Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MoltenDm 01-11-08, 02:05 PM	How am i supposed to act? As a melee cleric im getting enough heat for being to righteous and slaying evil in the name of my god.. Now i checked book of exalted deeds and as for mercy it says that as long as the creature accepts it i should lay my sword down, how the hell am i supposed to do that with a Troll at 0 int? I really want to play this class but im slipping as it is any suggestions? "As long as you wage war -any war- you honor your deity" CC :weep:
Stormbrand 01-11-08, 03:15 PM	One suggestion, ignore the Book of Exalted Deeds on moral points - it contradicts itself. For examples, poisons are considered evil because they cause needless suffering, yet causing extra suffering is the primary feature of Ravages. Refusing to take life is not 'good' - it is personal tabboo. If your foe truly repents their crimes, grant mercy. Losing a fight with a holy champion is not a form of repentance. Require the penitant to make efforts to set right the wrongs they have done - a thief must return the stolen goods and perform charitable work. My advice for playing a heroic champion is this: rather than fault being a righteous slayer of evil, be that and more. Do clearly generous acts. Work to assist homeless shelters in the city, or help build defences for smaller settlements so they will be safe once you are gone. Prepare several Remove Disease spells one day and start healing beggars in the slums. Create Food and Water. Use Stone Shape or Wall of Stone to help with building projects. You have spells which can assist the people away from battle. Destroying evil is not enough. Showing mercy is not enough. You must actively strive to do good. If you preach, do not preach "worship Heironeous" - preach his teachings. Preach Duty to the People. This duty stresses courage, justice, mercy, valor, protection of the weak. Preach Chivalry (http://www.chronique.com/Library/Chivalry/code.htm#intro). If you keep getting heat from your DM, accept that combat-based characters are not allowed to be good-aligned in that campaign. Remind your DM of something - the Code of Conduct for a Cleric of Heironeous should be much like that for a Paladin, which includes punish those who harm or threaten innocents.
MoltenDm 01-11-08, 03:34 PM	Thanks, you're saying instead of trying not to be evil i should try to be more good. Do you have any advice on playing an Ordained Champion?
I_roll_ones 01-11-08, 06:38 PM	Not an expert on the god, but it appears to be asking for advice on how not to be Lawful Psychotic. But Lawful Good is not Lawful Wuss. I wholly agree with Stormbrand, and that good, non-combative acts will add a dimension to the character. Figure out how s/he balances the duties of teaching others of his god, helping others out with his spells, and punishing the wicked. But, not all types of violence are the same. Try to avoid poisons, concealed weapons, attacking from behind, striking weak spots, etc. Fight with honor! And think of what is an appropriate target for her/him. Does he concentrate on evil outsiders and undead, criminals, warmongerers/bandits? Work out a code, possibly with the DM on what he strives to combat. Let people surrender, but that they must give up their weapon if they do so. Yell something like "Surrender or perish, villian!" that should get the job done, they might get the idea. They have the choice to surrender and be treated fairly and tried in a court of law. You might use violence, but it is not your only option. A troll, however, can't understand you. If you think that this is a grey area, work it out with your DM to see if your understanding of paladins and paladin-like codes are similar, and where you disagree. Maybe some ranks in use rope or some manacles should solve the issue of people surrendering. Have them surrender, and then tie them up and drag them to jail.
MoltenDm 01-12-08, 02:10 AM	Thanks I rolls one, Im getting a hang on playing goods now im kinda lost on Ordained champions of Heironeous :( can someone help?