Ideas for subtle alignment rp [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ideas for subtle alignment rp [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mobius2702
02-10-07, 08:52 PM I am currently playing a NE human fighter.
She doesn't know right from wrong, so she will do whatever is most effective in getting what she wants. Basically, her upbringing taught her that only the vicious get ahead. (There is a character history here, but this question is mostly for the future).
She is adventuring with a LG priest of Heironeous (among other characters).
(Yeah, I know... "what are you doing? Retire her and role up a more fitting character!" and all that other stuff. And my favorite... "If you can't play the character you want, Leave the group!")
I am open to the idea of her redemption taking place over the course of this campaign.
The problem is, I don't think the priest is aware that she is evil. She does know that certain of her activities and approaches are frowned upon by those who wear their religion on their sleeve, so she tends to do her "shadier" activities without him.
I am looking for two things here:
1) Some not so over-the-top evil things that are still clearly evil, that she could do in front of the cleric.
For example, in a recent encounter, we had a captive. She could have killed him, and kind of wanted to. But she knows that the do-goody priests of Heironeous frown upon that sort of thing. So she didn't. She knows she is better off adventuring with this group, including the cleric, and doesn't want to be run off or turned over to the authorities. What are some subtle ways to "slip up"? Ways that would make it clear to the cleric that she is evil, but not be so morally reprehensible that the priest would either banish her outright or turn her over to the authorities?
2) Some ways she could hint at being an opportunity for redemption for the cleric.
Of course, I have no example here, I'm still working on establishing that she is indeed evil.

Note that the player of the cleric is sitting at the table, fully aware that I am playing a NE fighter, but is not having his character act on things that the character wouldn't know. It is to the point that he even offers OOC suggestions and comments on things that I should do, things that I as a player may have missed but my character wouldn't have, etc.

I don't want to meta-game this out with the other character.

Any ideas, or is this so thoroughly confusing that it should be removed from the boards?
20102000
02-11-07, 07:35 AM 1) Some not so over-the-top evil things that are still clearly evil, that she could do in front of the cleric.
2) Some ways she could hint at being an opportunity for redemption for the cleric.
1. I think the best things to do in this situation are actions than can be reversed. Loot stuff from dead monsters and keep it for your self , unless the cleric calls you on it, then say you we're going to share it out later. Basically do whatever you want, just make sure you have a fallback postion.You could also trying not being good. If someone need help , don't help. In a recent game I was in. when the party fighter was pinned down by minotaurs, the parties evil sorcerer , in the next room, shut the door, and ran away.
2. You could enter into some moral/philosophical discusion with the cleric, then try following her advice.
Drag0nUL
02-11-07, 08:55 AM 1. I think you should mostly intend to do evil than actualy do it. For example this is what you could have done in the captive case: when his fate was discussed among your group of adventurers you cold have suggested that it is better to dispose of him since taking him back to city would be a hinderance that would bring you no advantage; on the contrary, should the authorities let him go free you would have another enemy on your track seeking revenge. Of course if the party is mostly good aligned they should reject your suggestion but such a talk should hint the cleric that you are not exactly LG in nature.
2. I think you should also work with your DM on this. Maybe set up a few scenarios in which the cleric's good deeds pay off. Like a NPC that the cleric saved/helped proves to be a valuable asset alter in the campaign. This could seed in your fighter's mind the idea that being good could yeld greater rewards than following her evil path. And the cleric should be there to underline this.
kelvinaw273
02-11-07, 05:18 PM I am looking for two things here:
1) Some not so over-the-top evil things that are still clearly evil, that she could do in front of the cleric.
For example, in a recent encounter, we had a captive. She could have killed him, and kind of wanted to. But she knows that the do-goody priests of Heironeous frown upon that sort of thing. So she didn't. She knows she is better off adventuring with this group, including the cleric, and doesn't want to be run off or turned over to the authorities. What are some subtle ways to "slip up"? Ways that would make it clear to the cleric that she is evil, but not be so morally reprehensible that the priest would either banish her outright or turn her over to the authorities?

Killed while trying to escape covers it nicely. The fact that you arranged for the escape is something no-one else need know.

Finishing a downed oponant or 'making sure' of them by slashing the throats of the fallen. Be willing to abandon allies who have fallen. You have learned that the vicious get ahead, so do it as if you don't like it but hey, that's life.

2) Some ways she could hint at being an opportunity for redemption for the cleric.

Ask him why he does the things he does, tell him you think he's being an idiot doing them, let him answer. Turn back for an ally who has helped you in the past and risk your life to get them, then wonder why you did it.

