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The Layonara Community => Ask A Gamemaster => Topic started by: davidhoff on October 21, 2011, 04:00:52 AM

Title: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 21, 2011, 04:00:52 AM
This was a question that came into my head based on some other threads I've been reading.

What is the difference between a evil/lawful Rofi and a good/lawful Rofi?  My take on it would be they both are bound to uphold the laws of the territory because upholding laws is their highest calling.  For example, if they were in a evil city run by the evil king and the king's law was "whatever I say it is" and the king decided that every first born was to be sacraficed to his glory...then I guess both the G/L and E/L Rofi would accept this as proper?  Maybe the G/L Rofi might not agree with the law, but would not oppose it?  Or would the G/L Rofi disagree with the law, but follow it, and try to lobby to have it changed?  Or would the G/L Rofi not follow this law at all because it is evil and he doesn't recognize it as law?

Just wondering...thanks
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Xaltotun on October 21, 2011, 04:21:14 AM
For me, the answer is quite straight forward. The LG Roffie would accept that the king's word is law, but would have to leave the kingdom as he could not in all conscience carry out those orders. The LE Roffie would be happy to obey since it is the law and since it squares his with her own feelings too.

Reverse this and the LE Roffie would struggle with an LG king's demands and leave. If either carried out the opposite aligned king's demands, then their alignment would have to change, I would say.

Both may try to convert the king or their comrades, but if the overwhelming balance was towards one or the other, then the opposite good/evil should struggle to convert the mass.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Aphel on October 21, 2011, 04:48:05 AM
In my opinion, if the King shows that his law is chaotic in the core, meaning that he himself does not obey it (eg. sacrificing his own firstborn), even the LE Rofirein would work against the king as he is violating the law. For a Follower of the Lord Protector, the law of the Lord Protector (and the principles that go by it) should supersede any and all law of the realm.
Even a LE Rofirein could work against a NE king. Isn't evil what methods somebody chose to reach her or his goals?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Script Wrecked on October 21, 2011, 05:08:35 AM
Quote from: davidhoff
This was a question that came into my head based on some other threads I've been reading.

What is the difference between a evil/lawful Rofi and a good/lawful Rofi?  My take on it would be they both are bound to uphold the laws of the territory because upholding laws is their highest calling.  For example, if they were in a evil city run by the evil king and the king's law was "whatever I say it is" and the king decided that every first born was to be sacraficed to his glory...then I guess both the G/L and E/L Rofi would accept this as proper?


No.

Quote from: davidhoff
 Maybe the G/L Rofi might not agree with the law, but would not oppose it?


No.

Quote from: davidhoff
 Or would the G/L Rofi disagree with the law, but follow it, and try to lobby to have it changed?


No.

Quote from: davidhoff
 Or would the G/L Rofi not follow this law at all because it is evil and he doesn't recognize it as law?


Yes.

Quote from: davidhoff
Just wondering...thanks


Previous [THREAD=259202]discussion[/THREAD] regarding being Lawful Good and bad laws.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: drakogear on October 21, 2011, 05:58:06 AM
Perhaps not much of an answer but... (just for the fun of it :) ) My thoughts on this...

In, short: How they deal with bribery.

Man tries to bribe a LG Rofi and gets hauled away in chains.

Man tries to bribe a LE Rofi and the Rofi accepts, pockets the coins and looks the other way. As to tries getting any other witnesses to look away aswell... for a bit more coin.

"Move along people. There's nothing to see here."

In other words, LE Rofi's are the same as today's crooked cops... or so I'd imagine :p
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Pibemanden on October 21, 2011, 06:19:37 AM
I doubt they are anything like crooked cops, the evil Rofi might take the true and then have the man dragged away in chains anyway. A crooked cop does not care about the law, an evil rofi worships a god who places the law in front of everything else. So the evil Rofi would use the law to his advantage(ie. take the gold), but still follow it by turning the man in and possibly also turning the profit in to the temple.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Alatriel on October 21, 2011, 07:20:46 AM
The way I see Lawful Evil and Lawful Good And therefore Lawful Neutral Rofireinites has to do a lot with how punishments are handed down through the courts (or in general)

For example.  A child is caught stealing food from a local vendor because he is hungry.

Lawful Good: The punishment would take into account the child's situation and age and work out a punishment that would correct the infraction by correcting the child's situation at the same time.  Perhaps making them understand that theft is not acceptable by placing the child in the custody of the church and teaching him/her right from wrong while making sure that the child is fed and cared for properly.

Lawful Neutral:  Given the child's age and offense, would have the child work for the food he/she stole to compensate and learn right from wrong through community service and hard work.

Lawful Evil:  Cut off the child's hand because the only way to ensure that the child will never steal again is by harsh punishment.  This way it also sends an example to others that theft will not be tolerated in any form or fashion.


Lawful good sees punishment in redemption and empathic judgments and ways to "heal" the person in order to overcome the situations, where applicable and reasonable, by solving the baseline problem instead of the actual crime.  This does NOT mean that a Lawful Good Rofireinite will not hand down a harsh sentence, but it means that they will look at the person who committed the crime and judge by that as well.

Lawful Neutral sees punishment as needing to be fair across the board.  The best way to show the people that the laws are fair is to make sure that every person and every crime is treated fairly and the same.  They look at the crime, and what is listed to be the fair punishment according to the lands for said crime.  If people are treated differently case-by-case, they start to claim favoritism and discrimination, which undermines the legal system because people no longer have faith in the laws and think that they can talk their way out of punishment if they get caught.  Judgments are balanced and fair, but also consistent.

Lawful Evil sees punishment as needing to be harsh because through harsh punishment people can be controlled through fear.  If they fear the punishment they will not commit the crime.  Each punishment serves to punish the criminal as well as set an example for others to keep them in line and keep a tight control on society.  This way, society remains ordered and strict and easier to control.  This makes society safer, and punishments, though harsh, are for their own good because through absolute control, their lives will be protected.  Individuality breeds chaos, so it is not often accepted or tolerated.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: cbnicholson on October 21, 2011, 08:38:30 AM
I'm a 100% with Alatriel on this one...surprisingly.;)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: mixafix on October 21, 2011, 09:50:55 AM
I think some of the examples are going off point to where the individual has the ability to set the behaviour as opposed to
 
 how does a Rofie, with a certain alignment LE, LG, or LN (who may be a paladin - with further behavioural traits)
 
 deal with a law
 
 (set by someone else) in a place(they [the decider] may or may not work in)
 
 It remains a potentially complex set of circumstances that likely cannot be fully answered as players/GM need to be addressing all these areas of a pc
 
 alignment
 Deity
 Class
 RP perception of an NPC/area
 GM on the day
 Spanners in the works
 
 How long is a piece of string - guidelines are fine but it may just not pan out the way expected on any given day! I would suggest - so relying on it...may not be wise.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Alatriel on October 21, 2011, 11:20:13 AM
I think another thing to address, which Mixafix may have been touching on, is that a LE Rofireinite is not necessarily the same as a LE of another deity.  (since this question was specific to Rofie, I didn't bring this up before)  While the guidelines to LE are pertaining to the alignment in and of itself, it's also necessary to take into account in the case of Rofireinites with that alignment that they have TWO sets of restrictions governing their behavior, their alignment, and their religion.  A Lawful Evil person who does not follow Rofirein may work through the system charismatically to make people believe that all problems with society are the fault of some sort of group.  He/She would give them a common enemy and put him/herself as the way to solve that problem by total faith and commitment to him/her as their leader.  Then slowly, things would become more intense with the annihilation of the "outsiders" or the ones that are perceived as the threat or cause of all problems or "evil."

Examples:  Adolf Hitler, Emperor Palpatine, Emperor Jagang (Sword of Truth Series), Magneto.

Another form of LE is those who follow a strict code but choose to not wait for the established law of the land to act because it may be "too slow" or "too ineffective" because the established law may not punish as severely as the person would like.  These may be gang leaders or vigilantes.  With Vigilantes, the difference between a chaotic vigilante and a lawful one is their method and purpose.  A lawful evil vigilante may have decided that a certain group of people or type of people is a problem.  It may be that a band of brigands continuously attack people on a certain road.  The lawful evil vigilante may decide that for the "greater good" he will hunt down and brutally kill every single one of them, securing the road for himself so that he can now ensure that passage through the road is safe- with due respect and tribute to the one who has secured it of course.

There are obviously many different examples of that sort of thing.  The difference with Rofireinites who are lawful evil is that they follow the god of Law.  So their religion dictates to them their behavior as well as their personality.  Their means of behavior inside those double confines leaves less wiggle room.  Rofirein is a protector of the common man, so therefore the lawful evil Rofireinite would still be acting in the capacity of protecting the common man, but they also would not be doing things that are illegal.  They would find ways in each setting to legally enact the harshest way possible, but it would be framed in a manner to educate others that deviating from the Divine Laws was not beneficial for them.  Either way, Lawful Evil tends to be known mostly for it's desire for power, and sustainable power.  Lawful evil Rofireinites would have little tolerance for those that Rofirein does not hold favor for and would probably not be sad to see all of them eliminated completely.  (If the whole world followed Rofirein, we wouldn't have to worry about Corathites or Mistites, or Xeenites, or Pyrthechonites, or any of those other "evil" gods that cause problems and strife and chaos, and we might as well get rid of gods that promote individuality either while we're at it, since they simply confuse people.)  Order above individuality.  Structure over freedom.  People don't need to be free, they need to be controlled- that is how best to protect the common man as per the Divine Law.

Lawful Evil is one of the most difficult powers to remove once in place because most of the time it was put there by the general consensus in a way that was perfectly legal and not only accepted, but often pushed for by the people.  It is often the kind of thing where the population rallies to support this "new regime that will solve all problems" only to find out after they've gotten what they wanted, that perhaps it wasn't the best idea after all.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: gilshem ironstone on October 21, 2011, 11:29:10 AM
Quote from: Alatriel


Another form of LE is those who follow a strict code but choose to not wait for the established law of the land to act because it may be "too slow" or "too ineffective" because the established law may not punish as severely as the person would like.  These may be gang leaders or vigilantes.  With Vigilantes, the difference between a chaotic vigilante and a lawful one is their method and purpose.  A lawful evil vigilante may have decided that a certain group of people or type of people is a problem.  It may be that a band of brigands continuously attack people on a certain road.  The lawful evil vigilante may decide that for the "greater good" he will hunt down and brutally kill every single one of them, securing the road for himself so that he can now ensure that passage through the road is safe- with due respect and tribute to the one who has secured it of course.



Example: Dexter Morgan
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: willhoff on October 21, 2011, 01:43:41 PM
Its difficult to have a hard and fast answer on this question I think.  

Seems there are three sources of law: 1) Divine; 2) Government; 3) Personal Code.

For a Rofie it seems that law from Government should trump/be stronger than law from a personal code.  Divine Law, especially for a paladin or cleric, do not conflict with Government as Lore states that Rofireinites shall:

Quote
Hold the law above all else at any cost, even if this means bringing loved ones or friends to justice.


A Lawful/Good Rofi would be in quite a pickle if he had to choose between obeying a law he deemed bad/evil.  If he chose to break the law he would be disobeying his divine calling to "Hold the law above all else".  If he follows the law he would be deviating from his "good" alignment.  Which axis, Lawful/chaotic vs. Evil/Good  will he side with?

It even seems that a lawful evil Rofie is a contradiction.  Under Lore as mentioned above it says they should hold the law above all else but under Lore for lawful evil it says that:

Quote
Respects honor and self-discipline. Has no time for the law.


A Lawful Evil person with no deity could draw their source of law from either three of the sources I suppose with divine being the least likely.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Aphel on October 21, 2011, 01:58:30 PM
"Hold Rofirein's law above all else."
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 21, 2011, 02:28:28 PM
It seems that any Lawful Rofie (G,N, or E) would be obligated to uphold the "Law of Land" (whether that be Rael, Brelin, etc).  That is their diety's calling above all else.  The purpose of this is to protect order and prevent chaos.  The character's personal code/law has no bearing in the decision because it is the Law of the Land that has been put in place to promote stability in that particular area.  If they were to fight or disobey the Law of the Land and not uphold it, they would be instigating chaos and unrest...the greatest sin a Rofie can commit.  The L/G or L/N might have issues with an Evil dictatorship, but they would still have to uphold the law.  They could try to change the law through legal and civil appeals/amemdments/petitions, but that would be about it.  When the Rofie church said a while back that it was supporting Rael's war against the dark elf invasion (http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/281411-rofireinites-support-rael.html), they didn't just ask L/E Rofies to help Rael, they meant all Rofies.

From Willhoff:
Quote
It even seems that a lawful evil Rofie is a contradiction. Under Lore as mentioned above it says they should hold the law above all else but under Lore for lawful evil it says that:

Quote:
Respects honor and self-discipline. Has no time for the law.


A lawful evil Rofie seems to be even more of a contradiction when you throw in another portion of the write-up on lore for Rofireine, as follows:

Quote
Aid others whenever and wherever possible as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not make way for acts of evil.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 21, 2011, 04:07:58 PM
It is silly to bring it down to 'law of the land' level.  What that does is make the Rofireinite faith pointless.  Every kingdom, every town, can make laws, and they will differ depending on the nature of the rulers of those places.  Having Rofireinites go along with whatever local laws exist means making them mindless drones.  Keeping track of a hundred different sets of laws is actually very chaotic, not orderly at all.

What is orderly and sensible is remembering it is a faith, with a very order-loving god of law and justice and protection, and that it is Rofirein's law that should be followed above all.  Sure, follow the laws of mortals as much as you can, but remember they never ever trump Rofirein's law.

