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So, looking at the Insinuator archetype, there are only two real things that they have to worry about when it comes to breaking their code of conduct (besides breaking the code of the outsider they are invoking, but seeing as how they choose the outsider, that's pretty easy to make sure you don't break the rules of the outsider you specifically picked today.)
1. Selfless Acts.
2. Violence that does not further their ends.
#2 is pretty easy... you're not a monster killing because you can.
But #1... What is a selfless act? An act in which you do for others and get NOTHING in return, but... does that even exist?
If an insinuator went around saving lives, giving generously to charity just like a paladin would, etc... Would they lose their class abilities? I would almost think there is no way to violate #1 because they will feel like they did a good thing, others that they helped will praise them, etc.
Take for example this scene from Friends where Joey tells Phoebe that there is no such thing as a selfless act, and throughout the episode she tries to prove him wrong... and can't... (plus there is the irony that it's an impossible task... if she did manage to find one, she would be getting the satisfaction of proving Joey wrong... and BAM she just negated the selfless act.)
They are evil. Why would they want to do a good thing?
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For public relations, of course.
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They are evil. Why would they want to do a good thing?
Because evil isn't always mustache-twirling cackling madmen? Besides, ever heard of the misguided villain? Am I evil? No, I am not. I am a good person, I just know that the ends justify the means. I might think that, but that doesn't make me a good person... A Lawful Evil despot could easily slaughter and kill and take over the village and rule it with an iron fist, telling himself it's for the good of the people. That doesn't mean he's good, just that he THINKS he is. Alignment is one of those things that while it exists and you can detect it on metaphysical level with magic, few GMs I know see alignment as something characters specifically KNOW... like a Paladin knows he's good and lawful, but does he see it as "I am a Lawful Good person." No more than the wizard who worships Nethys and has a high rank within the church knows that he's not a cleric of Nethys. The clerics of Nethys and the wizards of Nethys are both priests, just different types of the same magic. Just like the Spell Dancer Magus specifically says that many Spell Dancers see themselves as wizards who study the physical aspects of dance and how it relates to the arcane arts.
The strong emphasis on wizards within elven culture influences how even non-wizard elves see themselves. Many elven magi do not consider themselves masters of a blend of martial and magical talents, but rather a sub-category of wizards who study the effect of physical movement and techniques upon spellcasting ability. They believe their ability to cast spells while fighting is an outgrowth of the concept of the "spell dance," which itself is just another kind of wizardry.
They are evil. Why would they want to do a good thing?Because evil isn't always mustache-twirling cackling madmen? Besides, ever heard of the misguided villain? Am I evil? No, I am not. I am a good person, I just know that the ends justify the means. I might think that, but that doesn't make me a good person... A Lawful Evil despot could easily slaughter and kill and take over the village and rule it with an iron fist, telling himself it's for the good of the people. That doesn't mean he's good, just that he THINKS he is. Alignment is one of those things that while it exists and you can detect it on metaphysical level with magic, few GMs I know see alignment as something characters specifically KNOW... like a Paladin knows he's good and lawful, but does he see it as "I am a Lawful Good person." No more than the wizard who worships Nethys and has a high rank within the church knows that he's not a cleric of Nethys. The clerics of Nethys and the wizards of Nethys are both priests, just different types of the same magic. Just like the Spell Dancer Magus specifically says that many Spell Dancers see themselves as wizards who study the physical aspects of dance and how it relates to the arcane arts.
** spoiler omitted **
Anti-Paladins however aren't casually evil.. or evil by indifference, they are the epitome of evil and have standards to live down to, just as their opposite number must.
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Anti-Paladins however aren't casually evil.. or evil by indifference, they are the epitome of evil and have standards to live down to, just as their opposite number must.
Yes, but an insinuator doesn't have to be chaotic evil like the standard anti-paladin does. If it furthers their ends, that's all that matters. They're narcissists, basically. That's part of what I'm getting at here with this question... If an insinuator, which is basically a narcissist, gives to charity... as narcissists in real life do... does that make them good, or are they just doing good things to influence others into thinking they are good so they can have the glory?
Narcissists aren't 'casual evil' or 'evil by indifference' either... although, I wouldn't say they are evil, simply because I tend to think applying alignment to real life is generally not possible.
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The difference between an Insinuator Antipaladin and a Paladin is more or less their behavior when everything matters, and when nothing matters. Both an Insinuator and Paladin will normally give to charity - the Insinuator, because of tax deductibles and good PR, and the Paladin, because giving to charity helps people in need. But if nobody is watching, the Insinuator will stop giving, because there is no benefit for himself, while the Paladin will keep giving, because there is still benefit for people in need. And when the chips are down and everyones schemes are laid bare, the Insinuator will keep his money, because he stands for himself above all others, while the Paladin will leave it, since it will do the most good in the hands of the charity. Granted, individual Insinuator Antipaladins may have different individual motives, and may behave slightly differently, but it's what they do when things don't matter or when things matter most that sets them apart.
So yeah, I didn't think about the tax deductions and such (probably cause that's not really a thing in medieval times haha) but you make a good point. So, especially an insinuator could totally rescue kittens instead of kicking puppies, the thing is they aren't doing it for the kittens, they are doing it for the love and adoration from the cat lovers, not to mention the adoption fees.