Evil Factions
Evil factions are fictional factions [cults; fascists; imperialists; etc.] that engage in not-so-nice behavior. They are a cornerstone of many fictional worlds and are used to drive narratives, provide conflict, and sway the very history of a setting. Their motivations vary, including bloodlust, conquest, resource acquisition, and ideological fervor. While in some fictional worlds evil factions are nuanced and complicated, in others they exist as a simple and pure malevolent force. Evil factions may be vast hordes, threatening the alliances of all who dare to oppose them, or may be hidden societies, working towards their aims from the dark corners of the world. Evil factions are often led by an evil leader.
| Synonyms: forces of evil, bad guys |
| Example Mythonyms: the Cult of Terror, the Armies of Dhume, the Followers of Zudhi, the League of Malevolent Gentlemen |
Designing Fictional Evil Factions
Archetypes
Overview
Designing evil factions requires careful consideration of their motivations, goals, and the ways in which they interact with other factions, the world, and its inhabitants. Often what separates evil factions from others is their willingness to go to any length, and employ any method, to accomplish their aims.
Evil factions often exist on a scale ranging from being a paragon of evil to being flawed humans. Certain worlds will benefit from using uncomplicated evil factions that represent a pure evil. Others worlds may wish to explore the nuances and complexities of evil organizations and those that lead or join it. However, designers should note that there can be dangers in humanizing evil factions from a worldbuilding perspective.