You may notice a preference for the chaotic over the orderly in reality.  I can't explain that, though I have complained about it.  Rofireinites are so well-respected around the world that having them run the courts is a show of legitimacy.  Rael didn't wreck the Rofireinite Citadel in Prantz, did he?  Think of Vehl, though.  It's full of people who spit in the face of everything Rofireinites hold sacred.  It's fine to set up a temple there and try to spread the word, but to assist with laws and a system of 'justice' everyone knows to be corrupt to the core is exactly the opposite of what Rofireinites should be doing.  "These laws make a mockery of our Lord Protector and our faith.  We should support them to our dying breath."  Seriously?  Support to the government should be given in proportion to their acceptance and alignment with Rofirein's law and justice.  How does supporting the corrupt government protect the people, or uphold justice?  It's not all about law.  It's not all about court.  Anyone can make laws.  Anyone can run a trial.  It's about Rofirein's law and just trials, and doing things The Right Way.  That's what should be underlying everything, so that it is an orderly church with a firm foundation, rather than a bunch of simpletons following rules because they are rules.

Without going into detail (because, holy cow, would you hate it - you should thank me), the Evil available to Rofireinites is so weak as to be almost indistinguishable from a LN character having a bad day, OR creates situations where the character is essentially a 'tough punishment' machine who seeks such justice as to cause injustice elsewhere, which isn't very Rofireiny, is it?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Miasma Hemlock on October 21, 2011, 06:36:40 PM
I'd think things like compassion would come into it.. Say a family is illegally squatting on private property, a LE might kick them out and say "it's your problem", where LG would also force them to leave but would go out of their way to find them somewhere else to live.

Or LG might punish with compassion and try to give criminals a chance at redemption after the fact where LE would be more about strict sentencing and "eye for an eye." In this case LE Rolf types may be more popular with the public who tend to want to see harsh justice instead of a soft heart and second chances.

Also the religion is an organization with ranks and leaders and followers and here is also where you'd see good and evil come to play. LE could be someone who has their eye on rising to the top of the ranks as quickly as possible and will climb over everyone else to do it (in a way that doesn't actually break laws, but is still very selfish.) Where maybe LG doesn't seek power at all and always works as part of a team and puts others before them.

I could actually see the Rolf. church having more LE leaders than LG, because LE tends to be the kind who seeks out power and is willing to do what it takes to get it, where the LG might be more inclined to go out into the world and do good deeds instead.

Or not.. Just some thoughts.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 21, 2011, 07:31:30 PM
My two cents concerning what Gulnyr touched on about the RIght Way of doing things and the alignment contradictions. Feel free to dispute this.

Firstly, Gulnyr (and yes my experance in this is near zero and im going on interpretation mostly) said that its about Rofirenite's Laws etc.
I was once told that the Divine Court of which Rofirene was apart of and who set down the Divine Law or whatever is likey to hold sway over any other laws they encounter. Now I dont know the divine law or how clashes may be dealt with when a follower of the gold gets involved. However, tis been stated, a Rofirenite is likely to follow the creed of his god before that of others, especially if they conflict. You set a Rofirenite loose in a corrupt city who no doubt have laws or atleast fronts of laws, I seriously doubt he would care about them. His god's decree comes first.
Like with Vehl, if they reject the Gold, are known for corruption and whatever else, and they place some law down that doesnt coincide with what Rofirenite and the other gods laid out, they arent going to care, a LE might choose to follow it if it serves a decent lawful purpose, and his own goals and not specifically care if its repressive on the victim or unfair in some individual cases. A lawful good may feel obligated to step up and challenge it, on accounts of his 'good' nature and the fact that its technically not a Law endorsed by Rofirien.
But like I said im just making an interpretation of what ive heard and read but ultimately agree with what I skim-read from Gulnyr. Rofirenites put the Gold and his ideals first, the alignments of the individual decide nitty gritty details of how they might react to certain situations, but their decision WILL be affected by their faith and beliefs first, especially if they are clerics or paladins in which case ofcourse the faith restriction comes first and foremost in their minds BEFORE their personal alignment (else your not playing the class).

More generally speaking on alignments of characters; I presume (and hope) that the bullet points on the LORE pages about each alignment combination are a set of guidelines that one must keep in mind when designing the psyche of their character. They should show in some form, maybe not all of them, but a fair number of them in a character's decisions, reactions, personality etc.
That said, they are, to me atleast: guidelines.
If they were not we'd all have a bunch of clones between them and diety restrictions. Each character is free to interpret things differently, react in different ways and sometimes break their normal or expected patterns in special, significant circumstances (especially if they are diety classes; Alatriel has a good example of a Torie paladin and cleric she taught the kiddies at the TLP ;) ). This allows for a diversity in characters but the general consensus is if you make a NG character for example. Dont make him follow the law just cause its the law and especially if its flat out cruel/unjust, and vice versa dont make an NE character who gives away his worldly possessions to a child with big teary eyes simply cause he said please in a cute voice; maybe he does it but considering your alignment, a good reason that benefits them in short or long term is in order dont you think? A good example of NE is Riddick from Pitch Black and Chronicles of RIddick . He's the hero but he's evil aligned, that is obvious.
So long as you relate to most of the guidelines (somehow) in your character's personality and justify why some of them dont apply, your free to decide the loopholes etc. so long as they reasonable.

So two LE rofirenites will put their gods faith first if they are strongly devout, but how they choose to operate within those boundaries is completely up to them unless there are extreme circumstances that would make them turn against the Gold's Law and put themselves or their way of interpreting the 'true purpose' behind a Law before what it actually states (as an example).

I say this because if this were not possible, people would'nt be capable of CDQ'ing falling from grace, alignment shifts or diety conversion.
So if you can reasonably argue the mentality or reasoning behind whatever action your character makes, well you should be alright.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 21, 2011, 08:16:10 PM
Quote from: Miasma Hemlock
Also the religion is an organization with ranks and leaders and followers and here is also where you'd see good and evil come to play. LE could be someone who has their eye on rising to the top of the ranks as quickly as possible and will climb over everyone else to do it (in a way that doesn't actually break laws, but is still very selfish.) Where maybe LG doesn't seek power at all and always works as part of a team and puts others before them.

I'm not trying to pick on you; this is just a good example of how justice, honesty, and honor are lost in the shadow of law.  Everyone does it, for some reason.

If the faith and church were only about laws and rules, this sort of thing might be true.  But there's so much more to it.  It's not one-dimensional.  "You are a paragon of virtue and honor." "Dedicate your life to justice."  Consider honor, honesty, and justice in the example above.  Yes, elsewhere (aka not in the Rofireinite church) LE might make such a power-grab, but not within the church.  How is clawing over the more deserving honest, honorable, or just?  If a LE character "embellishes" a report to give himself more credit so he appears more eligible for promotion, he has been dishonest, dishonorable, and unjust.  How is that in line with Rofirein's commandments?

It's very hard to play an Evil Rofireinite.  That's not any sort of "I challenge you to try it."  I actually suspect it would be very frustrating.  I have a LG Rofireinite and feel frustrated pretty often, with far fewer problems balancing alignment and dogma.  This is what I was saying before about an Evil Rofireinite basically just being a LN guy having a bad day.  You can't honor Rofirein's dogma and do the usual Evil stuff.  It's a very, very light-weight Evil.

Quote from: Dremora
You set a Rofirenite loose in a corrupt city who no doubt have laws or atleast fronts of laws, I seriously doubt he would care about them. His god's decree comes first.
Like with Vehl, if they reject the Gold, are known for corruption and whatever else, and they place some law down that doesnt coincide with what Rofirenite and the other gods laid out, they arent going to care

I wish that were so.  Not very long ago, a PC committed crimes in Vehl and was tried, sentenced, and executed by Rofireinites.  Admittedly, those actions would have been crimes pretty much anywhere, but that's no excuse to help the corrupt government.  If Vehl and Co'rys want the legitimacy of the Rofireinites, they need to clean up and get more in line with Rofirein's law and open, proper justice.  Maybe they're fine with the mob boss style, and that's fine.  The Rofireinites can help the people directly and ignore the government, refusing to grant their stamp of approval.  

The Rofireinites are almost always portrayed as a bunch of Lawful Stupid guys who follow whatever rules are in front of them, which is a shame.

Quote
So if you can reasonably argue the mentality or reasoning behind whatever action your character makes, well you should be alright.

The problem here is that mentality and reasoning are fine in-character, but the rules are clear on what is Good and what is Evil out-of-character.  If a character does something Evil, it's Evil no matter how you justify it.  "Yes, I slaughtered the entire orc tribe, but they were raiding the fields and caused starvation in the village!"  Well, good for the villagers, but you still murdered innocent and guilty alike without concern for their lives or dignity - that's Evil.  Good is about respecting all life, not just life that looks more or less like real life humans.

It also doesn't help that people with good imaginations can more easily think of ways to justify anything.  This is part of why no one can pin down Robin Hood's alignment without someone else offering a reasonable rebuttal.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 21, 2011, 10:56:13 PM
"The Rofireinites are almost always portrayed as a bunch of Lawful Stupid guys who follow whatever rules are in front of them, which is a shame."


I think that might be just a slight over exaggeration. Unless you are referring to a general perception amongst players who havent had to play a Rofi character before, then I might agree with you. Unless you have made and played a Rofi character its hard to understand the difficulty that often comes with it. Its not only the usual 'good guys' we have to pick on thing its the whole 'lets mess with them by doing things they should react too but cant due to game sutuation' aspect that often frustrates Rofi players, myself included, at times.

Still the bottom line is Rofireinites ultimate goal is to provide stability and harmony through peace and justice for the common man. How they go about providing that is open to debate.

In Rael they chose to accept the new ruler and constantly wear down the administration to the point where Rael realised that unless he met them half way he would never ever be recognised as a legitimate power and would be constantly subject to invasion and assaults from other lands and bands of adventurers. Now one thing Rael and the Rofireinites have in common is an aversion to chaos. Chaos interferes with stability and harmony. Thus there was some common ground in this instance and Rael has come a long way in working to provide order and improve his reputation on the surface. There will of course be those who can never accept what he replaced but the rofireinites have to at some point look to the future and Rael is a stabilising and ordered force for Dreger.

In Vehl the idea was to be the same but its proven to be more difficult than anyone could imagine. Lord Kezed has resisted all attempts by the Rofireinite heirarchy to merge their ideas onto his governing of the city despite years and years of ongoing attempts. While they still do a lot of good there it really is a point of light in an otherwise disparate chaotic darkness. And for those people who can be shown that point of light the Rofireinites realise it they close up shop and move somewhere else would be to betray those who can be saved or who can try and better themselves. Vehl is a tough nut to crack and may never crack, but someone has to try right? If a LG High Justicier ever came to run the temple here things might get a bit different. They would be more forceful in their demands for change and might even condone acts that shift the balance of power to someone more suited to the goals of the church. However to my knowledge LE members of the Rofi faith are not as common as other types which makes this scenario fairly unlikely in the future.

Then you have a nation in Dragonsong where they have embraced the Faith of Rofirein wholeheartedly, as an extension of their own codes for life so that one could almost be forgiven for thinking that any place in Dragonsong was simply an extension of an ideal Rofireinite Faith community. While many citizens do not follow Rofirein they recognise their ideals are the same and want the same outcomes so its a peaceful cooexistance. A model example of what Rofirein can provide and what Rofireinites the world over are striving for.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Script Wrecked on October 21, 2011, 11:02:17 PM
Quote from: davidhoff
It seems that any Lawful Rofie (G,N, or E) would be obligated to uphold the "Law of Land" (whether that be Rael, Brelin, etc).


Rofirein's Law, not "any ol' law".

Quote from: davidhoff
 That is their diety's calling above all else.  The purpose of this is to protect order and prevent chaos.  


Order is a means to an end, not an end in itself.

Quote from: davidhoff
The character's personal code/law has no bearing in the decision...


The character's personal code/law (which, as a Rofireinite, should be in some sort of fairly close alignment to Rofirein's values) is what allows the character to distinguish the shortcomings in the Law of the Land as compared to the Divine Law.

Quote from: davidhoff
... because Law of the Land that has been put in place to promote stability in that particular area.


Not necessarily. Laws can also be means of subjugation.

Quote from: davidhoff
If they were to fight or disobey the Law of the Land and not uphold it, they would be instigating chaos and unrest...the greatest sin a Rofie can commit.  


They would instigating reform and improvement; any chaos and unrest would be a temporary side effect.

Quote from: davidhoff
The L/G or L/N might have issues with an Evil dictatorship, but they would still have to uphold the law.  


The good laws, not the bad laws.

Quote from: davidhoff
They could try to change the law through legal and civil appeals/amemdments/petitions, but that would be about it.  


That would not be the only way.

Quote from: davidhoff
When the Rofie church said a while back that it was supporting Rael's war against the dark elf invasion (http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/281411-rofireinites-support-rael.html), they didn't just ask L/E Rofies to help Rael, they meant all Rofies.


That was a conditional directive and not a carte blanche endorsement of Rael or his regime.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Script Wrecked on October 21, 2011, 11:14:53 PM
Quote from: willhoff
Its difficult to have a hard and fast answer on this question I think.  

Seems there are three sources of law: 1) Divine; 2) Government; 3) Personal Code.

For a Rofie it seems that law from Government should trump/be stronger than law from a personal code.  


Personal is above Government because, as an agent of Rofirein, your personal law would (should) be closer to the Divine Law than the Government Law.

Quote from: willhoff
Divine Law, especially for a paladin or cleric, do not conflict with Government as Lore states that Rofireinites shall:

Quote
Hold the law above all else at any cost, even if this means bringing loved ones or friends to justice.


The Divine Law.

Quote from: willhoff
A Lawful/Good Rofi would be in quite a pickle if he had to choose between obeying a law he deemed bad/evil.


The Rofireinite follows the Divine Law. Laws that differ from that are not the Divine Law, therefore, no conundrum.

Quote from: willhoff
If he chose to break the law he would be disobeying his divine calling to "Hold the law above all else".  


