Well, I've played through SoA and ToB and enjoyed myself immensely. However, the ending was quite sad. My party throughout the game consisted of Me (Andaar, Paladin), Minsc, Keldorn, Mazzy, Jan/Imoen (Once i got her from Spellhold) and Aerie. I was quite sad when, come the final battle upon the Throne of Bhaal, Imoen was taken from me, so quickly. She is definitely one of my favourite chars and a sister to the protagonist...to be taken away so suddenly was quite sad. Also, the endings for Keldorn and Minsc were excellent. Probably make the most hardened, desensitised gamers a little teary-eyed
.But thats not what I'm posting for. I'm posting on the topic of the Blood War, the Lawful Evil Baatezu versus the Chaotic Evil Tanar'ri. While playing through SoA I was somewhat disappointed by the fact that EVERY fiend you come across is a Tanar'ri (if not every, then almost all). I was a little more pleased in ToB when they implemented the warring factions of Tanar'ri and Baatezu in the Watcher's Keep maze level.
However, I felt that the Tanar'ri and the Abyss were always portrayed as the greater evil. Sure, the storyline focuses on Bhaal, who resided in the Abyss. However, a little more focus on the Baatezu would've been good.
Personally, when it comes to the Blood War, I would side with the Baatezu. That doesn't mean that I think that Lawful Evil is the greater evil. Chaotic and Lawful Evil are equal (Despite the fact that BG2 gives you a lower reputation if you are CE than if you are LE).
Hypothetical situation. Lets say the Tanar'ri found an outsider in the Abyss. They would probably overrun and slaughter him, taking pleasure in the chaos and evil of the moment. They may fight amongst each other over who gets to kill the outsider. However the Baatezu would capture the outsider (probably a couple of Abishai) and send him on to a higher authority (after knocking him around a bit). The higher authority would most likely imprison him and torture him for as long as possible without killing him. They might trick him into signing a contract that sold his soul.
Tanar'ri take pleasure in chaos and the evil of the moment.
Baatezu are patient, believing that it is better to prolong their evil and make the most of things.
For an insight into the workings of the Baatezu culture and the Blood War, get Planescape: Torment. Awesome game, best RPG ever made.
It all comes down to this: Which is the greater evil? The precise, premeditated, ordered evil or the psychotic, chaotic, indescriminate evil?
As for Neutral Evil? Well, they're just selfish buggers that act as turncoats in the Blood War. Neutral Evil behaviour usually doesn't effect others as much as LE and CE, but if you think its the greatest evil, then thats your opinion.
Well there's my two dollars fifty
... mostly just b*tching about the prejudice towards the Baatezu and Lawful Evil chars in BG2. However, Edwin is LE and that guy is a kick ass mage.Andaar Amberfire
Lawful Good Paladin
Look out for Galdren the Impaler, a Lawful Evil Human Anti-Paladin from Baator, coming soon to the BG2 mod scene! Developed by yours truly