How does one play Chaotic Good? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How does one play Chaotic Good? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mysteris
08-11-04, 09:46 PM Hi all.

I've got a question on playing a chaotic good character. You see, I've been working on a character for my first-ever live game and the DM loves it, but he insists that it has to have some good alignment, so he suggested Chaotic Good. The problem is, I don't know how to fit this into my character concept.

Amasyl is an level 8 moon elven telepath (psion). She was born and raised in Silverymoon, a major metropolitan center, by respectable, middle-class parents (a Illusionist mage who teaches at the city's major University of magic and an architect). She's got an older brother who is one of the city guard and a younger brother at the magic University. Growing up, she was the leader of the popular clique, somewhat spoiled by her folks, but she was never a brat or an ice queen or a snob. She just was the center of attention and used to being the most popular, most beautiful, and most socially connected. It didn't hurt that she used her telepathic powers to get people to like and trust her when she felt necessary.

Anyways, she ran away a few years ago to see the wide world outside her city, fell afoul of slavers, escaped, and travelled the countryside. Sometimes she helped people out, but not because of some overpowering moral sense of obligation, like a Paladin, just because she felt like it. She'd sometimes travel with other adventuring groups, sometimes went solo, but always she wandered around wherever she felt like going, and doing whatever she felt like doing, without much care for laws (especially as she got stronger and gained more ways to influence people's minds). She'd do things on impulse, like helping to save a halfling village from raiders just because she was in the area and she didn't like seeing the little guys get picked on, but sometimes she got into trouble because of that. Case in point, she eventually caught up with the slavers who nearly took her when her journey started. She and her companions at the time defeated the band and Amasyl wanted to use her new Energy Ray power to toast the defeated slavers for almost enslaving her, but the Paladin in the party interfered and the argument got so bad that she stormed off and left them.

That's all background. She hasn't met the PCs in the group yet and hasn't been introduced to the campaign. My question is: how does a sometimes ditzy, flaky, but generally sweet girl, with little to no compunctions about using her powers to make people like and trust her, fit into the Chaotic Good category? She was originally Chaotic Neutral, and though she's a nice enough person, her impulsiveness and reckless use of her powers makes me wonder how she can possibly be Chaotic Good.

Thoughts? They're much appreciated. :)
Ganurath
08-11-04, 10:27 PM Well, use mind-reading aspects of Telepathy to figure out of people need help but can't say it, or are just pretending to need it to syphon charity fromthose who do. Mind-control aspects can be used to convince others to lay off those they are hurting, be it physically or otherwise. More powerful compulsions and what damaging powers Telepathy has packing can be used to fight those who try to muscle the weak and can't be reasoned with, or to simply provide the party with basic artillary when the situation is more hack 'n slash and less morality.
As for RPing the personality, maybe make her annoyed with those of lawful alignment and downright violent toward slavers. It makes sense, given her recent history.
Mysteris
08-12-04, 04:29 PM *nod* That does make sense. Amasyl likes to help out, but Paladins and the like really bug her with their "preteniousness". Her older brother Laor (the Knight in Silver or city guard of Silverymoon) is a real stern, Lawful Good type and she teases him relentlessly, but it is a nice teasing because she loves her brother.

She does have these powers: Mindlink, Telempathic Projection, Psionic Grease, Cloud Mind, Mindwipe, Astral Construct, Empathy, Mass Missive, Hostile Empathic Transfer, Psionic Modify Memory, Read Thoughts, Psychic Reformation, Crisis of Breath, Telekinetic Force, Psionic Dominate, Energy Bolt, Death Urge

I figure that, in keeping with your suggestion, she could use Empathy and Read Thoughts to see what people are really feeling and then let her impulses lead her to do what she feels to be the best good for those that suffer. She could use Telempathic Projection to improve the moods of those who suffer and Psionic Modify Memory to leave positive memories in the minds of those who suffer and to erase or change the memories of bullies for the worse. Psionic Dominate could be used to make bullies and raiders humiliate or hurt themselves.

Is that what you had in mind? Any other thoughts anyone?
JohnSnow
08-12-04, 05:10 PM My question is: how does a sometimes ditzy, flaky, but generally sweet girl, with little to no compunctions about using her powers to make people like and trust her, fit into the Chaotic Good category?

The answer is that she does, with a few MINOR compunctions about how she uses her powers. As a guideline, I usually start with the PHB definitions of "good," "chaos," and "chaotic good." Quoting here:

"Good" implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the dignity of sentient beings. Good characters make personal sacrifices to help others.

"Chaos" implies freedom, adaptability, and felexibility. On the downside, chaos can include recklessness, resentment towards authority, arbitrary actions, and irresponsibility. Those who promote chaotic behavior say that only unfettered personal freedom alows people to express themselves fully and lets society benefit from the potential that its individuals have within them.

