More on "evil"

I've been thinking a lot about what our Illustrious Game Master had to say about "evil" - evil characters, specifically. In his view (aside from the fact he doesn't believe in "evil" per se), the characters we tag as evil are just strong characters pursuing courses they see as right & proper & appropriate to them. Not inherently evil, but evil as perceived by other characters or players in the game.

He may be on to something, if you look back at the tv show. Season-1's Zoot? Yeah, we usually consider him as evil incarnate--his actions seemed to be more for his personal good than the good of his tribe. But was that true? Look closer. The results of his actions were usually to strengthen others. Ebony was certainly stronger for her relationship with him. His tribe the Locos survived where many others either failed or barely hung on. And remember the scene in S-1, Zoot with his daughter in his arms? That look on his face was not evil--it was love, pride, caring. Who knows what Zoot might have been had he lived?

Then there was Season-2's Guardian. OK, granted, the guy was whacked. He literally worshipped Zoot & wanted to see Zoot's Kingdom realized on earth. But evil? I'm thinking...no. He believed he was leading his followers to something better. His motives were actually kinda pure. The Guardian had tons of opportunities to take for himself--opportunities presented to him first by Trudy, then Taisan. But he followed his own tenets & tried to do what he thought was right.

Season-4 brought us Ram & his Technos. OK, Ram was out there. His obsession with cleanliness was just one example. But what he wanted to do with technology was take the city out of the dark ages & bring them back to civilization. He restored water & electricity. His rule was kinda fair--if you wanted to play, you had to work--that makes sense. What he did that was so wrong was simply take it as a right that he should rule. That he was better than the rest, above the rest. Y'know? He was. He may have run rough-shod over the city, but he improved their quality of life. Evil? I don't think so.

Other characters who might be perceived as evil...well, they weren't. Not really. Ebony was strong & bull-headed & devious, but she genuinely loved Bray & Java. Siva was one that you loved to hate, but love was in her too--love for Ram.

Ultimately, I don't believe that evil existed in the tv show & probably not even in KTDARPG to date. It would be hard to make a case for it, now that I think about it. There are always motives & perceptions...shades of gray. So maybe our Game Master has a point, at least with regard to Tribe & the game.

Does evil exist? Ah, that debate will rage on. But as far as our game is concerned, I think the answer is "no." Would be interesting if someone could come up with a character that would prove me wrong. --Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"