How do LG characters intimidate

[Jubilee]

My FR Paladin of Horus-Re favors the line:

"Mine is a vengeful god!"

=)

 

[Particle_Man]

No, because the spell is specifically [evil] or [chaotic]. Lying is neither [evil] nor evil in the specific sense.

Again, we're back to whether "LG characters tell the truth" means "LG characters *must* never lie." IMHO, there is a good reason why the text does not use the words "must" or "always." Or are we now saying that if an LG character's wife says "Honey, does this dress make me look fat?" it is an evil (or even explicitly non-good or non-chaotic) act for him to give a false answer?

Well I disagree. Lying is chaotic in the specific sense (though not necessarily evil).

And given a choice between the methods of intimidate given in this thread that do *not* involved lying, and methods of intimidate in this thread that *do* involved lying, I would imagine that an LG character would prefer the former, being, you know, lawful, and inclined to tell the truth.

 

[Hawkshere]

My GF watches The First 48 on cable; cops do this kind of thing every single day.

 

[Storyteller01]

"Have you ever been to a Zyntarian prison? They're oubliettes. Bread and water once a day. A bucket of water for bathing once a month, your chamber pot changed every 6 or so. No one to talk to..."

"They say the darkness is the worst. All that time in a dark cell, it does things to your eyes. Most go blind after seeing the light of day again. Would you like that? To feel the first rays of the sun warming your skin, just to have it burn your sight from you forever? Help me, and this won't happen to you."

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

My GF watches The First 48 on cable; cops do this kind of thing every single day.

Maybe it's because I'm an Angeleno, but I don't think most cops are Lawful Good.

 

[William Ronald]

Nonsense. There's nothing about being lawful that means you have any compunction about lying. Less likely to break your promises or cheat on a deal or skirt the law, sure. But make a few exagerated threats to intimidate a prisoner into confessing to their crimes? That's just peachy.

Also, there are times when not telling a lie can lead to harm. An example of this would be telling the agents of a tyrant where an innocent person or a dissident is, knowing that the person they seek will be tortured and killed.

I think that one thing that has to be considered is the character's faith and culture. In some cultures, it might be allowable to lie to allow another to save honor (see the Minbari on Babylon 5) or tell a lie to preserve peace -- even in a family.

The good cop-bad cop approach would work well.

 

[Dross]

There is, actually. It's right in the rules. It's not lawful specifically, but it is part of being lawful good - the line "She tells the truth." Now, that might not mean "No lying" to you, but it certainly does to me.

For me the not lying is meant for personal gain, otherwise you need to include white lies, otherwise you get:

"I'm sorry, but {Dead Person} died in great pain over several hours screaming all the time. It gave me a headache."

where "{Dead Person} died quickly and without pain." is a white lie intended to confort someone.

A LG intimidate for me is like Carrot, or somewhat like the 60-70 western sheriffs of US movies. You don't rip clothes or hit anyone. You just clearly indicate the worst possible outcome provided by the law or what happens as or during punishement.

 

[phindar]

As I mentioned in one of the other paladin topics going, my yardstick of what LG characters can do is what the cops on Law & Order can do. By way of example, in one interrogation scene on that show, it was pointed out that the police could use deception to get someone to confess, as long as the deception wasn't one that would cause an innocent person to confess.

I also read a book just recently called The Interrogators, about US Army Intelligence in Afghanistan. They had very strict rules on how prisoners were treated; for example they couldn't use Sleep Dep, if the interrogator got a break to get a meal and take a nap, the prisoner had to have one too. It reminded me a lot of the anti-hazing rules of Boot Camp and the occasional fraternity (not that I've ever been in a frat).

I haven't watched much of the Closer, but apparently that's Kyra Sedgewick's thing on that show, you put her in a room and she gets the confession. (I did catch a recent episode where the DA was reluctant to criminally charge two doctors, and Kyra kept going in there getting the doctors to admit to more and more until in frustration, she demanded of the DA, "Just tell me what you need them to say to prosecute, and I will go in there and get them to say it.") Also, on The Shield, Dutch and Wyms run some really good interrogations that are pretty much by the (tv) book. Even Mackey stays pretty legal in the interrogation rooms, because they're cameras in there. When he catches people out on the street, not so much (but then, Mackey's not LG by any stretch).

 

[krissbeth]

I'm in the "lying isn't lawful good" camp. However, what about lying for the greater good and then atoning for it?

Evangelical is another way to go. Fire, brimstone, the hangman and such. Salvation, repenting, etc. There have been great quotations in here for inspiration for that brand of intimidate. Does your guy have a prayer book? Props are fun.

Or you could always go the Martin Riggs route and bring on the crazy. Break your own finger and have them imagine what you could (not will) do to them.

 

[Particle_Man]

A LG intimidate for me is like Carrot.

Carrot never lied.