The Divine Law.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 21, 2011, 11:45:17 PM
Quote from: Dezza
"The Rofireinites are almost always portrayed as a bunch of Lawful Stupid guys who follow whatever rules are in front of them, which is a shame."
I think that might be just a slight over exaggeration.

If it is, it is very slight.  Look...
Quote
In Vehl the idea was to be the same but its proven to be more difficult than anyone could imagine. Lord Kezed has resisted all attempts by the Rofireinite heirarchy to merge their ideas onto his governing of the city despite years and years of ongoing attempts. While they still do a lot of good there it really is a point of light in an otherwise disparate chaotic darkness. And for those people who can be shown that point of light the Rofireinites realise it they close up shop and move somewhere else would be to betray those who can be saved or who can try and better themselves. Vehl is a tough nut to crack and may never crack, but someone has to try right?

Look at this situation and consider how it is handled, not just by players but by DMs.  Here the Rofireinites are, trying so hard to bring Vehl closer - at all - to Divine Law, to bring some stability and order and real justice to the place, but have failed to make any change for at least a couple of centuries.  Centuries.  Yet, instead of trying a different approach, withdrawing approval, they continue to act along with and support these corrupt laws.  What incentive does anyone there have to change and compromise with the Rofireinites?  The Rofies are Lawful Stupid and keep participating and enforcing the corrupt laws!  They follow the laws of Vehl and Co'rys because those are the laws in front of them. This is like having the Pyrtechonites set up a temple in Western Gate, where they try to convince people to burn everything to the ground while simultaneously sending priests out to help build new houses and shops.  "What you're doing is utterly unholy, just an atrocious sacrilege from our perspective that we think you should change, but let us help you out.  Looks like you could use a hand."  What?

They should keep trying in Vehl, of course, and never give up.  They should try something new, though, not keep doing the same thing that hasn't worked for the last ten or more generations.  

Quote
If a LG High Justicier ever came to run the temple here things might get a bit different. They would be more forceful in their demands for change and might even condone acts that shift the balance of power to someone more suited to the goals of the church. However to my knowledge LE members of the Rofi faith are not as common as other types which makes this scenario fairly unlikely in the future.

I'm not following this part, by the way.  You started with LG and ended with LE, and I'm not sure which you mean.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: willhoff on October 22, 2011, 12:39:23 AM
I think I'm missing what divine Rofirein law is.  I read on Lore that there is a "Charter of Laws" (http://lore.layonara.com/Rofirein:%20Hierarchy)

I cant find anything on what the divine law actually states.  Is it substantive, telling its followers how followers are to live their lives (thou shall not kill), is it procedural telling its followers the way justice should be administered (accused gets trial by jury and is innocent until proven guilty).

I was under the impression that Divine Rofireinite law is basically a set of tenants like:

Quote
Dedicate your life to justice, honor, and the pursuit of law and order.


I can see if Rofireinites have a detailed set of laws to follow that when compared to a governments laws they would only have to follow the laws of that government that didnt conflict with their divine law.

If the divine law is more basic and ambiguous like uphold justice, honor and pursuit of law and order then the Rofie should follow the local law to the tee unless it conflicts with the principles of justice, honor and law and order.

Rael law puts people in prison for outwardly displaying or praying to any deity besides sulterio, that includes Rofirein.  So a Rofie judge heading to court in Prantz could be put in prison for displaying his faiths colors/insignia.  But, Rofirein justices at the citadel of Rofirein administer and exact trials and punishments based on Rael's law.  Puting a Rofireinite in prison for openly praying to Rofirein or displaying Rofirein's insignia seems to be in direct conflict to the divine law of Rofirein (what ever that is) yet Rofireinites follow and even administer punishments under this conflicting law.

How can one be following the divine law of a god by puting people in prison for worshiping the very god that gives you that divine law?

From Gulnyr:
Quote
This is what I was saying before about an Evil Rofireinite basically just being a LN guy having a bad day. You can't honor Rofirein's dogma and do the usual Evil stuff. It's a very, very light-weight Evil.


In Layonara you have to play your alignment correctly.  If you are evil you have to do the usual evil stuff.  I concurr with you that it is impossible to play a L/E Rofireinite unless you bend the rules and play instead a LN alignment.  Playing a certain deity does not give you justification for playing outside your alignment which is why I said its a contradiction.  Once you water down evil and play it very light you are no longer playing evil but something else.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 12:59:09 AM
The Divine Law is something substantial, but it's not actually something we can go look stuff up in.  At least, that's the way I understand it.

The courts in Prantz are actually Rael's courts, with Rofireinite observers.  So there is no Rofireinite judge to sentence anyone in Prantz.  That is my understanding and experience (Jennara testified there once, not happily).

Quote
In Layonara you have to play your alignment correctly. If you are evil you have to do the usual evil stuff. I concurr with you that it is impossible to play a L/E Rofireinite unless you bend the rules and play instead a LN alignment. Playing a certain deity does not give you justification for playing outside your alignment which is why I said its a contradiction. Once you water down evil and play it very light you are no longer playing evil but something else.

"Amen" seems a proper response.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 22, 2011, 01:19:31 AM
The charter of laws is based on the Divine Law.

The Charter of Laws was agreed to by decree by most of the good and nuetral faiths under the Diamonior rule in Dreger centuries ago, along with most of the nations (of the time) that supported 'lawful' and or 'good' organised society. Its a shame this information is not yet widely available as it would help to clarify a lot of things for people about this thread. But we do what we can with what we have.

In terms of Vehl, Rofireinites have made some leeway with the people on the streets. Its not as 'bad' as it once was nor as bad as it 'could be'. So maybe, if nothing else, the Rofireinite presence in Fort Vehl has prevented it from becoming an openly held Corathite stronghold. Then isn't that a big victory in the scheme of things?

The reference to a continual non moving state of play in regards to Fort Vehl is not really true, things have happened and things do change. Yes some of those things in vehl have not been handled all that well and this can contribute sometimes to these sorts of perceptions and that is a shame.

In reference to my comment about a new High Justicier in Fort Vehl I did mean LE all the way.

Also, no Rofireinite player to my knowledge in recent times apart from one has tried to do anything about the status quo in Vehl.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: willhoff on October 22, 2011, 01:20:33 AM
Quote
The courts in Prantz are actually Rael's courts, with Rofireinite observers. So there is no Rofireinite judge to sentence anyone in Prantz.


I got the information about Rofirein justices administering the Rael law from this Lore passage:

The citadel of Rofirein  (http://lore.layonara.com/Rael%20Kingdom:%20Government)governs trials, sentencing, and handles the paperwork for both ingoing prisoners and the rare outgoing reformed lawbreaker.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 22, 2011, 03:39:54 AM
Ahhh, I see, I didn't realize there was this actual "Divine Law" or "Charter of Laws" that Rofies follow as the ultimate law.  That helps me understand much.  It also helps me that the "Divine Law" is founded on
Quote
'lawful' and or 'good'
principles.  I had this incorrect view that Rofies had to push back their moral compass, and only follow the law of the land.

Ok, so now what?  Rofies are charged with trying to establish order and stability for the common man, and to promote and protect the rule of law in an area, as long as that rule of law is in line with the "Divine Law".  This is a difficult and noble task.

I still see a potential problem if you let Rofies say we only follow "good" laws or laws that are in line with the "Divine Law".  It says to everyone, the common man and Rofies alike, if you don't like a law and you think its in conflict with "Divine Law" you don't have to follow it.  That to me, seems like a rescipe for riots and chaos (picturing farmers, pitchforks, burning carts, chickens swung by the neck like weapons).  How is the average joe supposed to know which laws to follow, and how to nit-pick these local laws?  The line is not clear and leaves open alot of ambiguity for the common man.  When you say that "Divine Law" is over the "Law of the Land" you undercut the Law of the Land and those goverment's ability to keep the peace.  Thoughts?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Shiokara on October 22, 2011, 03:43:34 AM
Couple things here that I might offer having tried to play an LE Rofie.

First, the closest we can get to knowing the Divine laws are the "Divine principles" and "Classification of Crimes" section of [LORE]Law of Layonara[/LORE]. As I understand it, this is the framework that was laid out at the [LORE]Congregation of the Principium[/LORE].

I can also comment on the subject of crooked Rofireinites. Rofireinites, particularly clerics, get their abilities/powers from their deity. If one breaks the Divine law, then Rofirein no longer smiles favorably on that person, meaning you lose your powers. It would not take long for other Rofireinites/etc. to realize that you are no longer favored by their deity.

Taking a bribe could fall under "aiding wanted criminals" or "fraud". Pretending to have authority that is not properly granted to you is both "fraud" and "impersonating government officials or Rofireinites". Most crimes/shady deals can fit into the rough sketch of laws provided in that LORE link.

The best way, perhaps the only way, to roll an LE Rofie who is a member of the church is to play him as a ruthless upholder of the laws and punishments.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: geloooo on October 22, 2011, 03:49:23 AM
I am now tempted to make a draconian LE servant of Rofirein. Dolores Umbridge, anyone? :P
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Script Wrecked on October 22, 2011, 04:02:46 AM
Quote from: davidhoff
I still see a potential problem if you let Rofies say we only follow "good" laws or laws that are in line with the "Divine Law".  It says to everyone, the common man and Rofies alike, if you don't like a law...


"Liking" a law is not relevant.

Quote from: davidhoff
... and you think its in conflict with "Divine Law" you don't have to follow it.


As a Rofirenite, you follow the Divine Law.

Quote from: davidhoff
How is the average joe supposed to know which laws to follow, and how to nit-pick these local laws?  


Firstly, there is no advocacy to "nit pick" local laws.

Average Joe can always ask his Rofirenite clergy.

Quote from: davidhoff
The line is not clear and leaves open alot of ambiguity for the common man.


The line couldn't be clearer; if you are a Rofireinite, follow the Divine Law.

Quote from: davidhoff
When you say that "Divine Law" is over the "Law of the Land" you undercut the Law of the Land and those goverment's ability to keep the peace.  


There would only be undercutting of bad laws. Any loss of peace due to bad laws has nothing to do with the Divine Law.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 22, 2011, 04:43:20 AM
Remember, some laws are better than no laws. You need a system to begin with in order to proceed forward. So Often Rofirneites will take what is existing and work with it to bring it into line with the Divine Law.

You also need to remember in terms of corruption, the Order of the Principium was formed to prevent this very thing from happening and it is a very large organisation and very active within the faith ensuring any and all followers of the Dragon meet the highest standards that Rofirein demands. Consider them the equivalent of the 'Inquisition' if you like and no one within the Rofireinite Faith likes a visit from a Warden let alone a High Warden of the Principium. Few if any can be spared the Justice a High Warden can impose on a follower of 'any' rank if it is deemed they are corrupt or have in some way bismirched the principles of Rofirein they are supposed to uphold.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Xaltotun on October 22, 2011, 05:05:59 AM
Reading all of this, I thought it might be great fun to create a new LE Rofireinite cleric and play him away, so I read a little more into Roffies than I had previously and one thing has me really puzzled now. All this talk of LE Roffies and yet this is the paragraph from the Rofireinite  (http://lore.layonara.com/Rofirein)link:
Quote
You are a paragon of virtue and honor. Dedicate your life to justice, honor, and the pursuit of law and order. Hold the law above all else at any cost, even if this means bringing loved ones or friends to justice. Without the order of law, chaos would reign and the world would descend into dark times where Pyrtechon would thrive. Extend honor to all--even your foes. Aid others whenever and wherever possible as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not make way for acts of evil. The common people are the strongest force in bringing order and prosperity to all. We must protect them.

Now none of this says a "good" alignment, but it sure doesn't hint to my ears of any touch of evil here at all. If so, how can one of the allowed alignments of a Roffie cleric (http://lore.layonara.com/Rofirein%3A%20NWN) be LE?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: drakogear on October 22, 2011, 05:24:35 AM
So, by all that I understand so fare, the biggest differences between a good Rofie and an evil Rofie is the laws of the land that they enforce

Example:

A good Rofie follows and enforces the divine law as to any and all good laws in the current land and apposes evil laws.

An evil Rofie follows and enforces the divine law but would likely be swayed to look the other way when a law of the land is broken.

As in my last post about LE Rofies being like cooked cops and accepting bribes. Though if the crime being committed is in conflict with the divine law then regardless of the bribe the man will still be hauled to jail.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Xaltotun on October 22, 2011, 07:23:18 AM
Hmm, this may be going back over broken ground again, but both both LG and LE  would by alignment have to follow the law; you cannot just follow "good" laws and ignore the "evil" laws.

My question was not so much about this though as to how, when the Lore for Rofireinites was as posted
Quote
You are a paragon of virtue and honor
can you create an LE character?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Alatriel on October 22, 2011, 09:22:03 AM
Also, you have to remember that not all laws are in accordance with the Divine Laws of Rofirein.  I don't think a Rofireinite would have any problems not following and completely going against the laws of dark elves.  Or if a country had decided to create a law that all followers of Rofirein were to be hanged, that doesn't mean the followers of Rofirein that resided in that country would line up to get their punishment handed to them.  Just because someone makes up a law doesn't mean that a Rofireinite is going to support it.  Yes, it's a law, but if that law is unjust and does make sense, or if it goes against the Divine Law or causes them in any way to break their oaths or code, they're going to go by their Divine Code first, which may mean it is in discord with the so-called law that was created.  Just because Rofirein is the god of Law doesn't mean that his followers are brainless people who will believe anything that is written down in legal jargon and signed and told that it's a law of the land.  If anything, these are the people that would be able to find the loopholes in bad laws and be able to work the system to get them fixed.  These are the lawyers of the lands.  Lawyers are generally pretty thorough.  

