Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Merganser86 06-15-07, 11:39 AM	Hey all, first time poster. I'm currently playing a pretty fun CG half-orc barbarian10/sorcerer1 in a World's Largest Dungeon campaign. I'm having a great time (he specializes in the orc double axe and can cast enlarge person on himself to become a giant raging warmachine.) My basic concept for the character is that his father was a human who ended up with an orc woman (though he never knew his father, that's where he also gets his sorcerer's blood) and the character, Agar, was born into the orc tribe. He ended up being CG and not getting along too well with his tribe, but he's still very loyal to them. He ended up becoming a scout for the tribe, which led everyone to more or less get along. The main thing I've been trying to hammer out is his religious inclinations. He was raised among orcs, so he'd have no experience with human gods, so he's a Gruumsh worshipper. However, Gruumsh is CE and believes strongly in the dominance of orcs over other races and the need to constantly be at war- things which Agar doesn't really believe in. (He thinks most elves are dicks, but that's about it.) I don't want him to simply be unreligious, because that seems dull- and I can't yell "BLOOD FOR GRUUMSH!" when going into a rage against something big and evil if he's not a believer. :-) Any thoughts on how to reconcile a half-orc with a good outlook and his evil aligned god? -E
Fithero 06-15-07, 12:07 PM	I dont think a chaotic good character would ever follow a chaotic evil god. It'd be like someone with christian values following satan... it just wouldnt happen. Maybe if he was chaotic neutral, thats more believable (and its even done too!) but chaotic good doesnt fit. Does he have to be religous at all? Cant he just sort of, 'fake it', like im sure children do these days with real world religons?:mage: *puts on ring of fire resistance*
warwinner 06-15-07, 01:06 PM	Personalise gruumsh a bit for yourself.Maybe he thinks that the orcs are misinterpreting the real gruumsh who he knows from his personal experiences Unlike other orcs, You could think of him as going to war to prove his ability and become stronger and Orc dominance as trying to get orcs a rightful place and respect in society, which they don't have. The concepts needn't change but the interpretations can.
Merganser86 06-15-07, 02:46 PM	Perhaps he interprets the orcish superiority expressed in Gruumsh's faith by pitying the other races and feeling it's his orcish duty to aid them to greater glory? "A fine try, elf, but it's a good thing I was here to save you- it's too bad you weren't born with the stamina of an orc!" Sort of a different spin on orcish superiority, though he still believes that orcs are the best race. -E
warwinner 06-15-07, 04:30 PM	Yes, faith in gruumsh and being of good alignment don't always have to conflict.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 06-16-07, 12:07 AM	Alternatively, I think one of Gruumsh's sons is a god of tactics (after a fashion). Maybe you just went to a smaller church. While they preach war on other races you could gloss over it in favor of the more tactical side. Then since your mostly barbarian you could also go with focusing on the strength aspect of Gruumsh. Perhaps you don't think he's right about the need to constantly war with other races but truly do hold to his value that might makes right. It puts you a little closer to evil but not into it if you use your strength for good.
CrimsonDeath 06-16-07, 09:23 PM	Alternatively, I think one of Gruumsh's sons is a god of tactics (after a fashion). Maybe you just went to a smaller church. While they preach war on other races you could gloss over it in favor of the more tactical side. Then since your mostly barbarian you could also go with focusing on the strength aspect of Gruumsh. Perhaps you don't think he's right about the need to constantly war with other races but truly do hold to his value that might makes right. It puts you a little closer to evil but not into it if you use your strength for good. This looks like a fairly good suggestion. The PHB does mention that some nonevil half-orcs revere Gruumsh as a war deity without embracing his genocidal teachings. (Although, such half-orcs seldom discuss theology with members of other races...)