Son of a God of Murder, Paladins, and Lawful Good

[StarVid]

I'm wondering how this works, logically.

You can't be an half-elven paladin, or a dwarf paladin, but if your dad is the evil god of murder (making you only half-human), then it's ok to be a paladin? I was thinking of playing through as some kind of holy class, and as a paladin is more useful (in my experience) than a cleric, I figured I'd give it a try. But if I can't work it out logically, then I probably won't bother.

Also, how does one be Lawful Good? I read the description in the PHB, DMG, and all the game instructions, and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. For example, in that undercover mission for the fallen knights in BG2, are you technically doing something wrong because you are deceiving them? Also, helping out Xzar in the Harper's quest in BG2 is necessary to unlock some of Jah's later quests. Would a LG character have to skip on it because Xzar is evil? These are just a couple of examples. I'd appreciate any kind of help in clearing up this alignment for me.

Thanks.

[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]

before mating with any female, Bhaal assumed an avatar in the form of the species he wanted to mate with. Merely because you have some of the essence of Murder in you doesn't make you evil. You could strive against your nature, and try to overcome it. Paladins are awesome.

As for LG, always do the right thing. Honor, duty, justice, etc. are your main goals. You must uphold society and its laws and regulations in order to subdue the evil nature of some people. With a highly organized system, everyone flourishes. Also, for the Paladin quests, you can say that you want to kill them all in the beginning, before even getting Anarg's cup, and you still finish the quest (i think). Even so, you are deceiving those that are inherently deceitful, so it is not bad. Choose all dialog options that say something like "i will right this terrible injustice and bring honor once again to blah blah blah..."

Don't do Xzar's quests if you can't logically do them as a Paladin. You should be romancing Aerie anyway, and Anomen is much more fitting for a paladin party than Jaheira, so don't worry about it.

[StarVid]

I can't romance Aerie, she annoys me too much. As for Jah, I want a druid in my party (I'm also playing with through BG1 first with Jah, Khalid, Minsc, Dynaheir, Imoen, and Me). As for a cleric, I was actually thinking of Vic. I'm going to have a lot of muscle in my party, and IMO Vic is a better cleric. Which brings another question. Would a LG character save her? If the law in the area is it kill drow, then probably not, but yet the LG char would be letting an innocent die, which is also bad.

The Lawful Good thing is still kind of a trip. There's a thin line between righteous and self-righteous, and it seems that paladins cross it frequently. If you ask me, self-righteousness is evil, or at least not good.

I have to wonder, what kind of law does a LG character follow? It can not be his own law (as that would make him/her chaotic), but can it be the law of it's faith? This way, if the LG sees a societies with laws it believe to be offensive to the tenets of his/her faith, then s/he can intervene. This way it takes the moral question out of the societal context and replaces it with something simple like "What would Jesus do?"

[Sazerac]

Originally posted by StarVid: I can't romance Aerie, she annoys me too much. As for Jah, I want a druid in my party (I'm also playing with through BG1 first with Jah, Khalid, Minsc, Dynaheir, Imoen, and Me). As for a cleric, I was actually thinking of Vic. I'm going to have a lot of muscle in my party, and IMO Vic is a better cleric. Which brings another question. Would a LG character save her? If the law in the area is it kill drow, then probably not, but yet the LG char would be letting an innocent die, which is also bad. The Lawful Good thing is still kind of a trip. There's a thin line between righteous and self-righteous, and it seems that paladins cross it frequently. If you ask me, self-righteousness is evil, or at least not good. I have to wonder, what kind of law does a LG character follow? It can not be his own law (as that would make him/her chaotic), but can it be the law of it's faith? This way, if the LG sees a societies with laws it believe to be offensive to the tenets of his/her faith, then s/he can intervene. This way it takes the moral question out of the societal context and replaces it with something simple like "What would Jesus do?"

First of all, why would a LG person (Paladin) take a NE character (Viconia) into a party? If you're worried about role-playing on that aspect, that would be the biggest violation of all! [img]graemlins/uhoh1.gif[/img]

The "god" of Paladins is Torm; the god of Justice. Paladins also follow Helm, the Guardian or Protector. If you're playing by the laws of the deities, those of Torm or Helm would be the ones you would use to define your actions.

As has been said, acting out that which is Good and Right is not necessarily that which is in the dictates of Society. Amnian law, so infiltrated by the Shadow Thieves on the council and the Cowled Wizards, is pretty evil and corrupt to the core; Bylanna Ialunin (sp?), the puppet ruler of the Council, although "good", is pretty freakin' ineffective, and Isaea Roenall, the captain of the Amnian guard, is as dirty dealing as they come. Even the Harpers that you would be going against are pretty rotten through and through, as you would know if you play with Jaheira in your party. So any quests you do, even the Thieves' Guild quest, could be justified under the actions of a Paladin (cleansing out a corrupt guild of thieves in that case).

Cheers,
-Sazerac

[Maxamus]

No, saving Vic isn;t being evil, it;s beign hella justifiable.

Think, she didn't do anythig against the law, except being a certain race. Unless she's a mace weilding orc I don't see the problem in doing that justice.

By the way, you guys can goody two shoes your way through the game, I'll get laid at the Coppor Coronet

PEACE!!

[robohobodude]

Forget getting laid at the copper coronet, im going to the underdark, that women in the tavern is trained in the arts of f***ing....

[ 06-16-2002, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: Sazerac ]

[Dundee Slaytern]

Might want to consider editing your post, robohobodude. No need to replace the word, just use asterisks. Got to remember, while this is not a kiddy forum, it is a family forum.

[StarVid]

I don't think there is anything wrong with freeing Vic, or even having her in the party. She may be an evil person, but so what? From a roleplaying perspective, if she's in the party, I can keep an eye on her and keep her from doing evil.

And as for the law, I would think that a LG character puts faith and his/her code over society and it's law. There are countless exceptions as to when a paladin can break the law, but to break his or her code, there are few if any.

[jreapert]

i am a paladin... an undead hunter...and tread the righteous path. while i say that though, any half decent adventurer needs to lay back and 'rest' everynow and then. any way a man can only but ahve man thoughts and urges..hehe.

[Draven Drakehorn]

I would have to say bow down before Vic,IMO, DROW ARE THE BEST, and especially vic, shes just so evil and drowish, if you know what I mean, follow her worship her, ROMANCE HER

I love drow