Chaotic Good "Rebel": A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right, but has little use for laws and regulations. He hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do. He follows his own moral compass, which, although good, may not agree with that of society.

Now, all that said, I don't think a Chaotic Good character would be likely to dominate someone just on a whim. They'd be interefering with that person's free will, something they find abhorrent. Now, if they don't intend any harm, they might do it on occasion to make things "easier." Of course, using those powers on oppressors to help the innocent is different...

Since you've got a background to work with, it's easy to say that Amasyl was at first Chaotic Neutral, but after her brush with the slavers (and her fellow slaves), she slowly came to realize that freedom isn't just something she wants for herself, but something EVERYONE deserves. So she goes from being merely self-centered to being a rebel who defends good people against bullies. Wanting to kill the slavers is a perfectly natural chaotic good reaction ("They're evil, after all, and they deserve it! It's against the law? Who cares???!"). By the start of the campaign, Amasyl's Chaotic Good...with a few neutral tendencies still lingering.

Han Solo (in Star Wars) is probably Chaotic Good, if that helps at all. He had some neutral tendencies by the time he met Luke (as your character probably still does)...but he's still basically CG. Loyalty to "the cause" is not a strong point, but the character is still basically "good," and when the chips are down, they do the right thing.

For the record, I'm playing a rogue who's gone through a similar evolution (he was a pickpocket in his youth, but after running away, he was taken in by a knight). From his knight mentor, he developed his own moral compass, but he's still got the rebellious streak of his youth. At this point, he's got aspirations at becoming "respectable," but for now, he's a bit too headstrong.

