"You never get a Second Chance to make a Good First Impression"
Trad.
"A Leopard cannot change his shorts"
Variation on Trad. ex. Terry Pratchett
Basic Information
He's served his time. He says he's seen the error of his ways and that he's reformed. Really.
Do you believe him?
The Reformed but Rejected Villain has done some pretty vile things in the past, but claims to have changed. But not everyone is willing to accept him. Despite his attempts to "go straight", he is dogged by suspicion and accusation. Sometimes the failure to gain acceptance will drive him back into his evil ways, thus invoking Then Let Me Be Evil.
Someone with this trope still in the balance may take the role of The Atoner instead, trying to persuade society in general (or at least those who count) that his reform should not be rejected.
Sources
Game and Story Use
- Bringing back a former NPC antagonist who claims to have reformed gives the players an interesting dilemma: Do they trust him, and how far?
- A PC might have a criminal background and is trying to redeem himself by working with the rest of the party.
- Potential for someone to be forced back into the civillain life: the Reformed But Rejected character may not be able to find a legit job, or any social support outside the Forces of Evil.
- There's always the role of pet monster to avert this - the PCs (at least) recognise that the guy still isn't a nice person, but has changed sides and has skills that they don't possess and could make use of.