I think people are getting confused with the alignment term "Lawful" with "follows the laws".  Lawful means that you follow a code, whether that is a personal code or one of the lands or religion, etc. that you follow.  If something conflicts with that code or "set of laws" that you personally follow, even if it is another set of laws, that doesn't mean that you have to follow the conflicting set of laws or code.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Alatriel on October 22, 2011, 09:35:45 AM
Quote from: Xaltotun
Hmm, this may be going back over broken ground again, but both both LG and LE  would by alignment have to follow the law; you cannot just follow "good" laws and ignore the "evil" laws.

My question was not so much about this though as to how, when the Lore for Rofireinites was as posted  can you create an LE character?


Yes.  Because, as Script mentioned below, the alignment is ooc.  We've determined the character to be evil because their actions are evil, but their ic justification to them probably means that they believe they are a paragon of virtue and honor.  

An example:

A man grows up in the city of Fort Vehl.  He sees the squalor that corrupts the city every day of his young life, but he sees that the temple of Rofirein sits in the center and constantly tries to make things better.  He knows they need help.  So when he is old enough he goes to join the temple.  He has a hatred and anger of all the corruption that the city holds, so he learns about the laws of Rofirein and how to apply them.  In time, the man leaves the church, still strong in his faith, and goes to join the town guard.  He remembers from his childhood where the gangs are, what they are capable of, and how they work. He knows that they are sneaky so their work was often not even seen.  He starts to set up ambushes to catch people in the act.  It works for some, but others get away.  Those that are tried for their crimes, he advises that the harshest punishment is granted so that the city is rid of these corrupt individuals.

He never lies.  He treats everyone with respect- that deserves his respect.  The men that he hunts he considers to be monsters.  For many others, they would agree with him.

To this man, he is a paragon of virtue and honor.  He's hunting the enemy of the city's order.  But he'll go to any lengths to accomplish his goal, and even though he may catch someone that is merely associated with the gangs that he hunts, and that the person may not have performed the action personally, he will see that they all get the harshest penalty for their crime- death.  It's the method of cutting out the entire problem, and anything else that the problem may possibly have touched that makes him evil.  It's his methods.  He isn't doing anything illegal.

Do not use ic justification and reasoning to negate what the ooc alignment system says.  There are many evil people that believe that they are a paragon of goodness, and that everyone else is evil because they disagree with them.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 01:49:04 PM
Quote from: Dezza
In terms of Vehl, Rofireinites have made some leeway with the people on the streets. Its not as 'bad' as it once was nor as bad as it 'could be'. So maybe, if nothing else, the Rofireinite presence in Fort Vehl has prevented it from becoming an openly held Corathite stronghold. Then isn't that a big victory in the scheme of things?

Not if you also keep supporting the government against the good of the common people.  It is not necessary to support a government to support the people under that government.  And supporting that government and those laws means spitting in the face of Rofirein's law, being Lawful Stupid and following because those are the laws before them.

Quote
Also, no Rofireinite player to my knowledge in recent times apart from one has tried to do anything about the status quo in Vehl.

Please forgive me, but this is where I start to get a little angry.  I'm all for players and PCs being able to affect the world.  That's really cool.  But to sit on your hands and pretend that these huge, powerful organizations - whether they be churches or kingdoms or whatever - just do nothing at all unless a PC initiates it is stupid.  I understand there are only so many people with so much time to work on background stuff, but there has to be some consideration that these organizations can and do do things on their own, and at a speed at least comparable to a single PC.  The world makes no sense otherwise.  Things have to change from time to time without player input.  And not just, "Oh, hey, I'm running an event here.  Can I switch this up," but also, "Oh, hey, let's retire this NPC and replace him with this one, and make this change over here because this government is doing that.  And maybe in two or three months, we can have this change as that government responds, and also make these two changes as that church and that criminal organization take action," without running any particular event at all.  The world should be alive without us.

Quote from: willhoff
I got the information about Rofirein justices administering the Rael law from this Lore passage:
The citadel of Rofirein  (http://lore.layonara.com/Rael%20Kingdom:%20Government)governs trials, sentencing, and handles the paperwork for both ingoing prisoners and the rare outgoing reformed lawbreaker.

Yes, but it's not a church anymore.  The center of the faith moved from Prantz to Western Gate.  What was once the Citadel became just a fancypants court house, basically.  So the building, the Citadel of Rofirein, does do all that stuff, but it's all full of Rael's judges and lawyers with a handful of Rofireinite observers and paper-shufflers.

Quote from: Alatriel
To this man, he is a paragon of virtue and honor.  He's hunting the enemy of the city's order.  But he'll go to any lengths to accomplish his goal, and even though he may catch someone that is merely associated with the gangs that he hunts, and that the person may not have performed the action personally, he will see that they all get the harshest penalty for their crime- death.  It's the method of cutting out the entire problem, and anything else that the problem may possibly have touched that makes him evil.  It's his methods.  He isn't doing anything illegal.

He won't go to any lengths because he won't break the law.  He won't lie on a report or in court because that would be to dishonor himself before Rofirein.  He won't commit murder. He knows he's not the executioner.  He won't break into anyone's property; that would be illegal.  He can't even be sure they get the punishment he wants because he's not the judge.  Otherwise, he pursues his case, sets stakeouts, makes arrests... just like all the other Rofies.  So in the end, the only thing that keeps him from being Lawful Neutral is that he wants all criminals dead, right?  There are days when Jennara wishes all criminals were dead.  Think we should change her alignment?  Don't you (you plural, everyone) think that's pretty weak, a really big stretch to put that guy in the Evil category?  If your only Evil trait is wanting criminals dead and the only Evil action is pressing the judge for a death sentence, with all other traits and actions being Neutral or Good, are you really Evil?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Shiokara on October 22, 2011, 02:53:18 PM
Quote
Hold the law above all else at any cost, even if this means bringing loved ones or friends to justice. Without the order of law, chaos would reign and the world would descend into dark times where Pyrtechon would thrive.


@Xaltotun - Here's the section that hints towards LE alignment. Holding the law above all else, without consideration of the circumstances surrounding the crime, can be evil. There is a lot that can be done with the statement "Without the order of law, chaos would reign".

Quote
He won't go to any lengths because he won't break the law. He won't lie on a report or in court because that would be to dishonor himself before Rofirein. He won't commit murder. He knows he's not the executioner. He won't break into anyone's property; that would be illegal. He can't even be sure they get the punishment he wants because he's not the judge. Otherwise, he pursues his case, sets stakeouts, makes arrests... just like all the other Rofies.


@Gulnyr - This is all true, but now this man is a paragon of the church, he may train and rise to the ranks of judge. And once he is in that position, perhaps he always hands out the maximum punishment as per the Divine law (which one should note is not a death sentence in every case). It's possible that a LE Roffie's differences may only surface once he attains Power within an organization.

At the end of the day, LE is possible, but it's a tightrope walk. In many ways, this is good for Layonara. The church's legal system is policed by an omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient force. Now its influence may not stretch to all lands, but Divine law seems a solid standard to follow.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 03:31:04 PM
So now alignment has nothing to do with current actions or desires, but what a character might do in some distant, uncertain future?  And even in that distant, uncertain future, one Evil trait or one type of Evil action negates all Neutral and Good traits and actions, forcing an Evil alignment?

No character is a perfect example of any alignment.  Every character does things leaning away from his alignment from time to time.  It's expected that a Good character will do a little Evil (and a lot of Neutral), and that a Chaotic character will do some Lawful stuff (and a lot of Neutral stuff).  If a character "walks a tightrope" between Lawful Neutral and Lawful Evil, and most of his "falls" from the tightrope land on the Neutral side, he's Lawful Neutral.  It's expected he'll do something Evil now and then, or that he has an Evil trait of some sort.  That doesn't make him Evil.  It makes him normal and well within the predicted range of Lawful Neutral characters.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Shiokara on October 22, 2011, 03:55:42 PM
I don't think of it as what a character would do in its future, so much as I think of what a character would do if given the chance.

Backing out now. This thread is getting a little too heated for my tastes.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 04:52:52 PM
I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.  

I guess "given a chance" makes sense, but if a LE character is being suppressed by his environment and code to the point where he's indistinguishable from a LN character, is he really LE?  That sounds really fishy.  TN usually indicates someone, like most commoners, who may have opinions about things but lacks the conviction to do anything about it most of the time.  If a character is labeled Evil but lacks the conviction to take those steps and be Evil, isn't he just Neutral?

How Evil can anyone who follows the code of Rofirein really be, anyway?  "Aid others whenever and wherever possible as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not make way for acts of evil."  They've been ordered by their god to help others, as long as it's legal and doesn't... permit evil *shrug*.   "The common people are the strongest force in bringing order and prosperity to all. We must protect them."  Prosperity for all is right there in the commands, too - you protect the people and help support order so that everyone can prosper.  That's law and order for the people's sake.  That doesn't sound anything like keeping people in line so that order is maintained; it's not law and order for the sake of law and order.  There's no aura of oppression in it.  There's no keeping order at all costs, even if it means oppressing the populous.  "Dedicate your life to justice."  That's pretty strong - dedicate your life.  It's not, "Think about justice once a month."  It's really, really, really hard to be Evil and be just, because Evil is about killing people and being selfish and all that.  Well, all the killing is right out with Rofirein; you can't just go around murdering people.  This can't be anything like baby-eating Evil.  They aren't even allowed to immediately kill people they know are guilty.  And how selfish can they be with justice in the way?  They can't lie about who gets the credit; that's unjust.  They can't sabotage someone else to gain a promotion; that's unjust.  They've dedicated their lives to justice, so how can they go around being unjust, especially intentionally? So what's left? Just wishing death on criminals? Not making a very big offering? Pff.  

And that's just the regular stuff.  Once you get into the Knight of the Wyrm oath, it's leaning heavily into Good territory.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 22, 2011, 06:55:00 PM
I have to admire your passion on the topic Gulnyr even if I can't agree with some of your viewpoints.

A few more cents worth since I think its needed here. Especially since I was the one who probably had the most imput into the write-up for the Rofireinite Faith.

1/ Originally the write-up was for a LN -LG God, so you are correct that there is a slight bias towards this side of the faith structure.

2/ When it was decided that LE could also be an alignment that could fit into this Faith then things got a bit messy but it was not enough to constitute an entirely new write-up. With a few minor adjustments it could be squeezed into the mix. It was never assumed that it would be a very 'big' part within the faith just that it was possible. A lot of this angst in this thread assumes that 50% or more of Rofireinites are LE which is entirely ludicrous. At best perhaps a max of 10% might be in that range within the Faith and they would be under pressure to change their views I'd imagine over time too.

3/ The Ultimate goal of Rofireinites is to see that proportional Justice is applied, where the punishment meets the crime. And wow, doesnt that open a whole can of worms. The views of a LE judge vs a LN or LG judge will differ greatly in the application of this core role of the Faith.

4/ You are all assuming Rofirenites never get frustrated, never make the wrong decision, never act out of despair etc. They cant be perfect all the time unless they are a paladin of course, and even then we have precedents of them falling from grace too.

5/ A LE Rofireinite should have days when they question and ask just what they think they can accomplish, how can they see their mission carried out amongst others who dont see their point of view. This should be the norm for that max 10% of the faith. They are probably the ones who prefer to hunt down those engaging in chaos or chaotic acts because at least then they know where they stand and can deal with them as required without mess or fuss.



Finally;

The idea that the world should move on without us from a GM perspective is absolutely frustrating. In instances where we have done this in the past we have copped an absolute hammering by players saying its not fair, they didnt get any input, they didnt get a chance to act. Now you are saying why isnt it happening???? I prefer not to be called stupid no matter what we do. *throws hands into the air* You can't have your apple and eat it too sometimes. You have to accept and work with what you've got and I feel like a broken record on that point.


Also for the Rofireninte church in Vehl to initiate an overturn of the government in Fort Vehl based on the fact that unless this happens the status quo will remain unaltered then that, I am afraid, is in the realm of players hands and will take a long and involved process.

And the writeup for the Citadel of Rofirein acting on behalf of Rael is correct. It has evolved into this because of the Rofireinites agreement to recognise Rael as the official ruler of Rael. They still answer very strongly to the Cathedral in Westergate though and must be careful about maintaining the equilibrium with what Rael wants to happen in his realm but since the atacks on Rael, Prantz and his participation in the Hilm-Kuhl and Sederra conflict this is working very well at present.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 07:04:40 PM
Quote from: davidhoff
What is the difference between a evil/lawful Rofi and a good/lawful Rofi?

Both Lawful Good and Lawful Evil Rofireinites believe in upholding the law, supporting order, protecting the people, seeking justice and being just, and being honest and honorable.  The difference is that Lawful Good Rofireinites fit into that pretty well, while Lawful Evil Rofireinites have to be shoehorned, rules-lawyered, and have a blind eye turned to fit at all.  Also, the concept of Lawful Evil Rofireinites causes forum arguments... because they don't really make sense.

There may be some other minor differences.

Excuse me for not answering plainly sooner.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 22, 2011, 07:39:50 PM
A Lawful Evil cleric of Rofirenite would be harder to justify than a Rofirenite follower keep in mind as the cleric would be more rigidly bound to a diety that isnt defined as 'evil'.

That said, consider that the lawful evil is colder and more callous towards people he deems as evil and chaotic whereas a lawful neutral may be more even-handed and a good guy may show mercy or leniance in some form upon those he deems capable of redeeming themselves.

One may be an Inquisitor as easily as another one may be a paragon.

An inquisitor of Rofirenite may spend much less time with the arguably less serious crimes and deal purely in matters such as purgers evil-doers such as pryotechonites or corathites and dodge the "lesser" crimes as much as he can, leaving the work tohis brethern. IN dealing with these people he may find himself slipping further from the path of shall we say righteousness purely based on the fact his work is so bloody and dark, it can't help but stain his souls (to be dramatic) or affect his personality and mannerisms.

