2 General Cleric Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

2 General Cleric Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Usiris
09-23-06, 09:34 PM These are short yes/no questions so I thought I'd just post them together. They both pertain to clerics.

1) Is it possible to smite neutrality as Smite Evil or Smite Chaos? I haven't seen it explicitly written yet I've also seen spells specifically aimed at neutral creatures.

2) Does a spell, skill, ability, whatever exist that would allow a cleric to have some idea what spells he'll need for the day?
Tarvok
09-23-06, 09:41 PM 1. My answer would be "no." The unverse of D&D turns on epic battles between Good and Evil, and petty bickering between Law and Chaos. The spells and abilities of D&D reflect this. I would be quite surprised to witness spells devoted to the epic battle between Good, and Neutral. :p

2. Well, you could cast some kind of divination spell (augury, or whatever; thinking off the top of my head) and ask something like "Should I expect to see battle this day" or something along those lines. Could give you a minor hint, though don't expect divination spells to be a substitute to thinking.

Try asking the experienced player playing the fighter with a six intelligence. :p
Usiris
09-23-06, 09:48 PM Thanks. In regard to my 2nd question, it's more for those special spells that could make the difference where that spell I should have taken would have made the difference, especially when the DM has purposely made it so you don't know what you'll be facing. Sort of like "Man we keep fighting demons. I wish I had prepared Demon's Dirge today."
Usiris
09-23-06, 10:03 PM 1. My answer would be "no." The unverse of D&D turns on epic battles between Good and Evil, and petty bickering between Law and Chaos. The spells and abilities of D&D reflect this. I would be quite surprised to witness spells devoted to the epic battle between Good, and Neutral. :p

Really? Ask Zap Branigan!

"With enemies you know where they stand. But with neutrals who knows?"
Tarvok
09-23-06, 10:20 PM Heh, the battle between good and evil occurs. Good goes to Neutral and says, "Fight with me against Evil! We will Prevail. But Neutral replies, "I cannot join you, because I am not good.

Evil then goes to Neutral, and asks them to join their battle against Good. Neutral declines, stating, "I cannot join for you, for I am not evil."

Good and Evil fight to the finish. The aftermath: well, are you familiar of the fable of the birds, the beasts, and the bats? :D Thus began the battle of Good AND Evil... vs Neutral. :p

Disclaimer: Yes, I understand the alignment system well enough to know that this could never happen... :p
Usiris
09-23-06, 10:55 PM But if Neutral is forced into battle he'll say "I have no strong opinions either way!":D
kelvinaw273
09-24-06, 07:21 AM Heh, the battle between good and evil occurs. Good goes to Neutral and says, "Fight with me against Evil! We will Prevail. But Neutral replies, "I cannot join you, because I am not good.

Evil then goes to Neutral, and asks them to join their battle against Good. Neutral declines, stating, "I cannot join for you, for I am not evil."

Good and Evil fight to the finish. The aftermath: well, are you familiar of the fable of the birds, the beasts, and the bats? :D Thus began the battle of Good AND Evil... vs Neutral. :p

Disclaimer: Yes, I understand the alignment system well enough to know that this could never happen... :p

Actually, what normally happens is this:

Good goes to Neutral and says help us fight - we'll pay you! But look, do you want that guy in charge or us?

Evil goes to Neutral and says help us fight - we'll pay you! But if we win and you don't help us we'll slaughter you - slowly.

Neutral then makes a decision based on who will likely win and where their best interests lie. Usually, if the case is clear cut, neutral sides with good because at the end of the day, they'd rather have good neighbours than bad ones - that's just sane self-interest.
Hack and Smasher
09-24-06, 11:37 AM 1. Clerics with the destruction domain can smite who they want, chaos, puppies, palaldins, gods (can dosen't mean should), themselves.

2. A butt load of divination spells.
Alcari Ambaron
09-24-06, 06:14 PM Sooo, you would call the bloodwar " petty bickering"
those are interesting words.
AZNsupermarket
09-24-06, 10:43 PM Really? Ask Zap Branigan!

