Detect Evil on an Embryo

[sukael]

What would be the repercussions of when the paladin sends his warhorse back to whatever celestial realm he resides in, the egg hatches in that celestial realm while Mr. Paladin has forgotten to remove it from the saddlebag? Would a baby chimera (not dragon, chimera) cause a bit of a panic in said celestial realm? Would the next calling of the warhorse result in an eviscerated mound of horseflesh appearing? What would you do?

When even the wimpiest inhabitants with Int scores tend to be CR 2 or 3, I don't think a baby chimera would be much of a worry...

...though I'd personally say that the egg wouldn't go along with the horse (being effectively a Str 0/Dex 0 living creature, not an inanimate object), and instead be left behind on the ground in the horse's ex-space.

 

[Nifft]

IMC, the soul enters the body when a being takes its first breath -- this is its literal "inspiration".

So IMC, that egg would be as morally responsible as a rock.

Cheers, -- N

 

[sukael]

IMC, the soul enters the body when a being takes its first breath -- this is its literal "inspiration".

So IMC, that egg would be as morally responsible as a rock.

Cheers, -- N

Oh, neat. I'm guessing elementals (the only creature type that universally doesn't breathe) don't fit into the same metaphysical structure?

 

[roguerouge]

Whatever you do, remember that the purpose of DMing is for the PLAYERS to have fun... and that includes the players who choose to play heroic character classes like the paladin. YOU may have fun removing the powers of the PLAYER'S character because he made a tough choice in an impossible bind, but I doubt that the PLAYER will like playing "guess what I'm thinking!" with his DM. It's all fun and games until your party derails everything you've worked for to find a cleric able to cast Atonement spells.

At the very least, you should allow the player to make a knowledge: religion check to see if these kinds of choices have been faced by his order in the past.

 

[Wik]

you know, when I read this thread title, I was thinking of something else entirely. Namely, Detecting Evil on Human Fetuses, and wiping out potential hitlers. I thought "Now, THERE'S a fun topic."

But, actually, this is a much better discussion, and one that is not really covered by the rules. And that's a GOOD thing. You could really rule it either way, and I like the way you covered it. And the Paladin's response is also golden - and very paladinny. Kudos all around.

 

[Shin Okada]

What would you do?

Well, paladin horses are strong sentient creatures. And they are supposed to be living in upper plane where likewise good magical beasts are living. It is very likely that paladin mounts have their own herd. And it is likely that other celestials or celestial creatures are also living nearby. So, baby chimera eating up the horse is unlikely.

Those celestial beings may either kill the baby, decide to raise them there and teach the way of goodness, or decide to let THE PALADIN raise the chimera and teach the way of goodness. Especially when that baby is considering the horse as "mama" due to imprinting.

If I were you, next time the horse is called, a serious faced archon appear with the baby chimera in his/her hands and describe the situation

And, "usually xx" means there still be very few exceptions. If the egg hatches in an upper plane, it is possible that the one become an exceptional one, maybe even getting celestial creature template?

 

[Blackrat]

Wow, that was an unusual situation. Have to say I would have run it the same way, though the lair itself would have a lingering evil aura from the adult chimera IMC. That could have freeked the paladin's senses a bit. About the sending mount back I'd use the same as Sukael. The egg stays behind.

 

[Nifft]

Oh, neat. I'm guessing elementals (the only creature type that universally doesn't breathe) don't fit into the same metaphysical structure?

True elementals are conveniently Neutral.

Cheers, -- N

 

[eamon]

Whatever you do, remember that the purpose of DMing is for the PLAYERS to have fun... and that includes the players who choose to play heroic character classes like the paladin. YOU may have fun removing the powers of the PLAYER'S character because he made a tough choice in an impossible bind, but I doubt that the PLAYER will like playing "guess what I'm thinking!" with his DM. It's all fun and games until your party derails everything you've worked for to find a cleric able to cast Atonement spells.

At the very least, you should allow the player to make a knowledge: religion check to see if these kinds of choices have been faced by his order in the past.

That's a good call. I think it's possible to play a campaign in which Paladins are bound in a very literal sense; it's not easy and often arbitrary. It's easier to bind em to the concept of protecting the innocent - and what exactly that might mean, will depends on the details of the paladin's faith. Ideally, the player would have the majority of the say in the detailing of such aspects of his faith, unless the faith is preexisting and it's dealings with innocent babies have actually had an in-game impact.

So, in my idea of a paladin, he'd be being irresponsible at the least by letting the beast out of his sight, and potentially obliged to destroy the egg (and thereby choosing for the more certain and greater good of the many innocent the chimera would likely kill) - but if a player were to play a paladin, and he wishes a more literal, spur-of-the-moment oath, that's fine with me too