Redemption starts when you start realising that the people around you are actually your friends and won't backstab you. Gradually you learn this applies to a lot of other people, until the 'normal' world you were brought up in is revealed as a sham.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mobius2702 02-10-07, 08:52 PM	I am currently playing a NE human fighter. She doesn't know right from wrong, so she will do whatever is most effective in getting what she wants. Basically, her upbringing taught her that only the vicious get ahead. (There is a character history here, but this question is mostly for the future). She is adventuring with a LG priest of Heironeous (among other characters). (Yeah, I know... "what are you doing? Retire her and role up a more fitting character!" and all that other stuff. And my favorite... "If you can't play the character you want, Leave the group!") I am open to the idea of her redemption taking place over the course of this campaign. The problem is, I don't think the priest is aware that she is evil. She does know that certain of her activities and approaches are frowned upon by those who wear their religion on their sleeve, so she tends to do her "shadier" activities without him. I am looking for two things here: 1) Some not so over-the-top evil things that are still clearly evil, that she could do in front of the cleric. For example, in a recent encounter, we had a captive. She could have killed him, and kind of wanted to. But she knows that the do-goody priests of Heironeous frown upon that sort of thing. So she didn't. She knows she is better off adventuring with this group, including the cleric, and doesn't want to be run off or turned over to the authorities. What are some subtle ways to "slip up"? Ways that would make it clear to the cleric that she is evil, but not be so morally reprehensible that the priest would either banish her outright or turn her over to the authorities? 2) Some ways she could hint at being an opportunity for redemption for the cleric. Of course, I have no example here, I'm still working on establishing that she is indeed evil. Note that the player of the cleric is sitting at the table, fully aware that I am playing a NE fighter, but is not having his character act on things that the character wouldn't know. It is to the point that he even offers OOC suggestions and comments on things that I should do, things that I as a player may have missed but my character wouldn't have, etc. I don't want to meta-game this out with the other character. Any ideas, or is this so thoroughly confusing that it should be removed from the boards?
20102000 02-11-07, 07:35 AM	1) Some not so over-the-top evil things that are still clearly evil, that she could do in front of the cleric. 2) Some ways she could hint at being an opportunity for redemption for the cleric. 1. I think the best things to do in this situation are actions than can be reversed. Loot stuff from dead monsters and keep it for your self , unless the cleric calls you on it, then say you we're going to share it out later. Basically do whatever you want, just make sure you have a fallback postion.You could also trying not being good. If someone need help , don't help. In a recent game I was in. when the party fighter was pinned down by minotaurs, the parties evil sorcerer , in the next room, shut the door, and ran away. 2. You could enter into some moral/philosophical discusion with the cleric, then try following her advice.
Drag0nUL 02-11-07, 08:55 AM	1. I think you should mostly intend to do evil than actualy do it. For example this is what you could have done in the captive case: when his fate was discussed among your group of adventurers you cold have suggested that it is better to dispose of him since taking him back to city would be a hinderance that would bring you no advantage; on the contrary, should the authorities let him go free you would have another enemy on your track seeking revenge. Of course if the party is mostly good aligned they should reject your suggestion but such a talk should hint the cleric that you are not exactly LG in nature. 2. I think you should also work with your DM on this. Maybe set up a few scenarios in which the cleric's good deeds pay off. Like a NPC that the cleric saved/helped proves to be a valuable asset alter in the campaign. This could seed in your fighter's mind the idea that being good could yeld greater rewards than following her evil path. And the cleric should be there to underline this.
kelvinaw273 02-11-07, 05:18 PM	I am looking for two things here: 1) Some not so over-the-top evil things that are still clearly evil, that she could do in front of the cleric. For example, in a recent encounter, we had a captive. She could have killed him, and kind of wanted to. But she knows that the do-goody priests of Heironeous frown upon that sort of thing. So she didn't. She knows she is better off adventuring with this group, including the cleric, and doesn't want to be run off or turned over to the authorities. What are some subtle ways to "slip up"? Ways that would make it clear to the cleric that she is evil, but not be so morally reprehensible that the priest would either banish her outright or turn her over to the authorities? Killed while trying to escape covers it nicely. The fact that you arranged for the escape is something no-one else need know. Finishing a downed oponant or 'making sure' of them by slashing the throats of the fallen. Be willing to abandon allies who have fallen. You have learned that the vicious get ahead, so do it as if you don't like it but hey, that's life. 2) Some ways she could hint at being an opportunity for redemption for the cleric. Ask him why he does the things he does, tell him you think he's being an idiot doing them, let him answer. Turn back for an ally who has helped you in the past and risk your life to get them, then wonder why you did it. Redemption starts when you start realising that the people around you are actually your friends and won't backstab you. Gradually you learn this applies to a lot of other people, until the 'normal' world you were brought up in is revealed as a sham.