Karma Houdini

A "Karma Houdini" is a villain who is never punished (or is insufficiently punished) for their evil actions by the end of a story, thus escaping justice and "pulling a Houdini" (disappearing) from the way of karma. As such, when the story is over, this villain is not really defeated; he/she remains in position to continue his/her misdeeds, either towards the protagonists or a new target or, in the most extreme cases, is still as much of a threat as he/she was before, or even worse-sometimes the hero may actually win but only forces the villain to leave to never harm anyone.

This also concerns corporations, organizations or teams who are not disbanded at the very end of the story, thus they are still able to pose a threat even if some of their majors or agents were killed or imprisoned.

IMPORTANT:

• By definition, a Karma Houdini is the strict opposite of a Scapegoat.
• No matter how painless the death is, deceased villains automatically do not count as Karma Houdinis.
  • The only way for a dead character to count is if it is of natural causes.
• Presumed Deceased villains follow the same rule as above.
• Regardless of how painful is their imprisonment, Imprisoned villains do not count as they are unable to pose a physical threat (outside their jails). Of course, former inmates who successfully bust out of jails can count.

• Villains whose status is dependent upon player choice cannot qualify unless they do not receive punishment for their actions in any possible ending of the game.