Hey fellow adventurers. I know this question does not have a 'definitive' answer but I'd like to hear your take on the matter. Warning: light spoilers for the Adventure Path Hell's Vengeance will follow. If my players TOM or MIES are reading this: get out now!
So my (evil-aligned) players are currently infiltrating a town which is led by a Iomedean Cleric. He is starting to suspect the PC's of having ill intentions and I think it would be interesting if he confronted the players and preferably, if he managed to capture one (only for the other players to bail him out, of course). However, setting this up would entail some light diversion, and I don't know if I can reconcile this with this character's faith.
I know these code of conducts are less strict for clerics than for paladins, but would a cleric of Iomedae (in your opinion) invite a character who he strongly suspects to be evil to his quarters under false pretenses, only for the cleric to arrest or fight the suspected PC there? Iomedae is a warrior goddess with little sympathy for her enemies but perhaps she would frown on this kind of trap as opposed to a more direct confrontation.
One mititating factor might be the fact that the PC in question and the cleric have had a lot of conversations in private quarters before where the PC has misled the cleric about his true character. The cleric using their final conversation to spring a trap on the PC would perhaps 'even the scales' so to speak: the PC is reaping what he has sown.
I don't know how I will approach this, just curious about what you guys think. There is also an Inquisitor of Torag involved, maybe she could have pressured the cleric into taking an approach he would have otherwise found disdainful.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
In theory the cleric is lawful good and it doesn't seem unreasonable to me if she wishes to contain the situation. I could see a LG constable inviting a band of violent dangerous criminals to a meeting in an abandoned warehouse with the intention of arresting them. Especially if they are concerned that said criminals will resist violently. It makes way more sense than confronting them in the street where innocents are likely to be involved.
I assume she's arresting them in order to protect the public. If she's taking steps in order to maximize the public safety, I don't see that as a problem.
Now, there probably won't be a surprise round since she's likely going to step out and allow the characters a chance to come peaceably. Instead of just attacking them out right from the shadows.
Although only a Paladin of Iomedae is required to follow the code or face the loss of class features, every follower of Iomedae should aspire to behave in the same way. It isn't that the goddess thinks this is only the right way for Paladins to behave, but that she thinks it is the right way for everyone to behave. So, if your cleric is truly pious, he would be attempting to live that standard.
That said, this pretty clearly to me falls under the 'ruse de guerre' concept, basically legitimate lying in service of war. While this is not a war exactly I think the principle works on a personal level as well. Basically, this is the equivalent of flying a false flag, only to show your true colors before firing the first shot. In our world this is considered to still be honorable. As a war goddess, to me this fits with what Iomedae would support.
Interestingly, I think Torag would be less behind this sort of thing than Iomedae would. While Torag is all about no mercy, he is more against lying than Iomedae. Of course the very concept of an Inquisitor is that they believe the end justifies the means and will go against the tenets of their god when they think it appropriate.
Thanks for the replies! I know Torag hates dishonesty but I indeed figured an inquisitor would be willing to bend the rules in this case! I think I can work with this guys :) A narrative has been established where the Cleric doubts if what he is doing reflects Iomedae's intentions, so this could actually tie into that. He will of course challenge the PC honorably once they actually face each other.
* oh and Dave not too get too pedantic but in our world The Hague Convention specifically prohibits most ruse de guerres, so eh, be careful with that! ;)
The Hague Convention specifically prohibits most ruse de guerres
I suppose that depends on how you figure most, but The Hague Convention only prohibits certain ones. Using medical symbols as a disguise, false surrenders, disguising hand grenades a toys, things like that.
Pretending to be a larger force, faking orders for your opponents, intentionally letting out false information, spying, creating fake weapons or units, or disguising a warship (prior to making an attack, but not during) are all considered legitimate and not prohibited.