character creation question

[shamrock_uk]

Morning All, i'm just creating a new character, making a real effort to roleplay this one as realistically as possible.

I'm looking for an alignment that reflects a carefree person that doesn't worry too much about the world around. At the same time, he will see nothing wrong with making full use of the 'gifts' that his heritage bestows; why not? They're his by right after all. I don't want to go down the path of the 'mindless evil' character though - this guy is still a human being and can show compassion if something particularly moves him.

I'm expecting his alignment to degenerate towards evil as the game progresses and he gets further corrupted by the power he accesses (the virtue mod will see to that by adjusting alignment based on my ingame actions) but to start off with i'd like something of a clean slate. I'm imagining the character as being somewhat naive by imagining that he'd be able to control and use the taint without it corrupting him and i can see him gradually becoming evil that way. Contrast this with a truly evil character who would deliberately use the taint as a means to cause evil.

Chaotic Good - would resist temptation to give in to heritage
Lawful Neutral - incompatible with the 'carefree' idea
True Neutral - balance in the world is not a goal for me; i can clearly define actions as either good or evil
Lawful Evil - Too 'slimy' morally and again, don't like the emphasis on institutions
Neutral Evil - I don't want the kind of character that would betray friends
Chaotic Evil - too mindless

I ended up with chaotic neutral as the alignment that best fitted what i was looking for, would you all agree with that based on what i described at the top?

Also, some advice on race and class would be appreciated. I think he will be an elf or a half-elf as I associate the elven folk with a carefree attitude and a certain indifference with regard to human institutions. Perhaps the half-elf would be better as more likely to be a 'free spirit' due to being something of an outcast from both societies.

I definitely don't want to be a mage (thinking Edwin) or a thief (planning to hook up with Silver Star who is a chaotic evil assassin, but also mentally quite innocent) A cleric I see as being too restrictive because it implies some sense of responsibility to the community, plus I might add Viccy having never played properly with her before. I was thinking Kensai because i've never played one before, but they can't be chaotic. Druids are out of the question because i'm not interested in balance.

That really leaves it between a bard, a fighter or an archer. I'm reluctant to play a straight fighter because I've done that loads before, so I was considering either the generic archer fighter kit, or the ranger archer.

Having never played an archer before, is it a good character to be for your PC? Is staying out of melee a big restriction to put up with? How powerful do they get?
Same goes for the bard, I've never included Haer Daelis in a party and never played one, but it does seem to fit quite well with the carefree happy-go-lucky character image I have. Are they a fun class to play? Any big disadvantages (or advantages of course!)?

Your comments would be appreciated as always [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Dundee Slaytern]

Chaotic Neutral IMO, and have you considered a Halfling Fighter/Thief?

[shamrock_uk]

Thanks Dundee, and yes I have, but I've been soloing a lot recently mostly with dual-classes, so I've quite a mind to pick a kit and stay with it this time. Call me old fashioned [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

Before you even listed the alignment options, "Chaotic Neutral" rang out in my head.

Try a half-elf. Half-elves have no real place in the world, and this lack of a sense of belonging could further contribute to a need to prove yourself... and use your taint more and more.

And you might want to take the bard off for a spin. Bards can pick pockets, and this can lead to wacky hijinks when combined with a carefree attitude:

"I'm sorry, but it was just sitting there! In your pocket.... What kind of question is that? Yes, of course I took it. Was it yours? Does it have your *NAME* on it? Can you in fact prove it's yours? Ah-HAH! Thank you, goodbye."

[Dundee Slaytern]

? Halflings cannot Dualclass. I was referring to a Multiclassed Fighter/Thief.

If you insist on a Kit though... hmmmm... a Half-Elf Jester.

[shamrock_uk]

Lol yes, of course you're right Dundee, that was 6am 'just woken up' brain talking!

I shall plump for a half-elven blade i think. The standard bard song isn't great from what i can gather on the forums, but the skald doesn't sound like my character. And i can't see myself cavorting round the battlefield being a jester either, heh.

Thank you both for your help

[Illumina Drathiran'ar]

And when you get to ToB, the blade's poor bardsong won't be a problem anymore, hm?

[shamrock_uk]

Indeed [img]smile.gif[/img] It will be interesting to see how much more powerful he gets with some HLA's. It's actually hard work so far for him. I mean the rest of the party is able to carry him fine, but he does require quite a different playing style. It's an interesting experience so far. Need some of that nice elven chain methinks, will make his life a little less dangerous!

[ZFR]

Originally posted by Illumina Drathiran'ar: And when you get to ToB, the blade's poor bardsong won't be a problem anymore, hm?

On a side notice. If your bard is a jester does his song get improved too as HLA so it no longer can be cast the jester way to confuse enemies.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Unfortunately, yes.

So you must not choose the HLA if you want your Jester to continue confusing the enemy. Unlike IWD, BG2 does not support multiple songs per Bard.