Alignment shift: how long and how hard ?

[Trainz]

Let's say a Chaotic Good character wants to become Lawful Good, and assuming he makes an effort in role-playing to portray this...

- How many Game sessions would you make the shift from CG to NG, and then from NG to LG ?

- Are there mechanical reasons by the rules to make this more or less difficult ?

 

[Thanee]

That's a tough question to answer in a general way.

If the intent is genuine, it could happen pretty fast, but usually a change in alignment should take a while to complete, as it is a slow process to change one's personality.

I wouldn't afix this to a time frame, but rather count significant events, which showed the true alignment of the character. If the character acted lawful in a handful of important occasions, then the first shift might be done. Whenever the character acts chaotic, these situations are deducted from the tally. Something like that.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

- Are there mechanical reasons by the rules to make this more or less difficult ?

Well, you should not be allowed to flip back and forth between different alignments. A behaviour, which would suggest this, should just lead to a neutral or chaotic neutral alignment, I guess.

Bye
Thanee

 

[shilsen]

1) I personally wouldn't set a hard and fast time frame on this. It's definitely not something that I would have happen in 1 or 2 sessions, and I probably would not take more than ten sessions. As soon as I got a sense that the character had established the new alignment as the general one for the PC, I'd switch him over.

2) Not that I can think of. I wouldn't allow it to happen arbitrarily and wouldn't allow much switching back and forth (a PC who flip-flops ends up as N), but I wouldn't restrict the possibility mechanically otherwise.

 

[the Jester]

Here's how I do voluntary alignment change imc.

First of all, my xp system is nonstandard, and each game each pc can earn roleplaying xp in several categories, one of which is alignment. I impose a '3-game-minimum' on shifts- it takes three games of unrepentent activity that matches the new alignment.

During these three games, the in-game effect on the pc is that she is ineligible for alignment roleplaying xp. This discourages frequent alignment shifts, but it isn't a huge amount of xp (25 x character level) to give up if you actively want to change (or if your behavior warrants changing).

 

[Trainz]

Thanks guys.

The question is of course subjective (and thus so are the answers), but you gave me satisfying feedback and will thus base myself on your guidelines i.e. I'll pretty much follow what you said.

 

[FireLance]

- Are there mechanical reasons by the rules to make this more or less difficult ?

If you do want a more or less immediate alignment switch, there is a game mechanic that covers that (it even says so in the section I underlined):

Atonement
Abjuration
Level: Clr 5, Drd 5
Components: V, S, M, F, DF, XP
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: Touch
Target: Living creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell removes the burden of evil acts or misdeeds from the subject. The creature seeking atonement must be truly repentant and desirous of setting right its misdeeds. If the atoning creature committed the evil act unwittingly or under some form of compulsion, atonement operates normally at no cost to you. However, in the case of a creature atoning for deliberate misdeeds and acts of a knowing and willful nature, you must intercede with your deity (requiring you to expend 500 XP) in order to expunge the subject’s burden. Many casters first assign a subject of this sort a quest (see geas/quest) or similar penance to determine whether the creature is truly contrite before casting the atonement spell on its behalf.
Atonement may be cast for one of several purposes, depending on the version selected.
Reverse Magical Alignment Change: If a creature has had its alignment magically changed, atonement returns its alignment to its original status at no cost in experience points.
Restore Class: A paladin who has lost her class features due to committing an evil act may have her paladinhood restored to her by this spell.
Restore Cleric or Druid Spell Powers: A cleric or druid who has lost the ability to cast spells by incurring the anger of his or her deity may regain that ability by seeking atonement from another cleric of the same deity or another druid. If the transgression was intentional, the casting cleric loses 500 XP for his intercession. If the transgression was unintentional, he does not lose XP.
Redemption or Temptation: You may cast this spell upon a creature of an opposing alignment in order to offer it a chance to change its alignment to match yours. The prospective subject must be present for the entire casting process. Upon completion of the spell, the subject freely chooses whether it retains its original alignment or acquiesces to your offer and changes to your alignment. No duress, compulsion, or magical influence can force the subject to take advantage of the opportunity offered if it is unwilling to abandon its old alignment. This use of the spell does not work on outsiders or any creature incapable of changing its alignment naturally.
Though the spell description refers to evil acts, atonement can also be used on any creature that has performed acts against its alignment, whether those acts are evil, good, chaotic, or lawful.
Note: Normally, changing alignment is up to the player. This use of atonement simply offers a believable way for a character to change his or her alignment drastically, suddenly, and definitively.
Material Component: Burning incense.
Focus: In addition to your holy symbol or normal divine focus, you need a set of prayer beads (or other prayer device, such as a prayer wheel or prayer book) worth at least 500 gp.
XP Cost: When cast for the benefit of a creature whose guilt was the result of deliberate acts, the cost to you is 500 XP per casting (see above).

 

[Trainz]

So with a single casting of Atonment, one could willingly switch from CG to LG immediately, if that is his intent ?

 

[Li Shenron]

Let's say a Chaotic Good character wants to become Lawful Good, and assuming he makes an effort in role-playing to portray this...

- How many Game sessions would you make the shift from CG to NG, and then from NG to LG ?

- Are there mechanical reasons by the rules to make this more or less difficult ?

It sounds like a very strange request from a player... does he have an in-character reason to do so? In a way it would be like a labour who decides he want to become a tory which doesn't seem very likely.

I could see someone neutral who wants to become good, and even someone evil (but depends on the evil type) who wants to become neutral.

In any case, such a major shift should definitely take years of character life. Then how many sessions obviously depends on how they are related to the character lives.

 

[Salhan]

alignment change with a simple Atonement? That makes me sick. Not to mention the potential of abuse. This is so not happening in my game.

I like that "3 game minimum" and even then, the character should REALLY try - I might let one mistake go, but after that, the process should start again.

When a character is created, the player has to make a commitment to his new char's mindset. It might seem cruel, but Atoning a character over and over again should have some effect on the acting atonement machine i.e. the priest.