Keith Mack
The concept of 'lawful evil' is a character alignment often used in role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, as well as appearing in TV tropes. It is part of a broader alignment system that includes categories such as 'lawful good', 'neutral good', 'chaotic good', 'lawful neutral', 'true neutral', 'chaotic neutral', 'neutral evil', and 'chaotic evil'. Lawful evil characters are often villains, and they are driven by a desire for power and a belief in their own superiority. They are comfortable within a hierarchy and view laws and power dynamics as a means to elevate themselves above others. They are willing to hurt and exploit others to achieve their goals and take pleasure in spreading evil. They follow the law where it suits their purposes but are not bound by a moral code. So, can a lawful evil character commit murder?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Murder | Lawful evil characters may have a taboo against killing in cold blood, but they will use underlings to do so or pay someone to do it. They will also not want to prolong the killing, instead using the easiest, most direct method. |
| Motivation | Lawful evil characters are driven by power and a desire to benefit themselves. They are comfortable within a hierarchy and see themselves as superior to others. |
| Alignment | Lawful evil characters believe they are the 'good guys' and that their actions are justified. They may also see themselves as serving a higher power or cause. |
| Personal conduct | Lawful evil characters have a personal code of conduct that they will stick to, but they will also circumvent it if it suits their interests. They are loyal friends and trustworthy with their promises, but will break their word if they can find a legal loophole. |
| View of good | Lawful evil characters despise good because they believe it elevates the weak and fails to reward the strong. They believe that laws should empower the strong and put the weak in their service. |
| View of laws | Lawful evil characters use society and its laws to benefit themselves and exploit power structures for personal gain. They obey the law out of fear of punishment and are careful about giving their word. |
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What You'll Learn
Lawful evil characters and murder in role-playing games
Lawful evil characters in role-playing games are often complex and multi-faceted. They are driven by a desire for power and a belief in their own superiority, and they will use any means necessary to achieve their goals, including manipulation, intimidation, and sometimes murder.
These characters often have a personal code of conduct that they follow, which may include rules such as "all should obey me" or "one must behave with etiquette". They may also have taboos, such as not killing in cold blood, but they are willing to hurt and even kill to achieve their ends. Lawful evil characters are not typically random or impulsive in their actions; they are more likely to be calculating and strategic, exploiting rules and power structures to gain personal advantage. They are comfortable within a hierarchy and view laws and power dynamics as a means to elevate themselves above others.
In terms of murder, a lawful evil character is likely to use the most direct and efficient method available to them. They are not concerned with their victim's suffering and would prefer that the victim not know who their attacker is. They may also use underlings or hire someone to carry out the murder for them. Lawful evil characters are not above breaking the law, but they are careful about it and will only do so if they can find a way to do it within the legal boundaries.
Some examples of lawful evil characters in role-playing games include Geralt from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, who follows the code of a Witcher, and the player character in Baldur's Gate 3, who can make choices that align with a lawful evil perspective. Joining factions like the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim also allows players to embody a lawful evil role through strict codes, including assassination.
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Lawful evil characters in fiction
Lawful evil characters have a set of standards such as honour for themselves and their minions, while those that do not are often so oppressive to others that their own personal principles are irrelevant. They are frequently described as tyrannical, totalitarian, imperialist, or fascist. They are often rulers or leaders who drafted the rules to suit themselves, such as a corrupt lawyer or judge who used the law to mask their misdeeds, or the ruthless bosses and minions of organised crime. They are also sometimes henchmen or enforcers who are loyal to their leaders.
Examples of lawful evil characters in fiction include:
- Darth Vader
- Doctor Doom
- The Dark Judges from Judge Dredd
- Lucius Malfoy, Baron Strucker, and Baron Zemo
- Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad
- Gentleman Johnny Marcone from the Dresden Files
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Lawful evil characters and their personal codes of conduct
Lawful evil characters are often driven by a cruel, organised system or code of conduct. They are methodical, intentional, and successful in their devotion to this system, taking what they want within the limits of their personal beliefs and sense of honour. They care about tradition, loyalty, and order, but not about freedom, dignity, or life. They are comfortable within a hierarchy and are willing to serve to gain more power. They are ruthless in their pursuit of power and will exploit rules and power structures for their own personal gain. They have no qualms about hurting others and take pleasure in spreading evil.
These characters will use their position of power to pursue their agenda and will not hesitate to punish those who break the law. They will increase their wealth and power at the expense of others, as long as they can do so legally. They are driven by force, power, and intimidation, and they expect loyalty from those beneath them. They are also careful about giving their word, only doing so when it is in their favour, and they will break it if they can find a legal loophole.
Some lawful evil characters have particular taboos, such as not killing in cold blood but instead having underlings do it, or not letting children come to harm. They believe that these taboos make them superior to other villains. They may also have a sense of honour, which can be seen in their commitment to their code of conduct and their belief in the importance of loyalty.
A lawful evil character's code of conduct may include the following:
- Using the law to harm others, regardless of personal gain.
- Corrupting institutions for material gain.
