[RPG] How to play a serial killer in a party of good PCs

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A character of mine has died in a game – the "do no harm, break no law" type of paladin – and I wanted to switch it up. I want to play a serial killer type, who believes what he's doing is not wrong, but also recognizes that society doesn't agree with him. (He's loosely based off Jhin.)

I've had experience with other characters that are evil in a group of good characters, and if they do their evil thing "on screen", the party will usually go out of their way to make excuses to be places that the evil character is, follow him with no reason, or generally be suspicious with no in character reason. I still want to develop my character "on screen", but I don't know how to do so without incurring the meta-game wrath of the party.

To be clear, none of this character's actions would hamper the do-goodness of the party. Distinct from murder hobo. The evil serial killer would carry out his killings at night on people that are unimportant, like a random drunkard in the bar or a criminal in the stocks, and he would work towards the party's good goals, like stopping the evil lich man.

I recognize that if I'm ever caught, I'll surely die at the hands of my party, I just want to organically get there, instead of being "caught" by out of game knowledge on day one.

I've discussed this with my DM and they like the idea, but they also agree with my analysis of the problem. We're playing a sandbox type game where we're free to do what we'd like during downtime. Simple stuff like buying supplies is glossed over but more detailed stuff like this would be played out.

How can I play this character "on stage" and not encounter the problems listed above? Is this even feasible, without becoming a problem player?

Best Answer

Your problem is meta, solve it meta

Tell other players, including your DM, that you are planning to play this character that does justice serial-killing. Other characters might feel this character is shady, which is fine, but ask them not to uncover your hobby too quickly. Tell them that you want to develop this character, at least for x sessions.

The in-universe explanation would be that most people tend not to stick their nose in other's business, and respect each other doing in their time. Ask for your DM's cooperation.

  • If they try to follow you, DM will say they lose you after a while (you should be trained in shaking pursuers, I guess?)
  • If they become suspicious of you, ask the player to explain why their character became suspicious and what they are suspicious about. Everyone has secrets to hide, and they won't know exactly what you are doing
  • Start stating where you will be hunting your prey after others state their whereabout. You can choose victims where other PCs are not there
  • Basically, whatever they want to do, you always escape and no one knows/confronts you until the time to do so, which is when you say so

DnD is not a game of hide and seek, a competition where other players want to uncover your dark side, unless you are playing the villain. Even so, DnD is a game of story. What fun it would be if the villain is uncovered on first session and killed? Instead, ask their help to build the story, until the day where you think you want to play another character, when their suspicion is proven and this time you fail to escape and must accept the judgement.

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