Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MT-296 "Dagger" 06-02-05, 03:13 PM	I've been playing D&D on and off for a couple of years now and I understand most of the alignments except Chaotic Neutral. How do you play this alignment? How does one typically act? I thought It might be interesting to give it a shot. Are they typically fickle? and finally what is the definition of CN?
Dragonsblood 06-02-05, 03:19 PM	Not to sound like an ass, but you didn't forget about page 105 of the PHB did you? Is that discription not good enough?
MT-296 "Dagger" 06-02-05, 03:24 PM	How many times do you think I've read it? Im trying to get inside a CN characters head. And that "description" helps zilch.
mephistopheless 06-02-05, 03:33 PM	Well go to a meeting of your local anarhcist gorup, or viistt he house of an artist or better check a gang of dirty punk getting drunk.
Dragonsblood 06-02-05, 04:17 PM	How many times do you think I've read it? Im trying to get inside a CN characters head. And that "description" helps zilch. Fair enough. I'm playing a CN sorcerer in my next campain so I've already given some thought on how I plan on playing him. Really there's no "one way" of playing CN IMO. His basic backstory is that he was lovingly raised by mundane nobels who, upon noticing his inherant magical abilities at puberty, reveal to him that he was adopted at a young age. They tell him that his mother was a close friend of theirs' and that she died of natural causes when he was too young to remember her. The true father was never revealed by his dead mother, however my character's ability to speak Draconic without being taught the language gives him the clue that his father might be of dragon blood (the inspiration for my screenname lol). His quest is to seek out his father. He is chaotic because his upbringing as a nobel makes him feel slightly above the law, his powers make him arogent, and he desided to leave his cushy life as a nobel to find his father. He is neutral because he becomes an adventurer to find his father, not to use his powers to help others. He will help others, but only because it allows him to practice his abilities, or create allies who might bring him clues to his father's where-abouts. He tries not to harm others unless provoked because he doesn't want to burn any bridges to finding his father.
Journeyman Samwise 06-02-05, 04:19 PM	You are #1. Before taking an action, think, is it beneficiary for you in the long run to take this action? If not, why bother?
Teron Gorefiend 06-02-05, 04:54 PM	You are #1. Before taking an action, think, is it beneficiary for you in the long run to take this action? If not, why bother? That's about right. You just have to have some limits or you'd be CE. However, those limits probably aren't those set by the law, nor are they hard and fast rules. They're just... suggestions. You're probably CN if you believe "killing people is bad, except maybe..."
Kadasbrass 06-02-05, 05:04 PM	Well since CN seems to be the most used and overdone alignment in our group let me sum it up... CN is for thoses who don't know how to play any other alignment (For my group anyhow), we have long since renamed CN Chaotic Stupid, and is most often the first stepping stone on the road to Stupid (Chaotic) Evil. Er... As said above there is no one way to play CN, alot of 'stuff' goes there. But alot of people use CN as a excuss to get away with murder and other activities.
snowlynx 06-02-05, 05:08 PM	Hrm...I have a chaotic neutral character. 1) You are the most important person to you. but... this doesn't mean you can't care about other people. 2) Rules and regulations mean very little to you, which doesn't mean break them on purpose; it just means you don't need to stop an think about whether or not you're going to break a rule unless you think it's going to cause you trouble in the future (like a pack of guards.) 3) Have fun. No point in doing something if it's not amusing. lastly, do nice things for your friends; they are, after all, your friends. And friends are a good thing in the world.
danielinthewolvesden 06-02-05, 05:09 PM	NOT as a Sociopath. That seems to be how many do it, and it's wrong. Otherwise, have fun.
