EVIL child of Bhaal, party discussion

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Assuming that the PC is EVIL, what NPCs would be the most likely to tag along? (I left MOD NPCs out on purpose because there are just too many of them but don't refrain from making suggestions about them if you are so inclined).

I have in mind three different PCs, basically a NE thief type, a LE spellcaster type (Edwin like) and a CE warrior (Korgan or Sarevok like).

Most people would say an all evil party would be the most likely choice, I'd like to disagree...

An evil PC growing in Candlekeep was probably adept at concealing his real nature from Gorion and the other goody two shoes there, or the evil taint may have resulted from a shift in alignement in the Trials at the end of SoA, in any case let's consider the evil crew:

-KORGAN: a typical mercenary who has a really bloody streak to him. He seems somehow unreliable, he has been betrayed by his former party (or has betrayed them depending on your point of view). He would get along with a CE warrior type who could impress him with a superior strength but Korgan is lacking in subtlety: "only slightly short of a necklace of ears"...

-EDWIN: the mage of Thay is manipulative and treacherous and places his own interests before those of the party (i.e. those of the PC). His meddling with the nether scroll is just an example of that. Edwin would be a direct threat to a spellcasting type of PC (they would be rivals) but a thief type might try to control the red mage (bearing in mind Maevar's example).

-VICONIA: the drow priestess is a potential romance interest and as such she is often the first choice in evil parties. Nevertheless a truly wicked PC would like nothing more than seeing her burn at the stake... Apart from that she is (compared to Edwin or Korgan) quite a safe bet since she is on her own and for good or worse depends on the PC for her survival.

-SAREVOK: the big bad boss from BG1. Why an evil PC would help him is hard to fathom. Nevertheless the geas is a neat way for an evil PC to get yet another slave and possibly humiliate a former foe. Ironically this is a strong point in favour of Sarevok being part of an evil party.

-IMOEN: little sister and everything, if the PC is not utterly inhuman, the relationship with Imoen could mean a lot to him (it doesn't have to stem from the most honourable intentions, the PC might consider that Imoen belongs to him/her). Besides Imoen is certainly the most reliable character around. And by the end of SoA she really owes the PC her life.

-MINSC: a big meatshield without brains. A perfect follower for a spellcaster type or a trickster PC. As long as Minsc can be fooled into thinking the group is working for the greater good (and his abysmal INT and WIS help a lot) there can be no problem at all.

-JAHEIRA: she is dedicated to the PC and therefore can be deemed quite reliable. Yet her Harper connections can turn her into a liability for an unsubtle PC. Making a fool of the Harper can be a thrill for a particularly devious PC.

-NALIA: less reliable than Imoen (she tricks the group into fighting trolls) she nevertheless no longer have a home or a safe prospect for the future and may thereby be swayed by the PC into a less honourable way of life, provided the PC is not blatantly evil (and finds a way to kill her aunt when she is not looking).

-YOSHIMO: the dodgy thief would be a nice addition if the PC knew he could trust him. Who ever talked of honour among thieves? A foolhardy PC may take him along just to see what he is up to but the average baddy would not take the risk.

-AERIE: the whining wingless elf is a potential romance interest and any mischievous PC would probably love to play twisted mind games with her, faking virtue and making her fall in love in order to use her and eventually betray her.

-JAN JANSEN: as strange as it may seem the gnome is a rather neat addition to an evil PC's crew. He is already some kind of outlaw and is not utterly obsessed with keeping a good front.

-KELDORN FIRECAM: now fooling a paladin of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart is quite a challenge that would appeal to any trickster or particularly wily PC. It is doubtful that Keldorn wouldn't be able to detect evil once in a while though...

-HAER'DALIS: why would an evil PC go out of his way to rescue this Haer'Dalis "jackass"? It seems unlikely. Besides the Blade is not the most reliable team player on the block.

-ANOMEN: any evil PC would relish the prospect of having him fail his test. Besides fooling Anomen is in any evil PC's league (the same can't be said about Keldorn) since Anomen wouldn't be able to tell if the PC lies about his alignment.

-CERND: although he is not evil it is dubious the PC will be able to take the evil path in Trademeet and retain the services of Cernd. Not to mention that the Druid in spite of his dedication to the greater balance seems to be rather on the good side of the fence.

-VALYGAR: this one can't be fooled as easily as Minsc, nevertheless the look on his face when the PC sells him to Tolgerias is priceless!

-MAZZY FENTAN: what can be said about Keldorn applies to the diminutive paladin as well. It's a pity the game doesn't allow us to make them lose their paladinhood...

IMO the most reliable NPCs for an evil PC would be:

1 Imoen (sister)
2 Sarevok (geas)
3 Minsc (big and dumb)
4 Aerie (love is blind)
5 Viconia or Nalia (they are in desperate need for help)
6 Jan Jansen or Fallen Anomen (interesting to have the latter around for a bit of a lark)
7 Jaheira (for a challenge)

Should they be chosen Edwin and Korgan would have to be reminded on a day-to-day basis who is the boss around, not that a typically tyrannical PC would mind that either...

 

The BG series has always hosed evil characters, with respect to NPC followers and also to quests and items. TOB is a little better with Sarevok in there.

Basically, all the evil NPCs in the game make sense in an evil party, from a power perspective and also if you're "role-playing." Edwin is the best NPC mage in the base game, Viconia is (arguably) the best NPC cleric in the base game, Korgan is hands-down the best tank until TOB, Sarevok is the best tank hands-down period.

Insane Anomen seems like a decent call, and his hybrid cleric/tank status would also open things up for CHARNAME's class. You could live without another tank in the party and you'd be set for clerics. This might be a real good party for an evil bard CHARNAME for instance. Most other PCs in the game are too goofy for an all-evil party, though I believe Imoen should get along OK without too much interparty arguing.

 

Money. Also, he may decide to rescue Haer'Dalis because he's pissed off about being treated as if he were insignificant by the Cambion who took Haer'Dalis & company to the planar sphere. Or maybe he's just looking for a fight....or he just wants to keep Haer Dalis around because his skillz are useful to him. There are plenty of selfish reasons to rescue Haer'Dalis.

 

My smart evil party consisted of PC=F/T, Korgan, Edwin, Viconia, Jan, Sarevok. It was a blast. I loved the dialogue. But my character wasn't evil for the sake of being evil, just selfish, self-centered, arrogant and egotistical. Reminds me of someone. And I didn't have the geas on Sarevok and he was loyal, very loyal.

I think a sadistic PC would take Aerie. One that liked to power play would take Jaheira.

 

Good point Drew, I can't argue against that.

Well if "goofy" means foolish or happy-go-lucky, maybe. The point I was trying to make is that an evil (smart) PC would rather travel with a big "goofy" oaf like Minsc rather than with a mean pyscho like Korgan (I know I would).

That's a very good definition of a NE character who presumbaly wouldn't even consider him/herself to be evil.

 

You couldn't keep Jaheira and be totally evil. If you choose to kill Drizzt, she will abandon you on the spot. I think there are other characters who will do similiarly at different times in the game.

 

Lawful Good/Evil are too uncompromising and will only follow you till a certain point, chaotic good/neutral/evil are too unpredictable and will turn on you at the drop of a hat.

Neutral seems to be the way to go, as long you can convince them your actions are for the 'greater good' they will follow you into the depths of hell