Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Johnny3D3D 02-17-05, 06:54 AM	Call it writer's block or what you will, but I seem to be having an abysmal time trying to work out my new character, so any help or even just a few words of advice would be phenominally helpful. I'm still rather new at the whole D&D thing, so I apologize if any of my questions are simple or foolish. My first main problem is my alignment. I'm leading towards a Chaotic Neutral Alignment, but there are 2 problems I have there: A) From everything I read on this board and others, Chaotic Neutral seems to be consider the scum of alignments. B) I'm not sure if the traits of my character fit that alignment. I'm almost certain that the neutral part fits because his view is that good and evil are simply two different sides in a struggle. He considers himself on his own side. I'd consider him slightly more good than evil because there are some things he believes in such as saving a child from a burning building or things like that, but, otherwise, as I said, he simply considers good and evil to be different views, and he has his own personal view. He prefers honesty though. He won't break his word or betray loyal allies on a whim. It's the Chaotic part which I am having the most trouble with. He's a free spirit in that he does whatever he wants to do, and he doesn't like the rules and regulations which others "try to force upon him." On the other hand, he does have few personal rules which he tries to follow. He belives in keeping oathes and keeping your word, and he does have a small soft spot for the protection of children, but, otherwise, he hates rules. He hates to follow orders, and follow the lead of others. Ironically, his goal is to set up his own kingdom, and have followers who follow his laws and rules. So, just to sum things up.....he's a free spirit and does what he wants (chaotic,) yet his goal is to have a following of people who follow his morals and laws (lawful.) Basically, he wants to be the one making the rules; not the one bound by them. He views himself as neutral in the battle between good and evil.
Morka 02-17-05, 10:29 AM	In my opinion, anyone could dream to be a leader and edict laws. For example, read the D&D novel "Prince of Lies" about the CE god Cyric. He is the leader of his kingdom, and he is continually changing the laws only to put faulty peoples to death. But to fit more with the rest of your concept, your character should dream to build kingdom were anyone could be free, yet everyone is doing like your character wishes: some kind of utopia. Chaotic Neutral is hard to play and even harder for the other players and DM to have a CN character in the party. Such character could decide one day to be evil, the next day to be good, and even be lawful sometimes, only to create more chaos. From what you described, you could be more between CG and CN: you have to judge each person individually to know if you can trust him, be it a LG paladin or an evil drow, you prefer good but "understand" and "respect" evil.
Johnny3D3D 02-17-05, 01:24 PM	I definately appreciate the input, and you've made me think of things more clearly. I understand why CN is hard because of the shifting between good and evil, but my character isn't wishy washy; he just has his own point of view. The example of him judging people hits the nail right on the head, and the part of him respecting evil is true too. He's not good or evil, but he respects both as different viewpoints just as he views his ideals as a different viewpoint. He's just his own person I guess. His kingdom would have laws and rules, but they'd be more like guidlines than rules. However, the thing that shifts him enough toward evil that makes me consider neutral is that he would also consider himself somewhat above those rules at times because of being in charge. I definately appreciate the input; great advice.
Johnny3D3D 02-18-05, 03:26 PM	So do you think CN would be an accurate alignment? Right now I think I'm going to settle for him being a half-elven Hexblade, but there are a few other things I am considering. He will have been brought up by his elven kin, but he'd be somewhat of an outcast. I was considering his status as a Hexblade as a reason for him to be an outcast, but I'm having a hard time explaining this because elves usually revere magic. I've considered that maybe his village would succumb to several instances of bad luck which they eventually contribute to him because the description of a Hexblade says that sometimes their powers manifest themselves before they even know they have them. Do you think it would be realistic (an ironic question for a fantasy game) for elves to view magic negatively? I guess basically it's similar to the concept of Hercules (according to the tv show) when he was younger. Even though he was a great hero and had great skill, the people of his village didn't want him there because his hero status, and his connections with Hera attracted villains and monsters. I have a pretty good idea of my character, and I hope I'm not coming off as someone who wants a character made for him because that's not at all what I want. I'm just trying to get some input from more experienced players to make my character seem more real and indiginous to the game world.
Shar_Narishma 02-18-05, 07:08 PM	go lawful neutral. Lawful nuetral allows you to follow your own set of "laws" or more precisely, your own personal set of guidlines that you follow. Your create a system that has bits of everything, from not slaying innocent children for kicks and giggles, to righting the wrongs of a towns corrupt tyrants. You try to not to break to many laws, and try extra extra extra hard not to break any of your own "laws". your "laws" are just about how you live life, and how you see the world, and the lawful part of the alignment means not trying to break your laws. This may seem chaotic, but its isnt, as long as your own laws arent primarily chaotic. Even a lawful good guy is allowed to attack the guards of an evil tyrants castle without breaking down his morals. Or, you could always go neutral(very dificult to play) or neutral good(leaning towards nuetrality). Thats the problem with alignments, there are too few, so generally, its safer to put chaotic nuetral, because then you can act exactly how you want to regarding laws, good, evil, and chaos. Also, being chaotic does not mean that you have to run around poking city guards in the butt and bluffing them into thinking it was thier buddy next to them. It just means you follow the laws loosely. If it is against the law to attack an officer, you can follow that law... but you follow it only untill said officer does something wrong(man handling a women, collecting bribes, beating beggars, ect.). Chaotic Neutral is disliked because too many people play chaotic retard, running around doing what they want, when they want. I hate to tell them, but that is more chaotic EVIL. Hopes i helpe a little, and sorry if it started sounding like a rant. P.S.- if you have ever read The Wheel of Time Series, then the aiel would be lawful neutral. They have their own set of rules and guide lines (ji`eh`toh is i think hoiw you spell it), and they care not for "wetlander" laws(they come from a desert so they refer to anyone from accross the other side of the mountain "wetlanders".