Example. Evil Cult of Corath, brainwashed members amongst the cultists to serve for some nefarious plan as cannon fodder, whatever.

A good Rofirenite would dispense justice on those captured in the aftermath and take keep in mind their accountability for their actions; but take it upon himself during battle to see those who are technically innocent as spared so they can be judged and redeemed, even if it puts his brothers' and sisters' lives at risk.
An evil rofirenite would treat those afterwards, PERHAPS, in the exact same way; yet be alot less concerned about the possibility that cult members are enchanted/brain-washed/whatever, slaughtering them like any other chaotic evil nutjub that attacks, simply because its not worth the risk (in his mind) to the good guy's lives to POSSIBLY spare some unfortunates. Maybe a few are saved, but the success of the mission and efficient dispensing of justice came before amassing 'innocents' to be saved.

One is a more heroic figure and one is a more ruthless figure, yet both might hold the same ideals in their mind and follow the same creed. Execution of their duties may come yield diffferent results however, based on their different styles.

Thus you have two lawful followers of the Gold, but one is a harder, colder figure than the other. As mentioned before, even clerics can have bad days or not be paragons of their diety, they are priests, not paladins, and can slowly lose their way or be faulted (they are mortal), but keep their diety's patronage so long as the changes aren't too big or too different from the dogma.
So im afraid I can't agree with the statement that LE rofirenites don't make sense. It's simply a case of the player having not yet found a way for it to make sense.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 07:45:38 PM
What does the Lawful Neutral Rofireinite do?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 22, 2011, 07:45:49 PM
A quick example.

eg: Crime gang operating over time in a district in Fort vehl, finally enough witnesses agree to speak out against the ringleaders who are rounded up for trial and prosecution. Various charges are laid. Witnesses back out due to intimidation.


LG Rofireinite -- Promises protection, offers relocation to witnesses, does all within their power to still see the accused prosecuted and sent to prison. If they still cannot get witnesses, might delay the case until further evidence can be brought to light. Continue investigations until all avenues are exhausted. May have to release the accused but will never rest until they have solid evidence. May follow, observe even confront the accused if they believe they are criminals who prey on the common man or who create chaos or crime and corruption. Will not intentionally cause or seek to create an incident but if it happens and the accused draw arms against them they will act accordingly.

If case is made and accused charged and sentenced will abide by the Judge's ruling or appeal as necessary based on circumstances.


LE Rofireinite -- May write the reports based on his interpretation of events painting the criminals in a very bad light, might simply ignore certain information that might create an inconsistency that the opposition might use to get the accused off the hook. Might suggest strongly/intimidate the witnesses to let them know they are better to side with him rather than the criminals because they are better off being protected by the law than thugs. Thugs will get what they have coming to them. May push for maximum sentencing regardless of circumstances. This is the crime this is the punishment. If case falls through due to some inadequacy will possibly harass, cajole or confront accused deliberately instigating a reaction upon which they can react accordingly.

If case is made and accused charged and sentenced will push for maximum sentencing or appeal as necessary based on  circumstances. May visit the accused in prison to gloat/revel/enjoy the results of their labour. Has less interest in rehabilitation. May believe in the death penalty for any criminal found guilty.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 07:49:40 PM
Where is the honor and justice in lying?  What makes the thug in gold better than the thug in black from the commoner's perspective?  Aren't the thugs in black more powerful than the thugs in gold in Vehl, anyway?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: willhoff on October 22, 2011, 07:54:05 PM
Quote
might simply ignore certain information that might create an inconsistency that the opposition might use to get the accused off the hook.


Does not compute with being
Quote
a paragon of virtue and honor. Dedicate your life to justice, honor, and the pursuit of law and order.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Alatriel on October 22, 2011, 08:03:35 PM
Another example of what a LE Rofireinite may do:

He has managed to get to a position of judge in a place that has him presiding as the main judge for the region, so all cases come through him.  In the course of a week he has the following criminals come through and these are the punishments given:

Case #1- murder:  Penalty- death
Case #2- assault:  Penalty- death
Case #3- mugged someone in the street and stole all of their belongings:  Penalty- death
Case #4- a man beat his wife because he caught her cheating.  Penalty- Husband got a day in the stocks, wife was put to death for adultery.
Case #5-  Teenager stole food because she was hungry:  Penalty- cut off hand
Case #6- Vigilante who was working in the streets, killing thugs was caught and brought to trial:  Penalty- 20 gp fine.

Was any law broken?  No.  Was it all within the confines of the laws in that area?  Yes.  Was it evil?  Yes.  Why?  Because the harsh punishments were reserved for those who had broken the law in self-serving ways, but those who were punishing others for transgressions received lighter sentencing.

It's a way of moving within the system to mete out punishment in a way that fits what the character wants- which is control.  A LE Rofireinite would realize that the general population, if left to their own devices would likely end up like Fort Vehl, a sea of corruption and chaos.  Therefore it is necessary to control as many of them as possible with a firm and rigid hand.  But sometimes others are needed to help preserve order, so those punishing those who are acting against the law would receive lighter sentences that are in accordance with the law so that they can continue to "help" while the LE Rofireinite does not have to get his hands dirty.  They are acting to protect the population by harshly cutting out those who would work against order.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Filatus on October 22, 2011, 08:10:28 PM
Quote from: Gulnyr
Where is the honor and justice in lying?  What makes the thug in gold better than the thug in black from the commoner's perspective?  Aren't the thugs in black more powerful than the thugs in gold in Vehl, anyway?


What's lying? There's more than just the two extremes you use (the truth and untruth).  Going with the context you yourself use, would a paragon of virtue and honor use evidence he's not 100% sure about? Would he use it, and let the court decide whether it is admissable or not? If the court would admit it, and the doubt would still be lingering, would it still have been a good act? There's no yes or no, black or white in this.

In the other thread you just posted "A little help please", you complain yourself about their being no middleground. But at the same time you ask in this thread to define a lawful neutral Rofi in a few words and paint a black and white scenario to make your case.

If you look at the world we ourselves live in, you'll find that notions of virtue, honor and order are not neatly defined concepts. They're actually very ill defined concepts that are often something you aspire to be, rather than simply are. You'll find honor has a completely different meaning if you ask a Voraxite, and then a Rofirinite. So too, do these shades of grey exist within the Rofirinite faith. because in the end, they are only words.

Trust me, I have the same pains with the concept of chaos. The best my character can do is work out what it means for him based on his abbyssmal wisdom and strive to not fail miserably.

I suppose for a lawful faith, there's much more transparancy in this, but I doubt it's anywhere close to being capable of correctly predict every single action in life, like you seem close to be expecting.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 22, 2011, 08:28:04 PM
By Alatriel:
Quote
He has managed to get to a position of judge in a place that has him presiding as the main judge for the region, so all cases come through him. In the course of a week he has the following criminals come through and these are the punishments given:

Case #1- murder: Penalty- death
Case #2- assault: Penalty- death
Case #3- mugged someone in the street and stole all of their belongings: Penalty- death
Case #4- a man beat his wife because he caught her cheating. Penalty- Husband got a day in the stocks, wife was put to death for adultery.
Case #5- Teenager stole food because she was hungry: Penalty- cut off hand
Case #6- Vigilante who was working in the streets, killing thugs was caught and brought to trial: Penalty- 20 gp fine.

Was any law broken? No


Most likely laws were broken.  The law of Rofireine require not only laws to be just but also their punishments.  If a LE Rofie judge is handing down sentences that are not in line with what the LG/LN judges do or the church norm, he would be sanctioned and probably lose his bench.  A LE Roife judge does not have cart blanche on his sentencing...their are guidelines.  If Rofirein law is anything like the "Law of Layonara" (http://lore.layonara.com/Law%20of%20Layonara) then the punishment for mugging is not death but
Quote
several years of imprisonment


A LE Rofie judge is still beholden to "Divine Law" which is a just and good law and that applies to punishment as much as it does what constitutes a crime.

Quote
Vigilante who was working in the streets, killing thugs was caught and brought to trial: Penalty- 20 gp fine.
 Based on the Laws of Layonara the punishment for murder is death not 20 true.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Acacea on October 22, 2011, 08:29:40 PM
Quote from: Filatus
but I doubt it's anywhere close to being capable of correctly predict every single action in life, like you seem close to be expecting.


To me, it's not about anyone expecting any actions set out and predicted. No one wants a handbook of exactly what their character is expected to do. "What does the LN character do?" was not asked to get a writeup, but for comparison to the examples of a LE... and to illustrate that LE Rofireinite behavior often falls into the harsh side of LN - not "evil" enough for evil. Personally, all of the specific arguments about what evil might be able to get away with only say to me, "This is a gray interpretation of LN, because LN is not black and white, and sometimes justice is harsh."

There are only 9 alignments, and an enormous array of concepts that fall within them, as you say. I agree. That's actually why I dislike the notion of LE Rofireinites - I feel like it must be so specific, so restrained, that it is no longer a viable alignment choice. It almost has to be laid out well in advance in order to not drift away from law or be too weak for evil, or at any point let emotion get in the way of justice. "If you need to have a complete written set of instructions of how you might be able to pull something off, it is no longer a good option for open creation."

Additionally, I don't think making arguments based on writeups and expectations and observing where they do and do not make sense or contradict should be lumped together as speaking out of passion, which to me implies irrationality. Sometimes things make sense, sometimes they don't. Trying desperately to shove them in because an old rule from a different game says they should be allowed is not more reasonable than attempting to point out things that may need to be corrected. For a long time Rofirein did not allow LE priests (as several here remember, I know), and it was opened up just as adding a couple extra letters on a page; it has been awkward ever since. It just hasn't really gotten any better.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 22, 2011, 08:38:56 PM
At Gulnyr's request:

Good: Typical call for surrender followed by assault. Inquisitor goes out of his way, and orders others, to incapacitate as many cultists as possible unless there is absolutely no alternative than to kill (at the increased risk of the Rofies and guards), all must be given fair trial and studied in order to dispense fair justice and just sentancing to all, allowing for variation depending on who were made to do evil deed and who chose to. Law and good conscience satisfied, the rofies bled to save others before themselves and dispensed justice but kept in mind the circumstances of individuals who may've had no choice.

Neutral: Orders the typical approach, demand surrender from cultists but men will slay attackers rather than try taking prisoners until its safer to do so or they outnumber them and can more easily capture prisoners (usually once the numbers thin, morale breaks and the leaders are dead/subdued).
Justice is then dealt according to the letter of the law and the rofie inquisitor does not go out of his way to seperate the unfortunate brain-washed people from the truly evil ones. Sentanced by their actions, not their souls or shown pity and benevolence. Law is law and it is satisfied with no tendancy to either good nor bad.

Evil: Orders the siege of the cultist hideout after calling for surrender, once its obviously not responded to, he blanket-labels all cultists as resisting arrest, worshippers of evil gods and assaulting officers and gives a kill-on-sight order. His men are likely better trained and equipped and will cut down all in their path unless they drop weapons, fall to their knees and beg for their lives.
Those might be spared (meaning minimal risk to the guards and rofies. Any prisoners taken from the wounded or surrounded will all be given the maximum sentance that the law allows (likely death), nevermind who had a choice or who didnt; they are all evil and must be purged for the safety of good, decent folk.
It may even be that the Inquistor takes no prisoners and plays judge/jury/executioner, deeming them too dangerous and insane to transport for trial and may value the lives of the 'good guys' over the enemy, even if its within their duties to risk themselves to capture people alive; thus summary field executions for everyone in the evil cult, captive or rebel, brain-washed or faithful.
Law is satisfied, evil is done, but honour and virtue may still be displayed if prisoners are taken but later executed after trial, as unarmed men werent killed and they WERE given a chance to surrender before the attack. Note honour and virtue aren't -always- the same as goodness.

Those are scenarios for three alignments and there are others way to conclude them based on the character you created and how their mind works. But it goes to show, three sides to men and women who may believe in the same thing and all be in service of 'good' from a Rofirenite perspective most like. But some may be willing to protect that at any cost, and some may think that no good comes from cruelty and 'evil'. All three serve the Law and seek to protect decent people however, how they go about this noble cause is what is reflected in their decisions which are influenced by the alignment you selected for them, after factoring in whether the dogma allows for such actions and how much of a renegade your character is (if at all).
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Filatus on October 22, 2011, 08:54:53 PM
Quote from: Acacea
To me, it's not about anyone expecting any actions set out and predicted. No one wants a handbook of exactly what their character is expected to do. "What does the LN character do?" was not asked to get a writeup, but for comparison to the examples of a LE... and to illustrate that LE Rofireinite behavior often falls into the harsh side of LN - not "evil" enough for evil. Personally, all of the specific arguments about what evil might be able to get away with only say to me, "This is a gray interpretation of LN, because LN is not black and white, and sometimes justice is harsh."

There are only 9 alignments, and an enormous array of concepts that fall within them, as you say. I agree. That's actually why I dislike the notion of LE Rofireinites - I feel like it must be so specific, so restrained, that it is no longer a viable alignment choice. It almost has to be laid out well in advance in order to not drift away from law or be too weak for evil, or at any point let emotion get in the way of justice. "If you need to have a complete written set of instructions of how you might be able to pull something off, it is no longer a good option for open creation."

Additionally, I don't think making arguments based on writeups and expectations and observing where they do and do not make sense or contradict should be lumped together as speaking out of passion, which to me implies irrationality. Sometimes things make sense, sometimes they don't. Trying desperately to shove them in because an old rule from a different game says they should be allowed is not more reasonable than attempting to point out things that may need to be corrected. For a long time Rofirein did not allow LE priests (as several here remember, I know), and it was opened up just as adding a couple extra letters on a page; it has been awkward ever since. It just hasn't really gotten any better.


