Author Topic: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...  (Read 4956 times)

Cebrimal

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Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« on: July 14, 2010, 04:21:16 PM »
I rolled up a paladin, and I couldn't help but to notice that the 'detect evil' skill detects chaotic auras, but mentions nothing about evil.

vlowe72

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2010, 04:32:06 PM »
As it should be.  Detect Evil doesn't work in Ravenloft.

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Bluebomber4evr

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2010, 04:46:40 PM »
What vlowe said. It is impossible for anyone (except possibly full-blooded Vistani, which are not allowed as a playable race) to magically discern moral (good/evil) alignment in the Ravenloft setting. All attempts either fail or are altered to detect ethical (law/chaos) alignment instead.

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Cebrimal

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2010, 05:13:28 PM »
I've been advised that if I am to use the 'detect evil', I would know no different and thus would think chaotic beings are evil?

Bluebomber4evr

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2010, 05:33:12 PM »
I've been advised that if I am to use the 'detect evil', I would know no different and thus would think chaotic beings are evil?
Basically, yes. The point being that your character cannot rely on magical abilities to determine someone else's alignment in this world; he must rely on his own judgment instead.

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herkles

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2010, 05:33:45 PM »
As I said IG, Yes. It is an IC mechanism so if you do rely on it heavily then you would perceive the people as evil.


marlewebber

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2010, 06:02:24 PM »
I rolled up a paladin, and I couldn't help but to notice that the 'detect evil' skill detects chaotic auras, but mentions nothing about evil.

 :devil: nyahaha...nahahahahAHAHAHA!

HellsPanda

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2010, 06:22:26 PM »
it is more fun when you encounter people like Banites, Lawgivers and Zarusians... who come up as "Good", while speaking of enslaving people, and world domination, and the extermination of the lesser races

Rex

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2010, 06:24:22 PM »
As an LG Paladin, Chaos is about as Icky as Evil anyway, especially considering it's the fastest road to get to screaming mad psychotic killer anyway.  Unless you're playing a computer game of course.  Computer society thinks differently then gameing in the real world.

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Zedrik

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2010, 11:10:54 PM »
The (extremely rare) native Paladins, however, will have always had the detect chaos version.
How they interpret that information, though, is.. Iunno.

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Emomina

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2010, 11:16:36 PM »
mistaken identity causing a Paladin to do something regrettable, and fighting inner demons before attempting to atone is something I've always thought would be an interesting story arc.
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Rex

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2010, 02:50:15 PM »
Hmmm.....I'd settle for the Paladins doing something about the Identities they CAN'T possibly Mistake, as opposed to "Insert what happens all the time here...."

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Minstrel

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2010, 09:51:30 AM »
If they're wearing black robes, or being exceptionally smarmy and insulting, chances are they're evil.

You'd think otherwise, but honestly, it's more accurate than Detect Evil most the time.

tzaeru

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #13 on: August 13, 2010, 09:54:05 AM »
If they're wearing black robes, or being exceptionally smarmy and insulting, chances are they're evil.

You'd think otherwise, but honestly, it's more accurate than Detect Evil most the time.

This also explains why paladins get gradually fewer the higher level they get.  :P They are all alone and die in solitude, in middle of black robed arm folding tree-leaners.

My paladin's ultimate reaction, after a 2-3 years, was to develope a fully new approach to the Divine and religion. The first 6 months were a mess though - the IC-wise confusion of cut out connection and malfunctioning detect evil is awesome.  :twisted:
« Last Edit: August 13, 2010, 09:55:36 AM by tzaeru »

Time_Stomped

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #14 on: August 13, 2010, 12:49:28 PM »
You forget wearing hoods/helms all of the time = evil all of the time.
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Emomina

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #15 on: August 13, 2010, 02:54:28 PM »
You forget wearing hoods/helms all of the time = evil all of the time.

Lol. no. no correlation at all there.
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Jay

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #16 on: August 15, 2010, 04:04:43 AM »
You're also forgetting one important thing. Paladin's aren't some sort of holy killing machines... (okay some of the might) It's not like they look at a Caliban and go "You're HUGE! That must mean you have huge EVIL! Smite and Cleave!". Almost all of them are highly charismatic individuals, and as such they inspire others around them by their actions. Being a paladin isn't always about finding the biggest baddest thing out there and killing it. Because lets face it, if it was none of them would get past level 2.
But anyway. On Topic: Yes, Detect evil doesn't work in revaloft, OOC i think this is a serious blessing because it forces Paladins to use discernment and subtlety when dealing with other people instead of just "I detect Evil, If yes, then i kill." Leading to much better role-play opportunities and some much less stereotypical paladins.

HellsPanda

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #17 on: August 15, 2010, 06:38:02 AM »
they are also Lawfull, and generally try to operate within laws, so they should try to have proof he is deserving of three feet of steel in the gut

Time_Stomped

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Re: Detect Evil .... doesn't detect evil...
« Reply #18 on: August 15, 2010, 10:40:42 AM »
You forget wearing hoods/helms all of the time = evil all of the time.

Lol. no. no correlation at all there.

Because I was joking.

Anyway protection of calibans aren't in the laws of Barovia anyway.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2010, 10:48:34 AM by Time_Stomped »
Istavan Donner