Thanatos02 06-02-05, 05:17 PM	I played a CN Elven Sorcerer once. His personality was influenced by several factors - he had lived 400+ years and had seen several generations of people born and die, he had seen the birth and stagnation of the city that he lived in, and he had been exiled by his xenophobic peers after bringing in a wounded traveller instead of leaving him to die. My perception of the Neutral aspect regarding Good and Evil is that he was unconcerned. His focus wasn't on propagating good nor was it focused on helping himself at the expense of others in praticular. It wasn't that he was a bad person, or totally uncaring, but his perception was that the life of a mortal wasn't praticularly precious, considering they tend to die after about a hundred years or so. His goal was, more or less, the aquisition of enough arcane power to raise that wounded traveller from the dead. The man whom he had saved on a whim had died because of a misjudgement, and he felt terrible remorse. He felt that if he could aquire that kind of power, he could right that mistake and cast judgement on the people that lorded their posistion of authority over him by sentencing the man to death. He was Chaotic in that he valued personal freedom over laws that he felt were needlessly confining and lacked the versitility of a judgement based on the situation. He owned a tower in the city, and though the city later judged that they would want the tower, and technically had the power to evict him, he fought it. The tower was his - he lived there. Nobody had the power to take it from him. He lived as a sage, charging prices based on what he felt people owed him. On a good day, or someone he liked, the price would drop. Someone catching him on a bad day, or who pestered or annoyed him would find the price skyrocketing. Normally it would be a bad buisness practice, but he did know the answers, and he was a magus, so he could get away with it. One noble was charged fifty gold to get to ask a single question. She asked, "Are you Etrian, the sage?" "Yes." he answered. "You've asked your question. You owe me my gold, and be off with you." "That wasn't my question!" she exclaimed. "Nonetheless, it was a question - the question you were allotted. However, I am feeling generous. You may come again tomarrow and ask me another for fifty gold." He was notable for his dry demeanor, and the quickness that dry, sagely demeanor turned to explosive rage when provoked. In a good mood, he left to go about his errands, buying a child a flower, and giving the childs poor mother several more gold then the price of her goods demanded. On the way back, he discovered city gaurds battering at the walls of his compound, at which point he destroyed their battering ram, and singed several with "Heat Metal", threatening to kill them to a man if they ever came again. His story was never really resolved, though... he did a lot of good, and was often very helpful. He just just subscribed to a slightly different ethical and moral compass.
Fortebraccio 06-02-05, 05:25 PM	In my opinion, a chaotic neutral character should be portrayed as self-centered, whimsical and disordered. He should rely more on improvisation than careful planning, and at the same time, prefer personal initiative to organized teamwork. Moral issues shouldn't bother him very much, he should be driven by personal needs and pursue short-term objectives, valuing his freedom and lifestyle above anything else. On the other hand, he should refrain from unnecessary "evil" acts, resorting to violence only when threatened (or when the stakes are really high). In general, he should stick to a "mind your own business and I'll mind mine" attitude.
ehrin 06-02-05, 05:33 PM	Try to look at it as a summation of both halves: CHaotic: You care more about people than society, individuals than groups or clans. THe concept of sacrificing the one for the good of the greater is silly... the one should do what he must, and the rest should do their part too. No way is the value of one life less than the value of another, or many others even. You don't tend to let rules keep you from doing or being anything. You don't have to be an anarchist, but "live and let live" is more your motto. Some people tend to think of you as selfish or self centered, because you do think of yourself first in many situations. You always have "What's in it for me" as your agenda... you don't mind delaying a reward, but typically, there is a reward for you in most things you decide to do. You seek happiness and freedom, removal of restraints. You don't care for traditions all that much...most seem silly or not worth the bother. Neutral: You don't actively try to be good or evil, and you try to stay clear of actions either way. You won't steal from a baby, but you probably won't track down the owner of a lost horse and return it either. Finder's keepers is more your motto in most things. You don't steal much, and certainly not to cause harm to others, but some property redistribution may be in order here or there, especially if the current owner doesn't deserve it. You probably don't ignore doing good deeds, however, because they make you feel better, or gain you some rewards (recognition, attention, adulation, etc.). You are more likely to be a vigilante than a deputy, more likely to let your passion guide your morals than any rigid standards. You would likely show mercy to the younger and weaker, and throw the book against those you felt should have known better, even if the crime was the same. hope that helps a bit!
Kintara 06-02-05, 06:22 PM	Chaotic Neutral has the legacy of being the Psycho's alignment, but I more see it as the iconoclastic or rebellious personality. Teenagers like to pretend to be Chaotic Neutral (and some are), not that you can't play CN maturely. If anything, some of the most celebrated heroes (and anti-heroes) are really probably Chaotic Neutral (or at least start out that way). The Wild West was full of them. Wise cracking scoundrels make good CN types, as do more quiet, anti-social loner types (though this is typically a dull character that I rarely see done well in games). Also, enthusiastic bravados who love to get into danger can be Chaotic Neutral if they don't care what kind of danger they get into ("..as long as it's fun!"). Chaotic Neutral is a fun alignment to play if you want your character to change. There's nothing wrong with playing someone who grows a heart, or has it broken/hardened, or simply "grows up." A Lawful Neutral character tends to be the heavy, or at least stubborn and full of conviction. True Neutral characters tend to be compromisers, or worldly-wise types. Both are less willing or able to simply transform.