So really, the question is, can an evil character who worships Rofirein and through him the Divine Law, still be evil? I agree with you that we're getting into the problem of the D&D alignment system, because it is based on actions and not the nature of an individual. On Layonara, it oftentimes seems you can't be evil if your PC is unwilling to commit heinous crimes.

I don't buy that though, there should be room for a "restrained evil". The kind of evil that makes a very conscious choice on embracing society's standards. Stargazer has been playing one I believe, so maybe it's a good idea to ask for his two cents on this, as soon as he gets his PC in working order that is.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 22, 2011, 08:57:37 PM
By Filatus:
Quote
What's lying?


It is this:

Quote
might simply ignore certain information that might create an inconsistency that the opposition might use to get the accused off the hook.


All exculpatory (favorable against the accused) evidence must be disclosed and if you don't then its unethical, unjust and untruthful and against Divine Law.  To not tell a truth is the same thing as telling an untruth.

Quote
Going with the context you yourself use, would a paragon of virtue and honor use evidence he's not 100% sure about? Would he use it, and let the court decide whether it is admissable or not? If the court would admit it, and the doubt would still be lingering, would it still have been a good act? There's no yes or no, black or white in this.


You are never 100% sure about anything, but you need to have a good faith basis for presenting any arguments.  If you know evidence you subit to a court was planted on the defendant...that's not good faith.  If you know an admission you got from a defendant was coerced out of duress...that's not good faith.  If you make an argument to the court knowing the defense can not rebut because you failed to give them exculpatory evidence..that's not good faith.

There really is no room for evil when it comes to "Divine Law"...they are in opposites.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 22, 2011, 09:05:17 PM
I agree with Filatus, alignment of a character should be based on that character, not just their actions, who knows the motivations behind such an action, or they're motivations for restraint or how they view things against how the world views them. Just because you see someone do something good doesnt mean they're good, and vice versa. Else alignment changes would be pretty  frequent or characters would be very poor imitations of real minds in real bodies, which is kinda the point of roleplay in my opinion and why people dont always hug NWN's mechanics in a RP situation.

Naturally if your playing a type of evil, expect to see that kind of evil reflected in situations where a character would display such, whether its safe or not to do so depends doesnt it? Just dont expect that to be on display 24/7. That doesnt happen except to the most extreme ends of a spectrum, something that doesnt exist when you are following a diety of Law. Law is neither inheritantly good nor bad, only the intentions behind a law's creation exist (the Divine's Law's intent is good) but how the law is enforced etc varies. Thus law can be obeyed and evil can still be done in the course of seeing it through, or good can be delivered instead.

Also a point on the Divine Law, lets remember it was set by gods, gods whom are representations and embodiments of a single aspect or several closely-related ones. They are not like people.
A person, short of being a Champion, isn't an embodiment of their god, or a rather a perfect one.
They are unlikely to always do exactly what their diety would do in the same situation which is now expecting perfect people, which dont exist.
To say you can't get a follower of Rofirenite who is evil is silly.
They arent all paladins (not even clerics are paladins), they arent all perfect, they arent all kind or mostly indifferent to good and evil, some are malicious, some are secretly bloodthirsty, some may be ruthless in achieving the desires of their church and god.. and some may be on the verge of getting a divine kick up the backside out of their faith for being corrupt.

Is it not possible for an assassin to strive for the greater good and murder, kill, abduct, sabotage for good causes (all evil actions). A means to an end? Don't think that something similar canot happen to cleric Rofirine somewhere down the line in their life or right from the start for whatever personal reasons of philisophical outlooks they have. A cleric is NOT their diety and not directly controlled by them. They never will be, they can only serve them and uphold their beliefs to the best of their abilities and do with the world what their god wishes.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Filatus on October 22, 2011, 09:09:27 PM
Quote from: davidhoff
By Filatus:


It is this:



All exculpatory (favorable against the accused) evidence must be disclosed and if you don't then its unethical, unjust and untruthful and against Divine Law.  To not tell a truth is the same thing as telling an untruth.



You are never 100% sure about anything, but you need to have a good faith basis for presenting any arguments.  If you know evidence you subit to a court was planted on the defendant...that's not good faith.  If you know an admission you got from a defendant was coerced out of duress...that's not good faith.  If you make an argument to the court knowing the defense can not rebut because you failed to give them exculpatory evidence..that's not good faith.

There really is no room for evil when it comes to "Divine Law"...they are in opposites.


And to give weight to your case, you give me two lobsided examples. My whole point is that we shouldn't be looking at the extremes in this. Doesn't a prosecutor need to establish a motive in front of the court? If a prosecutor ends up with say two possible motives for a crime, and they both seem equally plausible, is it against Rofiriein's dogma, to choose the one that probably carries a harsher penalty?

Would a Rofirinite make his case based on the motive that carries a less harsh penalty with it, because its preferable over risking an unjust penalty? Or would he go for the other motive, thinking it a greater crime if the punishment was less than what would be just in Rofirein's eyes?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 22, 2011, 09:23:09 PM
Quote from: Filatus
Going with the context you yourself use, would a paragon of virtue and honor use evidence he's not 100% sure about? Would he use it, and let the court decide whether it is admissable or not? If the court would admit it, and the doubt would still be lingering, would it still have been a good act? There's no yes or no, black or white in this.

There is in this case, actually.  Whether or not to withhold evidence is not a Good-Evil question but a Law-Chaos question: "Do you or do you not believe in the system of the courts, and in the order and duties of each member of the faith?  Is it not the duty and position of the judges to determine the admissibility of evidence in a trial?"  Whether or not the character likes the possible outcome is immaterial.  Will he follow the rules, or will he turn against the rules when it suits him, thus proving himself bound for Neutral rather than firmly within Lawful?

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But at the same time you ask in this thread to define a lawful neutral Rofi in a few words

Acacea covered it.  That was a question about Dremora's scenario.

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If you look at the world we ourselves live in, you'll find that notions of virtue, honor and order are not neatly defined concepts. They're actually very ill defined concepts that are often something you aspire to be, rather than simply are. You'll find honor has a completely different meaning if you ask a Voraxite, and then a Rofirinite. So too, do these shades of grey exist within the Rofirinite faith. because in the end, they are only words.

True enough, but this is a fantasy world; we can define things.  Doesn't it seem like the church of order should be more orderly?  I know someone will take this to extremes, so I'll point out explicitly that I would never expect or ask that everything be laid out as completely as it would be in a real Rofireinite church.  Still, some structure, explanation, guidance, even restriction would not be a bad thing.  Define concepts.  Give meaning to the words.  Not insanely specific, but less whatever-you-can-justify-to-a-DM-or-CA.  It's really wild and random right now.  Chaotic.  That's the wrong thing to be.  And the poorly-fitting Evil makes it worse.

(Also, with respect and potential apologies to Lance, his character seems very "harsh end of LN with low Charisma" to me.  I admit to limited interaction, though.)

To Dremora, that's why very nearly every PC is actually True Neutral, no matter what the record says.  If a character is not behaving in a certain direction a majority of the time, they cannot really be said to be that alignment.  If you aren't Lawful a lot, you're really just Neutral.  If you aren't Chaotic a lot, you're really just Neutral.  If you aren't Good a lot, you're really just Neutral.  If you aren't Evil a lot, you're really just Neutral.  

I don't disagree with the motivation concept, but isn't that really table-top level stuff?  How can we expect all our characters' motivations to be monitored and tracked to show we're really being X and not Y, especially in the past however long of bare calendarness when it's just player-to-player?

(Also, don't worry, everyone.  I never win this argument about the Evil Rofies.  No one cares what I think.)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 22, 2011, 09:35:45 PM
IF no one cared what you think we'd not bother trying to discuss it with you, I certaintly would'nt waste time I would spend sleeping if I thought your opinion as something to brush off (but I will go to bed after I post this since I need to get up). In my case I just dont agree with your opinion and I also think that you cant monitor a characters motivations unless your the player; whats the point if everyone knew everything the other would do?
Thats why I have said your alignment should show, but you should not be expected to display its characteristics all the time and ignore the context of its display just so you are proving to people watching "hey look this character so obviously evil",. IF you designed a character to BE that way then good on you, if you want them to be subtle, well then do it that way. a character who enforces and obeys the law, but is malicious, cruel or whatever personally is not TN. That is set pattern which should show whenever the oppurtunity presents itself and its appropriate (if the player likes his character concept, it will probably). Just like a serial killer is liable only to display it when its safe to do so (not for the victim).

Read the examples I gave earlier of how each Inquisitor alignment would treat a violent situation, apply that pattern of character concept and personality to other situations where evil and good and lawful/chaotic nature can be displayed. Then explain to me how those characters (meaningful ones, not something simple like how you interact with a stranger) represent a True Neutral character with no leanings towards good/evil or lawful/chaotic.
The examples I gave were examples, since its not conveniant for me to tell you a lifestory about character A/B/C. But, I atleast, believe that they were infact LG/LN/LE and would expect those alignemnts to show in a characers life whenever it can and makes sense to.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 22, 2011, 09:45:22 PM
AS a final statement to clear-up misunderstandings: EVil has various forms, some subtle, some not. Same with good. Lawful and chaotic is usually alot easier to spot and diplay. But good and evil can only be shown by people when a situation arises that gives them oppurtunity to express it.
At this point one would expect a player to show their alignment if they feel its a good time for their character to do so. OR rather, they should just RP how they're character would and hopefully their concept coincides with most of the bullet point guidelines on alignment and faith dogma.

It wont always be perfect, the player makes mistakes, and sometimes they may have a character who would conceal they're nature in some instances, I think journal entries could be kept if they wished to reinforcetheir char's thoughts. Its why I originally kept a journal on Nym to show others that just cause they dont see it, doesnt mean he doesnt have quite a neutral outlook (or I try to RP that atleast) since his creation, albeit a harsh and alien one, being a monster from the Deep. If it changes, I may show it in a journal or in RP when I can cause I personally enjoy it.

Just consider everything ive said if your going to hear me out, not just some, now goodnight all :)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 22, 2011, 09:59:55 PM
By Filatus:
Quote
And to give weight to your case, you give me two lobsided examples. My whole point is that we shouldn't be looking at the extremes in this. Doesn't a prosecutor need to establish a motive in front of the court? If a prosecutor ends up with say two possible motives for a crime, and they both seem equally plausible, is it against Rofiriein's dogma, to choose the one that probably carries a harsher penalty?

Would a Rofirinite make his case based on the motive that carries a less harsh penalty with it, because its preferable over risking an unjust penalty? Or would he go for the other motive, thinking it a greater crime if the punishment was less than what would be just in Rofirein's eyes?


It's fine for a Rofireinite Prosecutor to try to make his case and go for the harshest crime/punishment he see's fit, but if he is relying on untruths or false evidence he is not being lawful and just, he is not acting in accordance with Rofireinite beliefs and he is now outside of the church.  There may be some Rofireite Prosecutors/Judges that "go for the jugular" or are deemed "harsh", but that alone does not make them evil nor does it make them something less than lawful, as long as they stay within the confines of the Divine Law.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: willhoff on October 22, 2011, 10:03:33 PM
Quote
To say you can't get a follower of Rofirenite who is evil is silly.
They arent all paladins (not even clerics are paladins), they arent all perfect, they arent all kind or mostly indifferent to good and evil, some are malicious, some are secretly bloodthirsty, some may be ruthless in achieving the desires of their church and god.. and some may be on the verge of getting a divine kick up the backside out of their faith for being corrupt.


When you (mechanically) put a deity in a characters deity field it means they adamantly follow and adhere to the tenants and faiths of that deity.  Even more so with a cleric or paladin.

Taken from Lore:  Lawful/Evil Character traits:

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Lies and cheats those not worthy of his respect.
May or may not kill an unarmed foe.
Never kill an innocent but will harm, harass or kidnap.
Has no time for the law.
May take dirty money.


Taken from Lore...Rofirein tenants/Aspects:

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paragon of virtue and honor.
Dedicate your life to justice, honor, and the pursuit of law and order.
Hold the law above all else at any cost
Without the order of law, chaos would reign and the world would descend into dark times
Extend honor to all--even your foes.
Aid others whenever and wherever possible as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not make way for acts of evil


If you have the attributes of an evil character listed above it is impossible for you to have Rofirein in your deity field which means fully embracing and following Rofireins tenants listed above and having that god in your heart and soul.

An evil character could have a blank deity field and claim he/she's a rofirein which I think would be fine.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 22, 2011, 10:46:32 PM
Quote
Thats why I have said your alignment should show, but you should not be expected to display its characteristics all the time and ignore the context of its display just so you are proving to people watching "hey look this character so obviously evil",. IF you designed a character to BE that way then good on you, if you want them to be subtle, well then do it that way. a character who enforces and obeys the law, but is malicious, cruel or whatever personally is not TN. That is set pattern which should show whenever the oppurtunity presents itself and its appropriate (if the player likes his character concept, it will probably). Just like a serial killer is liable only to display it when its safe to do so (not for the victim).


The potential L/E Rofirein may pick and choose when they decide to display their "evil" side and may choose to do it behind the scenes.  But guess who is watching always?  Rofirein and LORE.  If your character is evil, then at some point they must act evil and Rofirein and LORE will see.  There is no way one can be evil: lie, steal, cheat, murder, harass, kidnap, act selfishly, take dirty money, etc. and still comply with the doctrines of Rofirein: Virtue, Honor, Divine Law (good/lawful law), does not make way for acts of evil, etc.

