    OK. Some random thoughts. Have they got a story line, with a beginning and an end, or an end goal. Maybe it might be easier if theirs is only a short story, but one that can be completed?

    What organisation or deity can they use? or be used by? 

    Helping people to gain immortality? All people, or only those worthy? Find followers who are worthy of the honor. Only altmer, or Nords? Look wider, who in the world ? Only the downtrodden shall enter?  Ulfric? Tullius? Did some one mention Alduin? Wait, You are the ultimate soul gem and weapon?

    Good luck. It's certainly something I struggle with. What do I do with a follower of a Prince once the deed is done? It is easier when they have a passion outside themselves, eg politics or romance, but yeah, the self centred ones :/

     

  • July 9, 2019

    Mook,

    Your original questions are in bold below, with my responses following your questions:

    Mook said:

    OK. Some random thoughts. Have they got a story line, with a beginning and an end, or an end goal. Maybe it might be easier if theirs is only a short story, but one that can be completed?

    There is a story line with a definite beginning and expected end goal, but my plan is to disrupt that end goal with an opposing end goal (call it a plot twist if you'd like).

    What organisation or deity can they use? or be used by? 

    The character is serving a master (hence the expected end goal above).  That is all tied to the beginning and character build.  Sorry if I am being a bit vague at the moment, but I want to really flush out this character idea before revealing it on the forums.

    Helping people to gain immortality? All people, or only those worthy? Find followers who are worthy of the honor. Only altmer, or Nords? Look wider, who in the world ? Only the downtrodden shall enter?  Ulfric? Tullius? Did some one mention Alduin? Wait, You are the ultimate soul gem and weapon?

    There is a specific method to my madness here, though I want to really make all the ideas come together intelligently.  As I mentioned in the original post, I am using a mod to help me with this as well, so there is a grand weaving together of ideas going on.  And, minor spoiler here, my character is not the ultimate soul gem and weapon per say, but more of the conduit and weapon.  :-)

    Good luck. It's certainly something I struggle with. What do I do with a follower of a Prince once the deed is done? It is easier when they have a passion outside themselves, eg politics or romance, but yeah, the self centred ones :/

    Thanks, Mook!  Yes, it's pretty hard to find a way to fit in a character who really doesn't care about anyone into the "forced" Skyrim storyline.  I need to defeat Alduin, but how does one do that if you really don't want to help Helgen by warning the Jarl (and thus starting the quest)?  I'm taking a lot of baby steps right now, trying to figure out what makes sense and what doesn't.  I do have to write in my own sub-stories (that fit) to help make those decisions.  I'll post an example shortly (which might help spark some thoughts and discussion).

     

  • July 9, 2019

    (Sample sub-story)

    Valana stumbled around in the darkness, physically and mentally exhausted from her earlier encounters.  Firstly, she had murdered two necromancers—their souls torn from their bodies as she plunged the poorly-crafted knife into each one.  She had a vague memory of them as acquaintances, but the satisfaction from their new-found salvation overpowered any other thoughts.  Secondly, after leaving the cave, she had encountered a few wolves as she wandered through the forest.  Simple magic had quickly dispatched them.  She used her knife with precision as she skinned the animals, harvesting precious ingredients, and acquiring food.

    Valana cursed to herself, for she had taken too long to rest and prepare the wolves.  In doing so, she had lost the light and heat of the day; but she needed food.  Her body was unusually weak, and hunger pangs were besetting her body at an ever-increasing rate.  Finally, she saw a light in the distance.  Squinting her eyes, she could barely make out the shapes of buildings in the distance.  She shivered in the cold and headed toward the light.

    She skirted around the village, sticking to the forest growth to the east.  She spied some guards patrolling the area; easily avoiding them in the darkness.  Off to one side of the road that ran through the middle of the village was a campfire.  “That,” she thought to herself, “is my goal for tonight.”  She spent a good while navigating the shadows and tall underbrush, inching closer to the campfire.  Finally, she reached her destination.  Laying prone on the cool ground in some tall grass near the flames, she set her wolf meat on one of the hot stones surrounding the fire.  After what seemed like an eternity of smelling the cooking meal, she pulled it off the rock and quickly devoured it, ignoring both the cold and the blood still dripping from the meat.  Then, in an instant, she fell asleep.

    Valana awoke with a startling jolt.  A nearby guard laughed as the fur cloak that had been placed on Valana briefly went partially airborne.  Her mind quickly considered various options and outcomes, though most ended in a most unpleasant way for her.  Finally, she looked at the guard and said, “Thank you,” while reaching for the cloak.

    “I’d love to appreciate your thanks,” replied the guard, “but Filnjar gave you the cloak.”  The guard smiled and studied Valana’s form as if trying to say he’d still like her thanks.

    “Filnjar?” asked Valana.  “Where can I find him?”

    The guard’s smile left his face.  “Figures,” he replied.  “He’s the blacksmith.  You can find him just up the road,” he said, pointing to the building to the south.

    Valana quickly got up, wrapping the fur cloak around her body, and headed to the smithy.  Nearing the building, she saw a strong-looking older Nord working at the anvil.  He must have seen her approaching, as he stopped hammering on the steel when she approached.

    “You must be Filnjar,” Valana said with a slight smile.  “Thank you.”

    “Of course,” he replied with a jolly tone.  “I didn’t want you freezing to death.  Now, what brings you here?”

    “I’m a little lost,” she said.  “Where exactly is here?”

    Laughing, Filnjar answered, “This is Shor’s Stone, lass.”  With that, he proceeded to tell Valana about the village and their recent problem with spiders in the mine.

    *** Fast forward to keep this post somewhat short ***

    After clearing the mine to show her power, she left Shor’s Stone with some gold; a fur cloak; a rough, hand-drawn map of Skyrim; and a promise to return.  “After all,” Valana thought to herself, “I’m quite sure Filnjar would love serving me forever.”  She headed down the road to the north with an unexplainable, alien sense of urgency.

    *** Brief discussion ***

    She helped out in return for a favor (and to show people she was a capable mage), but ultimately she is also manipulating people to her own advantage and looking for people to immortalize.

    She left without talking to Sylgja, though had Sylgja asked for help Valana would have refused.  I don’t think Valana would have seen any benefit in helping her out.  Sadly, this is likely true for many of the requests for help (i.e., quest lines) in Skyrim.

  • July 10, 2019

    Yes, I see what you mean, though there are still a lot of quests with an interesting smell of evil, even if you ignore some of the little people?

    The MQ isn't so bad to get into with the alternative start mod. Passing close to Helgen will trigger the appearance of Alduin, and give prompts to investigate and help. However if you carry on your merry way after this, I believe the MQ won't capture you until you happen to enter Dragonreach. Of course if you happen to have already been through BFB, it's not big deal to produce the stone which leads you to the first decision you make , of joining in the dragon fight.

    I have a Bent Khajiit who may have reasons to poke her nose (briefly) in the Thieves guild, but  I'm still working on how to get her interested in entering the ophanage to kill Grelod. It may have to be the voice in the head, I fear.

  • Member
    August 3, 2019
    They way i play my characters evil and still help people is if the character can get something out of it for himself. Why help this dusty old farmer who will give you 50 gold when you can help a jarl and become a thane, giving you some nice influence. Never help someone just to help always look at what you can gain from it.
  • August 3, 2019
    I made an evil character build called the shadow of creation, based off the main villain in sonic 06 (if anyone knows that game?) I am trying to set an end goal for him, I already have a beginning and middle, however, I am struggling to find his end goal since his is extremely vague. I already have the build completed (evil quests included.)