MT-296 "Dagger" 06-02-05, 07:06 PM	Thanks folks! You've given me insight into the CN mind. "plots"
Lincoln Hills 06-02-05, 10:00 PM	Recently finished up a campaign in which one of my players was trying to portray "Neutral". I never told him he was actually playing a perfect Chaotic Neutral (in my opinion). I never changed his character sheet officially because I was afraid he'd re-interpret his character based on what his idea of CN was. The guy was at first a disinterested hired hand, out for gold and glory. He never lost his somewhat sadistic nature, his sense of superiority, his vengefulness, his greed or his urge to deceive and mislead. But he developed friendships. He was, once he knew the rest of the party, willing to lay down his life for them (and they for him). He didn't care a fig for the Evil Threat, or the helpless screaming commoners (what did they ever do for him?) - but he was part of a team. If the villains killed one of his buddies, that meant he'd lose. And he hated losing. ;)
Vaelan 06-02-05, 11:16 PM	He should rely more on improvisation than careful planning, and at the same time, prefer personal initiative to organized teamwork. This is the defense given by the type of person who wants to urinate in a keyhole during an infiltration mission. Chaotic people can make, follow, and appreciate complex plans, and chaotic isn't the term for someone who does not appreciate teamwork. A few of the more appropriate phrases for such a person are "idiot" and "corpse".
HypnoticMonk 06-02-05, 11:20 PM	last time, I played CN. I did it a little differently. He was a druid/wizard who was ****-retentive about this clothes and his surroundings(one might call him "well ordered"). He was very friendly and funny when in social situations. He was also true to his friends and would support them in whatever they needed. But.. he guarded his privacy to an extreme. He had a small cottage on a bluff that he wouldn't allow anyone to visit. His "personal space" was very important to him. He was the type to be ok when left alone and could stay at home reading or go camping for weeks on end without seeing another person. He considered good and evil to be subjective to viewpoints and social conditioning. He had no use to be bound by any laws sent down to him by any ruler who he never met. He wouldn't break those laws with no good reason, but the only "laws" he consistently followed was the rules of outdoor survival.
Always-Late 06-02-05, 11:25 PM	This is the defense given by the type of person who wants to urinate in a keyhole during an infiltration mission. Chaotic people can make, follow, and appreciate complex plans, and chaotic isn't the term for someone who does not appreciate teamwork. A few of the more appropriate phrases for such a person are "idiot" and "corpse". I take full offense to that; I can make complex plans, but I don't really appreciate them, and I like improvising and working alone. As far as I can tell, I'm not a corpse.
Rotipher 06-02-05, 11:40 PM	Just one more piece of advise for playing a Chaotic Neutral character: you do things because you *enjoy* them, not because you feel it's a responsibility to do them or that you're "supposed to" do them. If you save a fellow party member, it's because you like hanging out with them. If you bash an orc's head in, it's because you dislike orcs in general (or this orc in particular), not because orcs are 'the bad guys'. If you make a point of cheesing off the PC paladin at least once a day, it's because you like provoking the guy with the stick up his rear, not because he's 'lawful'. Finally, if the rest of the PC party gets on your case so much about your Chaotic behavior that traveling with them is becoming more of a pain than it's worth, don't put up with it for the sake of the group and/or game campaign: throw a temper-tantrum, call them all jerks, and LEAVE! (That is, your *PC* should have a hissy-fit and leave, not you-the-player. ;-D) Not every D&D group is comfortable with characters as contrary and independent as Chaotic Neutrals tend to be, so if it's not working out, by all means have your CN character take leave for parts unknown (hey, it beats waiting for the PC to die), and switch to a new PC who can get along better with the rest of the party. Your DM might even use the CN character as an NPC, in the future, or let you play it in an occasional one-shot adventure, so that PC's career isn't necessarily over.