When looking to see if a L/E Rofie could exist, the point of view is not from the perspective of the potential character (subjective), rather the point of view is from a reasonable observer with all the facts (objective).  Objectively a L/E Rofie really doesn't seem to be logically possible because the Objective observer would see the evilness of the character and his evil acts and see its contrast with the tenets of the Rofirein faith.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 23, 2011, 07:18:13 AM
Yes when something goes in your diety field it means you follow the diety's ideology which as you'll realize still requires the mind of the character to be on the same page as the diety, clerics and paladins are likely to be so. However, lying is not against the law, stealing is, murder is only murder within set parameters, the law is about actions of a person not their conduct such as callousness or bloodthirst and such things can be displayed when facing off against evil-doers without breaking any laws and giving their diety a reason to sever any divine powers granted(but its still evil).

Honour varies in many forms as does virtue and you can argue that some things are not dishonourable. Just like Toranites arent expected to keep their oaths if those oaths lead to loss of innocent life, nothing about rofireinie honour and virtue is set in stone some evil things can still be honourable, just look at the samurai.

Again your sticking to the alignment bullet points like they are law and if that is the case then yes, LE rofireinites will be extremely restrained in what they can do. However, since they are not requirements that must be filled as written, then you can play a Rofirenite evilly, a good person who obeys the law and acts with a sense of fairness, but they aren't afraid of getting their hands dirty to see justice done. Justice isn't always good, its a sense of getting what you deserve. An evil toranite would be harder to get than an evil Rofirenite; there are LORE events where Toran observed the evils of his followers but didnt sever all their powers instantly just because they arent as perfect as him and wanted to give them time to mend their ways; in the same manner Rofirene may not sever all powers from a cleric if he comes off as ruthless and callous but still upholds the Divine Law which is his primary duty and its in the broader service of the Greater Good of all.

An example earlier that a bribed rofie might take the the gold, still arrest the person and then donate that gold to the Temple or to further whatever ploys he has to root out unlawful or evil-doers. So he took dirty oney, but put it to a good cause, he lied to the man who broke the law but in doing so delivered justice. Do you see Rofirein taking away all his powers for that, I dont especially when other gods have been known not to step in until their followers truly lose their way?
There are no laws against killing those that attack you, as shown in the scenarios I gave (which noone has said would not work and given reasons), there is no law against lying except if you are being asked to give testimony in court, there is no law against harrassing criminals if you are police in those times however physical harrassment may've been. There is no law against a Rofireinite who quite happily would prefer seeing evil people dying on the spot for resisting rather than going out of his way to capture them and present them for trial. Those are evil actions in service of good without breaking the law or violating some senses of honour and virtue (of which there are several).

"paragon of virtue and honor.
Dedicate your life to justice, honor, and the pursuit of law and order.
Hold the law above all else at any cost
Without the order of law, chaos would reign and the world would descend into dark times
Extend honor to all--even your foes.
Aid others whenever and wherever possible as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not make way for acts of evil"

These may be the tenants but nowhere is there a requirement to be strictly good n their dealings of law and order. Law and order is not good by default, it is what it is. Rofireine may decree it to be used for good intents, it doesnt make law and order good and if faced with a situation in which law and order must be upheld and some evil done to do so, some clerics will gladly do so because they are more ruthless. Yes it says as long as its in "accordance with the law and does not make way for evil"
What its saying is that the actions of a cleric should not pave the way for more evil deeds, it does NOT say that evil cannot be purged 'evilly' like in the scenario's I displayed. What it says is their actions must not breed corruption, encourage murder or basically bring evil unto the people they are trying to protect nothing says they cannot lie, kill, manipulate or do evil things so long as they arent strictly against the law and especially if they have good intentions at heart (which a diety will see as well).

Hold the law above anything else at all costs, this proves that law can come at the expense of good if it must, thus law is not good, its simply being used for good intents. So you CAN have evil rofies. Treating foes with honour is also subjective to the type of honour implied, does it mean fight fair, or does it mean simply give them a chance to repent and ask to face trial Its not specifically stated what is meant, but since this isnt Toran and a cause for ORDER not pure GOOD, it is NOT the same thing as the bright shiny knight on the white horse who is incorruptible from fairy tales.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 23, 2011, 08:44:10 AM
I see your points and I understand you're trying to find a way to squeeze L/E into also being a Rofireinite.  To be honest, I think if you really tried you probably could attempt to make these same arguments for saying we should have L/E Toranities or L/G Pyrtechons.  You're looking at it from a micro point of view (at a specific character level), where I'm looking at it from a macro point of view (seeing if the tenets and dogma's jive).

If you're really playing your "evil" properly then, from a marco point of view, evil does not jive with Rofireine and stirct adherence to "Divine Law" (good law).  

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"You are a paragon of virtue and honor" and do not make way for acts of evil.
 If you are evil, then at some point YOU will make acts of evil.  Making acts of evil is in direct contradiction to Rofireinite dogma/tenets and I can see no way to reconcile this.

Your example of the L/E Rofireinite who takes a bribe and donates the money.  If he takes a bribe he is no longer lawful...he just broke the law...so that guy is out.  He is taking dirty money (evil act), so he is now in direct contradiction to Rofirein's code ("do not make way for acts of evil")...so that won't work.  
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Harassing criminals
is not an evil act...its more of a good act.  
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Prefering to see evil people die
, is not an evil ACT, it is a thought/mindset and one I don't see as necesarrily being evil.

If you're saying my L/E Rofie is evil and has an evil mind, but doesn't overtly ACT in an evil way...well then he's not really evil.  Evil characters, if properly played, must and will perform acts of evil and at that point (from a marcro point of view) they don't jive with Rofireinite tenets and Divine Law.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 23, 2011, 01:32:28 PM
Quote from: Dremora
Evil: Orders the siege of the cultist hideout after calling for surrender, once its obviously not responded to, he blanket-labels all cultists as resisting arrest, worshippers of evil gods and assaulting officers and gives a kill-on-sight order. His men are likely better trained and equipped and will cut down all in their path unless they drop weapons, fall to their knees and beg for their lives.
Those might be spared (meaning minimal risk to the guards and rofies. Any prisoners taken from the wounded or surrounded will all be given the maximum sentance that the law allows (likely death), nevermind who had a choice or who didnt; they are all evil and must be purged for the safety of good, decent folk.
It may even be that the Inquistor takes no prisoners and plays judge/jury/executioner, deeming them too dangerous and insane to transport for trial and may value the lives of the 'good guys' over the enemy, even if its within their duties to risk themselves to capture people alive; thus summary field executions for everyone in the evil cult, captive or rebel, brain-washed or faithful.
Law is satisfied, evil is done, but honour and virtue may still be displayed if prisoners are taken but later executed after trial, as unarmed men werent killed and they WERE given a chance to surrender before the attack. Note honour and virtue aren't -always- the same as goodness.

This is the best example I've ever seen, in this thread or elsewhere.  Still, I'm not sure I'm following.  Are you saying that one character made all these decisions?  If you are, then that is exactly demonstrating my point. (And if you aren't, I am really lost.)

It has been confirmed for the Good-Evil axis that you can't be Good by doing Evil.  The ends do not justify the means.  If you use Evil means to achieve a Good end, you have still done Evil.  It's the manner you behave that matters, not your end goal.

That must also be true for the Law-Chaos axis.  If you do Chaotic things for a Lawful purpose, you're Chaotic.  You cannot uphold the law by breaking it, as Jennara has often said.  You cannot be just by being unjust.  You aren't following the rules if you break the rules.  And the Rofireinites are really big on rules and order and the system.

If one character takes it upon himself to be judge, jury, and executioner, he is no longer following the rules.  He is outside the system.  He may get away with it once or twice, but as the church finds him to be prone to bouts of chaotic behavior, they will trust him less and less.  He will be unlikely to be promoted.  He will be more likely to be demoted.  If he follows the order and system laid out - which is extremely important for a Rofireinite - then he can't act on his Evil very much.  Someone not acting on his opinions and beliefs is just like a Neutral character - he feels it, but he lacks the action to make it matter.

Do you see what I mean?  A Rofireinite is somewhat analogous to a police officer in the real world, who can't just shoot every criminal but must stay within the rules of the system.  The system and the rules are a big part of what it means to be Rofireinite.  If you aren't following the system, why are you playing a Rofireinite?  The rules are part of the challenge; don't ignore them.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 23, 2011, 02:47:22 PM
Modern day mindsets will not exist in a medieval fantasy setting, as several have pointed out on several topics. If a high ranking rofirenite (its why I just labelled him as an inquisitor due to a lack of LORE knowledge). If he directs an operation of considerable size, he HAS the power to make calls such as that when confronting an evil, resisting cult of psychos; he cant radio in for the decision of the local high priest on how to resolve the situation, he works with his pre-set orders and the rest is in his hands, along with the lives of his men. Noone, considering the rofirenite mindset would rebuke the Inquisitor for doing his duty and keeping his men safe while upholding the law at the expense of mad cult members lives who refused surrender to begin with. The public will not accuse him of police brutality or suspend him for killing a suspect, its just not like that. Granted he may get in trouble for the summary executions in the field but that is just an optional thing that MIGHT happen. Im just trying to show you the differences and how they can be displayed, even if an LE rofirenite would not be an OBVIOUS or main villian. And what you've said is my point. A character may be aligned to a diety and try to do their work but how they do it can be good or evil and thats their alignment; obviously a NE or CE character cant be a rofie priest. But I still think an LE can operate in that Church to a degree without being removed from his position, obviously he cant be the big bad guy you see in films but he can still be the character most dont like for his methods (or maybe they do depending on the crowd), even if he's on the good-team strictly speaking.

I still feel as if rather than directly addressing the actions performed as out of line and something that wouldnt happen, you are picking at small details when ive already stated the nitty gritty points (that I said MIGHT happen) are not what im sharp on, I still think the overall example works however. If you cannot say truthfully that an LE rofirenite would not act similar or like that and that Rofirene and the character-in-question's superiors would instantly arrest or excommunicate him for his actions and give the reason why.. I have to still believe my example is valid, fullest respect to your argument ofcourse, im not just refusing to be 'wrong' I just dont see how I am yet.

We can argue on the right/wrong of whether taking bribe money is ACCEPTING a bribe or if it is confiscating it from a criminal, having him locked up and then putting the confiscated coin to good use, it depends on opinion. Yes it -may- break a tenet but many are bound to never stick perfectly to codes and tenets and some may be bent likely without a character being instantly kicked out of their faction find me a character who has obeyed all the rules all the time perfectly. Also taking it does not pave the way for any further evil, the criminal is arrested, end of. If a rofirenite funded a criminal organization to rise up and force the hand of a bigger group to deal with them, and later close a trap on both groups to catch them all, he has captured his objectives but paved the way for more evil during the setting up of his psuedo-mobbsters. Its not the same if you ask me.
Hassling criminals is not always a good act it depends on how you view it, how much and what sort of harrassment exists and if its applied only to people they know 100% are criminals, what if they are wrong and have the wrong guy?

Referring to the mindset over alignment point; if a cleric for example is bloodthirsty and gives orders to slay evil-doers (or those he percieves to be and has any excuse to give a lawful order of that kind) because of religeous zeal rather than take equally reasonable and less-bloody or harsh road, arent they evil? Sure they are slaying bad guys, they are in line with the law, and keeping good people safe but the way they go about it and their inclinations to give such harsh orders when there are those who dont deserve it amongst the enemy ranks, it is evil. I dont think you can justify a ruthless general (another example to illustrate the point of actions being good/evil/lawful/chaotic) butchering a tribe of orcs down to the last female and child as a good act even if he was given a lawful order from his superiors. Lets say the tribe was responsible for razing villages, taking slaves etc and unless crippled or eradicated, they will murder many more. Wholesale slaughter protects good people, fulfills the orders by duty. But you could argue killing every male member of the tribe and capturing and relocating the remaining females and children would achieve the same thing. It is a more good-aligned act but regardless of the path, I think the general wont be punished for it.

Oh and just because people are evil, doesnt necessarily mean killing them with glee is a good act. That comes down to personal opinion and regardless of my opinions on it, I think enjoying slaughtering evil people will always be a somewhat evil act simply because you as the character like what you are doing and are not doing it out of selfless duty.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 23, 2011, 03:44:11 PM
My concern is not really about what can be imagined for some imaginary figure.  I'm not thinking about it for mental exercise.  As with Alatriel's example, any DM can decide that a high-ranking Rofireinite is this way or that.  But there are no PCs in that position.  The closest is Jennara, and she's not Evil, nor does she have the authority to declare guilt or order executions, except maybe in Echo in extreme conditions, and that would be because of Trelanian law, not Rofireinite rules.  If she did do anything like that, she would be held accountable for ignoring the system and not following the rules.  And it would be bad.  I still disagree that one man making those choices is within the bounds of the order and system of the Rofireinite faith.

My concern is for actual players with actual characters and the value of the church and its structure and rules.  A low-ranking character, like any that is submitted and played, cannot make these decisions except on the smallest scales, and if 'branded' as a liability and opposed to order, he won't advance and may even get into serious trouble if it happens often.  How Evil can that character really be if he only thinks Evil and doesn't do Evil so that he actually gets anywhere?  That's just LN with some particular Evil tendencies, which isn't abnormal.  That's really a question of how alignment is viewed, I guess, and there's never going to be agreement.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: lonnarin on October 23, 2011, 04:41:49 PM
For those fans of Sons of Anarchy out there, let me submit the new District Attorney Lincoln Potter as an example of LE done right.  He came into the series during the fourth season and is trying to take down the cartel who the motorcycle gang is working for.  Recently they got one man inside the club, "Juice" to work as one of their informants, using blackmail to that end.  It turns out that Juice's being half-black would not sit well the the mostly racist members of the motorcycle gang that he's in, and he urges Sheriff Roosevelt to hold that over his head in order to gain intel.  Sending Juice into the clubhouse to procure a sample of drugs for them to test in the lab, they thrust this guy directly into the heart of the lion for their ends.  Roosevelt has twangs of guilt for this and asks DA Lincoln "what happens if they find him out, They'll kill him!" to Which Lincoln responds "that's the point!".  He's trying to sew dissension and mistrust within the Motorcycle gang to shake them up.  Then when Juice arrives with the sample, they bust him immediately for possession of narcotics, to dig in deeper and make him even more a thrall/informant.  Now they didn't lie to get him there, they didn't break any laws, they operate for the law, and they see these lesser criminals as reasonable sacrifices to get at the larger target, the coke supplying cartel members. They're not planting evidence, fudging reports or telling lies to the club.  They are however using available evidence to make them pawns of the law enforcement and sacrificing criminals to the devices of other criminal conspirators who would kill them if found out.