Madmartigan, the swordsman from Willow, is also probably Chaotic Good. Just keep thinking "rights of the individual," and "stop the oppression," and you should be fine. Amasyl also wouldn't think much of most "traditional" medieval governments, which tend to be quite law-and-order oriented (Lawful Neutral, often).
Tony Vargas
08-12-04, 06:18 PM The only thing you have to get over in order to make it into the 'good' range of behavior is casually abusing your powers to manipulate people into liking you. That shows a fundamental disregard for the freedom of others, and is a very not-CG thing to do. Aside from that, you're certainly chaotic, and basicly good.
Mysteris
08-13-04, 03:43 PM Thanks a lot guys! This gives me some ideas on how to play her and how to refine her background to reflect this personality change. I'm looking forward to playing her now that I've got a grasp on Chaotic Good! :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mysteris 08-11-04, 09:46 PM	Hi all. I've got a question on playing a chaotic good character. You see, I've been working on a character for my first-ever live game and the DM loves it, but he insists that it has to have some good alignment, so he suggested Chaotic Good. The problem is, I don't know how to fit this into my character concept. Amasyl is an level 8 moon elven telepath (psion). She was born and raised in Silverymoon, a major metropolitan center, by respectable, middle-class parents (a Illusionist mage who teaches at the city's major University of magic and an architect). She's got an older brother who is one of the city guard and a younger brother at the magic University. Growing up, she was the leader of the popular clique, somewhat spoiled by her folks, but she was never a brat or an ice queen or a snob. She just was the center of attention and used to being the most popular, most beautiful, and most socially connected. It didn't hurt that she used her telepathic powers to get people to like and trust her when she felt necessary. Anyways, she ran away a few years ago to see the wide world outside her city, fell afoul of slavers, escaped, and travelled the countryside. Sometimes she helped people out, but not because of some overpowering moral sense of obligation, like a Paladin, just because she felt like it. She'd sometimes travel with other adventuring groups, sometimes went solo, but always she wandered around wherever she felt like going, and doing whatever she felt like doing, without much care for laws (especially as she got stronger and gained more ways to influence people's minds). She'd do things on impulse, like helping to save a halfling village from raiders just because she was in the area and she didn't like seeing the little guys get picked on, but sometimes she got into trouble because of that. Case in point, she eventually caught up with the slavers who nearly took her when her journey started. She and her companions at the time defeated the band and Amasyl wanted to use her new Energy Ray power to toast the defeated slavers for almost enslaving her, but the Paladin in the party interfered and the argument got so bad that she stormed off and left them. That's all background. She hasn't met the PCs in the group yet and hasn't been introduced to the campaign. My question is: how does a sometimes ditzy, flaky, but generally sweet girl, with little to no compunctions about using her powers to make people like and trust her, fit into the Chaotic Good category? She was originally Chaotic Neutral, and though she's a nice enough person, her impulsiveness and reckless use of her powers makes me wonder how she can possibly be Chaotic Good. Thoughts? They're much appreciated. :)
Ganurath 08-11-04, 10:27 PM	Well, use mind-reading aspects of Telepathy to figure out of people need help but can't say it, or are just pretending to need it to syphon charity fromthose who do. Mind-control aspects can be used to convince others to lay off those they are hurting, be it physically or otherwise. More powerful compulsions and what damaging powers Telepathy has packing can be used to fight those who try to muscle the weak and can't be reasoned with, or to simply provide the party with basic artillary when the situation is more hack 'n slash and less morality. As for RPing the personality, maybe make her annoyed with those of lawful alignment and downright violent toward slavers. It makes sense, given her recent history.
Mysteris 08-12-04, 04:29 PM	nod That does make sense. Amasyl likes to help out, but Paladins and the like really bug her with their "preteniousness". Her older brother Laor (the Knight in Silver or city guard of Silverymoon) is a real stern, Lawful Good type and she teases him relentlessly, but it is a nice teasing because she loves her brother. She does have these powers: Mindlink, Telempathic Projection, Psionic Grease, Cloud Mind, Mindwipe, Astral Construct, Empathy, Mass Missive, Hostile Empathic Transfer, Psionic Modify Memory, Read Thoughts, Psychic Reformation, Crisis of Breath, Telekinetic Force, Psionic Dominate, Energy Bolt, Death Urge I figure that, in keeping with your suggestion, she could use Empathy and Read Thoughts to see what people are really feeling and then let her impulses lead her to do what she feels to be the best good for those that suffer. She could use Telempathic Projection to improve the moods of those who suffer and Psionic Modify Memory to leave positive memories in the minds of those who suffer and to erase or change the memories of bullies for the worse. Psionic Dominate could be used to make bullies and raiders humiliate or hurt themselves. Is that what you had in mind? Any other thoughts anyone?
JohnSnow 08-12-04, 05:10 PM	My question is: how does a sometimes ditzy, flaky, but generally sweet girl, with little to no compunctions about using her powers to make people like and trust her, fit into the Chaotic Good category? The answer is that she does, with a few MINOR compunctions about how she uses her powers. As a guideline, I usually start with the PHB definitions of "good," "chaos," and "chaotic good." Quoting here: "Good" implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the dignity of sentient beings. Good characters make personal sacrifices to help others. "Chaos" implies freedom, adaptability, and felexibility. On the downside, chaos can include recklessness, resentment towards authority, arbitrary actions, and irresponsibility. Those who promote chaotic behavior say that only unfettered personal freedom alows people to express themselves fully and lets society benefit from the potential that its individuals have within them. Chaotic Good "Rebel": A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right, but has little use for laws and regulations. He hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do. He follows his own moral compass, which, although good, may not agree with that of society. Now, all that said, I don't think a Chaotic Good character would be likely to dominate someone just on a whim. They'd be interefering with that person's free will, something they find abhorrent. Now, if they don't intend any harm, they might do it on occasion to make things "easier." Of course, using those powers on oppressors to help the innocent is different... Since you've got a background to work with, it's easy to say that Amasyl was at first Chaotic Neutral, but after her brush with the slavers (and her fellow slaves), she slowly came to realize that freedom isn't just something she wants for herself, but something EVERYONE deserves. So she goes from being merely self-centered to being a rebel who defends good people against bullies. Wanting to kill the slavers is a perfectly natural chaotic good reaction ("They're evil, after all, and they deserve it! It's against the law? Who cares???!"). By the start of the campaign, Amasyl's Chaotic Good...with a few neutral tendencies still lingering. Han Solo (in Star Wars) is probably Chaotic Good, if that helps at all. He had some neutral tendencies by the time he met Luke (as your character probably still does)...but he's still basically CG. Loyalty to "the cause" is not a strong point, but the character is still basically "good," and when the chips are down, they do the right thing. For the record, I'm playing a rogue who's gone through a similar evolution (he was a pickpocket in his youth, but after running away, he was taken in by a knight). From his knight mentor, he developed his own moral compass, but he's still got the rebellious streak of his youth. At this point, he's got aspirations at becoming "respectable," but for now, he's a bit too headstrong. Madmartigan, the swordsman from Willow, is also probably Chaotic Good. Just keep thinking "rights of the individual," and "stop the oppression," and you should be fine. Amasyl also wouldn't think much of most "traditional" medieval governments, which tend to be quite law-and-order oriented (Lawful Neutral, often).
Tony Vargas 08-12-04, 06:18 PM	The only thing you have to get over in order to make it into the 'good' range of behavior is casually abusing your powers to manipulate people into liking you. That shows a fundamental disregard for the freedom of others, and is a very not-CG thing to do. Aside from that, you're certainly chaotic, and basicly good.
Mysteris 08-13-04, 03:43 PM	Thanks a lot guys! This gives me some ideas on how to play her and how to refine her background to reflect this personality change. I'm looking forward to playing her now that I've got a grasp on Chaotic Good! :)