How does one play a CN cleric of a CE deity, anyway?

[cignus_pfaccari]

So, our al Qadim game is winding down, and the DM's talking about a 3.5ish Birthright game, mostly battlefield based (using material from Complete Warrior and Heroes of Battle).

I got to thinking about what character to make, and after playing a bit too much Dynasty Warriors, figured whatever my character was, it'd have to be able to legitimately have an electric guitar in its soundtrack.

So, I perused the boards a bit, and noticed somebody's really mean Barbarian/Cleric idea. Pitched that to the DM (in a "Does Cuiracaen* get Strength and Destruction as domains?"-titled e-mail), and he mentions that, no, but Belinik** does, and he has a prestige class I could shoot for that'd be even more disturbing***.

So, finally I get to the issue...now I'm shooting for a Chaotic Neutral character, since I really don't feel like playing an evil character. I figure he's going to be a mercenary, fairly obviously, so there's no real need to worry about why he initially starts hanging out with the party. Also, he can be friends with people (maybe even helping them move if they spring for the beer and pizza afterward).

But what else is there? How can a non-evil character get spells from a deity who's charitably described as psychotic, whose ritual worship involves the butchery of slaves, without becoming evil? Right now, the closest I'm coming is that he dedicates his kills on the field of battle to his god, which is enough that the deity (who probably likes to have actual fighting men as sacrifices, not mewling slaves) keeps granting him spells.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Brad

* - CG Lesser Deity of Storms and Battle
** - CE Intermediate Deity of Strength, Terror, and Berserkers
*** - I don't feel bad about this; the DM suggested it, and he's pretty obviously gonna use it on us.

 

[Nifft]

Maybe he's of the opinion that the slave-slaughtering sacrifices are not the TRUE will of Bilkablah, but rather Blekablah is pleased by his own practice (dedicated kills of strong warriors). He would claim that Blahblek is merely misunderstood, and poorly represtended by the slave-slaying faction, for whom he no doubt has an insulting nickname.

-- N

 

[Roger]

I'd be inclined to go with a Cruel Apathetic version of Chaotic Neutral. He wouldn't cross the street to kick an orphan, but only because it's too much work. Selfish in the extreme to the point of solipsism.

Might work.



Cheers,
Roger

 

[Snapdragyn]

You could also go the Tormented Soul route (a fav of mine). He tries to be a better follower, really he does, but sometimes it's just so HARD to be really really evil! Have him struggle against his annoying tendency for icky goodness, but fail when the proddings of his soft heart & hungry coinpouch (or other, baser, needs) align. He could even have some shameful connection to a heroic figure of good; perhaps an ancestor who was a champion of the very forces he now opposes... laying a seed of divided loyalties within him that never reachs deep enough to truly crack his dedication, but prevents him from achieving the true potential fo destruction within him.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

He could even have some shameful connection to a heroic figure of good; perhaps an ancestor who was a champion of the very forces he now opposes... laying a seed of divided loyalties within him that never reachs deep enough to truly crack his dedication, but prevents him from achieving the true potential fo destruction within him.

Scarily enough, I'd had an idea that's rather similar to that.

Any other ideas, people? One of the things that prompted the post was a thread a few days back on how people hated CN characters. I'd like to have a better portrayal than, say, having wild mood swings and changing my mind entirely too often.

Brad

 

[Snapdragyn]

Well, I don't know that this will work for a cleric of an evil god, but just for another CN example...

I had a CN assassin (DM house-ruled) whose alignment was not for 'having wild mood swings' but because no other alignment quite fit his zealotrous (is that a word?) morals. He was committed to ridding the world of 'monsters', a somewhat loose term in his mind which certainly included aberrations & all -- yes ALL -- outsiders. How he achieved this didn't really matter to him; he'd follow the rules of society if doing so helped his mission by avoiding difficulties with the law, but he held absolutely zero respect for the 'authorities' (& recognized no hold on him from them). Though he did follow a secretive organization committed to the same goals, he had enough doubts about their motivations to keep him from being Lawful within the framework of a small group. While Neutral could be argued on that axis, Chaotic seemed to fit best from the viewpoint of society & the party.

He certainly viewed the ultimate goal of his mission as good, but his commitment was so extreme that he was willing to sacrifice... even kill... innocents if the loss of a few allowed the 'greater good' of saving more (which is what he ultimately viewed 'destroying the monsters' as doing). For him, the tainting of his own spirit was an acceptable price to pay for his cause, so he'd use evil means to further a good end. Definitely not Good, not really Evil (he didn't favor evil means or anything, just wasn't afraid to go there if it presented the most efficacious solution) -- Neutral.

Basically, he was Anita Blake with less morals & no friends to protect; Edward with a bit more purpose.

 

[painandgreed]

Objectify your sacrifices. You love your friends, family and society, but your god demands sacrifice and that calls for people who are not your friends, family, or society. What you do you do for the better of your people and if somebody elses people are the cost, then better them than you. It's the way of the world. The gods demand sacrifices and since the begining of time they have gotten them. Who are you to go against the gods? perhaps you do not worship your god so much as act as his servant to appease him so that he is placated and leaves the people you like alone.

 

[iwatt]

Just use liberal dose of death knell on the battlefield: if any spell represents sacrificing for your evil god, this one does. Also, don't forget to enforce your characters opinions that no true frothing barbarian will kill wimpy slaves....your god deserves better