- Gaining power and wealth.
- Betraying their superior without cause.
- Breaking sacred oaths.
Lawful evil characters are often villains who are comfortable with their evil deeds, as long as they are committed within a structured system or code of conduct. They are willing to work within the system to achieve their evil objectives and will only break their code reluctantly if it serves their purpose.
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Lawful evil characters and their relationship with power
Lawful evil characters are often driven by a desire for power and control, believing that the strong should rule over the weak. They are willing to use any means necessary, including manipulation, intimidation, and sometimes even murder, to achieve their goals. While they may have a personal code of conduct or honour that they follow, it is ultimately self-serving and can be twisted to justify cruel and ruthless behaviour.
The relationship between lawful evil characters and power is complex. On one hand, they crave power and will use any means necessary to attain and maintain it. They see power as a tool to enforce their will and may exploit rules and power structures to gain a dominant position. They are comfortable within a hierarchy and view their position of power as proof of their superiority over others. They are loyal to their superiors and will obey them unless they come to see them as inferior. In contrast, lawful evil characters can also be rebellious, seeking to overthrow the existing order and establish themselves as rulers. They may use their knowledge of the system to exploit and manipulate it for their own gain.
Lawful evil characters are often willing to hurt others and take pleasure in spreading evil. They may have a zealous dedication to their evil deeds, seeing them as a duty to a higher power or as a means to an end. They are not constrained by empathy or compassion and have little regard for the freedom, dignity, or lives of others. They believe that those who cannot protect themselves do not deserve pity or concern.
While lawful evil characters can be reliable friends and allies, their loyalty is conditional. They will not betray their allies unless doing so furthers their ambitions. Breaking a promise or oath is also something they will only do if they can find a legal loophole or if it aligns with their personal code of conduct.
In terms of their methods, lawful evil characters prefer to act in a structured and organised manner. They are not impulsive but instead follow a strict and regimented plan to achieve their goals. They are patient and disciplined, willing to bide their time to ensure their success.
Overall, the relationship between lawful evil characters and power is one of pursuit and exploitation. They crave power and will use any means, fair or foul, to attain and maintain it. While they may have personal codes of conduct, these are ultimately self-serving and can be twisted to justify their ruthless behaviour.
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Lawful evil characters and their motivations
Lawful evil characters are often found in positions of power, but they can also make good henchmen. They are highly organised and consistent, and can even be trustworthy and reasonable in their own limited way. They are great respecters of laws and strict order, but they do not value life, beauty, truth, or freedom. They believe that order is the means by which each group is properly placed in the cosmos, from the lowest to the highest, strongest first, and weakest last. They see 'good' as a means to promote mediocrity and suppress the better and more capable.
These characters use society and its laws to benefit themselves. They support laws and societies that protect their own interests, and they are not concerned if someone is hurt or suffers because of a law that benefits them. They obey the law out of fear of punishment and are careful about giving their word. They are driven to attain their goals through force, power, and intimidation. They are comfortable within a hierarchy and see the laws and power dynamics as a means of elevating those who are masterful over those who are meant to be subservient. They will use their position of power to ruthlessly pursue their own agenda and increase their wealth and power at the expense of the population, as long as they can use legal means.
Lawful evil characters often have a set of standards, such as honour, and they may have personal codes of conduct that they self-justifiably circumvent. For example, they may not personally take a life in cold blood but have underlings that kill without discretion. They may also have particular taboos, such as not letting children come to harm. They may commit themselves to evil with zeal, seeing it as a duty to an evil deity or master. They may also see doing evil as a means of maintaining their position of power, believing that without their evil ways, they would be overtaken by those they consider inferior.
Motivations for lawful evil characters can include a desire for power, wealth, or to uphold a certain type of order. They may also be motivated by a sense of duty or loyalty to a cause, government, religion, or organisation. They may believe that their rules make them the good guy, or that their evil deeds are justified by a higher power or goal.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the context. In the context of the Dungeons and Dragons alignment system, lawful evil characters are driven by force, power, and intimidation to achieve their goals. They are willing to hurt others and exploit rules and power structures for their personal gain. While they care about tradition, loyalty, and order, they have little regard for the freedom, dignity, or lives of others. They may have personal codes of conduct that prevent them from killing in cold blood, but they may have underlings do it instead.
In the context of the Dungeons and Dragons alignment system, lawful good characters are usually willing to slay evil creatures or those who are deemed irredeemable. However, they are not inherently pacifists and may have different interpretations depending on the setting.
In some philosophical and religious traditions, it is considered lawful for someone exercising public authority to put an evil-doer to death. However, the authority figure cannot be the judge, jury, and executioner of their own case.
Suicide is generally considered a sin or unlawful, as it is contrary to justice and charity towards oneself. However, some philosophical objections argue that a person should be able to lawfully dispose of themselves, especially if they are avoiding a greater evil.
In certain contexts, such as self-defense or defending one's property, killing may be considered lawful or justifiable. However, this varies depending on cultural, religious, and legal perspectives.
