A quick thought about factions.
In my current campaign, I have two "empires" fighting for a land that is divided into several unaligned clans. The PCs are within the eastern empire and assume these are the "good guys", despite my (too subtle) hints that they can be brutal invaders.
They heard tales about the western empire and it looks undeniably evil. But I didn't want to turn this into a "good versus evil" game. What am I missing?
One thing might be the absence of selfish, corrupt traitors in the OTHER side.
The PCs met several bad people on THEIR side (although they haven't always realized that). But the opposition seem too orderly; everyone is a zealot for their evil cause (well, most of them are undead...).
Against such a determined enemy, there is not much to do - except fighting.
Now, if we add some opportunists to the opposition... the PCs have someone to deal with. Evil, despicable maybe, but someone who can be reasoned with.
Not simple turncoats that "become" good like Han Solo or even Lando, but irredeemable foes that can still be USEFUL.
Come to think of it, adding some corruption and backstabbing to the "evil" side might be an important aspect of dark fantasy. In "epic" fantasy, it seems you only leave the "dark" side by joining the good guys.
Of course, making deals with mercenaries, opportunists and sadists has a price - and they are likely to turn on you later on.
In having a hard time coming up with examples other than Elric, who uses the help of the Lords of Chaos until they finally turn on him (or vice-versa).
In addition, dark fantasy may include people that ARE good fighting for the dark side BECAUSE they have an oath etc. to fulfill. But these are people the PCs are not likely to reason with, no matter how noble they are.
I think having a "good" side and an "evil" side is bad writing. Both sides should view themselves as "good", even if one or both are wrong. That's how reality works.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a place for "pure evil" in some campaigns - undead, demons, etc. But yes, I prefer when there is some nuance and everyone sees themselves as the "good guys".
DeleteCoincidentally, I've played this week and an NPC tried to suggest the PCs could become missionaries from the east to convert the independent clans... now they are seriously thinking of switching sides, because some of the former missionaries may have caused violence.