The art of the rogue

[mavia]

I've been playing Mass Effect, which is by the same people who did Jade Empire, and despite many differences, it shows: the dialogs and levelling system are similar; so is the combination of a large long main quest plus a tasty but limited number of side quests (as opposed to Oblivion where the main quest is dwarfed by other possibilities).  And it has the same good vs. evil choices.

I suspect the "evil" choices (here called Renegade) are aimed at teenage boys who like giving snotty answers and trashing the joint.  For RP purposes I wish there were a third way.  As I play it in D&D or SL...

• A rogue is motivated by personal relationships rather than by accepting social norms (usually because she's an outsider, perhaps not even human).  If she likes someone, she will happily help them out; these people might as easily be criminals as 'normal people'
• She has no trouble with stealing things; but she's not normally a murderer.  She prefers ranged weapons... after all, melee is a good way to get hurt.
• She has a sense of honor, though it may be quirky.  She won't oppress the powerless, and she will keep her word.  She might work for a criminal organization, but she doesn't approve of incompetence or arrogance.  She might work for a king, but she figures people in power are out for their own gain, and should be treated with the same attitude.
• She prefers to dress in black, without much visible skin, with nothing shiny to give her away in the darkness.  She needs to remain agile, so avoids heavy armor.
• She is always observing her surroundings, and she assumes everyone is dangerous.  
• She is courteous... you learn more that way, avoid unnecessary fights, and put people off their guard.
• She never boasts; and never makes empty threats.
• She's smart, and likes to talk to scholars and savants... if it weren't for early reverses she might have become one.

The type of "evil" character from the Bioware games would, I think, come to a quick end.  (Or, in the real world, become CEO.  But that's a depressing thought and let's not pursue it.)

This is just a side quibble when it comes to Mass Effect, which I'm enjoying.  It's not as much of a romp as Jade Empire... something about sf seems to make Bioware put on its serious hat.  There are moments of humor, but nothing like Drunken Master or bar fights using smashed table legs.