Difference between revisions of "Evil"

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'''Evil''' (also "unholy") is a label used to describe immoral deeds, objects, forces, or beings. Evil is usually contrasted with [[good]], which describes things that are beneficial and actively make the world a better place. In ''Dungeon Crawl'', there are many sources of evil.
 
'''Evil''' (also "unholy") is a label used to describe immoral deeds, objects, forces, or beings. Evil is usually contrasted with [[good]], which describes things that are beneficial and actively make the world a better place. In ''Dungeon Crawl'', there are many sources of evil.
  
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== Evil species ==
 
== Evil species ==
The following player species are undead or demonic themselves, and often have some inborn motive to prey on other intelligent beings. Note that playing one of these does not mean you automatically ''have'' to traffic in evil (perform evil deeds, worship an evil god, etc). Nonetheless, characters of these species are banned from worshiping good gods, and are vulnerable to evil-smiting effects (such as [[holy wrath]]).
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The following player species are undead or demonic themselves, and often have some inborn motive to prey on other intelligent beings. Note that playing one of these does not mean you automatically ''have'' to traffic in evil (perform evil deeds, worship an evil god, etc). Nonetheless, characters of these species are banned from worshiping good gods, using [[holy wrath]]-branded weapons, and are vulnerable to evil-smiting effects (such as [[holy wrath]]).
  
 
* [[Demonspawn]]
 
* [[Demonspawn]]
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Good gods will punish followers for perpetrating any of the following acts.
 
Good gods will punish followers for perpetrating any of the following acts.
  
* Knowingly drinking [[potion of blood|blood]].
 
 
* [[Necromancy]] magic in any form, ''especially'' the [[Necromutation]] spell.
 
* [[Necromancy]] magic in any form, ''especially'' the [[Necromutation]] spell.
* Casting certain other "[[List of spells by flag#Unholy|unholy]]" spells: [[Call Imp]], [[Summon Demon]], [[Demonic Horde]], [[Malign Gateway]], [[Summon Greater Demon]], and [[Summon Horrible Things]].
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* Casting certain other "[[List of spells by flag#Unholy|unholy]]" spells: [[Call Imp]], [[Summon Demon]], [[Malign Gateway]], [[Summon Greater Demon]], and [[Summon Horrible Things]].
 
* [[Cannibalism]].
 
* [[Cannibalism]].
 
* Harming or killing non-hostile creatures, especially [[holy]] beings. This counts even if an ally does it.
 
* Harming or killing non-hostile creatures, especially [[holy]] beings. This counts even if an ally does it.
 
* Intentionally harming your allies.
 
* Intentionally harming your allies.
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* Desecrating holy remains.
 
* Knowingly using evil or unholy items (below).
 
* Knowingly using evil or unholy items (below).
  
 
In addition, each good god has their own ideas of what constitutes evil behavior.
 
In addition, each good god has their own ideas of what constitutes evil behavior.
  
* [[Zin]] disapproves of followers becoming [[mutation|mutated]], [[glowing]], casting [[List of spells by flag#Chaotic|chaotic]] spells (most [[transmutations]] and a few [[summonings|summoning]] spells), or eating the flesh of any sentient being (not just cannibalizing your own species).
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* [[Zin]] disapproves of followers becoming [[mutation|mutated]], [[glowing]], casting [[List of spells by flag#Chaotic|chaotic]] spells (most [[transmutations]] and a few [[summonings|summoning]] spells), polymorphing monsters, or butchering and eating the flesh of any sentient being (not just cannibalizing your own species). Zin also disapproves of attacking enemies while inside an invoked [[Zin#Given_abilities|Sanctuary]].
* [[The Shining One]] forbids dishonorable fighting - using [[poison]] in any form or attacking (non-evil) foes who are fleeing, unable to see you, paralysed, sleeping, confused, or otherwise "helpless".
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* [[The Shining One]] doesn't like dishonorable fighting - all bonus-damage 'stab' attacks are prevented.
* [[Elyvilon]] punishes followers who harm living creatures while [[praying]].
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* [[Elyvilon]] punishes followers who harm living creatures while under her [[Elyvilon#Given_Abilities|Divine Protection]].
  
 
Luckily, if you follow a good god, the game will prompt you before any forbidden action, asking you if you're ''sure'' you want to do that. This prevents you from accidentally violating your god's commandments (and incurring [[divine retribution]]).
 
