I'm developing a character for a campaign starting from level one. She's level one, young-ish (20 years old), and carries intense abyssal power locked in her bloodline (a bloodrager, essentially). Oh, and at the time of the campaign, she's has neither yet "hulked out" or even killed anyone. Furthermore, she's most definitely good aligned. So, I suppose my question is: how should my character react AFTER her first encounter? I've already concluded that she will not actively fight back until she takes damage, at which point she rages. She is fully aware during this transformation, and I must repeat, she has never killed anyone before. Anybody have any advice to give? NOTE: I want this to have a bit of drama-lasting for a session or two as she copes-but nothing that will impeded the overall campaign.
she better get use to it real quick.
Prayer? This seems like the kind of thing one might seek out clerical advice for. (Not to mention being a good way in-character to meet the local priest and win his sympathy--never a bad thing).
You've noted that the character is going to have a short-term psychological impact from the event.
Granted, a fantasy setting does give some liberties, but PTSD does not resolve neatly like that, so while it may be looked to for inspiration, realize that the two would not be the same, and be mindful of fellow players who may (or may not) have trigger situations based around similar instances IRL.
Contrition never hurts if the person was a decent enough sort, or a side-chat with someone asking them how they handle it, etc.
Bear in mind that most sentient beings, regardless of whether they realize it or not, begin to adopt ritual/mannerisms/etc based on stress as a coping mechanism.
Good luck with the adventuring, and hope to hear how it turns out.
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Go find a tree and start puking once you see all that blood. Or do it at the battlesite (but you might be ruining someone's property further). Or look a little green.
Or you can look at your hands and go, "All the oceans in the world can't wash my hands clean" while staring at the dead bodies, which are your handiwork. Then go buy a sap, after that. Vow that you'll not spill blood lightly.
Also you can stare at all the blood and go,"My god, what have I done?"
Heh, one of my characters might be coming to one of these points...
I have a zen archer monk who with her first kill tied a knot on a sting. Once she found some quiet she sat down to meditate on her actions. She has added new knots to the string some of them elaborate if it's some special case. And every night she does her meditation and since she recently picked up inquisitor she now also does a prayer for those whose life she's taken.
Depends a lot on who you're fighting. Wolves, skeletons, goblins, bandits - they're all going to have a different psychological impact.
Just for contrast with the other suggestions, I'll propose she's horrified to learn just how much her raging self loves violence.
Both, really. Her power has been bound by a medallion (in the same vein as Red's cloak from Once Upon a Time), that she accidentally forgets the day she starts her adventure.
Wolves and undead and such wouldn't disturb her as much, but thanks Matthew for the suggestion that she's still horrified about how much her raging self loves violence. Fighting sentient creatures would definitely be a different matter, though. I'm looking up some common coping methods for this for now. Thanks for the advice!