The second is clearly the more evil, primarily due to the intentions of the parties.
Team Fluffy Bunnykins probably undertook the mission in order to save innocents; Team Hellfire wouldn't have even attempted the mission unless they were going to get paid or otherwise benefit themselves personally. Team Fluffy Bunnykins avoided killing innocents even to the point of their overall detriment (the avoidable deaths of other innocents, the failiure of their mission and a big bastard demon turning up). Team Hellfire, on the other hand, freely killed 'innocents' to further their own ends (vis a vis, payment).
Team Fluffy Bunnykins, as you have outlined it, are less successful but more goodly, they fail, but they fail due to their philanthropic desire not to harm innocents. Team Hellfire are more successful but perform the actions they perform with no objective more laudable than personal gain and are unconcerned for others.
What should have happened, though, was that Team Pious Templar got sent. Team Pious Templar scare the dupe guards away with illusions, beat them unconscious or dupe the dumb schmucks into buggering off. Team Pious Templar's stealthiest member, meanwhile, goes in to scout and discovers a difficult situation, the cultists are preparing for the sacrifice after hearing the commotion outside. However, he also learns that the cultists must ritually cleanse themselves in the blood of a lamb before the sacrifice. Putting nasty and debilitating contact poisons in the lamb's blood proves quite simple, allowing team Pious Templar to sweep through and slaughter the cultists with little or no risk to themselves. The innocents are rescued and allowed to return to their families, Team Pious Templar gets paid and puts the money into the group coffers after providing living expenses for the team. Team Pious Templar goes from strength to strength with this firm financial footing...
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Team Fluffy Bunnykins probably undertook the mission in order to save innocents; Team Hellfire wouldn't have even attempted the mission unless they were going to get paid or otherwise benefit themselves personally.
Team Fluffy Bunnykins avoided killing innocents even to the point of their overall detriment (the avoidable deaths of other innocents, the failiure of their mission and a big bastard demon turning up). Team Hellfire, on the other hand, freely killed 'innocents' to further their own ends (vis a vis, payment).
Team Fluffy Bunnykins, as you have outlined it, are less successful but more goodly, they fail, but they fail due to their philanthropic desire not to harm innocents. Team Hellfire are more successful but perform the actions they perform with no objective more laudable than personal gain and are unconcerned for others.
What should have happened, though, was that Team Pious Templar got sent. Team Pious Templar scare the dupe guards away with illusions, beat them unconscious or dupe the dumb schmucks into buggering off. Team Pious Templar's stealthiest member, meanwhile, goes in to scout and discovers a difficult situation, the cultists are preparing for the sacrifice after hearing the commotion outside. However, he also learns that the cultists must ritually cleanse themselves in the blood of a lamb before the sacrifice. Putting nasty and debilitating contact poisons in the lamb's blood proves quite simple, allowing team Pious Templar to sweep through and slaughter the cultists with little or no risk to themselves. The innocents are rescued and allowed to return to their families, Team Pious Templar gets paid and puts the money into the group coffers after providing living expenses for the team. Team Pious Templar goes from strength to strength with this firm financial footing...
Yay Team Pious Templar!