How many times...?

[reanjr]

I'd say it might be ok for a CN character to do this once in a long while. Neutral characters, while not necessarily the type to help others, generally are going to avoid harming others without provocation. Rude and annoying behavior is not provocation enough for this, but I can see a CN character being a bit unstable and not really thinking about it first (as it seems you may have done).

 

[Nightchilde-2]

Jersey in the house!

I can't really argue in correct terms, (I don't like cop shows) so I'll set up the scenario.

Detective is investigating the murder of authoritarian officials.
Detective leaves the crime scene and is approached by angry mob led by disheveled, dirty person with wild eyes, throwing items at the detective.
Detective says whatever he's supposed to and the leader continues to advance, throwing items and screaming obsceneties.
Detective draws his weapon, brandishes it, and says whatever he's supposed to again.
The leader continues to advance, throwing items and screaming obsceneties.

Does he wait to be surrounded and overtaken, or what is the correct reponse? (he and his partner are alone in a far-removed rural area, no backup, no support)


p.s., I think LukeLightning hit the nail on the head

I can't believe I'm getting into an alignment argument. Oh, World of Darkness, this is why I like your "alignment system" so much more.

Police (in the US anyway) are supposed to escalate in the following order:

1. Verbal commands.
2. "Soft hand" compliance (holds, armlocks, pressure points)
3. Chemical irratant such as pepper spray
4. Non lethal armament (stun weapons)
5. "Hard hand" punches, etc.
6. Impact weapons (batons, for instance)
7. Lethal force.

Obviously, there's discretion to a degree (I doubt a cop's gonna try to stop someone throwing a knife verbal commands), but if the person is just throwing trash, lethal force would be very uncalled for unless the officer had reason to believe his life was in immediate danger.

In this specific situation, just because there were no local law enforcement officers left doesn't mean there were no laws left. And unless the law of the land was to burn off faces for throwing trash (which, granted, would likely take care of the littering problem), you're looking at also violating the Lawful aspect, as well as the fact that burning an effectively innocent's face off is not the most Good of acts...

 

[lukelightning]

It's plain wrong to burn people on the street. That's what phantasmal killer is for.

 

[Bladesong]

He considers himself the law in this situation. He was commissioned by local lords to restore order to the area and resolve whatever is causing trouble.

I will confess that I only read this thread to this point, so if anyone already mentioned this I apologize. The section I underlined above is what I would have focused on myself. Something may be behind the "insanity" in which case the old woman was just a victim herself and you very much overstepped your bounds.
I read a lot of "good vs. evil" which is fine, but thus far nobody has mentioned how chaotic the act was. There was no balance (i.e. eye for an eye) and this definitely would leave the victim in a state of chaos. Generally if the society in question would consider this unacceptable, it is a chaotic act and would most definitely be a no-no for a LN character.
IMO it would have been fine, even for a paladin, to knock her unconscious and gently lay her to the ground in a reasonably safe spot. Acutally I would probably expect a paladin to take her to the nearest temple or get her a room at an inn, but I am sure you understand what I am saying. You do not burn down a forest to destroy one rotted tree (well...not a reasonable person anyway).

 

[werk]

Little boy lost?

I took the results of the poll to the group and was greated with a "Duh, of course it was evil." Which is what I had expected, and why I sought discussion here. I generally try to breathe life into my PCs then act according to how I see them acting, rather than in accordance with their alignment on the sheet. So the sheet will generally follow the act, rather than the other way around.

In light of everything in this thread, I've decided to continue playing him in this vein, that is, spiraling toward evil but striving only for the greater good. At this point, most of the party has branded him as evil and are ostracizing him (except when they need healing and buffs).

Hopefully he'll figure it all out before he turns undead and they fall into rank step behind him. If only there were a party member or NPC that would discuss morality with my lost teenager godless cleric... If only he wasn't learning how to live, alone, in the mean streets of Eberron... It's actually quite tragic.