Roleplaying a Heroic Cockatrice Cavalier


Advice

Radiant Oath

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber

I've recently been looking back at the Cavalier class and particularly at the Order of the Cockatrice. It's been lovingly nicknamed by my brother "the Order of the Dick" because it espouses the true nature of many historical knights, to whom, according to Terry Jones, chivalry meant three things: learning how to kill people, making money and getting famous. The fact that Alain, the iconic cavalier that is described by many as a douchebag despite his Lawful Neutral alignment, solidifies this description.

As a result, I'm wondering if there's any way a member of this order can maintain a Good alignment. Typically people with that alignment place the needs of others before themselves, something that will explicitly violate the Cockatrice's edicts. Are there ways to be a member of this order and still be an altruistic protector of the people? A way that someone can be like a paladin despite being part of an order that demands you focus solely on your own wealth and self-aggrandizement?

Is there a way to join this order and NOT be an a~@!#*@?


simple. you trust your party, and wish to seek ever greater heights of adventure and glory. you can be a jovial knight in shining armor--a tad brash, but who isn't when they aim as high as you do.

if someone insults you or your comrades, you demand satisfaction (not to the death, mind you, youre a knight, not some uncultered ruffian out for blood, plus chicks dig the heroic-yet-merciful types), defeating them will only stand to increase your reputation, and if you lose, then at least it cant be said you dont rise to defend your own.

you also can play the 'kill-stealing' bit by simply trying to be everywhere at once to protect your party.

take--or at least show a vested interest in--dangerous/epic quests, take steps to ensure you (and your party's) exploits are heard of, and capitalize on it. schmooze the local nobles with tales of your derring-do, advertise yourselves; you'll find more gold and adventure the better known you are. hire bards to do this if need be.

perhaps have a specific motivation for being a gloryhound--perhaps you have an estranged sibling you cant find, and hope theyll hear the stories of you and come forward?
you're royalty and wish to prove your worth by your own actions?
maybe youre from an orphanage and wanna give the kids there someone to look up to, and show that they too can be awesome if they try.

you could also go the Tony Stark ("I'm awesome and I know it, and so should you.") route if you wanna snark it up.

You ARE the adventurer. It's you.


posting from a 3ds, so please pardon any spelling/grammar/etc. issues, but yeah, you totally dont have to be a horrible person to play an order of the cockatrice cavalier/samurai.

Radiant Oath

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
AndIMustMask wrote:

simple. you trust your party, and wish to seek ever greater heights of adventure and glory. you can be a jovial knight in shining armor--a tad brash, but who isn't when they aim as high as you do.

if someone insults you or your comrades, you demand satisfaction (not to the death, mind you, youre a knight, not some uncultered ruffian out for blood, plus chicks dig the heroic-yet-merciful types), defeating them will only stand to increase your reputation, and if you lose, then at least it cant be said you dont rise to defend your own.

you also can play the 'kill-stealing' bit by simply trying to be everywhere at once to protect your party.

take--or at least show a vested interest in--dangerous/epic quests, take steps to ensure you (and your party's) exploits are heard of, and capitalize on it. schmooze the local nobles with tales of your derring-do, advertise yourselves; you'll find more gold and adventure the better known you are. hire bards to do this if need be.

perhaps have a specific motivation for being a gloryhound--perhaps you have an estranged sibling you cant find, and hope theyll hear the stories of you and come forward?
you're royalty and wish to prove your worth by your own actions?
maybe youre from an orphanage and wanna give the kids there someone to look up to, and show that they too can be awesome if they try.

you could also go the Tony Stark ("I'm awesome and I know it, and so should you.") route if you wanna snark it up.

You ARE the adventurer. It's you.

This is a massive help! So kinda like Sain from Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken, right? A loud-mouthed and glory-seeking but ultimately friendly and chivalrous person that you can't help but like despite how obnoxious he can become?


Sain would indeed be a good choice. The red cavalier from path of radiance/radiant dawn (the one obsessed with competing with oscar who's name eludes me at the moment) could be an acceptable way to play it as well.


Order of the Cockatrice want and desire the Glory. Their names whispered down the halls of Eternal Memory, noone ever forgetting how well they served. That does not mean they cannot be selfless about is, but they think they deserve the acknowledgement. REALLY.

"Here come brave Sir Galahad ! Slayer of the Green Knight, bla bla bla ! Oh yes, you can very well call me the Fearless Sir Galahad ! You may also buy me a drink !"

And yes, if you promised him the virgin princess, it is his sacred obligation to accept your generous offer ! Anything else would besmirch you, great Sovereign !

And yes, a Cockatrice Cavalier will gladly ride out to fight the evil dragon, if possible with five talented bards in tow....

...and yes "Tony Stark" feels like a good role model !


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If you're looking for an example of a good soul with a single minded need to accrue wealth, look no further than Scrooge McDuck. Race cars, lasers, aeroplanes - it's a duck blur. You might solve a mystery or rewrite history.


I saw people speaking of Fire Emblem (one of my favourite game series of all time) and just wanted to ask if Sain was the knight who always tried flirting with Lyn. My memory is kinda blurred since I haven't played the games in quite a while.


I think you are right, Icyshadow. Sain was constantly flirting with every woman actually, and Kyle was always sighing contemptuously because of it.


I love this class as you can speak in the 3rd person and do a running commentary on how great you are, and how inferior the opponent is while fighting them. He would even comment how he aids his fellow companion from certain doom while fighting then crack up laughing afterwards.


hgsolo wrote:
I think you are right, Icyshadow. Sain was constantly flirting with every woman actually, and Kyle was always sighing contemptuously because of it.

his buddy would be Kent, but yeah, you two have the right guy in mind.

The Exchange

Require payment but don't give a price, accept what they give. This works better for poor people though. A chicken is worth alot more to a poor farmer than a rich merchant.


Be a cleric with high charisma, high strength, and focus on unarmed combat. Worship nature, empower the population, and claim to have an avatar of your god with you, in the form of a small stone. Reference said "avatar" at every occasion and inform everyone who is nearby on what the avatar demands.

It should sounds something like this: "The Rock says..."


Archpaladin Zousha wrote:
Is there a way to join this order and NOT be an a&~#~$!?

If its a homegame, it might help to house rule build your own edicts. Half the orders don't really help the edicts that much anyway, and it can help your roleplaying and character building quiet a bit if you build your own x instead of shoehorning yourself into someone else's work.

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