LCD2YOU 06-03-05, 12:14 AM	CN is not CE. Many on boards like this, too many times people who played CN characters did so as an excuse to be essentially selfish and evil. More than just a few would do what they wanted, forget the other players (and lawful characters are the ones who are inflexible and don't compromise, right?) and actively take things. Read what Kabasbrass and Danielinthelionsden wrote.
Vaelan 06-03-05, 02:14 AM	I take full offense to that; I can make complex plans, but I don't really appreciate them, and I like improvising and working alone. As far as I can tell, I'm not a corpse. I would say this whole confusion about (not) being a corpse will be resolved in time, but that is a given. Either you're referring to yourself and not your character (as is indicated by speaking in first person), in which case I can't help but point out that you don't participate in the same types of actions as your average D&D adventurer, or you are actually speaking of your character and your DM is going easy on you. ;)
JadeSpider9643 06-03-05, 04:39 AM	There are 3 main personality types that fall under Chaotic Neutral: 1) The madman - he's mad! Crazy! Insane, Nuts-o! He doesn't understand right from wrong (or at least he's too unstable to be able to apply the concepts) And he may actually follow a certain code of law, but it won't be recognizeable by anyone other than his therapist ("I follow only the instructions given to me by the Holy Wedige Spoon!!!") HE'S MAD!!! 2) Just doesn't care - this person just doesn't care, good and evil are annoying, or stupid, or over-sensitive. And Law is just too restrictive to bother with. 3) Lives in the moment(Opportunist) - this person may seem like #2, but he's closer to #1. He has the mental facalties to apply concepts like Good vs Evil, and understands the law. This person basicly does whatever is convenient, he'll actually follow the laws if it will get him something he wants. But if he can get something he wants without the law, he will. He's as likly to steal a waiter's tip as he is to report you to the guard for doing the same.
foxbane 06-03-05, 05:07 AM	Hmm, I remember doing that WoTC quiz a long long time ago and it said I was chaotic neutral :( Its not that bad, till everyone started to think of CN as something engative :mad: Ahem, anywayz, I kinda agree with the opportunist bit. We CN pple do what is convenient=p Everything is in the grey area and nothing is absolute. To insist anything should be done one way and not the other seems to violate our sensibilities. And we're highly inconsistent people because of our application of grey-ness to everything. It is the moment, with the sum of what we experience, that we ultimately base our decisions on. Hope that helps coming from a CN mind :P
Leap 06-03-05, 05:24 AM	CN is one of my more favourite alignments to play....probably cos its pretty close to mine :D The tend to ignore attempts to enclose their behaviour unless such is forced upon them in which case they are happy to respond with lethal force if necessary. Such a response tends to be short lived though - they are no "ongoing abusers" of folks. When not in that situation though they are pretty laid back and lead a pretty simple life (they are not big on encumberments). Where they do get some they are upclose and personal (generally limiting property to pretty immediate personal property and relationships the same). They look after their friends and loved ones but are not really interested beyond that. As employers, well, they arent really ever such. As employees they are prone to say "stuff this, anyone else fancy the beach?" on a sunny day. hope that helps :)
Highbulp Billy 06-03-05, 06:57 AM	I tend to play CN with a "whatever happens happens" and "enjoy life" kind of mind set. I relate it to Han Solo in the the first Star Wars film when he was more influenced by what he could get for his actions. Not Evil because he needed the money to buy his freedom from Jabba's bounty hunters but not Good because he was looking out for himself. The Chaotic is always the hardest element to get right be cuase it can have many different connotations. As previously suggested, it can be read as ""psycho" or unstable but I much prefer "unpredictable". That's what makes CN such a fun alignment when played right. Never do what people expect you to (unless they expect the unexpected!). Feel free to bargain with the enemy if it helps you get close enough to backstab (I'm still in a 2nd Edition mindset so don't pick me up on the whole "sneak attack" and flank rules yet please). However, one rule I always try to stick to is don't sell out your true friends and try not to put them in danger too often with you chaoticity (?). After all, you will probably need them to get you out of the trouble you are destined to find yourself in.