Elbethamore 02-19-05, 07:49 PM	In many ways, alignments are broad "tents" that encompass a wide variety of outlooks and behaviors. In practice, there are infinite gradations of good and evil, law and chaos. Likewise, there are those who are neutral out of conscious choice and those who are neutral out of apathy or ambivalence. It sounds like on the good/evil scale, your character has made a conscious choice in favor of neutrality (a character tolerant of evil is not likely to be truly good). The fact that your character is capable of sympathy can be characteristic of any alignment. Even the hardest of hearts will show a shred of concern under the right circumstances. Since your character wishes to be ruled by no one, but wants to abide only by his own rules and answer only to himself, chaotic seems appropriate as well. The fact that your character has a desire to rule over others does not make him lawful. The fact is, all but the most submissive individuals have some desire to control others and to be revered by those beneath them. What you've described is a character who abides by no law but his own--that's what a chaotic alignment means. Only the truly insane spurn their own authority. It sounds like your gut instinct was chaotic neutral. Go with it.
Ivarrius 02-19-05, 08:44 PM	You are definitely NOT chaotic neutral. More likely you are Chaotic Good or Lawful Neutral. I know they seem at odds, but really what you are saying is this. You do not like current authority, but one day hope to build a kingdom governed by law. That is hardly CN. So as I said, CG - you are willing to do good, very much so, but have a general disdain for authority that is forced upon you. And LN - You do see good and evil as two sides to a proverbial argument, and generally stay out of said debates. However, you are not opposed to doing good, as long as that good is in tune with your own personal code. Chances are, you are more LN than chaotic good, as you hope to one day live as a 'ruler' in a kingdom of 'your laws and rules'. A chatoic Good character would prefer to stay away from leadership, and further more being a leader. It isnt free enough for your tastes. Lawful Neutral. Your laws, your morals, your choice.
Trydan 02-21-05, 07:43 AM	This may not necessarily help, but as a suggestion, how about leaving the alignment for your character blank. Simply don't specify an alignment. Speak with your DM, and fellow players, and explain that you are not sure what to make it, then simply play. After a while, discuss it with the group again, and they can make suggestions about what sort of alignment fits the behaviour of your character. In our games, actions define alignment, not the other way around. Alignment is merely a label, which summarises how the character has been behaving, and thus, how they would be affected by magic that reacts to characters personal codes (e.g. Protection vs Evil). As an example, we have a character in our group, who steals regularly (from party members, as well as others), is researching poisons, has sided with a group of bandits and has dodged paying taxes and licences for the past year or so. Despite having an initial alignment of Neutral-Good, it is now on the border line between Neutral-Evil and Chaotic-Evil. What I'm getting at, is that if you are unsure, then don't try to pin it down. It should come naturally, and then it will suit your character and your playing style. Simply base it on your actions, rather than your long term ambitions.
Johnny3D3D 02-21-05, 08:28 PM	I appreciate all of the input, and I think I have a good idea of what direction I'm heading in. I think I'm starting to agree with Trydan though; I should let my character unfold as I play. The main problem I was having with my character is that his position on Law and/or Chaos is slightly hypocritical. Like I said, he has personal rules he lives by, but, in general, he hates rules. I think a good example of what I am trying to explain would be how Achillies is portrayed in the movie Troy. He was an awesome warrior, and considered to be a hero by his people; however, at the same time, he hated his king. He fought for the Greeks, but it was always on his own terms, and he would resist authority as much as possible. One on hand he had ideals about honor and such, but, on the other hand, he was strongly against the current authority even though he fought for them. I suppose what I am striving for with my character would be something like that. I'd have personal ideals which guide my actions, but I also try to do things on my own terms. I know it sounds strange, but as I think of my character, I think the two alignments he would respect the most (other than his own) would be Chaotic Good and Lawful Evil. Chaotic Good because doing good of your own accord rather than doing good because it's expected of you or you're told to is more noble in his opinion. As for Lawful Evil, he...ugh, I forgot :weep: Ok, well, since I can't remember my train of thought, I'll go this route: He'd be more willing to work with someone who is Lawful Evil because, in his opinion, even though they're evil, they're more trustworthy than Chaotic Evil characters. Overall though, he's neutral when it comes to Good vs Evil.