Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Uratoh 06-15-07, 06:34 PM	Now, this is a follower of the 'outer' religion of the BoV, the 'divinity within' etc, I've got two PCs in an upcoming game...cleric of the BoV, and paladin of the Silver Flame. I need to figure out a few potential 'hooks' or just common ground to have them work together long enough to become allies in the non strictly professional sense...basically, till they form a party :p. Any suggestions?
Rechan 06-15-07, 06:51 PM	What's the adventure? This is why I demand my PCs know eachother or have reasons to stick together. Because they can often come up wiht characters that just aren't motivated for the current job. But the most obvious notion is: NPC patron gatherse the PCs together and tells them to work for him. Other option is: They must work together because they are all stuck in some situation. For instance, they are stranded in a very dangerous place.
Uratoh 06-15-07, 07:02 PM	I probably can formulate the adventure to it...its just I have the paladin and cleric as the only 'pretty certain' classes, and they wanna know what my plans are for keeping em together...I dont have the other two PCs 'in stone' yet.
Bluebrush 06-15-07, 07:22 PM	Introduce an enemy both would dislike. As keen as the BoVers are on the undead, both religions would probably fight against aberrations, Khyber cultists and normal human scumbags.
gensuke626 06-15-07, 07:50 PM	Bluebrush has a good point. There are hundreds of stories out there of enemies uniting to fight a common foe or to survive in a hostile environment. There's also the other factors to consider... The biggest problem here would be the Sanctified paladin, mostly because the Seeker wouldn't walk in holding a grudge against him. The Silver Flame is an entity that the Church worships. The Seeker would simply accept that and since the Sanctified do not actively worship the cruel gods who have comdemned humanity to death, he would have no problem. The Sanctified Paladin, would know that the Blood of Vol uses and even praises undead amongst their ranks. He would be wary of the Seeker's presence, and ever vigilant of the seeker's actions, making sure he spreads no evil in the world (Including the creation of Undead.) So long as the Seeker does not actively bring evil into the world, the paladin would not take action against him, and as a devout follower of the Flame, were he to witness the Seeker brining evil into the world, he would stop him then try to convince him to turn from his evil ways. In a way you could set up the game in such a way that the two work together out of a sort of mutual pity/respect feeling. The Seeker respects the Sanctified's devotion and power, but he pitites his choice of faith, for such a force of good could surely help in the battle against the cruel gods. The Sanctified respects the Seeker's devotion and powers, but he pities the fact that the Seeker chooses to walk in darkness, and while he will not stand for the Seeker actively spreading evil in the world, he will also try his hardest to convince the Seeker to turn instead to walking in the light of the Flame. The two devotees would end up trying to passively and actively (though, maybe not aggressively) convert the other to his way of thinking. Just a thought.
gelalshawr 06-15-07, 11:18 PM	also, as long as the BoV cleric isn't evil, the then the Paladin (if played correctly) would need to judge him by his actions. Like gensuke says, as long as the paladin doesn't witness the cleric in an evil act (the creation of undead animated by negative energy being an obvious evil act) he would not instantly attack, and if he saw a usefullness in the cleric would not immediately forsake his company.
Shady314 06-16-07, 12:38 AM	So long as the two PCs are both civilized and not fanatics that attack anyone of a different religion on sight there should not be any problems with getting along. The SF preaches conversion and guidance to mortals that are on the wrong path not smiting. There's probably also a lot of gray area between the two religions. The BoV is set up directly in opposition to the Host. The SF is not an actual god it's merely a force of incredible power. I doubt the two religions stance on each other is a firm one. I could imagine the two of them spending much of their time in theological debate trying to convert the other in an amiable and civil manner. In a worst case scenario they'll just each find the other unsavory or annoying. Of course I'm assuming neither the SF paly nor BoV cleric is familiar with the deep dark secrets of the BoV. That would change things.
Rechan 06-16-07, 01:41 AM	It's also important to point out a big factor here: The difference with the Inevitable Destination of the Soul. The BoV Seeker thinks that souls go to Dolurrh and wink into nonexistance. That's a terrible fate. So they want people to live eternally. Faithful of the Silver Flame go into the flame itself. That is a destination that they at least believe is happening. So in a way, the SF have answered the concern of the BoV - but to the BoV, that may not be good enough. "We go into the flame of holy light but... then what?" That positive energy is just there. That's all. It does good works, but at that point your soul is no longer your own, it's part of this nebulous force. Instead of it being a personal heaven where you see your family and your pet dog, it's just an existance of spiritual euphoria at best while the energy of your soul stops demons. The BoV want to live after the flesh gives way, they want to experience more. They don't want to let go of this material plane. The Flame doesn't let them do that. To the SF Paladin, the main concern should be "But that leads to Undeath, and Undead are evil." Undead are a supernatural evil, and that is the sworn enemy of the SF. So the SF Pally should be concerned about the final destination of the soul in how it is corrupted by undeath, creating Yet Another Footsoldier of Evil". And then there's the matter of the Demon in the Flame, and Vol. But that's another matter entirely.
gensuke626 06-16-07, 06:09 PM	Actually, I think the Seekers want to live long enough to become divine entities. A few pages back there's a Vol thread where Hellcow goes into his thoughts on the nature of the Blood of Vol (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=12528457&postcount=45). The Seekers Don't want to become undead, but they do what they must for the good of the others. Though not every member of the Silver Flame would be able to appreciate that logic... Heck a Seeker may feel that joining with the flame would be a fate worse than Dolurrh. Atleast in Dolurrh you slowly fade into nothing, with the flame, once you join it's argueable whether or not you actually exist within the flame, since all of those souls are joined and mingling...