We are coming up on a module in our campaign where the Characters will be disguised as Dark Elves as we go into the Underdark to infiltrate a Drow city.
Several of the group are of a Chaotic alignment so roleplaying may not be a problem. I was wondering about my LN Monk. I tried reading up the alignments and that LN is 3 steps away from CE.
Though my character is LN, my friends say I tend to play my character closer to Lawful Good.
I don't know the exact reason yet for the module. All I know is that the GM blurted out that we were going to the Drow city looking like drow and acting like them and that it was important that we acted as such.
I wondered about my lawful alignment and how much roleplaying would come into affect.
I'd basically like some ideas on roleplaying the character (or if it really matters)
One last thing, let's say a Paladin was part of the group, how would that character affect such an adventure?
Thanks
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If your GM is sticking to what that book suggests, you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Your alignment isn't a straightjacket that renders you incapable of going on an undercover mission without sabotaging yourself or your allies, and fair GMs won't assume this. Viewing this like a long undercover cop operation might make it easier to get into.
As for how lawful characters can blend into drow society...LE drow do exist. And playing to strict codes of station based around being dominant over your "lessers" and submitting to your "betters" can make one seem a natural fit in drow society, once you've managed to figure out where your undercover persona would fall in the pecking order.
Regarding paladins,
Hell, as a Monk you can pretend to be Chaotic Evil and slaughter your foes mercilessly...by attacking non-lethally and making it look convincing.
Hopefully your GM won't be "that guy"and make you invest in Perform: Acting to pull something like that off.
Well, since you are neutral, you can just say you are going by the "law of the land," even if that law is cutthroat, 'survival of the fittest battle' royal. The worst I can see happening is you end up LE, which is more awkward socially than an actual gameplay problem for a monk. Just try not to kick too many puppies/babies/fuzzy werewolf-babies unless someone else forces you to.
By the by, is this the same Monk you wanted to rebuild her a while back?
How did that pan out?
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There is nothing in a situation such as the one above that should warrant a change in alignment per se. What matters for alignment is what actions your character actually takes, in which context and with which objectives.
As usual, you should decide what your character does based on how he is likely to act in such a situation based on his personality and usual mindset.
Even a Paladin should be able to manage, even though he might need atonement if evil deeds are absolutely necessary.
As always though, the GM is the final arbiter on what will result in a change in alignment.
By the by, is this the same Monk you wanted to rebuild her a while back?
How did that pan out?
I suggested all kinds of drastic measures (roughly quoting stuff from the thread I created) and he said I need not worry. He said I would eventually get gloves or or amulet to help the situation.
By the end of December (barring holiday cheer) we should start the Drow city part of the campaign. I tend to play a Lawful Character and even if it is Neutral, I do things on the good side, so I am a little leery about the Drow stuff.
On the other hand, I shouldn't second guess things until the module starts.
This is the reason I asked about the Paladin as I figured I would likely be acting all Goody two shoes in the Underdark. I wanted to get an idea how a character of that alignment might act (perhaps Paladin was the wrong choice since they have the uber strict code).
I know I can play it loose and just use the Alignment as a guide, but only a few of my characters really shine and I needed a guide. Since we were going into "bad-ville" I figured using the alignment more than a guide might be useful to me.
abilities like detect evil, chaos, etc and spells like know alignment exist because you can't TELL what alignment someone is by looking at them or interacting for short periods of time.
CE people don't run through the streets all wild eyed shouting mwahahhahaha!
(well they can if they CHOSE to)
Monks have the perform skill, put a few points into acting.... then you can act wild eyed and practice saying "Mwahahahaha" in drow sign language.
I was expecting a few regular posters to have jumped on this Alignment thread by now.
Personally, I see the Drow as at least NE character leaning toward LE. NE is an odd way to judge a whole race; obviously very civilized peoples like dwarves and humans have typically lawful societies, and tribal cultures are more chaotic, but neutral? Every society has rules and hierarchy, it's not like the drow are just all doing their own individual thing down there in the dark.
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Guide for a Paladin infiltrator.
0) Pretend to be a LN or (even better) LE person with the following code/quirks :
1) Say nothing, have another character explain that you are mute. Even better, swear an oath of silence and have the other character explain it.
2) Do not harm innocents unless ABSOLUTELY necessary for the mission(basically that or TPK). I expect any non-jerkish GM who forces a Paladin to do this to give him an opportunity to Atone soon after. That other character will explain that, due to some past event, your code includes not killing the specific kind of innocent (children, the elderly, gully dwarves, whatever) that you met in the encounter.
3) Attack/Kill anything not-innocent to better emphasize the fact that you are not to be trifled with (better check with the GM first though that he does not consider this evil). For example, if you see bad guys torturing helpless innocents, have the other character warn them that you consider this bad taste/against your code (or god) and that you are likely to violently force them to cease. After all, it is par for the course for evil guys to force others (especially weaker ones) to conform to their wishes.
4) Put Skill Points in Intimidate.
5) Remember that the code restricts what YOU do. Not what others do (even if they are lying to cover you).
6) Have a damn good liar on hand
In other words, be creative about it. Even better, when your PC will know of the challenge, be proactive and have him brainstorm with the other PCs about ways to hide his true nature/alignment
Strong and silent type is what you have to pull off. Your character understands that, socially, he is out of his element. Best to stay quiet, the most logical decision he can make.
For roleplaying fun, find a moment with a party member you trust the most and confide in him/her. Let them know that you understand what's important but why it's hard for you and ask for advice.
As a monk you're a high wisdom lawful character. The most efficient decision is to make sure your party knows your weak in this social situation. It's an obligation to them and something a lawful neutral with good tendencies can't ignore. Get their advice, let them guide you, let them help you. In some situations it is wise to rely on others.