Walking the line of LN and LE, HELP!

[ManicMidget]

Well, heres my problem. My DnD group are currently playing an Eberron campaign with 5 players including myself. They are all LG characters, I on the other hand play a LN House Phiarlan elf who is DragonMarked. I am a 2nd level ninja/5th level Beguiler. We have just finished an adventure and have leveled up. After consulting my DM he has reworked the Thrallherd prestige class for me as it fits my manipulative escort well.
The problem is that the class takes away peoples free will and that will not sit well with the rest of my group so my DM and myself agreed to keep it quiet. Only now Im not sure how to go about walking that fine line with all this new power. Also, since we have a LG cleric in our group it wouldn't be a good idea to start glowing up every time she casts detect evil.
Is it possible to continue on that narrow path or should I start casting undetectable alignment every morning now and hope for the best?

 

[Stormborn]

Regardless of undetectable alignment the other PCs are going to wonder about your PC's actions, the spell doesnt really help if you have time to observe a person's behavior over time. I think playing out the balance will be fun, and that your PC should struggle with it. Maybe he or she doesnt see that kind of manipulation as inherently evil, but realizes that the others might and so goes to extra effort to do good works to counter balanace any percieved questionable activity. Meanwhile, if I was running the game, using marginally evil means to achieve good ends would be result in a neutral alignment, which I prefer to see as a person who does not tend to be more one than the other. Whether or not your DM will feel that way, and whether or not your PC would actually do enough good to stay N, would be a different story.

 

[ManicMidget]

The problem is that as a character she doesn't view it as good or evil, simply as a part of herself. She doesnt care what has to be done or who gets hurt as long as it isnt her and she gets what she wants in the end. She has grown attached to the other PCs and is a little more careful with their lives, although sacrificing them for her own goals would definately be an option. She is simply aware that she needs there help to achieve those targets.

How do you play manipulative characters without the other people in your group knowing that is your character trait should have been the real question. I personally struggle with being subtle and I find it hard to portray it as a character trait also which makes the task ahead even harder.

 

[freyar]

The problem is that as a character she doesn't view it as good or evil, simply as a part of herself. She doesnt care what has to be done or who gets hurt as long as it isnt her and she gets what she wants in the end. She has grown attached to the other PCs and is a little more careful with their lives, although sacrificing them for her own goals would definately be an option. She is simply aware that she needs there help to achieve those targets.

Wow, I think if you go by the book that's already pretty evil sounding. Might definitely want to add a few extra good acts in there just in case...

 

[ManicMidget]

My DM agrees that the character does indeed sound evil from the description, however the only thing stopping the character being full blown evil is how far she has gone as oppose to how far she is willing to go.

Its a fun character but having to keep the secret of her true potential and abilities is proving differcult for me.

 

[Squire James]

My advice is that you play a character that is both fun to play and does not require that you lie to other players to maintain. Save that guy for a party of more... Hextorian... inclinations.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Point #1: You state that you are playing in an Eberron Campaign... which I thought ran the 'Detect Evil' spell different, but it turns out I was wrong . Its really not an issue unless you pick up an [Evil] subtype or cast [Evil] spells, or pick up levels that cast spells from an [Evil] diety... read up on the spell description. The spell does not pick up alignments...

Point #2: Lawful Evil... depending on how you read the text can fit in perfectly with your character and the group. I see the alignment as the 'mercenary' alignment. Such characters are focused on the good/survival of the group *to which they ally with* and will do many 'good' deeds in support of them. Of course, they are perfectly willing to do much 'evil' deeds to others who are not part of thier clan, so to speak.

Depending on the quality of the group, I could see your character as a very interesting addition to the role-playing at the table. The gradual awareness that thier 'freind' does not view others as much more than objects to be used... but those same 'evil' powers have saved thier keisters.... what to do? Does the cleric try to convert you?


Your DM might have to come up with a 'turned' Thrallherd class in the event that the cleric successfully converts your character. Ideally the result would be some cool powers, albiet less strong that what the current PrC provides.

 

[Quartz]

Tht's a good idea - discuss with the GM and the other players your character's forthcoming temptation, fall into darkness, and redemption.

 

[ManicMidget]

My DMs reply was simply 'dont count on it, you've made your bed.' I think this is the perfect response though because the character has spent all her life developing an 'I want revenge' mentality. The other players are not aware of the class because of issues and conflicts that the developments could cause. Myself and my DM want the revelations to be a surprise and decisions based on it to be instinct rather than fully thought out plans by players rather than characters.

Im still trying to find a way of playing a character with thralls and followers while making sure the other PCs remain unaware of it. My DM is remaining very unbiased on that part, he believes that I should puzzle it out but I dont want to destroy the adventures he has planned because of my inexperience.

 

[Felix]

read up on the spell description. The spell does not pick up alignments...

Yes, it does. Just not quite yet.

Evil creature (HD)---10 or lower---11 to 25---26 to 50---51 or higher​

At 7 HD, you won't blip on a Detect Evil spell. You will once you hit 10 HD however, though your Evil Aura will be a faint one.

The problem is that the class takes away peoples free will and that will not sit well with the rest of my group so my DM and myself agreed to keep it quiet.

If you're found out, you're in trouble. Metagame speaking, is it really worth it? If in character you're discovered, will that destroy any party dynamic you've developed so far? Balance your desire to have a cool character with a desire to actively keep the party cohesive. The game will run much, much smoother.