A very reluctant question: how does one have fun with the Book of Exalted Deeds?

[Edena_of_Neith]

(sighs)

I feel I have to ask the question here, on ENWorld ... and hope for some help.
I have read the Book of Exalted Deeds.
I know, through experience, that it is impossible to play an exalted character: every other player in the party (not to mention their characters) will be aggravated, at best. At worse, it will be the kind of thing that starts fights and ends friendships.

I like the idea that Good pays. The idea that going through the hardships of playing a good character (much less a paladin) pays dividends, is a good one. It's about time, really.
But the other players will not tolerate it: not even a party of all good characters will tolerate it. I know that, through multiple bad experiences. I wish it weren't so, but that is my experience.

With that said, I paid for the book and went to the effort of buying it.
The book has a large amount of material in it, that could be useful for a character.

The people who wrote the Book of Exalted Deeds post in ENWorld, I think. If one of them reads this post, could they offer suggestions?
If you have found a way to use the book (without simply discarding the flavor and just giving the feats and spells and PrCs to characters of any non-evil alignment: that's an obvious solution) and have a lot of fun with it, would you tell me how it worked for you?

I like the concept. But the fun is more elusive. Whither the fun?

Edena_of_Neith

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

I'm not one of the writers/playtesters of the book, but...

I would have to disagree with your "impossible to play" diagnosis. Maybe try a different gaming group.

The reason I say that is because I am in a game currently with 2 Exalted PCs, and a handful of various neutral and good alignments, and we had no problems for the 2+ years we’ve been playing it.

 

[Henry]

Edena, it may help to edit your original post and include "Book of Exalted Deeds" in your topic line. Otherwise, the only way the appropriate people will see it is if they stumble into it (or they're obsessed like me)

 

[Stormborn]

I really believe that the BoED works best in an Exalted game where not just one but all the PCs are using rules from the Exalted book. When using it or the evil counterpart, Book of Vile Deeds, there has to be a concerted effort up front to make it not just a "good oriented campaing" but an "Exalted Campaign!" Adding it to most DnD games isn't going to work out well, for resons you mentioned. It could be done, but really only in the right group and the right campaign. If you plan on using it, i suggest building a campaign around it.

 

[monboesen]

If you plan on using it, i suggest building a campaign around it.

Amen. Those are the words to heed. It's an all or nothing deal. If you want to use make a campaign that centers on GOOD vs. EVIL. Planar conflicts, demons and devils, celestial interventions and so on. Players should understand and agree beforehand and seek to play Paladins, Good clerics and the likes.

It can be a refreshing change or an annoying experience depending on players and the DM.

 

[ForceUser]

If you have found a way to use the book (without simply discarding the flavor and just giving the feats and spells and PrCs to characters of any non-evil alignment: that's an obvious solution) and have a lot of fun with it, would you tell me how it worked for you?

I like the concept. But the fun is more elusive. Whither the fun?

Edena_of_Neith

Your group needs to be onboard with the idea. Simple as that. If they are not mature enough to see it as a role-play opportunity for the group instead of a straightjacket for their hedonism, then save yourself the headache and file away that exalted character concept for the right game. In any event, do not push an exalted PC onto your group--ask them first if they're okay with it.

 

[Thanee]

I like the concept. But the fun is more elusive.

Can't say I share these experiences. I have seen a few exalted characters in play. And there never was a problem, with noone.

Bye
Thanee

 

[ColonelHardisson]

By the way, Edena, one of the authors is a familiar regular at Nothingland. Might be worthwhile to post these questions there.

 

[frankthedm]

As was said

The other players have to be in on it. If you have steam venters & evil players, it won't work.

 

[kenobi65]

While I haven't extensively read BoED (or its counterpart, the Book of Vile Darkness), I think that, as the others have suggested, it might not be for everyone, in the same way that many players wouldn't enjoy playing a paladin, and many game groups would reject a paladin PC out of hand.

If the people you've gamed with in the past are more of the "I spend my reward on ale and whores" types, then, yeah, BoED wouldn't fly with them.