Hello everyone !
First time posting here, though I have been lurking here for a long time. I come here seeking a bit of advice.
I'm creating a character with a Monk/Barbarian build, using the Martial Artist and Savage Barbarian archetypes. I know it's not the most optimized thing to do, but I've not come here seeking advice on mechanics.
I've been wondering how I could roleplay the character. I've decided to make him a True Neutral, someone who has understood the existence of forces over Golarion and people inhabiting it. He knows about the very notion of alignment, and has decided to balance his mindless rage with a strict physical and mental discipline, thus making him a True Neutral.
Yet, I don't know what Knowledge skill I should invest in to show what he knows about the notion of alignment. Is it Arcana ? Planes ? Religion ? I've been scratching my head over this problem for a few days now, and have not yet come to an answer.
What does the Advice Board think of it ?
Well, religion covers the religious part of it, what the different faiths think about it and so on. Both religion and planes should cover what happens after death (you're judged and go to the appropriate outer plane) but planes would give info more on what each afterlife is like.
Knowledge (local) would cover what people think about it I think - there's no clear knowledge skill for "philosophy" outside of religion.
Honestly, I'd get a little bit of several different. Maybe max religion and spread another 1 sp/level around at knowledges like planes, local and history.
Thank you ! I think I'lle be going with Religion. Seems logical.
I think planes would cover it well.
It may not represent day-to-day alignment concerns, but the outer planes are as integral to spiritual alignment as the inner planes are to the physical substance of reality. Remember, they're not just similar to the lawful, chaotic, good and evil behaviors of mortals, they are the source of those behaviors. Being well versed in outer planar cosmology will tell you a great deal about alignment.
I thought it was kind of a cyclic relationship... The outer planes are created and fueled by aligned actions and belief, and in turn try to influence people to do more such actions.
That was my understanding, though most of my interest in D&D cosmology was in my Planescape phase.
A bit of both should do the trick, yes. Religion for odd levels, Plane for even ones !