For a while now, I've had the idea to play a Daemon-spawn Tiefling Wizard (possibly an Earth specialist or Shadow Illusionist) very loosely based on a character I wrote up for a random story. Her D&D/Pathfinder counterpart happens to be the child of a fallen Chelish Noble House, who with some luck as well as with help from her powerful Wizard father (who was mentioned in another thread a while back) managed to escape to Varisia via Nidal.
Now she's either busy plotting her revenge on the nobles that ruined her life, or brooding and studying the arcane arts in hopes of finding something to live for, all the while openly displaying an arrogant pride (like a true Chelaxian) and a diva-esque demeanour to "lowly commoners" (especially those barbaric Shoanti and thieving Varisians) around her. I planned to have her as my PC in Rise of the Runelords, but I left the DM who would have run the AP, so that's on hold until further notice.
I'd want to know, how would I be able to play up some sympathy for this character, as well as the fact that while she's Neutral Evil*, she has potential to turn Neutral or even Neutral Good? She's lost her family, she's mocked for being a Tiefling and had to go through some pretty rough training just to survive all the way to Varisia. She's clearly gotten her vices (mostly of the Pride, Envy and Wrath variety with a side-dish of Lust) but she's sympathetic to those less fortunate than her (she would give a coin or five to a beggar) despite always being in denial of said kind side of her.
* = She's selfish (when among peers), shows next to no mercy towards enemies, tends to be a bit sadistic and has no qualms about using Evil spells.
Well, firstly, it sounds like she's already borderline neutral, rather than evil. That said, if you want to give her potential, I'd suggest giving her a soft spot. Considering the backstory, I'd suggest she go looking for an orphan to take under her wing in her spare time. Have her start visiting orphanages in her spare time, looking for children who could learn magic. Even if she can't find a protege, she'll likely run into children in need and can spend her spare time helping them teach the horrible adults a lesson, or whatever other small help she can be.
Yeah, I figured that would be a good one.
Though that plotline might not be possible in Rise of the Runelords, unless I find a competent DM.
But yeah, mainly I'd wanna highlight that she starts the campaign as Neutral Evil, but clearly isn't rotten to the core*.
* = Unlike her older sister. I'll explain in a later post, or another thread.
Also, oh lord. I imagine some kid getting scared by her looks (freaky yellow eyes, really pale skin and dark violet hair) and running away from her, and making her really sad.
Hrm... possibly build off her greed... but make her consider allies an asset thus they fall into her possessions category?
This would keep her cold and calculating at times in combat, but could very easily keep her party loyal to her yet still wary with potential for really good friendships.
I really like Trayce's Child idea, but it seems very situational. A party doesn't always pay attention to little details like that and not all people see just being kind to children as a redeeming quality. I've met plenty of people who flat out hate kids and would be those mean adults.
All in all what I would suggest is mayhaps giving her a vice, like drinking, or a fear... like of something mundane to keep her dependent on her party/friends without being a burden. Something they might laugh about at first, mayhaps tease a little, but in the end would always want to help her. Make her human but in the sense that she has major straight up weaknesses.
Anywho I hope this helps!
"She's selfish (when among peers), shows next to no mercy towards enemies, tends to be a bit sadistic and has no qualms about using Evil spells."
Not much different than your average adventurer.
NE can have friends... I would have her bond to one of the group members, but at first expecting betrayal (which never comes) because that's how she was brought up.
Here's a list that could help
I don't call those "adventurers", I call them "murder hobos" like some others here do.
And it would make sense for her to suspect any and all group members of backstabbing when it comes to her. She might even plot to sell them out but never mention said plan. As for the trope, she'd probably be a mix of Type 1 ("Essentially, this is anyone who would be a True Neutral if not for the lack of conscience or empathy, or their practice of putting either aside to further their own ends") and Type 3 ("...fully capable of doing heinous or petty things For the Evulz and can be extremely sadistic and vindictive; they just won't consider such acts to be evil (at least, in general) because they feel they are entitled to do them") until she goes True Neutral.
Now that I've thought on this character, her sister's alignment is also hard to pin down. She's generally of a Neutral Good / True Neutral disposition, a Cleric of Pharasma and a Tiefling as well. Her problem is a general lack of empathy and a sick glee she gets from the misery of others, especially when it comes to dead loved ones. If I had to name a character with a similar problem, I'd hope the name Kirei Kotomine rings bells for some people. The thing is, she is aware of her fondness for unacceptable things, but can't really do much about it aside from trying to ignore it. She'd never cry at a funeral, since she's too busy trying not to laugh out loud while everyone else cries.
Where did all the people go?
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As far as building up sympathy goes, the combo of pride and envy can go a long way if it's played as, deep down, trying to win the attention and approval of her peers and going about it entirely the wrong way. If she's visibly putting a bit too much effort into building this artificial image of herself as a protective shell to present to others and it still has more holes than Swiss cheese, people may take notice positively or negatively depending on how it's sold.
Rather twisted angle here, but as far as desperate attempts to win approval from others and doing poorly at it, she could have a series of pets that she is absolutely incapable of actually caring for. I think that's actually a suggestion in Blood of Fiends now that I think about it. After the 10th bird dies or flies away never to return, she might actually start letting frustration and hurt show.
