Grey Guard [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Grey Guard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zen5887
11-09-07, 09:16 PM So I made a 5/1 pali/grey guard (from complete scoundral) and im not 100% sure on how to play it..

The vibe I get from it is one of those cops that has no problem shooting the hostage in the leg to get them out of the of the bad guy. Someone who would gladly beat someone to pulp in order to get some infomation from them.

Now im not sure if this all works with the whole "code of conduct" thing. So if anyone wants to shead some light on this issue I would be most happy

Thanks dudes
- Lachlan
Terjon of the Blue Rose
11-09-07, 11:09 PM Paladin's hold closely to their code. Grey guards are paladins who understand that the code sometimes gets in the way of getting the job done. Try to hold to the concept that stopping the bad guy is more important than saving the innocent. For every villian you stop there will be 10 less victims. For every innocent you save at the cost of letting a villian go there will be 10 more. You probably won't cross the line into torture but using magic to extract needed info isn't beyond you.

To play the class really well I'd say pick a set of lines your character won't cross. If it doesn't cross those pre-set lines you're good to go. Also pick up a scroll of atonement. It may seem a strange request to the cleric and draw a few unpleasant questions but if it's not one of your chosen lines-not-to-be-crossed I'd try and bluff it off as preparing for redeeming others from their evil paths.
meto30
11-10-07, 04:35 PM The concern and unsureness on philosophical issues and goodness can actually be an integral part of your character. Your character isn't so sure himself, and thus has some inner doubts about issues. This can be turned into interesting plot devices ready to exploit. If your DM is good he will probably notice the plot hook and integrate it into the game.

This way you have a prepared device for your paladin to become resolved into one path, or turn away from the code of law and 'fall'. Also, this undecided behavior is good for preventing your paladin from becoming the alignment blackhole, that is, one who is almost maniacally devoted to a philosophical polarity to the point it is neither sensible nor fun to watch.
KIDS
11-10-07, 05:55 PM The important thing is to have an accepting DM. Grey Guard is a great concept but it requires individual imagination and you should be sure that yours isn't like "alignment is what's written here, you fall mwahahahha". Otherwise, as said, undecided is as much as a Grey Guard character theme as determined. Not knowing provides more motivation than knowing, so to say.
The_Shaman
11-11-07, 06:33 PM So I made a 5/1 pali/grey guard (from complete scoundral) and im not 100% sure on how to play it..

The vibe I get from it is one of those cops that has no problem shooting the hostage in the leg to get them out of the of the bad guy. Someone who would gladly beat someone to pulp in order to get some infomation from them.

Now im not sure if this all works with the whole "code of conduct" thing. So if anyone wants to shead some light on this issue I would be most happy

Thanks dudes
- Lachlan

OK, I used to hate the GG for what seemed to me like a Paladin-lite idea. Now I just dislike it. You DO have a code of conduct and it is the SAME CoC paladins get. Until level 10, all that's different is that you have an easier time getting someone to cast atonement on you. Basically, if a paladin shouldn't do it, neither should you: you're still Lawful Good with all the implications that brings. Ceasing to be LG disqualifies you from the PrC, and getting atonement is still a b...h - so some NPC spellcaster doesn't have to shell XP for you, oh joy.

