Terrifyingly neutral [Archive] - Wizards Community

Terrifyingly neutral [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sybill
10-30-06, 02:16 PM I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas/tips for playing a True neutral rogue (more combat focused) to the point of being plain scary.
(If you've read the Dark Jewels books, think Daemon's cold rage.)

For those who care, here's the backstory:

Allie is a half-elf who grew up in a border town of the realm. She was always superior to the others, and made a living not by stealing, but by tricking travelers out of their money. Stealing was too base an occupation for her to even consider. One day, a notice came to town from the very emperor himself requesting that the best youths the realm had to offer should travel immediately for an audience in the capital. Being one of the chosen, herself and her various companions, including childhood friends, set off on their way.

Along the way, not only able to sharpen her people skills, but her combat skills as well, she began training with various weapons and tactics. This training was aided when the party was joined by a commissioned fighter and paladin of the imperial order.

As the newly improved group returned to their hometown, however, they found a sight unlike any other they had ever seen. Allie's brother was found pinned to a wall by multiple swords, killed in some sacrificial manner by an enemy. Even worse, however, was the absence of both her mother and sister. Though her brother's fate was tragic, at least his it was finished and he could now rest. Who knew what evil could be happening to the others?

As they travelled long and far, dealing with bandits and avalanches, the thoughts of her family began to fade from her mind. Taking the next step became more important than thoughts of revenge. Eventually, upon reaching civilization after so long, the weary party was able to relax, if only briefly, and to pursue more leisurely pursuits. As a group, they were able to win the city's arena competition, and were given wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Another gift, as well, was given... that of the greatsword Flamebane.

Knowing that the sword was a powerful artifact, she claimed it and asserted her will, becoming the sword's chosen wielder. Living up to its name, Flamebane was a truly cold weapon, even going so far as to chill the air around it. Unaffected by this chill, Allie was able to benefit from the sword's awesome power. When the time came that the city would be under siege, Allie, free from fear, set out with a small strike force. Along the way, the mission changed to a rescue as her imperial companion was captured. Though the mission went well at first, Allie found only the body of her companion - killed in interrogation. Filled with rage, Allie charged to the tent of the general and struck him, dealing a massive wound, frosted over with frozen blood. The power of her one blow could not match up to the three of the enemy general, however, and it was with dying eyes that she watched them pack up camp around her and move out.

It was Flamebane's voice which next woke her in the remains of the camp. Tending her own wounds, she staggered back to the city in time to participate in its defense. Her passion had by now faded, and as she rained down ruthless blow after blow, left only a trail of frozen blood. Though driven to a rage by her first companion's demise, as another fell, she felt nothing. As the city burned around her, she cared not. And neither did she feel joy when the battle was finally won.

The deaths of so many soldiers had forged a bond between Allie and the sword. Now cold to the touch, Allie's pale skin reflects her physical change, and the 20 degree drop in temperature near her shows the growing strength of the sword. Allie, however, feels no change... indeed, she feels very little but a sense of what must be accomplished.
furor
10-30-06, 03:14 PM very cool (pardon the pun) backstory, what level are you playing at? it sounds as if you already played a campaign with your character.
Sybill
10-30-06, 03:29 PM Well, the characters are actually at level 7 right now. We started at 1st, and have a little over a month and a half worth of playing. (And yes, a lot of the "backstory" is from those first 6 levels)
Fatalis_902
10-30-06, 09:47 PM I am impressed. As for how to play "terrifyingly" neutral, just keep in line with that last bit of your story. When she sees something that needs to be done, she does it, without compromise or remorse. If someone needs to die, they die, no matter who they are.
tiejaz
10-30-06, 11:49 PM I am impressed. As for how to play "terrifyingly" neutral, just keep in line with that last bit of your story. When she sees something that needs to be done, she does it, without compromise or remorse. If someone needs to die, they die, no matter who they are.

