I'm so sorry but You've written too much for my poor english. You also dig too deep because dnd just have archetypes, so you don't need to think so hard about why they are evil.
What I'm basically saying, in terms that you can understand, is that your companions aren't motivated by "evil" purposes. They're motivated by self preservation. Survival. Evil is more like "Torture you for fun". I fail to see how the companions are evil. Even the vampire will be good if you convince him. Otherwise you let him be evil. He's pretty much the only exception. You said "Most are evil". I am saying "I disagree". You can't just go "Evil just because". You need to state REASONS for it. Otherwise what's the point in being evil?
Also not true about ‘failed rolls’. In some dialogues, even if you fail roll they still approve of your attempt. I said "they angry at you" because you initially choose the "good choice" or something similar, which does not coincide with their opinion. So their annoyance can be understood. They’re not mad cuz ‘fail roll’. Maybe only in private conversations when you try to push them and fail it. But this is a different. Because it's not about your worldview, it's about their trust you.
It depends on the situation actually. Example: Fail to talk someone out of trying to kill you, in this case Shadowheart, then the failed dice roll results in her taking a hostile action towards the player character. That is, she tries to kill you. This is not an evil act however. She sees the player character a danger/harm to her sanity at the time. So it's basically defence. At least in her own perception. This is where "player ability" factors in. The dice rolls are supposed to represent "Saying things right". But since the words are always the same regardless of the dice roll it doesn't really show that.
I mean, I don't have a problem with my companions being evil, I enjoy it, cuz I play evil way. And they can be nice with you for use you, manipulate you. We just don't know it yet. But this is also normal. We can also do this.
You're saying you don't know. This contradicts. You spoke as if they're evil. But now you say you don't know if they are? Are you simply mistrusting them? If they are treated WITH mistrust it will make them evil (to you). That's not to say trust blindly. But have those understanding conversations. Which, ergo, factors in dice rolls. F up and they won't let you get close. Or, as I stated already, even try to kill you. That's the problem with the dice rolls. That getting close to a companion or not is dependent on "luck".
Does more approval mean more likely to get them to open up with easier dice rolls? If not then what's the point in approval at all?
just try explained why their rudeness in the first act and why I think its absolutely normal. Why should they be nice to the player from start? No reason for me.
You just said it yourself that it's normal. We're both in agreement on that. Normal isn't evil though is it? Evil is more "toying" with you. violating things like choice and control. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Can be fun even. But evil has more intent. As does good. What the companions are doing is defending their own well being.
You also first said the companions are evil. And now you say they are normal. I'm seeing a contradiction here. They are using you, yes. And honesty is important. I think you're more concerned about how secretive they're being. I suppose lies and secrets will always lead to harmful events. Would you call keeping secrets evil?
