It should be noted that most people who are "evil" don't consider themselves so. Tyrants and despots wield power without regard for life and morality yes, but it is more the abesence of knowing what is 'right' than what is wrong.
Take Marius for example. It is his intention to bring about a bloody revolution and seat himself as the undead King of Britannia. Evil? Very. Does he think so? No. To Marius, it is a logical and understandable way to fulfil his desires, and also bring about what he perceives as "true order" to the realm. Thus, in a way, Marius is trying to bring about the betterment of the shard, but his acts and motives are "evil" - but to make my point, he is not considered evil to himself. Indeed, it is "evil" Queen Lissar who thwarts his plans!
In the end, it is about perception. I don't want to delve into politics, so I'll dip into history. Suppose we look back at the Crusades. From a "western" point of view, the "evil" Saracens would not yield the holy city! But from their point of view no doubt the "evil" foreigners came to conquer their land!
In a clear-cut game like WoD (orcs are evil, britannians are good, etc) that's a little more difficult to pull off. Many people, just as in real life, want the enemy to be visible and before them. The want their cause to be just, and their opposition nefarious and evil. The game is structured so that "civilisation" is good and honourable, and the "uncivilised" (monsters who dwell in caves) are evil.
Also, Evil is not chaotic. There is nothing to say that evil can not co-operate... for a time. Ultimately, an evil person is out for themselves (in the most simplistic sence) and that will always overcome any desire, or threat or promise of glory.
I am thinking of doing some Necromancer (light) role-play using the Temple of Fire as a place to have 'evil' congregations, because it very much fits the bill. What I like about WoD is that "Evil" isn't bastardised into the game mechanics *too much*, and it's not just a game option.
"Hmm, I might play a Mage. Yep; magery, magic resistance and invocation. Should I be evil? Yeah, you get better quests that way.."
I have long argued that people with negative virtue are *not* evil, and it is the actions that determine thus. And I still hold to that. Just because you get negative virtue does not make you evil. Marius does not have a virtue title, and I make it almost a point to do so, because I dislike that virtue can be "tagged" onto a person. Suffice to say, it is a game and I understand why it's done, but Marius, in my opinion, is a scheming villian that is very evil, and I do not feel the need to get "dastardly" prefixed to my name to validate that.
I dislike the assumption that because I haven't wasted time killing townsfolk and poisoning monsters, that my character isn't evil. (Though I do enjoy the attention, even if negative, because now I know how celebrities feel
Marius the Black is certainly not the first "evil" player character to exist, but certainly when I came here, it was a very taboo issue, and I had long debates about it. I've fought hard to claim my niche, and I've nestled quite well in it. But, that's no excuse to become content! There'll be lots more stories of Marius' exploits, and when I can find the time, I need to organise some 'evil' events.
Keep up to date on my soon-to-be-open store, and the library petition I've just put out.
- Marius the Evil
Still Long-Winded as Usual