Alignment Situations III

[Sarcoth]

I don't follow this... The sailors change to subdual when WHO is on bended knee with a bad beating? When one of the party members is on bended knee, or when one of their fellow sailors is on bended knee?

The sailors change to subdual damage when the party members are on bended knee. But, in all honestly, I don't think the party members would know that. They didn't say, "Let's knock them out." It was more like, "Get'em!" All the party members know is that these guys are hitting them hard and it hurts. If I was the DM, I wouldn't announce something was subdual damage till after the battle...unless it was obvious.

Also, are you saying that the sailor uses lethal damage AFTER the Ranger is down on the ground (and unconcious?) OR are you saying, as a result of the lethal damage the Ranger is down on the ground (and unconcious?)?

The Ranger is almost down and not attacking (0 hp). The sailor takes out the blade and thrusts it into the Ranger.

 

[RigaMortus]

The sailors change to subdual damage when the party members are on bended knee. But, in all honestly, I don't think the party members would know that. They didn't say, "Let's knock them out." It was more like, "Get'em!" All the party members know is that these guys are hitting them hard and it hurts. If I was the DM, I wouldn't announce something was subdual damage till after the battle...unless it was obvious.



The Ranger is almost down and not attacking (0 hp). The sailor takes out the blade and thrusts it into the Ranger.

Well, there would be a visual difference in how they were attacking with the weapons from normal damage to subdual. For example, when you attack subdually with a sword, you either use the flat of the blade or the pummel as opposed to the sharp edge of the blade. Clubs can be trickier to describe. I'd either say they aren't using as much force with the clubs, or they were "bunting" with them (like when you bunt with a bat in baseball).

At any rate, my answers still remain the same

 

[apsuman]

While I generally like alignment exercises, Alignment Situations I, II, and III all really boil down to one question:

Can good characters kill X depending upon circumstance Y?

So far all my answers have been yes.

To clear it up, if attacked (subdural or not), if threatened, if property is threatened, or if innocents are threatened, I believe that Good characters in a fantasy world (with civilizations capable of housing wizard guilds with portals to outer planes but unable to handle the problem of the fire giant menace outside the city) can use lethal force.

g!

 

[RigaMortus]

While I generally like alignment exercises, Alignment Situations I, II, and III all really boil down to one question:

Can good characters kill X depending upon circumstance Y?

So far all my answers have been yes.

To clear it up, if attacked (subdural or not), if threatened, if property is threatened, or if innocents are threatened, I believe that Good characters in a fantasy world (with civilizations capable of housing wizard guilds with portals to outer planes but unable to handle the problem of the fire giant menace outside the city) can use lethal force.

g!

I agree with that. The only thing I would add is that they would only kill someone if absolutely necessary.

 

[apsuman]

I agree with that. The only thing I would add is that they would only kill someone if absolutely necessary.

Fair enough, but determining what is absolutely necessary depends upon the situation.


g!

 

[ced1106]

Originally posted by Sarcoth

Situation A: While down by the docks, your party is attacked by a group of (15) rough looking sailors whom appear to be armed with clubs.

Question 1: If the only weapons you have are swords and damage magic, how do you deal with them.
LG: "Self defense is necessary, and any deaths regrettable. We shall heal them and bring them into town, if it is a just and fair one."
NG: "FIREBALL!!!"
CG: "Hey! Don't damage any of their magic items!"

Situation B: Your party wins the battle, but in the midst of the battle, a dagger was drawn by a sailor and your ranger is bleeding to death. The rogue and wizard are unconscious from subdue blows. 4 sailors died in the attack, 5 appear to be bleeding to death, 4 are unconscious, and the other 2 have surrendered.

Question 1: How would the following alignments proceed?
LG: "Heal our own, then the other party. We must bring them to the justice of this town."
NG: "Heal our own then lynch them!!!"
CG: "This? It's just a sports drink. It's not a potion of healing or anything. Really."

Question 2: The sailor that pulled the blade is one of the two that surrendered. How is he handled?
LG: "Tie him up and let's find the town guard."
NG: "Tie him up and feed him to the fish!"
CG: "Is his sword magical?"

Question 3: The sailor that pulled the blade is one of five that are bleeding to death. How is that handled?
LG: "Heal him then tie him up. Find the town guard."
NG: "I pack salt into the wound."
CG: "Is his sword magical?"



Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[RigaMortus]

Fair enough, but determining what is absolutely necessary depends upon the situation.


g!

Oh yeah? Well I agree with that too!