Evil, Lawful

[👺 Usiel]

Lawful Evil

[/b] 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).[/ul]

The Lawful Evil Code

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Ten Lawful Evil Signs of Weakness

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The Lawful Evil Adventurer

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

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Lawful Evil and Society

• 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.[/ul]

Lawful Evil and Other Alignments

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Lawful Evil vs. Neutral Evil

Lawful Evil, Lawful Neutral, and Lawful Good

Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, and Chaotic Evil

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The Philosophy of Lawful Evil