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Message: <blockquote data-quote="N'raac" data-source="post: 6160902" data-attributes="member: 6681948">Backing up a minute, this changes the dynamic previously suggested considerably.  We can flee the identified SoD monster, but we have no ability to swap out the cleric's spell load for appropriate protections.  I guess we can buy or commission scrolls, but that definitely adds time, so if we're under any time pressure, that may not be an option.  Alternatively, if the cleric has the protective spells on his spontaneous list, then we're in little danger if we can ID the monster.  One of the more effective Clerics I've seen in play had two combat-ready domains, and Domain Spontaneity twice.  He could swap out (up to his Turn Undead attempts) any spell for a combat spell (domain spell) or (unlimited) curative spell.  So he could load up with situational spells - if the situation looked like it would not come up, they got swapped.An LG Cleric may well believe in "an eye for an eye; a life for a life".  Again, it's OK to kill the Orc to prevent him killing the farmer, but it's not OK to kill him to Raise the farmer he killed?  Either one results in a dead Orc and a live farmer.I consider the ability to discern between right and wrong to be a key to "a soul".  In a D&D world, they are commodities for lower planar beings, who need to turn these soul to evil to "win".  How do they corrupt those who cannot make moral judgements?  Where do their souls go?But have we not established that the value of a life (to a good character) far outstrips that of a diamond?  That second example is scary - how many fans throw themselves on the sword hoping to be "the one" that his hero accepts.  Not a pro or a con to the structure, just an observation.To that guaranteed evil - "respect for life" seems like it could easily have a different connotation when returning a fallen person is actually possible.One problem with ethics is that, even where there is a pretty easy answer in theory, the answer in practice is commonly a lot tougher to implement.  Business ethics classes, for example, always have me juxtaposing the ease of knowing one rejects the bribe, sacrifices their job/career, etc. to do the right thing, thus driving self and family into bankruptcy/poverty, on the exam.  Doing the right thing in real life tends to be a lot tougher, even when "the right thing" is comparatively easy to identify.  As you note, often even the theoretical answer is difficult to establish.</blockquote>

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