Alignment Question.. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alignment Question.. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Teh
10-18-05, 07:47 PM I want a nice twist on the new character iam starting,so iam wondering:

is it possible for a Rakshasa to be CG? Even tho MM states that that they are always LE?

And does anyone have a good storyline to go with that? how he turned from LE to CG?:)
nihility
10-18-05, 08:03 PM It seems as though just about any creature can be of any alignment these days. A Succubus Paladin (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20050510a) won this summer's battle royal, the Book of Exalted Deeds has a number of ways to turn just about any creature good, and of course there's the ever-present Drizzt (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndant/178480000).

I'd say to play what you want. There are just no end of ways to justify it, from spellcasting to persuasion to that nasty free will that keeps popping up here and there.
nihility
10-18-05, 08:12 PM Mechanical justifications: a Helm of Opposite Alignment, (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/cursedItems.htm#helmofOppositeAlignment) a close encounter with an Emissary of Barachiel while polymorphed into a humanoid, being the target of any number of spells from the Book of Exalted Deeds that cause the target to repent or to glimpse one of the heavenly planes, being the target of a Santify the Wicked spell from the Book of Exalted Deeds, lots of diplomacy checks (seriously, it works), and that's just off the top of my head.

Rakshasas do not have the Evil subtype, so it seems the only thing making them all evil is bad habits and bad influences (kind of like the Drow and the Mind Flayers). I don't see any mechanical reason why one couldn't change its mind, but there's plenty of ways to do it purely mechanically.
Sluagh
10-19-05, 10:27 AM The 3.5 version of Rakshasa doesn't have the evil subtype, but prior versions had the evil and lawful subtypes. It would seem that you COULD have a CG Rakshasa, but you would need hella good reasoning as to why it would be so. You're going to have to spend some time working on a strong backstory/history and its base of principles if any DM worth their salt would let you play it.

I mean, with this, you're having a complete change in outlook, as far as you possibly could be from its original inclination, there has to be a good reason for it. Even the popular Drizzt, as mentioned earlier, only changed on one alignment axis, CE to CG; this is changing on both axes.

Also, how would the DR 15/good and piercing be resolved?

I just noted as well that the spell immunity has been replaced with Spell Resistance instead. Interesting.
Fithero
10-19-05, 11:25 AM So the character will have damage reduction against good? so what... if im understanding this correctly... doesnt that actually help the character? Who in their right mind would attack a good creature with a good weapon?

Anyway, i think its highly possible to play *any* creature, *any* alignment. I wouldnt mind playing a demon who fights to defend those who cannot defend themselves... its an interesting concept.

Or perhaps a jaded hound archon (spelling?).... chaotic evil dog man... so sweet :P

Later
nihility
10-19-05, 01:31 PM It would seem that you COULD have a CG Rakshasa, but you would need hella good reasoning as to why it would be so.You would think so, but honestly, changing something's alignment on the good/evil axis is almost trivial nowdays. The lawful/chaotic axis is actually harder. The mechanics aren't really what you were getting at, though...

You're going to have to spend some time working on a strong backstory/history and its base of principles if any DM worth their salt would let you play it.True, but we would all like to think that DMs require that in general, yes? :)

Seriously, though, this is true. It's like playing any other weird monster, in that playing the monster seems so novel that it's easy to forget about the character. In my experience, the result is that the novelty wears off in a few games and you're left with either a hollow cliche or you take the time to cobble together an ad-hoc character.

I mean, with this, you're having a complete change in outlook, as far as you possibly could be from its original inclination, there has to be a good reason for it. Even the popular Drizzt, as mentioned earlier, only changed on one alignment axis, CE to CG; this is changing on both axes.Again, I agree. The double axis thing is going to need a good bit of thought. If you think about the precedent, it seems that, in DnD, people sort of naturally gravitate towards good if they're given the chance and the right environment. On the other hand, chaos and law do not seem to exert this steady pull.

Also, how would the DR 15/good and piercing be resolved?There's no mechanical link between DR and a changed alignment, as far as I know, though you might want to check the text of any spell you opt to use in the conversion process. I don't think it's an issue so much as a reminder of the character's origins and past.

When you start thinking about your backstory, I would definitely recommend that you read the section in the BoED on redeemed villains when you start thinking about your backstory, as well as the BoED rules on conversions and the spells I mentioned before.
nihility
10-19-05, 01:36 PM So the character will have damage reduction against good? so what... if im understanding this correctly... doesnt that actually help the character? Who in their right mind would attack a good creature with a good weapon?
This is true. Of course, if the character still walks around looking like a Rakshasa, it won't be hard to guess what weapon to use.
Sluagh
10-19-05, 02:24 PM So the character will have damage reduction against good? so what... if im understanding this correctly... doesnt that actually help the character? Who in their right mind would attack a good creature with a good weapon?

Exactly... it becomes a bit unbalancing as a result.

As far as what Nihility said in response, that can be further avoided with their ability to appear as something else at will without duration limitations.

