Best way to hide alignment [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best way to hide alignment [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
PolasKasDorion
09-11-06, 11:59 PM I'm making a Kobold Spellcaster for a new campaign my group is doing... problem is there's an Exalted Monk in the group ( kinda pisses me off actually, cause he's only doing it to get the bonuses from Vow of Poverty... anywho.)

I'm using the Dragonwrought feat based on a White Dragon heritage... as such I'm pretty much evil all around.

What's the best way to hide this from the party. He's smart (INT 17) so RP won't be a problem... but detect evil scares me. Is there a magic item I can get (we're starting out a 5th level so that's 9000gp or somewhere around 220 for any individual starting item).

I think I read about one in an old issue of Dragon Magazine one time, but I'm not sure which. Also... I am a Spellcaster, so I can pick my spells from pretty much any (worthwhile) spell list... are there any spells that I could start the day casting to keep me taint free?

Thanks for the help.
Ogre4Hire
09-12-06, 12:21 AM Undetectable Alignment is the basic "Point that annoying Detect Evil someplace else" spell.

But does a Monk (even with VoP) even have the ability to Detect Evil? Honestly, he shouldn't. As long as you RP in a way that doesn't tip him off, he shouldn't do anything about it (though if the player is running Exalted just for VoP, it's always possible that he'll metagame).

Remember to talk to your DM about it, too.
Korhal_IV
09-12-06, 12:24 AM Well, if he's a monk, he won't have any "Detect" abilities, and if your GM is at all intent on making him pay the social costs for being Exalted, and he really is just taking it for the power, then he'll soon be an un-Exalted monk. Starting at this level, you can use the Misdirection spell, which you might be able to obtain a ring of. At higher levels, Nondetection becomes an option.

I'd stick to just flat-out roleplay. If you don't do anything overtly evil (hint: Don't eat babies), then even if the monk gets suspicious and convinces a fellow party member to Detect Evil on you, you can just look him back in the eye and say "Have I *done* anything evil?" If he has no proof, if he tries to attack you, there's a very strong case to be made that he loses his Exalted-ness immediately. :)
pawsplay
09-12-06, 12:35 AM If he keeps hassling you, try to come up with ways to foist wealth upon him.

Why are you a kobold?
Edge_of_Oblivion
09-12-06, 02:29 AM Why are you a kobold?

Because kobolds are awesome!! (Honestly, you guys have Pun-Pun, why is this question even here?)

Best way to hide alignment as a Sorcerer? Buy scrolls/items of Misdirection or learn the spell if you have a spare Level-1 Spell Known. Misdirect to an innocent item in your inventory - a coin, a rock, a stick, whatever - and you'll appear TN; or even better, misdirect to a stolen holy symbol (don't touch yourself though, hold with thick gloves or a stick) and you'll appear the alignment of the god you stole from.

Best case scenario: Monk hires Cleric to cast all four "Detect X" spells with you within sight. You've Misdirected yourself to a Holy Symbol of someone like Pelor or Heironeous - to the Monk's hired goon, you're Lawful Good!!
Sikyanakotik
09-12-06, 02:38 AM Ah, the good old charismatic psychopath. Everyone loves those, at least when they're not being conned by one.

You say you have a 9,000 gp budget for this?

Ring of Mind Shielding

This ring is usually of fine workmanship and wrought from heavy gold. The wearer is continually immune to detect thoughts, discern lies, and any attempt to magically discern her alignment.

Faint aburation; CL 3rd; Forge Ring, nondetection; Price 8,000 gp.

Sounds like a good buy to me.
PolasKasDorion
09-12-06, 09:20 AM thanks for the ideas. Looks like I'll have to go with misdirection for now, and try to buy the ring in game for 8k (can't spend that much on a starting item).

I know the monk can't use Detect Magic... in game at least. I just want to make sure I have all my bases covered. I'm usually a real stickler for the rule that Exalted characters can't knowingly ally themselves with evil.

In regards to the question of why I'm a Kobold: they are indeed awesome. Sure... on paper they suck... completely unbalanced stats and no real racial bonuses... but ... um... well, I like them. Plus with Dragonwrought and Draconic Heritage feats they can be pretty cool. And I'm hoping once I receive my copy of Dragon Magic I'll be able to make mine even cooler.
CryoSilver
09-12-06, 02:43 PM OR you could claim that YOU aren't evil and that the evil aura comes from a curse placed on you.

I mean, you're evil, yes? So why not just lie?
Tuskin_Raider
09-12-06, 07:47 PM "All Halflings carry square sheets of lead as a sign of masculinity."

"If you could lower it for a mo-"

"Stop oppressing my culture, you ethnocentric *****!"

The words of the Belkster never fail.

Obviously in this case Halfling is interchangeable with Kobold.
Tuskin_Raider
09-12-06, 07:53 PM that the evil aura comes from a curse placed on you.

Monk: Why did he curse you?

You: I ate his firstborn.

and be sure to say it as if it's the most average, routine, thing ever.
Silverthumb128
09-12-06, 07:59 PM I mean, you're evil, yes? So why not just lie?

Bluff is a class-skill, after all. :D

Though Sense Motive is a Monk skill... Eh, still, not many Monks take it. Because unlike Monks, Sorcerors don't have too much else to take.
a_psh
09-12-06, 08:02 PM OR you could claim that YOU aren't evil and that the evil aura comes from a curse placed on you.

I mean, you're evil, yes? So why not just lie?Y'know, in a high-magic world where everyone throws around detect evil all the time, that's actually like the best answer ever.