I'd say that's NE more than N.
Alex_Belinsky
10-31-06, 04:10 PM This hero of yours is difficult to play in the terms of alignment. "She does what needs to be done" hints, that she have unvavering inner code of conduct (C?) and recognize needs of society (L?). This is hardest to play neutral concept I ever meet.
For RP: IMO all replies must be in leveled voice. No remarks. No unnecessary questions. Nice habit of standing still, if there's no need for action. Unblinking stare. Your PC can easily listen to obnoxious NPC - for this one can have some useful info. And if there is need for that, kill him thereafter.
Most difficult question is: how your PC decide that kill is needed? Too much count on public laws - and she's lawful. Too much personal choices - and she's evil. Too much adaptations - and she's chaotic. Luckly, there's no compassion (as I guess from background), so deviation to good is not a problem. :)
I really like to know, how this char was played.
Fatalis_902
10-31-06, 05:34 PM I'd say that's NE more than N.
Have you seen the movie Stealth? The EDI unit would be decidedly neutral, at least at first, i.e. when it blows that warlord's warheads out of the water, acting against a direct order in favor of completing its assigned mission. That is the kind of impression I am getting from this character. Not a neutral evil, "You're in my way and I want this done, so even though I was not told to kill you, it's much more convenient for you to die, so you die," but rather a neutral, "I have a mission, but I was not specifically told you needed to die, so you don't die, unless of course you get caught up in the colateral damage."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sybill 10-30-06, 02:16 PM	I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas/tips for playing a True neutral rogue (more combat focused) to the point of being plain scary. (If you've read the Dark Jewels books, think Daemon's cold rage.) For those who care, here's the backstory: Allie is a half-elf who grew up in a border town of the realm. She was always superior to the others, and made a living not by stealing, but by tricking travelers out of their money. Stealing was too base an occupation for her to even consider. One day, a notice came to town from the very emperor himself requesting that the best youths the realm had to offer should travel immediately for an audience in the capital. Being one of the chosen, herself and her various companions, including childhood friends, set off on their way. Along the way, not only able to sharpen her people skills, but her combat skills as well, she began training with various weapons and tactics. This training was aided when the party was joined by a commissioned fighter and paladin of the imperial order. As the newly improved group returned to their hometown, however, they found a sight unlike any other they had ever seen. Allie's brother was found pinned to a wall by multiple swords, killed in some sacrificial manner by an enemy. Even worse, however, was the absence of both her mother and sister. Though her brother's fate was tragic, at least his it was finished and he could now rest. Who knew what evil could be happening to the others? As they travelled long and far, dealing with bandits and avalanches, the thoughts of her family began to fade from her mind. Taking the next step became more important than thoughts of revenge. Eventually, upon reaching civilization after so long, the weary party was able to relax, if only briefly, and to pursue more leisurely pursuits. As a group, they were able to win the city's arena competition, and were given wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Another gift, as well, was given... that of the greatsword Flamebane. Knowing that the sword was a powerful artifact, she claimed it and asserted her will, becoming the sword's chosen wielder. Living up to its name, Flamebane was a truly cold weapon, even going so far as to chill the air around it. Unaffected by this chill, Allie was able to benefit from the sword's awesome power. When the time came that the city would be under siege, Allie, free from fear, set out with a small strike force. Along the way, the mission changed to a rescue as her imperial companion was captured. Though the mission went well at first, Allie found only the body of her companion - killed in interrogation. Filled with rage, Allie charged to the tent of the general and struck him, dealing a massive wound, frosted over with frozen blood. The power of her one blow could not match up to the three of the enemy general, however, and it was with dying eyes that she watched them pack up camp around her and move out. It was Flamebane's voice which next woke her in the remains of the camp. Tending her own wounds, she staggered back to the city in time to participate in its defense. Her passion had by now faded, and as she rained down ruthless blow after blow, left only a trail of frozen blood. Though driven to a rage by her first companion's demise, as another fell, she felt nothing. As the city burned around her, she cared not. And neither did she feel joy when the battle was finally won. The deaths of so many soldiers had forged a bond between Allie and the sword. Now cold to the touch, Allie's pale skin reflects her physical change, and the 20 degree drop in temperature near her shows the growing strength of the sword. Allie, however, feels no change... indeed, she feels very little but a sense of what must be accomplished.
furor 10-30-06, 03:14 PM	very cool (pardon the pun) backstory, what level are you playing at? it sounds as if you already played a campaign with your character.
Sybill 10-30-06, 03:29 PM	Well, the characters are actually at level 7 right now. We started at 1st, and have a little over a month and a half worth of playing. (And yes, a lot of the "backstory" is from those first 6 levels)
Fatalis_902 10-30-06, 09:47 PM	I am impressed. As for how to play "terrifyingly" neutral, just keep in line with that last bit of your story. When she sees something that needs to be done, she does it, without compromise or remorse. If someone needs to die, they die, no matter who they are.
tiejaz 10-30-06, 11:49 PM	I am impressed. As for how to play "terrifyingly" neutral, just keep in line with that last bit of your story. When she sees something that needs to be done, she does it, without compromise or remorse. If someone needs to die, they die, no matter who they are. I'd say that's NE more than N.
Alex_Belinsky 10-31-06, 04:10 PM	This hero of yours is difficult to play in the terms of alignment. "She does what needs to be done" hints, that she have unvavering inner code of conduct (C?) and recognize needs of society (L?). This is hardest to play neutral concept I ever meet. For RP: IMO all replies must be in leveled voice. No remarks. No unnecessary questions. Nice habit of standing still, if there's no need for action. Unblinking stare. Your PC can easily listen to obnoxious NPC - for this one can have some useful info. And if there is need for that, kill him thereafter. Most difficult question is: how your PC decide that kill is needed? Too much count on public laws - and she's lawful. Too much personal choices - and she's evil. Too much adaptations - and she's chaotic. Luckly, there's no compassion (as I guess from background), so deviation to good is not a problem. :) I really like to know, how this char was played.
Fatalis_902 10-31-06, 05:34 PM	I'd say that's NE more than N. Have you seen the movie Stealth? The EDI unit would be decidedly neutral, at least at first, i.e. when it blows that warlord's warheads out of the water, acting against a direct order in favor of completing its assigned mission. That is the kind of impression I am getting from this character. Not a neutral evil, "You're in my way and I want this done, so even though I was not told to kill you, it's much more convenient for you to die, so you die," but rather a neutral, "I have a mission, but I was not specifically told you needed to die, so you don't die, unless of course you get caught up in the colateral damage."