I'm just curious as to whether anyone has heard or read anything about the possibility of any storylines in the game for evil/dubious characters?

I've always found it quite limiting that the main plot in previous titles was geared toward good characters.An option to work against the Septims in Oblivion would have been a nice addition for example.Even if the plot was unsuccessful for the sake of the games lore it would give the less reputable characters something to get involved in.

The mages guild questline in Oblivion is another good example where the battle with the necromancers was never fully explored or taken advantage of.I could probably add the fighters guild questline involving the blackwood company.

Any thought's?

It stands to reason that the Thieves' Guild and Dark Brotherhood will probably be on the darker side of things.

The lore holds back decisions on the main quest. Your character is supposed to be the hero in that regard.

However, there's the Dark Brotherhood questline and the Civil War questline, where I'm sure you'll be able to sack some settlements and be the overall bad guy general.

Evil is an opinion... I guess :shrug:

You are of course correct but then it also stands to reason that you then limit the type of characters who can get involved.

Even if the main quest line was left alone a few juicy story lines with the potential to change things on a global scale would be nice.

I just feel that evil character quest lines is an untapped resource.

Evil plot lines eh? Does murderous rampaging not qaulify as a plotline? I suppose not but all the same.. it's oh so evil.

The Dark Brotherhood is really just ruthlessly evil in Oblivion. I'd say Morrowind had more of a problem with evil factions, as they really had none. Most factions were questionable with morals but not evil.

Evil isn't given enough credit; even for an evil character in Oblivion, it would be in their best interest to succeed in the main quest (in interest of survival and all that) - true, you could have the option to be a bit more ambitious; maybe take over the Empire yourself or something. The same goes for Morrowind, as Lord Nerevarine you'd have a pretty good bargaining position with the tribunal, the dunmer tribes and houses... But as always, you're given a pathetic excuse for an reward: a ceremonial armor and a fancy smancy title...

I'm hoping Skyrim will offer more freedom in that regards

I do wish the main quest had more than one ending, one who wants to save the world and the other who wants to kill the end boss (whatever he/she/it is) and take over the world or something like that.

I hated being a thief or assassin in oblivion than be like at the last battle, well I decided after robbing people of their money thus will to live and killing countless people AND my own friends....I think I will be the good guy now. :facepalm:

Hopefully there will be, I was underwhelmed by the unlawful guilds in Oblivion, the thieves guild was basically a robin hood quest line and the dark brotherhood were... alright I suppose.