|
| 1 person marked this as FAQ candidate. |
Most importantly: right off the bat-this is not an alignment thread: I don't want to start one of those. This is a thread about how the vigalante's dual alignment system works mechanically. Some of my questions are PFS related, some are general.
Let's say we have our non-copywrite-infringing vigilante 'Redpool' who is CN and his civilian alternate identity 'Blade Billson.' Who is CG.
1)What happens if Redpool's alignment shifts to evil by committing an atrociously evil act? (Let's say: with full knowledge and volition of what he was doing-letting the whispering tyrant free 'because he thinks it would be fun to see him kill a lot of people'). Does this affect his civilian identity's alignment?
2)(PFS) Let's say the above happens in PFS, and Redpool doesn't have enough money or prestige for an atonement (he has spent all of it on Quesolupas). Now his civilian identity is still legal to play (either as CG or CN, depending to the answer to question 1). Can he just stay in civilian form and play legally until such time as he can get an atonement?
3) Now, roll back to question 1, but instead ask what happens if Redpool has dipped a level into cleric of Cayden Calyen (because beer God, woooo!). Does he lose his cleric powers in Redpool form but get them back in Blade Billson form, or do both identities need to be within one step of their God?
4) (PFS) similar to question 1, what happens if Redpool participates in an adventure that shifts his alignment one step towards evil? (There are a few out there.). Does it affect both of his identities?
5) How does the vigilante interact with a helm of opposite alignment?
1. The two alignments need to be within one step of each other in each direction. The simplest way to handle thiswould be having Red drag Blade over to CN.
2. PFS characters must be non-evil. Since Red is evil, the character presumably isn't legal.
3. Vigilantes must meet alignment requirements for feats, deities, etc. in both identities. Cayden is a deity, and not fooled by a class feature.
4. No idea!
5. Presumably both alignments shift., because then you can always have compatible resulting alignments. The class feature doesn't protect against cursed items.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
1)What happens if Redpool's alignment shifts to evil by committing an atrociously evil act? (Let's say: with full knowledge and volition of what he was doing-letting the whispering tyrant free 'because he thinks it would be fun to see him kill a lot of people'). Does this affect his civilian identity's alignment?
His alignments has to stay no more than one step from each other on a single alignment axis. So if the vigilante identity's alignment gets shifted to CE, then the CG becomes at least CN.
2)(PFS) Let's say the above happens in PFS, and Redpool doesn't have enough money or prestige for an atonement (he has spent all of it on Quesolupas). Now his civilian identity is still legal to play (either as CG or CN, depending to the answer to question 1). Can he just stay in civilian form and play legally until such time as he can get an atonement?
No, he's an illegal character if he remains evil. It's no different than creating him as an evil vigilante identity initially and atoning later.
3) Now, roll back to question 1, but instead ask what happens if Redpool has dipped a level into cleric of Cayden Calyen (because beer God, woooo!). Does he lose his cleric powers in Redpool form but get them back in Blade Billson form, or do both identities need to be within one step of their God?
"When in an identity, he is treated as having that identity’s alignment for all spells, magic items, and abilities that rely on alignment. For the purpose of meeting a qualification for a feat, class, or any ability, he is only eligible if both of his alignments meet the requirements."
A cleric of Cayden Cailean (CG) requires an alignment of NG, CG, or CN. Redpool and Blade Billson would qualify for both identities.
A better example would be a cleric of Sarenrae (NG) requires an alignment of LG, NG, CG, or N. I see the alignment as a class qualification of being a cleric of Sarenrae and Redpool/Blade Billson wouldn't be qualified because both his alignments aren't within one step of Sarenrae's.
4) (PFS) similar to question 1, what happens if Redpool participates in an adventure that shifts his alignment one step towards evil? (There are a few out there.). Does it affect both of his identities?
"If a vigilante is the target of an effect that would change his alignment, it changes both of his alignments to the new alignment."
Both his alignments shift towards evil.
5) How does the vigilante interact with a helm of opposite alignment?
Both identities' alignments gets changed but has to be no more than one step from each other on a single alignment axis.
Thanks for all the responses! The only one I question is number three, as you have to begin and end play with a non-evil alignment. Since a vigilante can start the day in any form, he CAN start and end play in his civilian identity. Loophole abuse, maybe, but it is something to consider.
It's not a loophole. Becoming a cleric of a god, isn't just like going down to employment services and filling a vacancy. It implies deep sincere worship and commitment, form the cleric in total.
A vigilante with two different alignments may be slightly deranged, but Cayden or any other god isn't going for partials. ALL of the character or none, that's the rule. So if your Vigilante is going to become a Caydenite cleric, ALL of him has to fit.
I will admit that I'm confused as to why the split alignment system is even part of the class mechanics. Bruce Wayne doesn't change personalities when he dons the cape and cowl. He certainly changes demeanor, and (as of Keaton) adds gravel to his voice, but everything he does as Batman is based on the pain and commitment of Bruce Wayne. The costume simply lets him do in the shadows of the night what he can't do in his day to day.
Thanks for all the responses! The only one I question is number three, as you have to begin and end play with a non-evil alignment. Since a vigilante can start the day in any form, he CAN start and end play in his civilian identity. Loophole abuse, maybe, but it is something to consider.
I'll assume you meant question 2 since that one actually involves PFS requiring one to stay non-evil, whereas question 3 doesn't mention it.
Doesn't matter what he starts or ends with. By the end of the day when getting chronicles filled out, his alignment in either identity can't remain evil in PFS. The whole set of evil alignments (LE, NE, and CE) are barred from any PFS character, even only part time.
Many superhero (or masked vigilante) tropes involve the character doing more than changing his appearance when he puts on his costume. For many of them, the alter ego is really like a separate aspect of their personality with different characteristics.