However, you treat your code a little more, shall we say, flexibly. Your devotion is to Justice and Good, as you understand them, not to the 5 rules in that big book in the chapel. As meto said, your character doesn't think that the code is more important than doing what feels right. The PrC is in the book of scoundrels for a good reason - perhaps you are a little more devious, a little more callous (note the "little"), maybe a little too judgemental... but at heart, you're a paladin, and when you swerve off the proper road (never for long), you have a damn good reason to do so. If not... then this PrC isn't for you. Check by the Shadowbane inquisitors next door.
Mad_Jack
11-11-07, 08:58 PM The thing to remember about the grey guard is that, even though you may be willing to push the limits of what's acceptable paladin behavior, YOU STILL FEEL BAD ABOUT IT. You make the tough choices when they need to be made and hate yourself for it later. You should spend a lot of time hating yourself for it. Or at least wondering if you've gone too far, wondering just where the lines stop being drawn in pencil and are chiseled in stone. The grey guard is grim, grizzled, even haunted by his past battles and what it took to win them, but he proudly throws himself in front of whatever train comes down the tracks next. You're the official door mat of Good, always ready to take one for the team, lying face down in the puddle so others don't have to get their boots muddy.
If your character is just looking for the easy way out of atonement, or a cushion to help you feel it less when you Fall, the grey guard isn't for you. The grey guard should be seen as having *added* responsibility to the Code, not less.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zen5887 11-09-07, 09:16 PM	So I made a 5/1 pali/grey guard (from complete scoundral) and im not 100% sure on how to play it.. The vibe I get from it is one of those cops that has no problem shooting the hostage in the leg to get them out of the of the bad guy. Someone who would gladly beat someone to pulp in order to get some infomation from them. Now im not sure if this all works with the whole "code of conduct" thing. So if anyone wants to shead some light on this issue I would be most happy Thanks dudes - Lachlan
Terjon of the Blue Rose 11-09-07, 11:09 PM	Paladin's hold closely to their code. Grey guards are paladins who understand that the code sometimes gets in the way of getting the job done. Try to hold to the concept that stopping the bad guy is more important than saving the innocent. For every villian you stop there will be 10 less victims. For every innocent you save at the cost of letting a villian go there will be 10 more. You probably won't cross the line into torture but using magic to extract needed info isn't beyond you. To play the class really well I'd say pick a set of lines your character won't cross. If it doesn't cross those pre-set lines you're good to go. Also pick up a scroll of atonement. It may seem a strange request to the cleric and draw a few unpleasant questions but if it's not one of your chosen lines-not-to-be-crossed I'd try and bluff it off as preparing for redeeming others from their evil paths.
meto30 11-10-07, 04:35 PM	The concern and unsureness on philosophical issues and goodness can actually be an integral part of your character. Your character isn't so sure himself, and thus has some inner doubts about issues. This can be turned into interesting plot devices ready to exploit. If your DM is good he will probably notice the plot hook and integrate it into the game. This way you have a prepared device for your paladin to become resolved into one path, or turn away from the code of law and 'fall'. Also, this undecided behavior is good for preventing your paladin from becoming the alignment blackhole, that is, one who is almost maniacally devoted to a philosophical polarity to the point it is neither sensible nor fun to watch.
KIDS 11-10-07, 05:55 PM	The important thing is to have an accepting DM. Grey Guard is a great concept but it requires individual imagination and you should be sure that yours isn't like "alignment is what's written here, you fall mwahahahha". Otherwise, as said, undecided is as much as a Grey Guard character theme as determined. Not knowing provides more motivation than knowing, so to say.
The_Shaman 11-11-07, 06:33 PM	So I made a 5/1 pali/grey guard (from complete scoundral) and im not 100% sure on how to play it.. The vibe I get from it is one of those cops that has no problem shooting the hostage in the leg to get them out of the of the bad guy. Someone who would gladly beat someone to pulp in order to get some infomation from them. Now im not sure if this all works with the whole "code of conduct" thing. So if anyone wants to shead some light on this issue I would be most happy Thanks dudes - Lachlan OK, I used to hate the GG for what seemed to me like a Paladin-lite idea. Now I just dislike it. You DO have a code of conduct and it is the SAME CoC paladins get. Until level 10, all that's different is that you have an easier time getting someone to cast atonement on you. Basically, if a paladin shouldn't do it, neither should you: you're still Lawful Good with all the implications that brings. Ceasing to be LG disqualifies you from the PrC, and getting atonement is still a b...h - so some NPC spellcaster doesn't have to shell XP for you, oh joy. However, you treat your code a little more, shall we say, flexibly. Your devotion is to Justice and Good, as you understand them, not to the 5 rules in that big book in the chapel. As meto said, your character doesn't think that the code is more important than doing what feels right. The PrC is in the book of scoundrels for a good reason - perhaps you are a little more devious, a little more callous (note the "little"), maybe a little too judgemental... but at heart, you're a paladin, and when you swerve off the proper road (never for long), you have a damn good reason to do so. If not... then this PrC isn't for you. Check by the Shadowbane inquisitors next door.
Mad_Jack 11-11-07, 08:58 PM	The thing to remember about the grey guard is that, even though you may be willing to push the limits of what's acceptable paladin behavior, YOU STILL FEEL BAD ABOUT IT. You make the tough choices when they need to be made and hate yourself for it later. You should spend a lot of time hating yourself for it. Or at least wondering if you've gone too far, wondering just where the lines stop being drawn in pencil and are chiseled in stone. The grey guard is grim, grizzled, even haunted by his past battles and what it took to win them, but he proudly throws himself in front of whatever train comes down the tracks next. You're the official door mat of Good, always ready to take one for the team, lying face down in the puddle so others don't have to get their boots muddy. If your character is just looking for the easy way out of atonement, or a cushion to help you feel it less when you Fall, the grey guard isn't for you. The grey guard should be seen as having added responsibility to the Code, not less.