So basically all that boasting she does would just reflect an inferiority complex of sorts for those who do good with their Sense Motive rolls? That does make sense, I'd say. Though I wonder just how the hell could anyone manage to screw up raising pets that badly unless they were deliberately doing something wrong or if her pride clouds her judgement in that "I know what I am doing" kind of way. All these ideas make me feel like I'm being mean to this character just for the sake of being mean D;
So basically all that boasting she does would just reflect an inferiority complex of sorts for those who do good with their Sense Motive rolls? That does make sense, I'd say. Though I wonder just how the hell could anyone manage to screw up raising pets that badly unless they were deliberately doing something wrong or if her pride clouds her judgement in that "I know what I am doing" kind of way. All these ideas make me feel like I'm being mean to this character just for the sake of being mean D;
There are people out there, who, through some strange power of the universe, manage to accidentally kill all plants and animals they try to care for.
In some cases, this can be bad enough that even if they follow a timed schedule to the letter, ensuring proper all proper care happens in the proper proportions at the proper times, still end up messing it up somehow. It's imperative that you never ask these people to take care of your pets or plants while you're away.
I think that could attribute to her being a Daemon-spawn, but I wonder if it would apply to people under her care as well. I'm apparently starting to form the opinion that this character has a soft spot for kids, and wouldn't really ever rage at one or mock one the way she does at everyone and everything else. I doubt she would have them dying around her though, she's no half-fiend.
Honestly, sympathy isn't just based on what you do, its based on the nature of the players around you. You can play up stuff with a PC, but if the other players don't really give a crap (not the kind of game they're interested in...) its like having a masterful theater actor for a crowd that can't appreciate it.
Point taken. I'm simply preparing for the future.
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Losobal has a point - you'll need a receptive group to play this one out. Looking for a protegee is a good idea, if the campaign allows it. Here are some more:
Since she's the type to give a few coppers to a beggar, make sure to do so if given the opportunity. If she sees a child in rags, give them a gold piece.
If the kid is dirty, clean them up with prestidigitation. Make a comment about how shameful their appearance is and how their parents ought to be flogged for not taking better care of them.
If she gets the opportunity, use cantrips to amuse children. Again, prestidigitation is good for this. So are mage hand, ghost sound, and dancing lights. She's showing off, but also legitimately happy to see them smile. If she gets a negative reaction from any scared children, comment that these superstitious commoners clearly can't recognize nobility. Pout about it for a little while.
If she sees an adult mistreating a child, react loudly, angrily, and if you think you can get away with it violently.
A cooperative DM can be a big help in setting up these types of scenarios.
Mikaze has a good idea about playing up the insecurity angle. Take criticism badly - always respond to criticism with even more scathing commentary on the person giving it. Hoard (and show off) expensive possessions and magical power. Exploit and praise any social systems that give you status, while criticising others. Be a bad loser. Anything you can't get either isn't worth having or is being wrongfully withheld from you. Expect betrayal. If a party member appears to be acting against you in any way, confront them and ask if they think they can get away with it. If the campaign continues and the party members appear to be trustworthy, act confused. Doubly so if anyone sacrifices or risks anything for you. There has to be something in it for them - right?
Thanks for all the advice on how to handle the first character.
I just wonder if I should continue to use this thread for the other one, or make a new thread about her then. The other character I speak of is the older sister of the one already discussed, who is a Cleric of Pharasma. I mentioned her and her problem in an earlier post.
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Do you have a specific problem with her, or just wondering how to portray a good / well-intentioned character who has a lack of empathy?
I've designed, though not played, a similar character, and I'd say the big thing is to make her sense of morality a bit more academic or abstract. Many good characters do good because they have compassion for those who are suffering. She does good because she likes the idea of being a good person, or because some philosophical argument has convinced her it is better to be altruistic than selfish.
Make a clear distinction between her instinctive reaction to others' pain - amusement - and her deliberate helpful actions to try and relieve that pain. Laugh at the armless beggar, then give him a gold piece. She could also make comments like "Well, we could always use the elf princess as bait for the dragon. But that would be wrong." or "This ritual using the blood of newborn babies could grant the supplicant amazing power. But of course it's horribly evil." Realize at the last minute that you're proposing something unsavoury and then correct yourself.
As a cleric of Pharasma, she might have an interesting time trying to convince others that death isn't a bad thing, really, so why are you so sad about it? Oh, right, that grieving thing.
More of the latter. The character that partly inspired her attitude is pretty much in despair after living up to adulthood trying to do good deeds and getting nothing out of it. My character doesn't have it as bad as Kirei does, but she's clearly finding more enjoyment in the suffering of others than she feels she should, hence why I imagined her feeling rather bothered. She does enjoy helping others, but it has less impact on her than watching others suffer. Despite all that, she never really chooses to hurt others on her own accord.
And yeah, she is a Cleric of Pharasma so she isn't too worried about death itself, and is actually less discriminated by her fellows*.
However, I still wonder if she can be Neutral Good despite her little empathy problems or if they make her a True Neutral character instead.
* = Given Pharasma is True Neutral and only biased against undead, I'd say it makes sense that her Clerics don't judge people by race as much as others would.
All mortals are equal before Pharasma, after all, so an orc or a human isn't that much different in death from a tiefling or dhampir, even if the latter is "tainted" by undeath.