Need Roleplaying help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Need Roleplaying help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dug Ironbeard
03-01-04, 05:15 AM Greetings wise men and women,

A problem arose with my character last gaming session and the first of a new campaign.

First let me tell you all about my character,

He is a lvl2 aristo lvl 2 fighter LG
He is a noble, to be precise a son of the High Lord of Marsember, Lord Scoril (my DM allowed it because I took 2 NPC levels).
He is an officer in the Cormyrian navy, at least until his ship sank. And now he is stuck in Arabar, with a heavily damaged ship and some others a.k.a the rest of the party.
So you could guess how I play him.

Now last session he was captured (long story even though quite funny) and when he awoke he heard a man say now you're one of us. My character had contracted lycantropy (werebear, N).

My DM informed me that due to a ritual he is between afflicted and naturel lycanthropy, so I have no problem with full moon and can control my shape.

Problem is I had spent a lot of time thinking out this character and now suddenly my allignment has changed to neutral. When i get damaged I change into hybird form, etc, etc. A part of me thinks it is quite interesting to proceed with this (questing to get rid of his affliction) yet I have no idea how to play this.

Any advice will be very helpfull, and I'll answer any questions.
Cynosure
03-01-04, 06:39 AM It seems to me that you've got several options here. First thing we need to adress is whether your character thinks this new 'curse' is a boon or hates it with a passion. I'm guessing he's not liking it too much. If this is the case, you could try to hide it from the other pc's, never changing in front of them. Another option would be questing to get rid of it, or simply becoming a depressed whiner about it. As far as your alignment shifting to neutral, I don't think this would have a ton of baring on your character's personality. Alignment may change his outlook on what he believes is right or wrong, but he's still the same person. If he was vain before, he's probably still vain. If he was harsh and demanding, he's probably still that way.

As one of my fellow players often qoutes: "Play your character, not your alignment." I think it has quite a bit of relevance in this case.
Dug Ironbeard
03-01-04, 07:57 AM Yup you guessed it, he hates the curse that he got.

Thanks for the alignment tip, and keep the advice coming.

Greets
Morka
03-01-04, 09:41 AM I think Werebears are supposed to be NG, but if your DM wants to play them N, then so be it, I will not argue this!

Did you ask the other werebears why they turned you into a werebear? Perhaps they saw some potential in you, or whatever. Of course, in character, you should think this but refuse to ask them, because you don't like being a werebear. But you should continue to think about this idea, and eventually ask them.
LiXinjian
03-01-04, 09:13 PM If the man bothered to go through a ritual before inflicting your character with lycanthropy, he probably has a very good reason. Your character probably wants to find it.

Also, your character is probably surprised at the way he does things now. He's used to following the laws, he's used to caring about the well-being of others. Now, it's different. He no longer cares as much as he used to. He wouldn't mind crossing the law, whereas he would never have considered it a month earlier. Before his accursed change, he valued life above all. Now, it's different: what does he care about a nameless street urchin dying? It's not like the kid's done anything for him, right?

So, I think your character is puzzled by his new outlook on life. It's easy for us to know your character's now neutral, but does he? He can't read his own character sheet, scan it until he finds the line saying "alignment: true neutral", now can he? Therefore, he simply notices changes in his behaviour. Realizes slowly how much he's changed since his infection... and he hates it. "I used to be a decent fellow, he thinks. Now.. look at the moraly-flawed self I've become. Curse you, lycanthropic-man-responsible-for-my-degenerate-state! Curse you down to hell!!"

Just my thoughts, anyway.
Sarta
03-01-04, 10:16 PM Seek a temple or priest of Selune. They may be able to help you overcome your alignment woes.

Sarta
Dug Ironbeard
03-02-04, 08:03 AM Some great stuff is coming here.

First of all I think I saw a type error in my first post. I am not a werebear, but a wereboar. Sorry for the error.

I like your idea LiXinjian

Keep it coming

Greets
LiXinjian
03-21-04, 10:39 AM Thinkin' here...

What if your character believes he's some sort of menace to others? He certainly doesn't want to isolate himself on a boat, be left alone with his crew, when he can't be sure about his murderous instincts...

Or, he acknowledges those instincts, knows he shouldn't take up the life on a boat because he will endanger the crew, but can't help at the same time to shrug and say "Bah, what do I care about them?". But then, he doesn't want to lose another ship and end up disgraced... or does he?

Also, perhaps you could add a few boar traits to your character. He's now snappy, more reckless.. oh, and the bloody thing won't die! ;)
Twilly
03-22-04, 04:30 PM Sounds like you can play your own dr.Jackal and Hide!

Sorry, I don't know if I spelled the names right. It could be "Hyde"
soontide
03-23-04, 03:39 AM I love the idea about the "dealing with the moral issues of the change" thing. So, here's an extension of that.

Most people, when they find themselves dealing with things that they can't handle, will eventually turn to religion. Your character may wind up becoming devoutly religious in an attempt to "purge" himself of the evil taint. He may go to a priest seeing to have the "demon" exorcised. He might even try to kill himself. Of course, falling on his sword will only give him a bit of pain and then he heals. He can't even die!!!!! He could become extremely reckless, trying to off himself at every turn by attacking opponents that he hopes will kill him.

basically, he may be driven mad.