Fortebraccio 06-03-05, 06:59 AM	This is the defense given by the type of person who wants to urinate in a keyhole during an infiltration mission. Well no...I ignore what experiences brought you to this interpretation, but I assumed we were talking about a SANE Chaotic Neutral character. ;) Chaotic people can make, follow, and appreciate complex plans, and chaotic isn't the term for someone who does not appreciate teamwork. A few of the more appropriate phrases for such a person are "idiot" and "corpse". We have different opinions about this matter, but I hope we share the belief that another endless debate on alignment would simply result in a mutual waste of time. :)
Talhar 06-03-05, 08:46 AM	Basically, the CN character defies authority and doesn't care whether it was a good or evil act. It wouldn't be anarchy. Anarchists are more of a chaotic evil thing.
High Octane 06-03-05, 10:05 AM	Anarchists are not necessarily evil. They believe in no rules. The method they wish to use is what decides if they are evil. Off the bat Ill tell you my favorite character I have made up but have yet to play in a decent campaign in a CN human wizard/rogue/arcane trickster. I have given a LOAD of thought towards how he would act think and feel. Chaotic neutrals are not evil. They should not seek to cause harm to others, or at least innocents. They are not good. This means they shouldnt seek to help others, at least not as a rule. In the area of helping and harming, they are generally uncaring about it. Of course, this can run the gamut between borderlining good and evil, depending on the individual's personality, asame as a straight neutral character. What they differ on from a straight neutral character is in their willingness to submit to authority. Whereas a lawful character derives pleasure from working towards a common goal through fealty, the concept of obeying anyone elses demands is abhorrent to a chaotic. This doesnt mean they wont do it, it just means they wont enjoy it. Pay him enough or threaten him enough though, he will begrudgedly follow orders. Chaotics see each situation differently. They have no rules, or even generally guidelines. They believe that rules will cause them to be less adaptable. Chaotics dont have a reason for hating rules beyong that. They are true rebels without a cause, but generally wont be proactive about their beliefs because they dont feel any obligation to do so. In fact, they tend to not feel obligation at all. This is not to say they wont work with a group most of the time, but he wont feel the need to work with the group just because they are his group. He will work only when he feels that it will be beneficial to the situation or, more often, himself. Of all the alignments, chaotic neutral is the least predictable. Not bound to good, evil, or rules, he will act however he feels like. A prime example of chaotic neutral that I tend to use is Captain Jack Sparrow. He for the most part showed lacking loyalty to anyone, unpredictable actions, and a general air of disregard for authority, as well as a love for freedom. This is best shown when Will brought up rule of engagement in a fair fight, at which point Jack knocked will off the boat and left him dangling off a sail saying "Listen here boy, the only rules that matter are these: What a man can do, and what a man cannot do." When playing a chaotic neutral remember, unlike lawful and neutral characters, a change in scenery and situation will not cause as much discomfort to a chaotic neutral. They enjoy change and unpredictability. They understand that times change, so they are very unlikely to hold grudges and are willing to turn on friends if the situation is right. They DO understand the value of friendship in regards to the help it can bring. They do like to be independant and are loathe to ask for help often, but the smart ones also realize their limitations. They tend to avoid prolonged relationships with others and, I repeat, dont believe in obligation. "I saved your life." "So what? Doesnt mean I have to save yours." but in the mind of the smarter ones, they realize keeping this bozo alive may result in him saving his life AGAIN. Most HATE not being in control of their actions, so they are more likely to be offended by enchantment spells cast on them than other people are.
SammasterT 06-03-05, 10:22 AM	I've been playing D&D on and off for a couple of years now and I understand most of the alignments except Chaotic Neutral. How do you play this alignment? How does one typically act? I thought It might be interesting to give it a shot. Are they typically fickle? and finally what is the definition of CN? I would say that a CN person might act in any number of ways, but the definitive quality in all chaotics is impulsiveness, so, yeah, I would say they can be fickle. Not to say that they can't exercise self-control, but they "sometimes" fail. And sometimes that self-control can fail at the most inoppurtune of times. One might say that the chaotic is moved more by his heart than by his mind. As a Neutral he might be just as likely to kill some schmuck for insulting him as rewarding him for having the balls to standup to him ... depending on his mood and the degree of self-control he is capable of exercising at any given moment. Alternately, maybe he's not violent, maybe he's a clepto who can't keep himself from stealing, or a ladies man who can't keep away from every new girl that passes his way, or maybe he's both, or maybe ....
