I've wrestled with the idea for a while, and finally decided to submit it. It's been an issue with many a character I've wanted to create, longed to create, and had no greater desire than to see such a character be made within the server. Though I find myself all but damned with any such attempts to make a convincing start when I'm slotted as low a level as can be. After all, I have a major desire to make a believable villain. Something beyond what most monster player characters can achieve; either by poor timing, someone who jumps the gun in order to be the hero, or just because it might take more than a little time to get the proverbial ball rolling.
I came to the conclusion that it all stems from the same problem, something more than one person I talk with on a daily basis agreed with me upon. The starting level for Ravenloft: PoTM is just far too low, and needs be lifted to at least double what it is now.
Now, before I'm whipped, scourged, and crucified for saying this, read me out. I've given some thought to this, and only ask that a modest amount of thought be given to the idea as well. After all, if the server might benefit from it, why dismiss it outright?
I ask because a properly evil character will probably never side with the heroic and statuesque people we see practically flooding the daily life of the server. You've seen them, the people who can chase after a vampire in the dead of night and in the wilderness. Disheartening, I know. A proper villain will not go out and risk themselves so openly, but neither will they get close to those they might very well be poised against later in their story. Not to mention, many of the villains I had in mind would be Caliban from their very beginning, which in no way is a gentle start for anyone. After all, you are poised against all of the surface world, unless you somehow have someone who takes pity upon you. Though who will risk being seen alongside a freakish abomination? After all, it's easier just to kick the Caliban into the gutter, rather than even socialize with them. Especially with the emergence of new Garda players (though I applaud this, I love all of them).
What I am begrudgingly admitting is the opening for a villainous character has no prospect, due to the facts laid against you. After all, you are expected to level up on your own practically, especially if you can't organize people who can fall in line with your plot
and be trustworthy enough to see it through. I've had such things happen with little to no warning nor roleplay to hint at their sudden about-face or disappearance. Such can be disastrous to keeping a villain's plot moving, and thus why a villain must be able to stand on their own even slightly, though earlier on as a character.
As far as I've been able to try and press making a villainous character, I've yet to be able to implement one without having time restraints, low level, or sheer boredom steal me away from such plans. After all, when you strive to make something more than a flash in the pan as a villain, you need time and resources to get things done. Time I can try to gain, though the fact resources (in this case, levels) are nigh impossible to attain with the XP gain system being slowed to nearly a grinding halt for players like myself.
I do understand some players have no issue with this, after all, they're able to load more time into the server. I've even at one time offered to have my level twenty character done away with in order to have half of his levels, or even a fourth of his levels granted to a new villainous character I might have more fun playing. My request, then, was met with a flat denial. I'd make such a request a second time, though with how things seem to be flowing, I cringe at the idea of sacrificing an old character I might be able to use for more than a paperweight in the future.
After all, I would love create a creature who might evolve to be a villain as insidious and corrupting as some of the greatest of greats of fictional writing. Such as...
Though it seems I am forced to be yet another one of the crowd, slotted alongside heroic figures who insist on being the best and friendliest of them all. Such as...
So, then, any thoughts I might have sparked from offering this idea, do share. Though being constructive would be the best, as even with a negative response you can strive to offer valid points as to why you see things that way.