Looking for Specific Oath Ideas for Kensai [Archive] - Wizards Community

Looking for Specific Oath Ideas for Kensai [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dire_Maggot
12-09-07, 09:53 AM I'm running a game with a would-be assassin & a lawful evil kensai both ready to start their prestige classes.

They will both end up serving under the same warlord; in which they will be sent to travel throughout his enemies' territory in disguise.

My stumbling block is coming up with an oath for the Kensai that could force him to make some tough decisions every so often. It's a little harder for me, since evil characters seem to have an easier time with moral decisions. But perhaps since he is lawful evil, there is something I could work with.

I haven't really delved into oaths & personal codes for lawful PCs before, but I would really like to make this interesting for them.

Any help you could give would be appreciated!
Think0028
12-09-07, 04:59 PM Question: Does he have to make difficult decisions? Wouldn't it be best to adapt an oath that matched his moral code, no matter how simplistic it may be? Difficult decisions generally come about when your oath doesn't match your moral code in a specific situation.

Aside from that, consider a simple oath like "I follow my liege's orders, no matter what." His liege orders him to do something he doesn't want to? Conflict! And it's a perfectly normal oath that makes sense for him to take. Very Lawful.
Orchomenos
12-10-07, 10:23 AM Take a look at the Honor (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/campaigns/honor.htm) alternate rule. Check also the Paladin of Tyrany (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#paladinVaria ntsFreedomSlaughterAndTyranny) Code of Conduct. Finally, take a look at the Knight code of Conduct, these are all things a LE character should do or avoid to do.

There's a lot of things a LE character could refuse to do because he somewhat judge it's "under him": striking at a child and/or woman, attacking an unarmed opponent, etc. But he wouldn't have any remorse of witnessing his assassin buddy doing the same.
Meshakhad
12-10-07, 05:28 PM My kensai was loyal to his deity. This could work for an evil kensai.
Dire_Maggot
12-10-07, 05:59 PM This is exactly the help I needed, all, thanks!
So him and I will come up with a personal code, as well as an oath to follow his liege's orders to the letter; and if the two contradict, he can be creative in having to work it out

-I like the idea of having certain actions being "beneath him"; instead of immoral; it makes a lot more sense

Thanks again!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dire_Maggot 12-09-07, 09:53 AM	I'm running a game with a would-be assassin & a lawful evil kensai both ready to start their prestige classes. They will both end up serving under the same warlord; in which they will be sent to travel throughout his enemies' territory in disguise. My stumbling block is coming up with an oath for the Kensai that could force him to make some tough decisions every so often. It's a little harder for me, since evil characters seem to have an easier time with moral decisions. But perhaps since he is lawful evil, there is something I could work with. I haven't really delved into oaths & personal codes for lawful PCs before, but I would really like to make this interesting for them. Any help you could give would be appreciated!
Think0028 12-09-07, 04:59 PM	Question: Does he have to make difficult decisions? Wouldn't it be best to adapt an oath that matched his moral code, no matter how simplistic it may be? Difficult decisions generally come about when your oath doesn't match your moral code in a specific situation. Aside from that, consider a simple oath like "I follow my liege's orders, no matter what." His liege orders him to do something he doesn't want to? Conflict! And it's a perfectly normal oath that makes sense for him to take. Very Lawful.
Orchomenos 12-10-07, 10:23 AM	Take a look at the Honor (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/campaigns/honor.htm) alternate rule. Check also the Paladin of Tyrany (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#paladinVaria ntsFreedomSlaughterAndTyranny) Code of Conduct. Finally, take a look at the Knight code of Conduct, these are all things a LE character should do or avoid to do. There's a lot of things a LE character could refuse to do because he somewhat judge it's "under him": striking at a child and/or woman, attacking an unarmed opponent, etc. But he wouldn't have any remorse of witnessing his assassin buddy doing the same.
Meshakhad 12-10-07, 05:28 PM	My kensai was loyal to his deity. This could work for an evil kensai.
Dire_Maggot 12-10-07, 05:59 PM	This is exactly the help I needed, all, thanks! So him and I will come up with a personal code, as well as an oath to follow his liege's orders to the letter; and if the two contradict, he can be creative in having to work it out -I like the idea of having certain actions being "beneath him"; instead of immoral; it makes a lot more sense Thanks again!