VirgilCaine 06-03-05, 12:40 PM	Basically, the CN character defies authority and doesn't care whether it was a good or evil act. It wouldn't be anarchy. Anarchists are more of a chaotic evil thing. Right, the only political philosophy to contain a sect that declares even defensive violence to be evil is obviously all chaotic evil. :rolleyes:
Vaalingrade Ashland 06-04-05, 02:15 AM	Not to sound like an ass, but you didn't forget about page 105 of the PHB did you? Is that discription not good enough? NO! To play CN, you must remember that despite how free wheeling a person is, they want to survive to be free again.
Valgaav 06-04-05, 03:06 AM	A prime example of chaotic neutral that I tend to use is Captain Jack Sparrow. I find Lina Inverse to work just as well; she goes around torching inns when she gets mad, and acts on her own volition. However, whenever the world needs saving (monthly...), she goes out and does what needs to be done. Complaining all the way that she doesn't want to, mind, but she really doesn't.
Vaalingrade Ashland 06-04-05, 03:28 AM	I find Lina Inverse to work just as well; she goes around torching inns when she gets mad, and acts on her own volition. However, whenever the world needs saving (monthly...), she goes out and does what needs to be done. Complaining all the way that she doesn't want to, mind, but she really doesn't. Good example, made better by your handle :)
Leap 06-04-05, 05:24 AM	Lawfuls punish virtually all trespasses against them, chaotics let most go (or more accuratley dont see them as being a real trespass).
Wizards_White_Knight 06-04-05, 06:39 AM	I wanted to play a CN character, but I didnt want her to fall into the catergory of "chaotic stupid" cause I quite liked the idea of her. She took the "insane" approach to CN, due to conflicting bloodlines. (For the interested, parents were a tiefling/aasimar. I used the Human race...) I am Roewyn. Life to me is a game. It’s an adventure. My goal is to live as much of life as possible. Boredom is my biggest foe. My body is a weapon and a tool. To get what I want, all is fair. There is no wrong in anything I do, just means I am better at the game. - This was really to emphisise the insanity. No sense of reality. Not all players are enemies, and not all players are allies. Sometimes the best part of the game is trying to decipher when to play an ally and when to play an enemy. If allies prevent me from doing what I want to do, they become enemies. - She saw the peopel fo the world as one of 3 catergories. Enemy, ally and friend. This was to insure I didn't ever find it acceptible to attack PC's. I assumed she treated all PC's as Friends. Didnt mean she didnt occasionally steal. She would never harm a friend physically. Never take the game too seriously. No sense in holding grudges, unless someone holds one against me first. If they can’t handle the game, they shouldn’t play. Take them out of the game. Then everyone is happy again. - I loved this paragraph. Never do it...unless they do it first. CN all teh way if you ask me. Laugh. Smile. Never cry and never frown. Life is too short for these things. When everyone is playing the game, be wary what allies you let become friends. Perhaps they are just masters of the game. A friend should never be suspected of trying to backstab. I will never backstab a friend. - This just summed up who she was. She didnt hate anyone for outsmarting her, or besting her in swordsplay or whatever. She respected thier skills. So she would see it as a challenge to bring htem down, which generally meant kill, but not always. The only time she ever "hated" was when someone hated her because shew as better than them. She thought they were whiners who didnt deserve to play the game
Teron Gorefiend 06-04-05, 09:23 PM	I find Lina Inverse to work just as well; she goes around torching inns when she gets mad, and acts on her own volition. However, whenever the world needs saving (monthly...), she goes out and does what needs to be done. Complaining all the way that she doesn't want to, mind, but she really doesn't. I don't know this character, but burning down buildings is decidedly evil, and saving the world doesn't mean much. Like most of its inhabitants, she presumably has a stake in its continued existence...
Raynard the Black 06-04-05, 10:18 PM	I played a chaotic neutral character once. I played a wizard that had experienced a mishap in his earlier days of magical experimentation. When he awoke after the accident he thought that he was a demon. All of his "abilities" (magic spells) convinced him and his fellow party members that he was a demon in possesion of a human body. No one in our group knew that he was a wizard except for the DM. My character would transform himself into different animal shapes using the change self spell, He rode an invisible nightmare thanks to a slightly modified mount spell, however I would always invoke the names of my demonic ancestors to summon my power (verbal components). He attributed the need for verbal, somatic, and material components as weaknesses of his possession of mortal flesh. He did not act overtly evil. He tended to treat others as if they were beneath his station. I tend to believe that CN characters are more eccentric than other alignments. With a chaotic character you can do pretty much anything as long as it fits in with the personality and background of your character. I would work out your concept with your DM ahead of time. Let them know what to expect and you should be okay. The rest of the party may be wondering what you are doing, however you can have a great time with a character that is just a little bit off. As a special note, I would not recommend using chaotic neutral as a means to play a chaotic evil character with no repercussions. My character did some quirky things during his adventuring career, however he never acted outside of his CN alignment.