Luckily, if you follow a good god, the game will prompt you before any forbidden action, asking you if you're ''sure'' you want to do that. This prevents you from accidentally violating your god's commandments (and incurring [[divine retribution]]).
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These dreaded items were either forged by [[demon]]s or created through the suffering of others, and exist only to bring further misery into the world. Good gods find the use of such items to be offensive and will punish followers for intentionally using them.
 
These dreaded items were either forged by [[demon]]s or created through the suffering of others, and exist only to bring further misery into the world. Good gods find the use of such items to be offensive and will punish followers for intentionally using them.
  
* Weapons with [[pain]], [[draining]], [[vampiricism]], and [[distortion]] [[brand]]s
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* Weapons with [[pain]], [[reaping]], [[draining]], [[chaos]], or [[vampiricism]] brand.
* Demon blades, tridents, and whips
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* Demonic weaponry ([[demon blade]]s, [[demon trident|tridents]], and [[demon whip|whips]]). The Shining One's one-time blessing can convert these to holy, non-evil equivalents.
* [[wand of draining|Wands of draining]]
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* [[Wand of random effects]], because of the potential to fire [[Bolt of Draining|Bolts of Draining]] (only incurs penalties if a Bolt of Draining is fired).
* [[scroll of torment|torment]]
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* [[Scrolls of torment]]
* [[Magical staff|Staff of death]]
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* [[obsidian axe]]
* [[Rod of Demonology]]
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* [[Damnation_(unrand)|arbalest "Damnation"]]
* [[Evocable items#Bottled Efreet|Bottled Efreet]]
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* [[Staff of death]]
 
* [[Sceptre of Asmodeus]]
 
* [[Sceptre of Asmodeus]]
 
* [[Staff of Dispater]]
 
* [[Staff of Dispater]]
 
* [[Sword of Cerebov]]
 
* [[Sword of Cerebov]]
* [[List_of_unrands#.2B13.2C_.2B13_Scythe_of_Curses|Scythe of Curses]]
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* [[Scythe of Curses]]
* [[List_of_unrands#.2B9.2C_.2B9_Sword_of_Zonguldrok|Sword of Zonguldrok]]
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* [[Sword of Zonguldrok]]
* [[List_of_unrands#.2B7.2C_.2B6_Sceptre_of_Torment|Sceptre of Torment]]
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* [[Sceptre of Torment]]
* [[Lantern of shadows]]
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* [[Black Knight's barding]]
  
 
== Evil gods ==
 
== Evil gods ==
 
These gods are malevolent and require constant killing and blood sacrifices to gain their favour. They often rule over [[demon|demonic]] or [[undead]] beings, as well. Good goods will severely punish worshipers who abandon them for one of these gods.
 
These gods are malevolent and require constant killing and blood sacrifices to gain their favour. They often rule over [[demon|demonic]] or [[undead]] beings, as well. Good goods will severely punish worshipers who abandon them for one of these gods.
  
* [[Lugonu]], the chaos god of [[the Abyss]].
 
 
* [[Beogh]], the bloodthirsty god of [[orc]]s.
 
* [[Beogh]], the bloodthirsty god of [[orc]]s.
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* [[Dithmenos]], the god of darkness and shadows.
 
* [[Kikubaaqudgha]], a terrible demon-god of Necromancy.
 
* [[Kikubaaqudgha]], a terrible demon-god of Necromancy.
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* [[Lugonu]], the chaos god of [[the Abyss]].
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* [[Makhleb]], the chaos god of bloodshed and destruction.
 
* [[Yredelemnul]], god of death and the undead.
 
* [[Yredelemnul]], god of death and the undead.
* [[Makhleb]], the chaos god of bloodshed and destruction.
 
  
 
== Evil places ==
 
== Evil places ==
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* [[The Crypt]]
 
* [[The Crypt]]
 
** [[The Tomb]]
 
** [[The Tomb]]
* [[Minitomb|Ossuary]]
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* [[Ossuary]]
  
[[Category:Evil Gods]] [[Category:Undead]] [[Category:Demon]]
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==History==
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*Prior to [[0.19]], [[amulet of harm]] was considered evil.
  
 
== Ambiguity in the Crawl notion of 'Evil' ==
 
== Ambiguity in the Crawl notion of 'Evil' ==
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Against the background of the game's overarching narrative, namely murder, cannibalism, genocide and theft on an industrial scale introduced to  utopia, the Necromantic spell “Regeneration”, a spell anathematised as “evil” by the “good” gods, hardly compares.
 
