Need Help with a Background Plot Point

[CerebralAssassin]

Here's the situation:

One of my PC's will be playing a Half-Orc Paladin of the God of War. His village was destroyed when he was a small child as part of a social experiment by a human group. The group took all the very young children (less than 2 years old) and placed them in random places as a study in behavior and whether evil is inborn or taught.

It won't immediately affect the campaign that will be starting in May, but I'm wondering what type of people would do this?

A few notes: In my campaign, most Orcs are CN, though the PCs tribe happened to be evil (he's N). Also, humans don't have a unified nation in the area where this occured, so I was thinking it might be a religious group.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Nathan Hawks
The Cerebral Assassin

 

[Tonguez]

Here's the situation:

One of my PC's will be playing a Half-Orc Paladin of the God of War. His village was destroyed when he was a small child as part of a social experiment by a human group. The group took all the very young children (less than 2 years old) and placed them in random places as a study in behavior and whether evil is inborn or taught.

It won't immediately affect the campaign that will be starting in May, but I'm wondering what type of people would do this?

Freudian Psychologist perhaps?

The kind of psychological theories required for such a group are relatively modern or at least very advanced and 'atypical' of most DnD type worlds. Possibly a group of Sages (Lore Masters/Adepts etc) of some old civilisation with access to Psionics.

Anyway most of the Psychological theories which led to similar experiments on earth were created in the 18th Century amongst the idle rich, and I think similar conditions would be required for same to happen in a fantasy setting

I think these factors - the ability of sages to have the 'luxury' of Philosophy and Psionics to show that the mind is a complex and powerful tool - might be required in order for the Psycho theory being investigated to be developed.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

It could have been done by a group within the dominant LG church - perhaps there was a massive religious debate several decades back in which the LG clerics tried to determine an answer to the age-old "Kill all orc babies because they're inherently evil" argument.

It could be officially sanctioned by the church, or a splinter group could have decided to take action on their own.

It could lead to some interesting bits: Perhaps the PC has one or more "watchers" keeping tabs on him, just observing. He may notice them from time to time. Maybe when he hits a certain point, they may decide to present him with a series of challenges to determine exactly what sort of fellow he is.

 

[CerebralAssassin]

Tonguez: I realize that the premise is more modern than most worlds, but the player suggested this and I'm looking to see how I might make it work. I won't be using psionics initially (new DM).

Kid Charlemagne: I like the interesting bits you mention, and think I can work the watcher angle in quite easily. As for the tests, I think these may be useful as well. I thought of the LG deity as well, but was having a hard time thinking of one that would even debate the issue on more than a philosophical level, much less potentially condone such an act. I like the idea of a splinter group, though, once I figure out the deity "officially" behind it.

I don't have too many deities yet (I don't really need them unless the players or NPCs are going to follow them. Here's what I have so far:

War (LN), Nature (N), Protection (L/N G), Murder (NE), plus racial deities from PHB

So if anyone has a deity idea for who would perpetrate this, please contribute.

Nathan Hawks
The Cerebral Assassin

 

[Juradai]

Personally I think that ripping of the two old guys from Trading Places would be a goer. Two old Arch Mages (netherise style liches if you are vendictive) have been debating nature vs nurture and decided that the best way to do this would be by abducting babies from an evil race and having them raised as good as well as having done the same for good races (ie elves). Then you can have them either combat each other or join forces to get back at the mages (ie trading places). leads to interesting scenarios where the typical evil orcs are attacking the "good" elves somewhere were the locals can get involved etc.

 

[Benedict]

It seems to me that this sort of experiment is inherantly evil. Additionally it needs to be done by a group that is very aware of the psychological ramifications of such an act. It could be part of their ungoing study of subjugating other races; behavior modification through a contived setting.

I think the perfect culprits in this case are Illithids (Mind Flayers). Evil, psionic, slavers, and they are dangerous enough to have been the cause of destroying that village full of warriors.

Just an idea for ya there.

benedict