Mike W 06-04-05, 10:50 PM	The easy answer: However you feel is appropriate at the time. Seriously? My favourite example of Chaotic Neutral in action would have to be Episode IV Han Solo, circa Episode IV. He's a free spirit, has few friends, a bit of a troublemaker, in it for the money, cocky, smart-alecky... you get the idea. If he'd just left at the end of the movie, he would've stayed Chaotic Neutral, but when he came back to help his friends, he started working towards Chaotic Good, which you see realized by the end of Empire. Generaly speaking: Chaotic alignments tend to be free spirits. Good alignments tend towards self-sacrifice. Evil alignments tend towards self-indulgence. A Chaotic Neutral character would tend to be a free spirit that walks a fine line between self-sacrifice and self-indulgence. Doing so is hard, and it is quite likely that such a person will quickly slip into Chaotic Good, Chaotic Evil, or Neutral Evil alignment, depending on their specific tendencies. Of course, that's all as I see it, and the way I play it in my games. Your milage may, as always, vary.
angelshelper81 06-06-05, 01:02 AM	The way I see it, there's a few ways of looking at the Chaotic and Lawful, just like there are with Good and Evil. Just like you can have a character who goes around helping the poor and is good because of it, or a character who actively opposes evil and goes around preaching good acts and is good because of it, you can be chaotic or lawful for a variety of reasons. A chaotic character could be chaotic because it's their nature. This would include the nut-job chaotic types and the ones who just think that their freedom is more important than society's restrictions. The hermit who lives alone and does his own thing could easily fall into this category. I'd say that these types have a slight tendency toward CE over CG, but it really depends on the character's views, and how far they'll go for their own freedom. A chaotic character could also take it one step further, and be actively interested in supporting indiviual rights. This would be your freedom fighter type - Martin Luther King Junior springs to mind as a CG member of this group. A character who would be willing to kill a guard to free some prisoners, without knowing anything about who the prisoners were or why they were imprisoned, would be an extreme example of a CN character of this type. Lawful characters have the same kind of situation. The first group would be represented by people who follow the crowd and don't really question laws or social customs. A good or evil nature may make them go against the law, depending on their personal makeup, but all other things being equal they'll do 'what everybody else would do'. The second group would be people who focus on social groups, and become actively involved in the dealings of those groups. These people look to 'the good of the group' to make their decisions. Spock's 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few' is a prime example of this. (And Kirk's response in the following movie would be chaotic.) A LN character in this group would not hesitate to kill a person if their existance proved to be a threat to a group of people, without much consideration for that person's worth. Hitler, with his focus on social classes and his goal of a utopian society, would also fit into this group, though the lengths he was willing to go to to reach those goals put him firmly in the LE category. It would probably be easier to play a CN or LN character of the second type, since they have more firmly defined goals. However, the first type may be more realistic, especially if you have a background to fall back on. A first-type CN character would be a free spirit by nature, having their own goals and following them without unusual regard for good or evil and with very little regard for the good of society. The trick is to define those goals, because that'll be the focus of the character.
Black Kitten 06-06-05, 05:10 AM	We have often played parties ending up CN in the end. How we arranged it? We simply took one player that took to playing CG and her actions often determined the general works of the party. Glime the Dwarven Barbarian was CN. He loved passion, emotion and the fury of battle. He had a fondness of small children and those with a good sense of humor. He kept to the law whenever he had no special reason to break it, but for most he liked nature. If he could help it, he would do the right thing to him. Whether this was good or evil was of secondary nature. I also made a Drow Bard/Arcane Archer who was CN. She was banned by her mother from her city when her love for a captive drow drove her to helping him escape. She fled with him, but he was forced to give his life for her to stop a group of driders. Now in the upper world, she has sought refuge with Elistreaa, but has a hard time fully understanding why good is required. She tries, but until this date, she has her occasional backdrop to evil ways.