(06-11-2014, 12:10 PM)Rurutani Wrote: So I wonder, other villainy types reading this, how do you rp with your character to make them usable for more than just some epic storyline?
You can play a villainous character and not fall into the automatic dichotomy of "good" vs "evil". Perhaps your character is just morally gray enough to swing far enough to one side but even to them there are things they won't do.
People in real life are never just one swath of light or dark. There are shades of grey everywhere and I think that's important to remember if you're creating a character that will be more morally "grey".
There are very very few individuals out there who would subscribe to your "Chaotic Evil" archetype and a villainous character doesn't necessarily have to fall into that category. Even Neutral Evil villains require a motivation to be swayed to perform acts of violence and they are capable of love and tender relationship with others.
Personally, I enjoy RPing out the human condition. What has happened to your character to begin walking them down this path? Who is around them that is influencing them? Can they change this? Do they WANT to change this? And how do they feel about their actions thus far and how would they feel if it got worse?
These are all questions and aspects that should be asked and considered by you and even your character. You might be surprised at the answers you get back.
It's important to note that a character can start out more on the good side and meet the "wrong" kinds of people and be introduced into situations and they will gradually sink into more villainy unless they make serious efforts to remove themselves from the situation - just like in real life. "Oh, Jimmy got in with a bad crowd.."
At the end of they day, your villain is still a "person" and should be treated and played as such instead of just a plot device if you want a decent character. They will have strengths and weaknesses, loves and desires, successes and failures. They will also have people around them who will experience these highs and lows with them. I think that makes a multi-facated and interesting villain.