"With enemies you know where they stand. But with neutrals who knows?"
:heehee good quote
Comus
09-25-06, 01:06 AM Sooo, you would call the bloodwar " petty bickering"
those are interesting words.
Seconded. In my opinion, D&D points more towards Law vs. Chaos having the huge, epic battles - while good and evil have petty bickering. Sure, that petty bickering may involve the fate of a world every once in a while, but the Blood War is on a vastly larger scale.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Usiris 09-23-06, 09:34 PM	These are short yes/no questions so I thought I'd just post them together. They both pertain to clerics. 1) Is it possible to smite neutrality as Smite Evil or Smite Chaos? I haven't seen it explicitly written yet I've also seen spells specifically aimed at neutral creatures. 2) Does a spell, skill, ability, whatever exist that would allow a cleric to have some idea what spells he'll need for the day?
Tarvok 09-23-06, 09:41 PM	1. My answer would be "no." The unverse of D&D turns on epic battles between Good and Evil, and petty bickering between Law and Chaos. The spells and abilities of D&D reflect this. I would be quite surprised to witness spells devoted to the epic battle between Good, and Neutral. :p 2. Well, you could cast some kind of divination spell (augury, or whatever; thinking off the top of my head) and ask something like "Should I expect to see battle this day" or something along those lines. Could give you a minor hint, though don't expect divination spells to be a substitute to thinking. Try asking the experienced player playing the fighter with a six intelligence. :p
Usiris 09-23-06, 09:48 PM	Thanks. In regard to my 2nd question, it's more for those special spells that could make the difference where that spell I should have taken would have made the difference, especially when the DM has purposely made it so you don't know what you'll be facing. Sort of like "Man we keep fighting demons. I wish I had prepared Demon's Dirge today."
Usiris 09-23-06, 10:03 PM	1. My answer would be "no." The unverse of D&D turns on epic battles between Good and Evil, and petty bickering between Law and Chaos. The spells and abilities of D&D reflect this. I would be quite surprised to witness spells devoted to the epic battle between Good, and Neutral. :p Really? Ask Zap Branigan! "With enemies you know where they stand. But with neutrals who knows?"
Tarvok 09-23-06, 10:20 PM	Heh, the battle between good and evil occurs. Good goes to Neutral and says, "Fight with me against Evil! We will Prevail. But Neutral replies, "I cannot join you, because I am not good. Evil then goes to Neutral, and asks them to join their battle against Good. Neutral declines, stating, "I cannot join for you, for I am not evil." Good and Evil fight to the finish. The aftermath: well, are you familiar of the fable of the birds, the beasts, and the bats? :D Thus began the battle of Good AND Evil... vs Neutral. :p Disclaimer: Yes, I understand the alignment system well enough to know that this could never happen... :p
Usiris 09-23-06, 10:55 PM	But if Neutral is forced into battle he'll say "I have no strong opinions either way!":D
kelvinaw273 09-24-06, 07:21 AM	Heh, the battle between good and evil occurs. Good goes to Neutral and says, "Fight with me against Evil! We will Prevail. But Neutral replies, "I cannot join you, because I am not good. Evil then goes to Neutral, and asks them to join their battle against Good. Neutral declines, stating, "I cannot join for you, for I am not evil." Good and Evil fight to the finish. The aftermath: well, are you familiar of the fable of the birds, the beasts, and the bats? :D Thus began the battle of Good AND Evil... vs Neutral. :p Disclaimer: Yes, I understand the alignment system well enough to know that this could never happen... :p Actually, what normally happens is this: Good goes to Neutral and says help us fight - we'll pay you! But look, do you want that guy in charge or us? Evil goes to Neutral and says help us fight - we'll pay you! But if we win and you don't help us we'll slaughter you - slowly. Neutral then makes a decision based on who will likely win and where their best interests lie. Usually, if the case is clear cut, neutral sides with good because at the end of the day, they'd rather have good neighbours than bad ones - that's just sane self-interest.
Hack and Smasher 09-24-06, 11:37 AM	1. Clerics with the destruction domain can smite who they want, chaos, puppies, palaldins, gods (can dosen't mean should), themselves. 2. A butt load of divination spells.
Alcari Ambaron 09-24-06, 06:14 PM	Sooo, you would call the bloodwar " petty bickering" those are interesting words.
AZNsupermarket 09-24-06, 10:43 PM	Really? Ask Zap Branigan! "With enemies you know where they stand. But with neutrals who knows?" :heehee good quote
Comus 09-25-06, 01:06 AM	Sooo, you would call the bloodwar " petty bickering" those are interesting words. Seconded. In my opinion, D&D points more towards Law vs. Chaos having the huge, epic battles - while good and evil have petty bickering. Sure, that petty bickering may involve the fate of a world every once in a while, but the Blood War is on a vastly larger scale.