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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 4:09AM
#31
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Date Joined:
Jun 25, 2009
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I dunno...I think a campaign where evil acts are what it takes to save the universe could be interesting. For every good deed done, the universe unravels just a bit more. For every evil act, it mends.
It COULD be conceptually interesting, of course, until someone takes a moral stand against it and the universe is on the line and things basically get reduced down to "Okay everyone, campaign is over cuz the universe ends cuz Dave won't be Evil".
That's not to say it's not possible...in fact, I have played with concepts like that in Star Wars where I tempted players with the possibility that the light side causes stagnation and redundancy in the galaxy and that the dark side is required to shake things up, cull the useless and stir innovation. People have to be on-board with it though...and, ultimately, even in that game the premise ended up being inaccurate. It was put forth...it challenged the players/characters emotionally and they overcame it...because, generally speaking, the game is played as a form of enjoyable escapism and dismal take-away messages are sorta a buzzkill.
Luckily, I do not play with asshats that won't be evil in what is merely a game. I may give this concept a go soon.
My username should actually read: Lunar Savage (damn you WotC!)
*Tips top hat, adjusts monocle, and walks away with cane* and yes, that IS Mr. Peanut laying unconscious on the curb.
http://asylumjournals.tumblr.com/
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 4:41AM
#32
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The main problem with this set up has little to do with whatever choice it is each player makes from his PCs point of view.
As posted above, the evil assassin might ignore them as not dangerous, worthy of his time, whatever..
A lawful good character might let them walk from the goodness of his heart or something..
While I want to state out loud that I hate, and always have hated alignment questions other than as a short description word, much like gender, age or characters demeanor, none of that is relevant to teh question at hand.
The actually issue here is that there is a good chance of in-party fighting, which few enjoy, and no one you should want to play a team game with. So I would say, avoid this situation like the plague.
If you want to lead your players down a path of morally grey choices, start with something simple. Per request of the local mayor, you have managed to find and kill a nest of kobolds. Near their cave, still intact, you find a wagon full of items belonging to a local merchant. What do you do ?
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 4:50AM
#33
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Date Joined:
Jun 25, 2009
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The main problem with this set up has little to do with whatever choice it is each player makes from his PCs point of view.
As posted above, the evil assassin might ignore them as not dangerous, worthy of his time, whatever..
A lawful good character might let them walk from the goodness of his heart or something..
While I want to state out loud that I hate, and always have hated alignment questions other than as a short description word, much like gender, age or characters demeanor, none of that is relevant to teh question at hand.
The actually issue here is that there is a good chance of in-party fighting, which few enjoy, and no one you should want to play a team game with. So I would say, avoid this situation like the plague.
If you want to lead your players down a path of morally grey choices, start with something simple. Per request of the local mayor, you have managed to find and kill a nest of kobolds. Near their cave, still intact, you find a wagon full of items belonging to a local merchant. What do you do ?
I hardly call that morally grey.
And I find your suggestion that in-party fighting is bad for a game to be reprehensible and flat out wrong.
My username should actually read: Lunar Savage (damn you WotC!)
*Tips top hat, adjusts monocle, and walks away with cane* and yes, that IS Mr. Peanut laying unconscious on the curb.
http://asylumjournals.tumblr.com/
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 4:52AM
#34
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I dunno...I think a campaign where evil acts are what it takes to save the universe could be interesting. For every good deed done, the universe unravels just a bit more. For every evil act, it mends.
It COULD be conceptually interesting, of course, until someone takes a moral stand against it and the universe is on the line and things basically get reduced down to "Okay everyone, campaign is over cuz the universe ends cuz Dave won't be Evil".
That's not to say it's not possible...in fact, I have played with concepts like that in Star Wars where I tempted players with the possibility that the light side causes stagnation and redundancy in the galaxy and that the dark side is required to shake things up, cull the useless and stir innovation. People have to be on-board with it though...and, ultimately, even in that game the premise ended up being inaccurate. It was put forth...it challenged the players/characters emotionally and they overcame it...because, generally speaking, the game is played as a form of enjoyable escapism and dismal take-away messages are sorta a buzzkill.
Luckily, I do not play with asshats that won't be evil in what is merely a game. I may give this concept a go soon.
Indeed. I game with people that can be downright evil SOBs when they want to play that sort of character and I myself am no exception. Then again, I get plenty of practice being EEEVIL since I'm the DM 9 times out of 10 hah. The important thing is just getting people on board so one DOESN'T run into a situation like mentioned above, not that the situation above is entirely unavoidable. It is certainly avoidable, it just requires a few moments of work. If you want a great setting where Evil is awesome look up the Accordlands setting for Warlord: Saga Of the Storm. Its great! Best elves and evil religious paladins EVER!
I'm on a journey of enlightenment, learning and self-improvement. A journey towards mastery. A journey that will never end.
If you challenge me, prepare to be challenged. If you have something to offer as a fellow student, I will accept it. If you call yourself a master, prepare to be humbled. If you seek me, look to the path. I will be traveling it. #SuperDungeonMasterIITurbo
My blog and stuff http://dmingtowin.blogspot.com/
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 4:53AM
#35
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Near their cave, still intact, you find a wagon full of items belonging to a local merchant. What do you do ?
KILL THE WAGONS BABIES!
...is that right? :D
I'm on a journey of enlightenment, learning and self-improvement. A journey towards mastery. A journey that will never end.
If you challenge me, prepare to be challenged. If you have something to offer as a fellow student, I will accept it. If you call yourself a master, prepare to be humbled. If you seek me, look to the path. I will be traveling it. #SuperDungeonMasterIITurbo
My blog and stuff http://dmingtowin.blogspot.com/
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 5:02AM
#36
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Date Joined:
Jun 25, 2009
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Near their cave, still intact, you find a wagon full of items belonging to a local merchant. What do you do ?
KILL THE WAGONS BABIES!
...is that right? :D
Only after you've crippled the mother wagon by stealing it's wheels and selling them on the black market to people who will mistreat the parts.
My username should actually read: Lunar Savage (damn you WotC!)
*Tips top hat, adjusts monocle, and walks away with cane* and yes, that IS Mr. Peanut laying unconscious on the curb.
http://asylumjournals.tumblr.com/
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 6:25AM
#37
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I hardly call that morally grey.
And I find your suggestion that in-party fighting is bad for a game to be reprehensible and flat out wrong.
Stealing is not a moral choice? Noted.
However, if you think in-party fighting is a good thing, I think we should just agree to never play with eachother.
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 6:54AM
#38
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Date Joined:
Jun 25, 2009
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I hardly call that morally grey.
And I find your suggestion that in-party fighting is bad for a game to be reprehensible and flat out wrong.
Stealing is not a moral choice? Noted.
However, if you think in-party fighting is a good thing, I think we should just agree to never play with eachother.
It's not morally grey. It's pretty damn black and white.
My username should actually read: Lunar Savage (damn you WotC!)
*Tips top hat, adjusts monocle, and walks away with cane* and yes, that IS Mr. Peanut laying unconscious on the curb.
http://asylumjournals.tumblr.com/
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 7:09AM
#39
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As opposed to killing goblin babies. Noted.
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5 months ago ::
Jan 26, 2013 - 10:16AM
#40
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Date Joined:
Jul 21, 2004
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However, if you think in-party fighting is a good thing, I think we should just agree to never play with eachother.
It's a classic trope, but obviously doesn't work if the players are also fighting. But, a group of mature players can agree that their players are entertainingly at odds.
[N]o difference is less easily overcome than the difference of opinion about semi-abstract questions. - L. Tolstoy
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