I have played a Rakshasa (without realizing the changes to the creatures in 3.5 versus 3.0) and it was a rather rewarding experience. He was LE, as in 3.0 they still had the Lawful and Evil subtypes, makes it a little harder to alter :P, and he sought godhood. It was fun masquerading as different people/races and coercing people into doing what I wanted... however when my true nature was revealed, I had some explaining to do to the group :)
Teh
10-21-05, 02:06 PM cool,thx for all the replies:)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Teh 10-18-05, 07:47 PM	I want a nice twist on the new character iam starting,so iam wondering: is it possible for a Rakshasa to be CG? Even tho MM states that that they are always LE? And does anyone have a good storyline to go with that? how he turned from LE to CG?:)
nihility 10-18-05, 08:03 PM	It seems as though just about any creature can be of any alignment these days. A Succubus Paladin (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20050510a) won this summer's battle royal, the Book of Exalted Deeds has a number of ways to turn just about any creature good, and of course there's the ever-present Drizzt (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndant/178480000). I'd say to play what you want. There are just no end of ways to justify it, from spellcasting to persuasion to that nasty free will that keeps popping up here and there.
nihility 10-18-05, 08:12 PM	Mechanical justifications: a Helm of Opposite Alignment, (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/cursedItems.htm#helmofOppositeAlignment) a close encounter with an Emissary of Barachiel while polymorphed into a humanoid, being the target of any number of spells from the Book of Exalted Deeds that cause the target to repent or to glimpse one of the heavenly planes, being the target of a Santify the Wicked spell from the Book of Exalted Deeds, lots of diplomacy checks (seriously, it works), and that's just off the top of my head. Rakshasas do not have the Evil subtype, so it seems the only thing making them all evil is bad habits and bad influences (kind of like the Drow and the Mind Flayers). I don't see any mechanical reason why one couldn't change its mind, but there's plenty of ways to do it purely mechanically.
Sluagh 10-19-05, 10:27 AM	The 3.5 version of Rakshasa doesn't have the evil subtype, but prior versions had the evil and lawful subtypes. It would seem that you COULD have a CG Rakshasa, but you would need hella good reasoning as to why it would be so. You're going to have to spend some time working on a strong backstory/history and its base of principles if any DM worth their salt would let you play it. I mean, with this, you're having a complete change in outlook, as far as you possibly could be from its original inclination, there has to be a good reason for it. Even the popular Drizzt, as mentioned earlier, only changed on one alignment axis, CE to CG; this is changing on both axes. Also, how would the DR 15/good and piercing be resolved? I just noted as well that the spell immunity has been replaced with Spell Resistance instead. Interesting.
Fithero 10-19-05, 11:25 AM	So the character will have damage reduction against good? so what... if im understanding this correctly... doesnt that actually help the character? Who in their right mind would attack a good creature with a good weapon? Anyway, i think its highly possible to play any creature, any alignment. I wouldnt mind playing a demon who fights to defend those who cannot defend themselves... its an interesting concept. Or perhaps a jaded hound archon (spelling?).... chaotic evil dog man... so sweet :P Later
nihility 10-19-05, 01:31 PM	It would seem that you COULD have a CG Rakshasa, but you would need hella good reasoning as to why it would be so.You would think so, but honestly, changing something's alignment on the good/evil axis is almost trivial nowdays. The lawful/chaotic axis is actually harder. The mechanics aren't really what you were getting at, though... You're going to have to spend some time working on a strong backstory/history and its base of principles if any DM worth their salt would let you play it.True, but we would all like to think that DMs require that in general, yes? :) Seriously, though, this is true. It's like playing any other weird monster, in that playing the monster seems so novel that it's easy to forget about the character. In my experience, the result is that the novelty wears off in a few games and you're left with either a hollow cliche or you take the time to cobble together an ad-hoc character. I mean, with this, you're having a complete change in outlook, as far as you possibly could be from its original inclination, there has to be a good reason for it. Even the popular Drizzt, as mentioned earlier, only changed on one alignment axis, CE to CG; this is changing on both axes.Again, I agree. The double axis thing is going to need a good bit of thought. If you think about the precedent, it seems that, in DnD, people sort of naturally gravitate towards good if they're given the chance and the right environment. On the other hand, chaos and law do not seem to exert this steady pull. Also, how would the DR 15/good and piercing be resolved?There's no mechanical link between DR and a changed alignment, as far as I know, though you might want to check the text of any spell you opt to use in the conversion process. I don't think it's an issue so much as a reminder of the character's origins and past. When you start thinking about your backstory, I would definitely recommend that you read the section in the BoED on redeemed villains when you start thinking about your backstory, as well as the BoED rules on conversions and the spells I mentioned before.
nihility 10-19-05, 01:36 PM	So the character will have damage reduction against good? so what... if im understanding this correctly... doesnt that actually help the character? Who in their right mind would attack a good creature with a good weapon? This is true. Of course, if the character still walks around looking like a Rakshasa, it won't be hard to guess what weapon to use.
Sluagh 10-19-05, 02:24 PM	So the character will have damage reduction against good? so what... if im understanding this correctly... doesnt that actually help the character? Who in their right mind would attack a good creature with a good weapon? Exactly... it becomes a bit unbalancing as a result. As far as what Nihility said in response, that can be further avoided with their ability to appear as something else at will without duration limitations. I have played a Rakshasa (without realizing the changes to the creatures in 3.5 versus 3.0) and it was a rather rewarding experience. He was LE, as in 3.0 they still had the Lawful and Evil subtypes, makes it a little harder to alter :P, and he sought godhood. It was fun masquerading as different people/races and coercing people into doing what I wanted... however when my true nature was revealed, I had some explaining to do to the group :)
Teh 10-21-05, 02:06 PM	cool,thx for all the replies:)