How do you roleplay a shift from CG to CN? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How do you roleplay a shift from CG to CN? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nicholas the Paladin
06-25-07, 02:31 AM Hi Guys,

I'm playing a Gnome Beguiler right now, that is using the Shadow Weave (same magic, just different origin).

He's currently CG, but after an experience on the Plane of Shadow, he gradually will become less caring and CN. What will be nice symptoms of this change?

Can you give me some tips for roleplaying?
Garidas
06-25-07, 04:25 AM 1. You could when you see a beggar, don't give him a coin.
2. Never act when somebody you don't know is in problem.
warwinner
06-25-07, 06:25 AM Crack jokes at/criticise someone who is unfortunate/dumb/unlucky/does something wrong or stupid without regard to his feelings

Take care of yourselves before others

Shift from using magic for good to using magic for power/personal benefit/enjoyment

Sulk and be gloomy under bright light or daytime, but brighten up and be jovial in overcast conditions/underground or night

Re-evaluate your priorities and your schedule.When making choices choose the more profitable and rewarding option instead of which one does the greater good.Try to talk others out of doing things which maybe beneficial to many other people, but would put yourself/allies in a lot of trouble/harm
Nicholas the Paladin
06-28-07, 07:02 AM Thanks for both you answers

Crack jokes at/criticise someone who is unfortunate/dumb/unlucky/does something wrong or stupid without regard to his feelings Hmm, I don;t thaink i'll do that. that's a bit to mean and childish for my taste.

My character is a happy-go-lucky prankster Gnome, who's just a bit more scared than before and who's emotionsshift a bit towards melancholy and insensitivity (becuase of the shadow plane). But he won't be childish

Take care of yourselves before others
that'll do. I'll be a bit more pragmatic and opportunistic.

Shift from using magic for good to using magic for power/personal benefit/enjoyment this will be a bit evil in my book. personal enjoyment : Yes, but I'm still willing to help other...although i won't go as far as usual.

Sulk and be gloomy under bright light or daytime, but brighten up and be jovial in overcast conditions/underground or night that'll be a nice twist

Re-evaluate your priorities and your schedule.When making choices choose the more profitable and rewarding option instead of which one does the greater good.

Try to talk others out of doing things which maybe beneficial to many other people, but would put yourself/allies in a lot of trouble/harm This like. It'll be like : "come on guys, let's be realistic ! I'm willing to help, but this is suicide. let's think this over first." that'll be subtle

My beguiler is a guy that like to influence people. i won't go childish and mean....I'll go 'common sense' , I'll go 'thinking realistically' , but in the mean time it's just me, thinking a bit to much about myself.
Cardinal Teplin
06-29-07, 07:44 AM Try being thouroughly irresponsible.

Encourage people to take risks, make changes, to LIVE a little. Meeting you should be a lifechanging experience for them, in which they throw off the shackles of their conventional thinking and reach for their full potential. Ignite some fire in their lives.

Then ignore the consequences. Their choice, their problem, their problem. Of course you risk getting burned when you play with fire. The risk is the point! And if you rescue them from the consequences of their actions (and your advice) then you're bascially turning them back into the poor wretched overcontrolled (if happy and safe) people they were before they met you!
CrimsonDeath
07-01-07, 02:17 AM Don't always do what you feel is right. Just do what you feel like doing. There's no specific reason you shouldn't give a beggar a few coins if you feel sorry for him, but there's no reason you shouldn't knock him on his rear if he gets too pushy. You probably shouldn't try to be crazy or random, though; CN doesn't necessarily mean "psychotic" or "irrational". I could just mean you're impulsive.
Daxen
07-02-07, 05:50 PM This character has discovered for good or ill that there is always something lurking in the shadows. For his own survival he has decided that he should be the one doing the lurking. Trust, good, evil, these are all illusions that exist in the the lie of light. The truth lies in shadow where all is gray, where the only value any thing, person or place has; is the value that you attribute to it.

You cannot stop pain only absorb or divert it. You cannot bring lasting joy to anyone. Save yourself, no one else is going to. I completely disagree with the act irresponsible that was put forth by another poster. Your character has simply realizaed that he cannot be responsible for anyone exept himself.

Be careful that the character does not sink into a nihilistic philosophy, because that will eventually lead to the end of his adventuring days.

He sees his beguiler illusions and enchantments as no more beneficial or detrimental than the illusions and enchanments that people constantly keep themselves under. Survival has become paramount and survival has no rules.

Short of Sociopathy and Psychopathy which are the realms of Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral lends itself most to insanity in it's other forms, it is the alignment that lies furthest from any societal norm.

It can be really fun, but it can also destroy a character.