Worse even, in some ways, he may find the experience of being "part animal" with all that entails, as liberating. For years, he's had to curb his baser instincts, Now, hes free of those constraints and can act as he wishes!! He may become one of the worst scoundrels the realms has ever seen.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dug Ironbeard 03-01-04, 05:15 AM	Greetings wise men and women, A problem arose with my character last gaming session and the first of a new campaign. First let me tell you all about my character, He is a lvl2 aristo lvl 2 fighter LG He is a noble, to be precise a son of the High Lord of Marsember, Lord Scoril (my DM allowed it because I took 2 NPC levels). He is an officer in the Cormyrian navy, at least until his ship sank. And now he is stuck in Arabar, with a heavily damaged ship and some others a.k.a the rest of the party. So you could guess how I play him. Now last session he was captured (long story even though quite funny) and when he awoke he heard a man say now you're one of us. My character had contracted lycantropy (werebear, N). My DM informed me that due to a ritual he is between afflicted and naturel lycanthropy, so I have no problem with full moon and can control my shape. Problem is I had spent a lot of time thinking out this character and now suddenly my allignment has changed to neutral. When i get damaged I change into hybird form, etc, etc. A part of me thinks it is quite interesting to proceed with this (questing to get rid of his affliction) yet I have no idea how to play this. Any advice will be very helpfull, and I'll answer any questions.
Cynosure 03-01-04, 06:39 AM	It seems to me that you've got several options here. First thing we need to adress is whether your character thinks this new 'curse' is a boon or hates it with a passion. I'm guessing he's not liking it too much. If this is the case, you could try to hide it from the other pc's, never changing in front of them. Another option would be questing to get rid of it, or simply becoming a depressed whiner about it. As far as your alignment shifting to neutral, I don't think this would have a ton of baring on your character's personality. Alignment may change his outlook on what he believes is right or wrong, but he's still the same person. If he was vain before, he's probably still vain. If he was harsh and demanding, he's probably still that way. As one of my fellow players often qoutes: "Play your character, not your alignment." I think it has quite a bit of relevance in this case.
Dug Ironbeard 03-01-04, 07:57 AM	Yup you guessed it, he hates the curse that he got. Thanks for the alignment tip, and keep the advice coming. Greets
Morka 03-01-04, 09:41 AM	I think Werebears are supposed to be NG, but if your DM wants to play them N, then so be it, I will not argue this! Did you ask the other werebears why they turned you into a werebear? Perhaps they saw some potential in you, or whatever. Of course, in character, you should think this but refuse to ask them, because you don't like being a werebear. But you should continue to think about this idea, and eventually ask them.
LiXinjian 03-01-04, 09:13 PM	If the man bothered to go through a ritual before inflicting your character with lycanthropy, he probably has a very good reason. Your character probably wants to find it. Also, your character is probably surprised at the way he does things now. He's used to following the laws, he's used to caring about the well-being of others. Now, it's different. He no longer cares as much as he used to. He wouldn't mind crossing the law, whereas he would never have considered it a month earlier. Before his accursed change, he valued life above all. Now, it's different: what does he care about a nameless street urchin dying? It's not like the kid's done anything for him, right? So, I think your character is puzzled by his new outlook on life. It's easy for us to know your character's now neutral, but does he? He can't read his own character sheet, scan it until he finds the line saying "alignment: true neutral", now can he? Therefore, he simply notices changes in his behaviour. Realizes slowly how much he's changed since his infection... and he hates it. "I used to be a decent fellow, he thinks. Now.. look at the moraly-flawed self I've become. Curse you, lycanthropic-man-responsible-for-my-degenerate-state! Curse you down to hell!!" Just my thoughts, anyway.
Sarta 03-01-04, 10:16 PM	Seek a temple or priest of Selune. They may be able to help you overcome your alignment woes. Sarta
Dug Ironbeard 03-02-04, 08:03 AM	Some great stuff is coming here. First of all I think I saw a type error in my first post. I am not a werebear, but a wereboar. Sorry for the error. I like your idea LiXinjian Keep it coming Greets
LiXinjian 03-21-04, 10:39 AM	Thinkin' here... What if your character believes he's some sort of menace to others? He certainly doesn't want to isolate himself on a boat, be left alone with his crew, when he can't be sure about his murderous instincts... Or, he acknowledges those instincts, knows he shouldn't take up the life on a boat because he will endanger the crew, but can't help at the same time to shrug and say "Bah, what do I care about them?". But then, he doesn't want to lose another ship and end up disgraced... or does he? Also, perhaps you could add a few boar traits to your character. He's now snappy, more reckless.. oh, and the bloody thing won't die! ;)
Twilly 03-22-04, 04:30 PM	Sounds like you can play your own dr.Jackal and Hide! Sorry, I don't know if I spelled the names right. It could be "Hyde"
soontide 03-23-04, 03:39 AM	I love the idea about the "dealing with the moral issues of the change" thing. So, here's an extension of that. Most people, when they find themselves dealing with things that they can't handle, will eventually turn to religion. Your character may wind up becoming devoutly religious in an attempt to "purge" himself of the evil taint. He may go to a priest seeing to have the "demon" exorcised. He might even try to kill himself. Of course, falling on his sword will only give him a bit of pain and then he heals. He can't even die!!!!! He could become extremely reckless, trying to off himself at every turn by attacking opponents that he hopes will kill him. basically, he may be driven mad. Worse even, in some ways, he may find the experience of being "part animal" with all that entails, as liberating. For years, he's had to curb his baser instincts, Now, hes free of those constraints and can act as he wishes!! He may become one of the worst scoundrels the realms has ever seen.