Against the background of the game's overarching narrative, namely murder, cannibalism, genocide and theft on an industrial scale introduced to  utopia, the Necromantic spell “Regeneration”, a spell anathematised as “evil” by the “good” gods, hardly compares.
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[[Category:Evil Gods]] [[Category:Undead]] [[Category:Demon]]

Revision as of 12:18, 14 January 2021

Version 0.22: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Evil (also "unholy") is a label used to describe immoral deeds, objects, forces, or beings. Evil is usually contrasted with good, which describes things that are beneficial and actively make the world a better place. In Dungeon Crawl, there are many sources of evil.

Note that the game does not shoehorn players into a "good" role. Your character has free will and may make use of evil items, magic, or gods as you please, or be completely indifferent to issues of good or evil altogether.

Evil monsters

These monsters are invariably evil, and many gods award piety for destroying them.

These monsters take damage from holy wrath branded weapons and Holy Word.

Many hostile spellcasters (especially uniques) are considered evil in the eyes of the good gods, but do not necessarily take additional damage from the holy wrath brand. They are vulnerable to effects such as cleansing flame, however.

Evil species

The following player species are undead or demonic themselves, and often have some inborn motive to prey on other intelligent beings. Note that playing one of these does not mean you automatically have to traffic in evil (perform evil deeds, worship an evil god, etc). Nonetheless, characters of these species are banned from worshiping good gods, using holy wrath-branded weapons, and are vulnerable to evil-smiting effects (such as holy wrath).

Evil deeds

Good gods will punish followers for perpetrating any of the following acts.

In addition, each good god has their own ideas of what constitutes evil behavior.

  • Zin disapproves of followers becoming mutated, glowing, casting chaotic spells (most transmutations and a few summoning spells), polymorphing monsters, or butchering and eating the flesh of any sentient being (not just cannibalizing your own species). Zin also disapproves of attacking enemies while inside an invoked Sanctuary.
  • The Shining One doesn't like dishonorable fighting - all bonus-damage 'stab' attacks are prevented.
  • Elyvilon punishes followers who harm living creatures while under her Divine Protection.

Luckily, if you follow a good god, the game will prompt you before any forbidden action, asking you if you're sure you want to do that. This prevents you from accidentally violating your god's commandments (and incurring divine retribution).

Evil items

These dreaded items were either forged by demons or created through the suffering of others, and exist only to bring further misery into the world. Good gods find the use of such items to be offensive and will punish followers for intentionally using them.

Evil gods

These gods are malevolent and require constant killing and blood sacrifices to gain their favour. They often rule over demonic or undead beings, as well. Good goods will severely punish worshipers who abandon them for one of these gods.

Evil places

Otherworldly realms of evil, home to demons or the undead. Visiting these places is not an evil act in and of itself, but you are certain to encounter much evil here.

History

Ambiguity in the Crawl notion of 'Evil'

Although the good gods in Crawl are portrayed as adhering invariably to moral absolutes, to the extent that even the unwitting use by the player's character of items tagged 'evil' is cause for divine punishment, there is a certain degree of ambiguity in the notion of evil in Stone Soup. Consider that the ordinary practice of an adventurer is to kill and in many cases eat an entire dungeon full of living beings, many of them sapient. In other words, a player can expect, even in low-rune runs, to perform actions constitutive of genocide. Devotion to one of the good gods hardly alters this. It would not be unusual for a favored worshipper of The Shining One, for example, an ostensibly “good” god who frowns on indiscriminate slaughter, to nevertheless kill all, and eat many, of the elves, orcs and nagas in the entire dungeon.

It is unclear what if anything the various societies of dungeon denizens, who, judging by the absence of intra-monster violence within the dungeon, are wholly peaceful, have done to deserve this horrific retribution. On the face of it, the adventurer is simply seeking the Orb. Since “evil”-aligned adventurers act in essentially the same way that “good” ones do in pursuit of this goal, it is unlikely that the finding of this orb is a sufficiently good act in itself to justify the avalanche of butchery.

In the final analysis, it seems that Dungeon Crawl: Stone Soup is the story of a peaceful, multi-cultural and multi-species society falling victim to a single adventurer's avarice and quest for glory. By the time the worshiper of Zin has waded through the rivers of blood he must spill in order to claim the Orb, it is more than a little difficult to distinguish him from a devotee of Makhleb.

Against the background of the game's overarching narrative, namely murder, cannibalism, genocide and theft on an industrial scale introduced to utopia, the Necromantic spell “Regeneration”, a spell anathematised as “evil” by the “good” gods, hardly compares.