Your opinion, Exalted characters polymorphing into demons?

[gabrion]

Some of the "best" forms for the polymorph spell (stat wise at least) are demons. I'm interested to hear whether or not people think exalted characters should be allowed to assume such forms.

As far as I know it is perfectly legal to use the polymorph spell to change into any eligible form, but it seems so dirty for an exalted character to turn into a demon (or devil for that matter). Any thoughts on the matter?

 

[Rystil Arden]

Some of the "best" forms for the polymorph spell (stat wise at least) are demons. I'm interested to hear whether or not people think exalted characters should be allowed to assume such forms.

As far as I know it is perfectly legal to use the polymorph spell to change into any eligible form, but it seems so dirty for an exalted character to turn into a demon (or devil for that matter). Any thoughts on the matter?

It should be fine since they don't pick up the [Evil] subtype with Polymorph. If they did, though, it would be aproblem.

 

[Crothian]

I wouldn't let them, it does seem wrong even if the rules technically might allow it

 

[Li Shenron]

By the rules yes, it is possible with no restrictions: they are assuming the form, they aren't becoming a fiend altogether, and they don't have to do evil while polymorphed.

Probably an exalted character (and maybe just a good one as well), would not like the idea generally, but in some occasion he may accept to do it, for example to disguise himself among other fiends or to fight them better.

 

[Gulla]

Since being exaltet is far up and beyond normal good I would not alow it. I would have no problem with a 'normally' good character doing it, and would even consider it ok far a paladin, but exalted characters don't ever use bad means whatever the goal. And to me "using abyssal power" by changing into a demon is over the line.

Håkon

 

[Eloi]

Take a good long browse through the Book of Exalted Deeds. See if you can't find plenty of good options for transformation.

 

[Li Shenron]

And to me "using abyssal power" by changing into a demon is over the line.

That's the questionable point: are they really using an "abyssal" power when shapechanging into a demon? For instance, Polymorph Self is not an "evil" spell when turning into an "evil"-typed creature. You assume the shape and some abilities, but you don't become that creature, nor you evoke anything from the outer planes or higher powers to do so.

There could be issues with some specific ability gained, but the character does not actually have to use it.

I still think that good characters may find it unpleasant, tho.

 

[Hypersmurf]

It should be fine since they don't pick up the [Evil] subtype with Polymorph. If they did, though, it would be aproblem.

Uh... your type and subtype change with Polymorph.

Of course, you can only Polymorph into a demon or devil if your type is already Outsider, but if you do, you pick up the Evil subtype...

But there's nothing stopping someone having the Evil subtype with a Good alignment. That's catered for in the subtype description.

-Hyp.

 

[Gulla]

(first adressing what I'm not quoting...)
I agree that they don't technically use abyssal power. The point is they use the form of personified Evil to do something.

I still think that good characters may find it unpleasant, tho.

And here we agree. The point is that Exalted characters should be above and beyond just Good. So, as I said, I whould let a Paladin do this, but not an Exalted character. The very concept of changing into a demon should revolt him and be seen as a fall from the very narow path of Exalted characters.

To me it is like saying 'I fight and live and serve Good, but Evil is so much cooler so I change into personified Evil to do this'. OK from a simply good viewpoing (use their own weapons against them). Not ok from an Exalted viewpoint.

But than again, by the rules it is not evil and then it comes down to the GMs interpretation of Exalted. The exalted paladin in my campaign could not get away with it. The Exalted wizard in someone elses campaign might

Håkon

 

[Kahuna Burger]

To me it is like saying 'I fight and live and serve Good, but Evil is so much cooler so I change into personified Evil to do this'. OK from a simply good viewpoing (use their own weapons against them). Not ok from an Exalted viewpoint.

exactly my thought when I heard the question. To choose a demonic form to polymorph/shapechange into for its "goodies" is to say "evil is better, stronger, I would be more effective as a force of evil." Even if this is sometimes true stat wise, that is just not exalted thinking.

Changing for some sort of subtrefuge is another matter entirely, of course.