Paladin Werewolves

[Merkuri]

As a DM, I would probably rule that the character was chaotic evil only while in beast form. The beast within is a separate personality, therefore it can have a separate alignment. This may not be RAW, but I think it makes the most interesting game.

Other than that, I'd agree with others who said the paladin can remain lawful good as long as he makes efforts to keep the beast restrained and atones for anything it kills.

 

[fireinthedust]

Polymorph: I didn't mean polymorph. Specifically I meant the chaotic aspects of the barbarian's rage which, though not technically linked to lycanthropy, have parallels: the temporary increase to strength and durability, speed, etc. That's what I meant. It's not RAW either, but it is a thematic consideration. Is the lycanthropy being used as an affliction? Then it's a curse, evil, and shouldn't be a boon (good phrase there, btw).


Werebear: I don't count the other lycanthropy types. Ever since I can remember (2e, I think started it) there have been the evil werewolves and the happy-clappy were-goodguys-because-nature-is-awesome. My original group saw the DMs girlfriend become a were-dragon. If there was a were-puppy template I'm sure someone would love it for their gnome or familiar. Natural lycanthropes could be a race, sure, and I don't mind that. I just wouldn't mix them with the demon taint of the wolfman, that's all.

Personally, I'm just a fan of afflicted lycanthropes. I don't see goodly creatures transforming people's alignments through an affliction like werebearism to be a realistically "good" thing. Evil is corruption, so I can see that; and it works with the curse/affliction aspect of lycanthropy.

In theory, a werebear Paladin would want to afflict as many orcs, goblins, and evil humanoids and human criminals with werebearism as they can. A band of werebear clerics could seriously upset the balance of good and evil, needing TN druids to step in. Make sense?

 

[Stormonu]

Polymorph: I didn't mean polymorph. Specifically I meant the chaotic aspects of the barbarian's rage which, though not technically linked to lycanthropy, have parallels: the temporary increase to strength and durability, speed, etc.

Increases to strength, durability, etc. are also tied to spells like Enlarge, Bull's Strength, Divine Power and the like. It need not be associated with the barbarian's rage so much as a "powerful augmentation". Unless you want to argue that by say, using Enlarge, the paladin is risking becoming a brute like the Hulk - and such an interpretation is not suppoted by the rules, as there is no decrease to intelligence.

Polymorph: I didn't mean polymorph. Specifically I meant the chaotic
Werebear: I don't count the other lycanthropy types.

Unfortunately, by doing so, you are ignoring a large part of D&D's history as well as actual myth (as is your wont to do, if you so desire - the game is about choices). However, Werebears have been in the game since at least 1E (if not OD&D) and I beleive they were modeled on Beorn and his band from the Hobbit (I have no idea where Tolkien picked werebears up from mythology - possibly the original idea of werewolves; those who gained the ability to adopt an animal's strength and shape by donning its pelt).

<EDIT:> And, if you've seen or read C.S. Lewis's Voyage of the Dawn Treader, well, there's your weredragon...

 

[Stormonu]

In theory, a werebear Paladin would want to afflict as many orcs, goblins, and evil humanoids and human criminals with werebearism as they can. A band of werebear clerics could seriously upset the balance of good and evil, needing TN druids to step in. Make sense?

While I have to say that idea never crossed my mind until you voiced it, it doesn't sound like a half-bad plot to an adventure.

Of course, there could be problems the priests/paladin run into:

1) Will they be negatively affected for removing the victim's choice to choose between good and evil?

2) They will be responsible for the actions of those they leave alive until the change takes affect (could be several moons and changes before they switch to LG, if the humanoids don't find some way to remove the curse)

3) They have to deliberately inflict harm on others (for adventuring priests, this probably isn't a problem) or risk harm to themselves (hey, it might work the first few times around, but at some point they're going to start facing parties hunting them with silver weapons and such)

4) It isn't 100% guaranteed the evil creatures will contract lycanthropy.

Other than these (possible) concerns, I don't see why it couldn't occur. In fact, you could even set up a sort of lycanthrope war: evil Werewolves are spreading their plague and mayhem, good Werebears are secretly converting fellows to their cause to stem the growing tide and hunters of both creatures stuck in the middle.

 

[TanisFrey]

From the 3.5E MM glossary, disucussing alignment (p.305)

I think most PCs fall into the "unique or rare exceptions" myself, and there's always Rule 0.

With a good story line I am fine with a werewolf gaining an alignment other than CE. It should take a helm of opposite alignment, miracle, wish or divine intervention.

As a default the afflicted werewolf should have an alignment of CE while in the beast form until a cure or magic or quest is preformed.

<EDIT:> And, if you've seen or read C.S. Lewis's Voyage of the Dawn Treader, well, there's your weredragon...

That was not a weredragon, that a baleful polymorph. The kid failed the fort save but made the will save and was stuck until divine intervention occurred because he earned through an unselfish act of courage during a quest. He was then allowed to complete the quest.

 

[Shemeska]

2) Paladins shouldn't be able to use bestial powers. They're chaotic powers.

All those NG celestials (Guardinals or Agathions depending on your edition) might take issue with that notion actually, given the animal/idealized nature/peaceable kingdom thing they have going on.

 

[Stormonu]

With a good story line I am fine with a werewolf gaining an alignment other than CE. It should take a helm of opposite alignment, miracle, wish or divine intervention.

As a default the afflicted werewolf should have an alignment of CE while in the beast form until a cure or magic or quest is preformed.


That was not a weredragon, that a baleful polymorph. The kid failed the fort save but made the will save and was stuck until divine intervention occurred because he earned through an unselfish act of courage during a quest. He was then allowed to complete the quest.

Isn't a Baleful Polymorph supposed to turn you into a harmless creature, not a more powerful one?

 

[TanisFrey]

Isn't a Baleful Polymorph supposed to turn you into a harmless creature, not a more powerful one?

You get turned into whatever the caster wants within some limits but, it is a different world than D&D, so C. S. Lewis can write his magic system to his own liking.

 

[fireinthedust]

goblinoid "re-education camps"

more humane in the long run, and they'll thank you for it.

 

[fireinthedust]

Isn't a Baleful Polymorph supposed to turn you into a harmless creature, not a more powerful one?

yeah, it's the awesome version of that spell, as far as a D&D game would be concerned.

I think it's called "not-that-baleful polymorph", or "wouldn't-this-be-awesome polymorph", or "early-20th-century-literary-device-representing-loss-of-humanity-to-greed Polymorph"... which I guess is less than awesome.