Robin Hood

This post is spawned from a debate about alignments that I was having with a friend of mine. Specifically, I was trying to differentiate between how a Lawful Good person CAN act, and how paladins usually act. She was under the impression that all LG characters had sticks up their butts. This is not the case, but it is how paladins are played most of the time which reinforces the stereotype.

Therefore, I needed a solid defensible example of a LG character with a fun side. Then it came to me, Robin Hood was Lawful Good! Don't believe me? Let's investigate:

• Robin Hood robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Even though stealing was illegal, it was a good act since he was helping to ease suffering and overthrow a tyrant (Note: LG people are often extremely opposed to tyranny)
• Robin Hood was devoted to King Richard. Even though he was an "outlaw" during Prince John's rule, he still gave his allegiance to the one he considered the rightful ruler.
• Robin Hood planned his actions. With almost the tenacity of a general at war, he would always enter a situation with a plan in mind and not a kick-in-the-door mentality (no matter what the movies say).
• He was a leader. He had a band of loyal followers with a few being his closest friends. It was a little more informal, but it resembled an army with the general and his lieutenants and their soldiers.
• Robin Hood was a noble and, for a time, part of the military. This likely influenced some of his methods in forming the Merry Men and their subsequent raids on Prince John's forces.

I hope this makes it clear what Lawful Good really means. It involves working for the greater good, and being methodical, orderly, and structured. It has little to do with actually following laws, walking around with a straight back, or lacking a sense of humor. Remember that paladins have a code of conduct that goes above their alignment. That's why their actions are more restricted than normal LG characters. Robin Hood was no paladin (too many disguises), but he was definitely Lawful Good.

Tags: Robin Hood, alignment, Lawful Good, Dungeons and Dragons, D&D, D20

Why I don't do evil PCs.

Ok, you might like running evil campaigns, that's fine. I don't care for them and here's why.

1. If you allow some players to make evil characters, someone's going to want to play a paladin. It's bound to happen. This will end in one of the players being bitter because they didn't get to play the character they really wanted.
2. Now that all your players decided to play evil or neutral characters to end the paladin debate, someone's going to be killed. Evil characters in a party is a double-cross waiting to happen. Yes, it is completely possible to have an evil party that cooperates, supports each other, shares loot, etc. But one player will get it into his head that "Hey, Gungadin the Scourge wouldn't think twice about gutting a comrade for that magic sword they found in the church, not to mention the experience for killing an equal level character single-handedly!
3. I'm just not an evil person. See the previous blog. I can stand making evil NPCs for regular campaigns because I know the PCs are going to come in and rain fiery justice on their heads for hours (if all goes well).

So there you go. Don't try to make an evil PC in one of my campaigns, I'll rain fiery justice on your head for hours.

Tags: evil campaigns, evil characters, Dungeons and Dragons, D&D, D20

I tend to think of my self as Lawful, maybe Neutral Good, hmmm....

I Am A: Chaotic Good Elf Ranger Paladin


Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.


Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.


Primary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.


Secondary Class:
Paladins are the Holy Warriors. They have been chosen by a God/dess to be their representative on Earth, and must follow the code of that deity, or risk severe penalties. They tend towards being righteous, but not generally to excess.


Deity:
Solonor Thelandria is the Chaotic Good elven god of archery and the hunt. He is also known as the Keen Eye, the Great Archer, and the Forest Hunter. His followers respect nature, and only hunt when needed, but are quick to defend the forest from intruders. Their favorite weapon is the bow, and they tend to be extremely talented with it. Solonor Thelandria's symbol is an arrow with green fletchings.


Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy of NeppyMan (e-mail)

Edit: Took the quiz again and got: Lawful Good Human Paladin Ranger... go figure.

Tags: character, quiz, alignment, class, Dungeons and Dragons, D&D, D20