Hope this helps

Dax
CrimsonWyvern
07-03-07, 12:56 AM I have a little alignment shift experience, and it was actually CG to CN, and while it was going to be to CE eventually, I hope that this helps.

He was noble, but when trying to give a thug a proper burial, he got unjustly thrown in jail. He became cynical, and was far less kind to those outside of his party, and he wasn't even as kind to them.

So in short, my advice is to be more cynical and a little less optimistic. Don't be kind unless you feel like it, and don't try very hard to do anything unless it greatly benefits you.
Deladrion Garthin
07-05-07, 02:46 AM This was a helpful read. I myself am currently playing a gnomish warmage/Blood Magus who is CG, but will shift to CN and perhaps even CE, though I haven't decided; I'm just going to see how it goes and where he ends up really. These gave me some good ideas on how to make the change slowly and subtlely. Keep them coming. :)
Nicholas the Paladin
08-01-07, 07:47 AM So in short, my advice is to be more cynical and a little less optimistic. Don't be kind unless you feel like it, and don't try very hard to do anything unless it greatly benefits you. Thanks, that's easy to apply
The_Shaman
08-01-07, 09:56 AM This is one interpretation, but it is far from the only one. Actually, I have played a CN swashbuckler who was as great a bon vivant as I could imagine. Such a character CN character can be incredibly funny, very engaging, and have a smile brighter than the sun. The difference would probably be that a CN character simply does not care all that much about other people. Sure, it is nice to do good and all, especially when it is being appreciated, but sometimes it is just too bothersome.

It could be that I am a little too demanding of good alignment, but your character does not have to be completely out for himself (that would be more the province of evil alignments). Yes, it is sad that an injustice happened, but that does not mean you should be involved in everything. Some moral problems - particularly abstract ones - just don't affect such a character so much. However, chances are that he will be inherently opposed to any conscious attempts to be tied down by expectations, society, or what have you. Essentially, you act not for some abstract motivations, but from personal ones. Today you can save a child, because you took pity on it. Tomorrow you may break a heart, because you did not like that person. Sometimes you decide to make a difference, but only you decide what it will be.

