Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hustler One 12-09-03, 07:30 PM	I normally play CN, or CE Classes I usually stick to are Fighters, Clerics, Rouges. I don't normally cross class. I just wanted to try something different and give myself a challenge. Also it would be a good addition to my RPing experience.
Platinumwarlock 12-09-03, 08:50 PM	Well, to start from your experience, don't do anything that any of your characters would readily do. ;) Anyway, onto more useful advice... A good way to start, if you're working in a pretty fleshed-out world, is to take a look at the tenets of whatever god you're planning on worshipping. Those usually contain good juicy bits, pertaining to what each god expects of his followers and how they should act. Second, think chivalrously. No, I don't mean opening doors for old ladies. Rather, treat your foes with honor. Give them a chance to surrender before, during and after combat. Don't fight unarmed foes (Monks are a different story ;)). Take prisoners, when you can, and treat them fairly. Keep a word of honor. Those are just some suggestions--I'm sure you can come up with more.
Henry Hankovich 12-09-03, 09:16 PM	One way to go is to try to think of some sort of existing archetype or person--historical or fictional--that you're somewhat familiar with, and think would be "good," and then use that person or archetype as a model. For instance a Good nun would be very pious, would help the sick or poor, would be chaste, never cursed, and so on--basically someone who followed the Ten Commandments (or a fantasy equivalent) to the letter. A Good soldier, on the other hand, could be someone who cussed, drank, got into fights, solicited prostitutes, and did all those soldierly things that involved maiming and killing people, so long as he only went after "evil" enemies (or those who otherwise provoked him), accepted enemy surrender, and so on. A "Good" soldier wouldn't necessarily step into the open and demand an enemy's surrender before attacking--but he would try to avoid killing an enemy that was trying to surrender. There is of course a world of difference between soldiers of varying periods and regions--a Good medieval knight would act a lot differently than a Good WWI infantryman. An 18th-century naval officer (a la Master & Commander) wouldn't have a problem with flogging one of his own sailors, even if he was Good, because it would be required for ship discipline and survival (and he might even think it was for the sailor's own good). He might not _like_ flogging someone, but would be willing to do it despite being Good. A Viking, on the other hand, might be Good even if he did all the usual Viking raping and pillaging (ok, maybe not the raping), assuming he was doing it all to feed his family. Robin Hood would be considered a Good rogue (or possibly ranger, depending). Don Qixote was Good (and very much insane). Luke Skywalker is Good (and very stupid). The Marquis de Sade might be sadomasochistically Good, if you stretched things a bit. And so on. Just think of a character type that appeals to you, and who seems "good," and build your character based loosely around it.
Bacon and Eggs 12-09-03, 10:15 PM	Don't do and "bad" things. At all. Ever. And if you are conflicted with a choice of a lesser of two evils, just fall on your sword. Okay, that many not be all too correct, but there is some relativity between player and DM on what is good. That's what you have to find out first. Then play it from there. Because the vocal bits of the boards version of good is not the same as each individual DM's. I'm lax on the behaviour part if I can get at and understand the motivation part. Then if there is any miscommunications it gets posted in a "Is this good/evil" thread and we all have a great time debating it. Well, I do anyhow.
Orcish Fury 12-10-03, 01:22 AM	What my paladin follows: Don't lie. Don't cheat. Don't steal. Don't fight dishonorably (no poison, killing foes in their sleep, slaughtering foes much weaker than yourself, allow surrender). Show respect to any legitimate authority. Remain vigilent against the forces of evil. Do not show fear. Leave no ally behind. Help those in need. Don't be greedy.
Gothic_Demon 12-10-03, 05:36 AM	The best way to play a good character is to remember that your primary concern is not you, but everyone else. You should look after as many people as possible and try to make sure they are OK. (Try to do this without neglecting yourself though.) If you can learn to do things that don't necessarily benefit you but do benefit others, you're on the path to goodness.
Amos Sten 12-10-03, 05:55 AM	I really worry for the future when people need an explanation on how to behave in a good manor.
Platinumwarlock 12-10-03, 06:20 AM	I wouldn't worry too much. The D&D concept of "good" relies on a lot of concepts that simply aren't dealt with in the real world. We don't have planes or deities that are "absolutely good" or "irrevocably evil". Shades of gray are everywhere in real life, and while they can exist in D&D as well (and often do!) there are also pre-set concepts which will always been seen as 'good' or 'evil' in a D&D setting. As such, he's not completely off the handle for asking something like this. Even experienced players sometimes have a hard time playing Lawful Good, simply because it's relies on those concepts that we're not so familiar with in real life.
Tzor 12-10-03, 09:24 AM	First of all, it should go without saying, (yet because of that almost no one realizes it), that it takes two people to play a character, the player of course, and the DM, because if your ideas of what a good char is differs from what your DM thinks, there will be problems long term. With that said, here are a few simple ideas about good and evil, which should be taken as general principles and guidelines. A grossly oversimplified view of good and evil would suggest that evil is self centered and good is other centered. What that means is that in the scale of priorities, other people have higher priority in the character's mind than his or her own self. Concern for others, helping others, risking ones life for others all come from the notion of putting others above self. A paladin also has to consider law and his or her code. That law and that code is in effect an "other" and has a higher priority than his or her own self. He or she becomes the servant of the cause he or she represents.
the_heart 12-10-03, 10:10 AM	get together with your DM, before play, and come up with a 'code of conduct' for your paladin. this will save you lots of grief, and will hash out differences of opinion on what constitutes a Paladin, what his priorities are, what dogma/heirarchy he adgeres too, is he part of the church or seperate from, but allied to, how strong is his obligation to mortal law(not everyone includes the 'must respect legitimate law', i don't think it should apply to ALL paladins) and do this before play begins. i say this because there is no 'right' way to play a paladin. there are noble paladins, chivalrous and knightly in the extreme. there are martial paladins, holy warriors with emphasis on the 'warrior' there are paladins of glory, who seek out evil, without concern for the people 'back home'. hospitalers, whose first concern is the well being of those around them, defeating evil comes second. then my personal favourites, the 'justice blade' archetype, with little formal training, no established heirarchy. not averse to attacking from behind or skulking, if skulking were required. but diligent in the fight against evil.
Voran 12-10-03, 03:37 PM	Pretend you're current comic book Batman. Seriously. He's out for truth, justice, yadda yadda. Follows a strong internal code, tries to work with the current laws and authority when possible, but goes for the greater good when there's a conflict with authority and his strong internal code. He'd never be guilty of whacking a lair fulla goblin babies. Heck I don't think he's ever killed anybody. He just beats the living drek out of them. He uses the Intimidate and Persuade skills alot. He doesn't beat up people recklessly or for fun. He's got a strong sense on what's fair game and what's off limits. Despite his gruff exterior, he's very loyal to his friends and family.
Skrimshaw 12-10-03, 06:54 PM	I have had the best luck when playing pladins. I mearly ask my self the following question. What would Superman do? he just so goody goody its a perfecrt fit. Voral, imho Batman is CG, at best he is NG with lawful tendencies as he will "Ruff up" the bad guys, enter a premisis with out a warrent, entrap, etc. His famous quote is "I am vengence, I am the Night" Vengence is definatly not a LG Trait imo