Powerful spells can power through strong magical disguises. But here...
"No, it still says you're Evil. And I don't think you're cursed."
"Oh, yeah, it's a powerful curse. Your apprentice magic isn't strong enough to truly perceive it. Maybe when we're all more experienced you can try it again and see if you can unravel the curse."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PolasKasDorion 09-11-06, 11:59 PM	I'm making a Kobold Spellcaster for a new campaign my group is doing... problem is there's an Exalted Monk in the group ( kinda pisses me off actually, cause he's only doing it to get the bonuses from Vow of Poverty... anywho.) I'm using the Dragonwrought feat based on a White Dragon heritage... as such I'm pretty much evil all around. What's the best way to hide this from the party. He's smart (INT 17) so RP won't be a problem... but detect evil scares me. Is there a magic item I can get (we're starting out a 5th level so that's 9000gp or somewhere around 220 for any individual starting item). I think I read about one in an old issue of Dragon Magazine one time, but I'm not sure which. Also... I am a Spellcaster, so I can pick my spells from pretty much any (worthwhile) spell list... are there any spells that I could start the day casting to keep me taint free? Thanks for the help.
Ogre4Hire 09-12-06, 12:21 AM	Undetectable Alignment is the basic "Point that annoying Detect Evil someplace else" spell. But does a Monk (even with VoP) even have the ability to Detect Evil? Honestly, he shouldn't. As long as you RP in a way that doesn't tip him off, he shouldn't do anything about it (though if the player is running Exalted just for VoP, it's always possible that he'll metagame). Remember to talk to your DM about it, too.
Korhal_IV 09-12-06, 12:24 AM	Well, if he's a monk, he won't have any "Detect" abilities, and if your GM is at all intent on making him pay the social costs for being Exalted, and he really is just taking it for the power, then he'll soon be an un-Exalted monk. Starting at this level, you can use the Misdirection spell, which you might be able to obtain a ring of. At higher levels, Nondetection becomes an option. I'd stick to just flat-out roleplay. If you don't do anything overtly evil (hint: Don't eat babies), then even if the monk gets suspicious and convinces a fellow party member to Detect Evil on you, you can just look him back in the eye and say "Have I done anything evil?" If he has no proof, if he tries to attack you, there's a very strong case to be made that he loses his Exalted-ness immediately. :)
pawsplay 09-12-06, 12:35 AM	If he keeps hassling you, try to come up with ways to foist wealth upon him. Why are you a kobold?
Edge_of_Oblivion 09-12-06, 02:29 AM	Why are you a kobold? Because kobolds are awesome!! (Honestly, you guys have Pun-Pun, why is this question even here?) Best way to hide alignment as a Sorcerer? Buy scrolls/items of Misdirection or learn the spell if you have a spare Level-1 Spell Known. Misdirect to an innocent item in your inventory - a coin, a rock, a stick, whatever - and you'll appear TN; or even better, misdirect to a stolen holy symbol (don't touch yourself though, hold with thick gloves or a stick) and you'll appear the alignment of the god you stole from. Best case scenario: Monk hires Cleric to cast all four "Detect X" spells with you within sight. You've Misdirected yourself to a Holy Symbol of someone like Pelor or Heironeous - to the Monk's hired goon, you're Lawful Good!!
Sikyanakotik 09-12-06, 02:38 AM	Ah, the good old charismatic psychopath. Everyone loves those, at least when they're not being conned by one. You say you have a 9,000 gp budget for this? Ring of Mind Shielding This ring is usually of fine workmanship and wrought from heavy gold. The wearer is continually immune to detect thoughts, discern lies, and any attempt to magically discern her alignment. Faint aburation; CL 3rd; Forge Ring, nondetection; Price 8,000 gp. Sounds like a good buy to me.
PolasKasDorion 09-12-06, 09:20 AM	thanks for the ideas. Looks like I'll have to go with misdirection for now, and try to buy the ring in game for 8k (can't spend that much on a starting item). I know the monk can't use Detect Magic... in game at least. I just want to make sure I have all my bases covered. I'm usually a real stickler for the rule that Exalted characters can't knowingly ally themselves with evil. In regards to the question of why I'm a Kobold: they are indeed awesome. Sure... on paper they suck... completely unbalanced stats and no real racial bonuses... but ... um... well, I like them. Plus with Dragonwrought and Draconic Heritage feats they can be pretty cool. And I'm hoping once I receive my copy of Dragon Magic I'll be able to make mine even cooler.
CryoSilver 09-12-06, 02:43 PM	OR you could claim that YOU aren't evil and that the evil aura comes from a curse placed on you. I mean, you're evil, yes? So why not just lie?
Tuskin_Raider 09-12-06, 07:47 PM	"All Halflings carry square sheets of lead as a sign of masculinity." "If you could lower it for a mo-" "Stop oppressing my culture, you ethnocentric *****!" The words of the Belkster never fail. Obviously in this case Halfling is interchangeable with Kobold.
Tuskin_Raider 09-12-06, 07:53 PM	that the evil aura comes from a curse placed on you. Monk: Why did he curse you? You: I ate his firstborn. and be sure to say it as if it's the most average, routine, thing ever.
Silverthumb128 09-12-06, 07:59 PM	I mean, you're evil, yes? So why not just lie? Bluff is a class-skill, after all. :D Though Sense Motive is a Monk skill... Eh, still, not many Monks take it. Because unlike Monks, Sorcerors don't have too much else to take.
a_psh 09-12-06, 08:02 PM	OR you could claim that YOU aren't evil and that the evil aura comes from a curse placed on you. I mean, you're evil, yes? So why not just lie?Y'know, in a high-magic world where everyone throws around detect evil all the time, that's actually like the best answer ever. Powerful spells can power through strong magical disguises. But here... "No, it still says you're Evil. And I don't think you're cursed." "Oh, yeah, it's a powerful curse. Your apprentice magic isn't strong enough to truly perceive it. Maybe when we're all more experienced you can try it again and see if you can unravel the curse."