That, by the way, does not mean that a CN character will not have people for which s/he will not jump into the fire, fight to the last drop of blood or mourn until the day that s/he dies. Everyone has special people, and even a NE thief may be a caring father and a devoted husband. Alignment is just a guideline, and applies best to how characters treat people with whom they have no prior experience and no relation to.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nicholas the Paladin 06-25-07, 02:31 AM	Hi Guys, I'm playing a Gnome Beguiler right now, that is using the Shadow Weave (same magic, just different origin). He's currently CG, but after an experience on the Plane of Shadow, he gradually will become less caring and CN. What will be nice symptoms of this change? Can you give me some tips for roleplaying?
Garidas 06-25-07, 04:25 AM	1. You could when you see a beggar, don't give him a coin. 2. Never act when somebody you don't know is in problem.
warwinner 06-25-07, 06:25 AM	Crack jokes at/criticise someone who is unfortunate/dumb/unlucky/does something wrong or stupid without regard to his feelings Take care of yourselves before others Shift from using magic for good to using magic for power/personal benefit/enjoyment Sulk and be gloomy under bright light or daytime, but brighten up and be jovial in overcast conditions/underground or night Re-evaluate your priorities and your schedule.When making choices choose the more profitable and rewarding option instead of which one does the greater good.Try to talk others out of doing things which maybe beneficial to many other people, but would put yourself/allies in a lot of trouble/harm
Nicholas the Paladin 06-28-07, 07:02 AM	Thanks for both you answers Crack jokes at/criticise someone who is unfortunate/dumb/unlucky/does something wrong or stupid without regard to his feelings Hmm, I don;t thaink i'll do that. that's a bit to mean and childish for my taste. My character is a happy-go-lucky prankster Gnome, who's just a bit more scared than before and who's emotionsshift a bit towards melancholy and insensitivity (becuase of the shadow plane). But he won't be childish Take care of yourselves before others that'll do. I'll be a bit more pragmatic and opportunistic. Shift from using magic for good to using magic for power/personal benefit/enjoyment this will be a bit evil in my book. personal enjoyment : Yes, but I'm still willing to help other...although i won't go as far as usual. Sulk and be gloomy under bright light or daytime, but brighten up and be jovial in overcast conditions/underground or night that'll be a nice twist Re-evaluate your priorities and your schedule.When making choices choose the more profitable and rewarding option instead of which one does the greater good. Try to talk others out of doing things which maybe beneficial to many other people, but would put yourself/allies in a lot of trouble/harm This like. It'll be like : "come on guys, let's be realistic ! I'm willing to help, but this is suicide. let's think this over first." that'll be subtle My beguiler is a guy that like to influence people. i won't go childish and mean....I'll go 'common sense' , I'll go 'thinking realistically' , but in the mean time it's just me, thinking a bit to much about myself.
Cardinal Teplin 06-29-07, 07:44 AM	Try being thouroughly irresponsible. Encourage people to take risks, make changes, to LIVE a little. Meeting you should be a lifechanging experience for them, in which they throw off the shackles of their conventional thinking and reach for their full potential. Ignite some fire in their lives. Then ignore the consequences. Their choice, their problem, their problem. Of course you risk getting burned when you play with fire. The risk is the point! And if you rescue them from the consequences of their actions (and your advice) then you're bascially turning them back into the poor wretched overcontrolled (if happy and safe) people they were before they met you!
CrimsonDeath 07-01-07, 02:17 AM	Don't always do what you feel is right. Just do what you feel like doing. There's no specific reason you shouldn't give a beggar a few coins if you feel sorry for him, but there's no reason you shouldn't knock him on his rear if he gets too pushy. You probably shouldn't try to be crazy or random, though; CN doesn't necessarily mean "psychotic" or "irrational". I could just mean you're impulsive.
Daxen 07-02-07, 05:50 PM	This character has discovered for good or ill that there is always something lurking in the shadows. For his own survival he has decided that he should be the one doing the lurking. Trust, good, evil, these are all illusions that exist in the the lie of light. The truth lies in shadow where all is gray, where the only value any thing, person or place has; is the value that you attribute to it. You cannot stop pain only absorb or divert it. You cannot bring lasting joy to anyone. Save yourself, no one else is going to. I completely disagree with the act irresponsible that was put forth by another poster. Your character has simply realizaed that he cannot be responsible for anyone exept himself. Be careful that the character does not sink into a nihilistic philosophy, because that will eventually lead to the end of his adventuring days. He sees his beguiler illusions and enchantments as no more beneficial or detrimental than the illusions and enchanments that people constantly keep themselves under. Survival has become paramount and survival has no rules. Short of Sociopathy and Psychopathy which are the realms of Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral lends itself most to insanity in it's other forms, it is the alignment that lies furthest from any societal norm. It can be really fun, but it can also destroy a character. Hope this helps Dax
CrimsonWyvern 07-03-07, 12:56 AM	I have a little alignment shift experience, and it was actually CG to CN, and while it was going to be to CE eventually, I hope that this helps. He was noble, but when trying to give a thug a proper burial, he got unjustly thrown in jail. He became cynical, and was far less kind to those outside of his party, and he wasn't even as kind to them. So in short, my advice is to be more cynical and a little less optimistic. Don't be kind unless you feel like it, and don't try very hard to do anything unless it greatly benefits you.
Deladrion Garthin 07-05-07, 02:46 AM	This was a helpful read. I myself am currently playing a gnomish warmage/Blood Magus who is CG, but will shift to CN and perhaps even CE, though I haven't decided; I'm just going to see how it goes and where he ends up really. These gave me some good ideas on how to make the change slowly and subtlely. Keep them coming. :)
Nicholas the Paladin 08-01-07, 07:47 AM	So in short, my advice is to be more cynical and a little less optimistic. Don't be kind unless you feel like it, and don't try very hard to do anything unless it greatly benefits you. Thanks, that's easy to apply
The_Shaman 08-01-07, 09:56 AM	This is one interpretation, but it is far from the only one. Actually, I have played a CN swashbuckler who was as great a bon vivant as I could imagine. Such a character CN character can be incredibly funny, very engaging, and have a smile brighter than the sun. The difference would probably be that a CN character simply does not care all that much about other people. Sure, it is nice to do good and all, especially when it is being appreciated, but sometimes it is just too bothersome. It could be that I am a little too demanding of good alignment, but your character does not have to be completely out for himself (that would be more the province of evil alignments). Yes, it is sad that an injustice happened, but that does not mean you should be involved in everything. Some moral problems - particularly abstract ones - just don't affect such a character so much. However, chances are that he will be inherently opposed to any conscious attempts to be tied down by expectations, society, or what have you. Essentially, you act not for some abstract motivations, but from personal ones. Today you can save a child, because you took pity on it. Tomorrow you may break a heart, because you did not like that person. Sometimes you decide to make a difference, but only you decide what it will be. That, by the way, does not mean that a CN character will not have people for which s/he will not jump into the fire, fight to the last drop of blood or mourn until the day that s/he dies. Everyone has special people, and even a NE thief may be a caring father and a devoted husband. Alignment is just a guideline, and applies best to how characters treat people with whom they have no prior experience and no relation to.