I think when one is planting evidence, falsifying reports, skirting around due process or implicating innocents for crimes they did not commit, that sinks into unlawful territory of NE.  Using a position of legal authority to commit crimes is not lawful.  Using real evidence and facts however to coerce and exploit people into dangerous positions of questionable morality is.  So somebody like Lex Luthor, despite giving the outward appearance of law as a businessman or even when he became the president of the United States does not qualify for LE.  That ship sailed due to his criminal acts while in power.  Despite being in positions of authority and having a top notch legal team that finds him innocent again and again, he is still committing crimes constantly.  But perhaps a Prince John of Robin Hood fame who takes power through his right to lineage while his brother is away, raises taxes, chops the hands off of children for stealing bread and uses the military to seek out and destroy rebels and thieves would qualify.  He is the legitimate authority and the one who sets the laws so that he may profit from them.  He is not breaking laws of any sort, even if the laws he pushes are inhumane and cruel.

This is just as how not all good cops are lawful.  Take any police film star from the 80s who use their badges to shootemup like its the wild west, and who beat criminals in custody in order to gain information. Unless there are acceptable laws on the books for the extraction of information via torture, these are not lawful acts.  If however, the law of the lands do permit dungeons with torture devices (like many lands in layo) they would be.  It's all about Due Process.  If the laws as they are written permit such actions to be performed and the authority of that law lies within the hands of those who commit morally reprehensible acts, then as evil as those acts may be, they are deemed lawful.

I can also think of some church examples of a Lawful Evil character.  If one uses his position to extract indulgences from the people, raises tithes to ridiculous amounts and declares political enemies as heretics for minor offenses, it would be considered Lawful Evil.  If the money gained through donations goes towards gold plating the inside of the church and building statues of themselves instead of feeding the hungry or using that money to help other churches nearby, it could be LE.  I use the following litmus test in such matters.

Good to evil Axis:
Does this benefit others or myself first and foremost?
Are my actions kind or cruel?
Do I  make them perform restitution or merely punish?
Do my actions positively or negatively affect those around me?
Am I greedy or generous?

and on the Lawful/Chaotic Axis:
Do I obey the laws as they are written, or do I act against them?
Do I find real evidence, or do I Lie?
Do I follow due process, or go outside the law when nobody is looking?
When I perform acts in the name of the law, do I have legitimate authority granted to me by the established rulers of the region, or do I do as I please, using said authority and my badge as a thinly veiled excuse to get away with it?
Am I just in my dealings, or do I break any crimes on the books, using my authority as a shield to do so?


Crooked cops are not lawful evil because the law is not crooked.  Any time when the law becomes malleable serving some but not others, then the law is considered broken.  Using authority to turn a blind eye to the crimes of some but not others is not lawful.  Corruption is neither good nor evil, but the extent to which the law is no longer adhered to.

Of course one must also take into consideration that the Law-Chaos and Good-Evil axis is a collection of actions taking place over a long period of time, and that no one single action may undo that, unless it is a snapping point of supreme malice or retribution.  This is a changing point in which the revelation is made to the character on the path he will follow from there on after.  (CDQ!)  When Darth Vader sacrifices himself to save Luke from the Emperor, he redeems himself, sure.  But If he stopped to pet a puppy and then marched right past thereafter to blow up Alderan, would we all be saying he was a good man?

Not all things are Black and White!  There is good in evil people and evil in good people, just as there are degrees to which a lawbringer may disobey or a madman may obey the laws.  This is why we have an entire axis of varying degrees available to us and not a simple yes-no, one-zero, true-false system of 4 options.  This is why Neutral characters exist.  Even the gods themselves may vary in their actions depending upon their moods or the situations that they face, so why should followers be any different?  Is Azatta still an assassin of the deep?  Is Grand still a neutral Dorandite making axes?  Character development takes ALL THINGS into account, even the shades of grey and the small failings and triumphs of all things.  Han Solo shot Greedo first and dealt drugs for Jabba the Hutt, it does not mean he is any less a hero!
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 23, 2011, 07:19:32 PM
I respect all the arguments made thus far, and this may be beating a dead horse.  We may agree to disagree, but we're having too much fun to stop now, right?  :D   I'm not saying you can't have zealous, harsh, tough, mean and tenacious Rofireinites.  Not all Rofies are goody-two-shoes and saints.

I just can't see "evil" as a Rofireinite.  Ask yourself this question:  Why can't there be Evil Toranites?  Seriously, ask yourself this.

I honestly haven't researched this fully, but I'm guessing the reason you can't have evil toranites is because being evil and acting evil is in contrast to the tenets of the Toranite Faith.  The exact same argument can be made about Evil Rofireinites.  Worshiping Rofirein and being a devout follower is about a life "for" Rofirein and upholding His "Divine Law", which is a good law.  Rofireinites can not do things that lead to acts of evil.  Rofireinites are paragons of virtue (from "The Free Dictionary")
Quote
a. Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness
 How can you be and act evil and still be in line with this?  These same argument hold true if you want an Evil Toranite.

If a character has evil in his heart and commits evil acts "in the name of Rofirein" is he trully a Rofireinite?  Or is this person an imposter, mascarading as a Rofireinite to further his evil-selfish plan (a crime punishable by death)?  Is there room in ones heart for both evil and a devout worshop of a virtuous and good god?

I don't mean to nit-pick some of these examples; I think talking about this in a "big-picture" framework is more affective.  But the examples are out there and must be addressed.

If a Rofie takes a bribe from a criminal, but then turns that money over to the Temple, well then that's not an evil act by the Rofie, its a good act and its legal.  He is acting in his official capacity to uncover a criminal act (attempted bribe by the criminal) and he does the legal and official thing which is to turn it over to the authorities.

Quote
If a rofirenite funded a criminal organization to rise up


This is unlawful and probably led to evil acts committed on innocent civilians.

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Hassling criminals is not always a good act


If a Rofie is acting within the law by following, investigating or questioning a criminal then its a lawful and possibly a good act.  If the Rofie is unlawfully beating up, coercing, or destroying/invading the criminal's property these are unlawful acts.  It depends on the specific circumstances to determine a person was treated lawfully or not.

Quote
if a cleric for example is bloodthirsty and gives orders to slay evil-doers (or those he percieves to be and has any excuse to give a lawful order of that kind) because of religeous zeal rather than take equally reasonable and less-bloody or harsh road, arent they evil?


If a cleric slays evil-doers, then this may be a lawful or unlawful act depending.  It is lawful, and probably a good act, if the evil-doers acts are proven, their crimes are evident and the evil doers are resisting and will not come in peacefully and law/safety dictates there is no other way to bring them to justice.  It is unlawful if this cleric does not give them due process or time to surrender and just goes in for the kill without giving them a chance for trial or process.

Edit: Another thought.  What I'm seeing logistically speaking, is that if a L/E Rofie tries to "act" in a evil way, usually he runs afoul of not being lawful.  If the L/E Rofie tries to act evil and his acts comport with the law, then he's really not being/acting evil because that same act would usually have been done as well by a L/G or L/N Rofie.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 24, 2011, 04:50:04 AM
While I feel that the conversation has been spiraling in circles for some time I want to say I see this as a perfectly acceptable explanation for a LE Rofireinite. And yes I think if its a PC who has gone through the CDQ process and has a rank in the faith that enambles them to make such decisions 'in the field' then good on them. well...evil on them as the case may be.  :)

Quote from: Dremora


Evil: Orders the siege of the cultist hideout after calling for surrender, once its obviously not responded to, he blanket-labels all cultists as resisting arrest, worshippers of evil gods and assaulting officers and gives a kill-on-sight order. His men are likely better trained and equipped and will cut down all in their path unless they drop weapons, fall to their knees and beg for their lives.
Those might be spared (meaning minimal risk to the guards and rofies. Any prisoners taken from the wounded or surrounded will all be given the maximum sentance that the law allows (likely death), nevermind who had a choice or who didnt; they are all evil and must be purged for the safety of good, decent folk.
It may even be that the Inquistor takes no prisoners and plays judge/jury/executioner, deeming them too dangerous and insane to transport for trial and may value the lives of the 'good guys' over the enemy, even if its within their duties to risk themselves to capture people alive; thus summary field executions for everyone in the evil cult, captive or rebel, brain-washed or faithful.
Law is satisfied, evil is done, but honour and virtue may still be displayed if prisoners are taken but later executed after trial, as unarmed men werent killed and they WERE given a chance to surrender before the attack. Note honour and virtue aren't -always- the same as goodness.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 24, 2011, 05:18:05 AM
Okay fair enough to Gulnyr's point that being a low-order PC and doing evil acts is probably quite challenging and then it really does come down to how visible do you expect their alignment to be in their actions, how creative is the player and whether they have situations avaiulable to them where they can commit evil lawfully. I'll admit the higher the rank, the more power you have (in ANYTHING), the easier it probably is; that said keep in mind rofireinite adventuring PCs make the life/death call on many things in their grinds for xp or on bashing quests when others defer to their judgement or they are alone in their faith groups. Hell maybe they arent giving orders but advise the party leader to make hard-line and arguably evil decisions, thats still evil through influence.

Okay I'll ask myself, found an answer in two seconds: An evil toranite is not possible (or I cant think up a decent arguement for one except the character THINKS hes a Toranite) simply because they are a cause that will further 'Good' BEFORE anything else and are not accepting that the 'Law' IS 'Good' all the time like a Rofireinite would, the Divine Law does not account for every individual detail in a case to dispense perfect justice and fairness to all while upholding Good; its not possible for written instructions on how to punish and what to punish (evil can occur in its enforcement im sure) for to uphold goodness on individual basis all the time, maybe if Rofie came down from heaven and took each case in its personal context and balanced lawful and good equaly everytime, did it all himself, it'd happen but since its left to mortals who nodoubt will find points where tenets clash, its not gunna be perfect is it? I still see evil as a possibility for clerics in a LN faith. I don't see it possible in an LG faith, not for those who rely on their diety for divine spells etc (clerics, Champions etc).

Besides, this argument is about LE allowed for an LN diety. Not LE being allowed for Pyrotechon (CE) or Toran (LG) which are paradoxical; a lawful agent of chaos and destruction? Come on guys. You'll notice the alignment seperation remarkably more distinct so bringing those in isn't really a fair example. Maybe Rofirein has some dogma that makes him come off as LG (maybe its propaganda :P), maybe that should be re-written, maybe rofirein should change to LG, but since his alignment and that of the faith is currently LN, and from a lore perspective he is about Law and Order. Both good and evil should be capable of operating in that system being only one alignment step away.

Anyway its a small enough difference and yet both teams can be considered the good guys, but I think the views of the Rofirenites in this case make them more susceptible and tolerant of evil-doers in their ranks, even if they dont consider them to be and for all intents and purposes evil agents may be quite the minority.
And yes I know Toran is LG mechanically (least I hope he is <.<) but I bet you that if you ask Toranite players, they would say that the good alignment part for their faith comes BEFORE the lawful part in ~priority~ (important!). Many Rofirenites may not feel the same way and believe that "upholding the law comes before all" (as pointed out, its from the diety page), and that may include the view of some that committing one evil act to ensure a greater good is done by not paving the way for further evil acts or plots, is worth it and still within the mandate they are given (though LE characters would repeat this decision trend unlike an LN and thus make many evil acts for double or triple the good benefits; all technically lawful acts ofcourse).
Yes, okay, fine, its not something Rofirein would give them the Victoria Cross for but a lawful based diety may not cut his powers off from an LE cleric if he fights for good, his actions bring more good than evil and he always acts lawfully (but is evil by account of his consistent methodology). This would imply the character is legal and makes sense in his present setting, even if he dances on a knife's edge from being booted up the butt.
But yeah we may have to agree to disagree on the majority of the argument davidoff hehe. ;)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 24, 2011, 06:58:04 AM
*puts the broken record back on*

Quote
Originally Posted by Dremora

Evil: Orders the siege of the cultist hideout after calling for surrender, once its obviously not responded to, he blanket-labels all cultists as resisting arrest, worshippers of evil gods and assaulting officers and gives a kill-on-sight order. His men are likely better trained and equipped and will cut down all in their path unless they drop weapons, fall to their knees and beg for their lives.
Those might be spared (meaning minimal risk to the guards and rofies. Any prisoners taken from the wounded or surrounded will all be given the maximum sentance that the law allows (likely death), nevermind who had a choice or who didnt; they are all evil and must be purged for the safety of good, decent folk.


Going into a hostile environment against evil-cultitsts after a surrender is refused and killing some and taking some prisoners is L/E?  Sounds more L/G to me (go getem Jennara!).

Quote
It may even be that the Inquistor takes no prisoners and plays judge/jury/executioner, deeming them too dangerous and insane to transport for trial and may value the lives of the 'good guys' over the enemy, even if its within their duties to risk themselves to capture people alive; thus summary field executions for everyone in the evil cult, captive or rebel, brain-washed or faithful.


If playing judge/jury/exectuioner is considered lawful (I doubt it)..well then maybe this is L/E.  But also, if the Rofie is ordered to take the evil-cultest hideout and he see's no other way to ensure the safety of his men, and surrender has been refused, I think this is acceptable, but it would be more L/G or L/N...not L/E.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 24, 2011, 07:19:48 AM
Well obviously he sees another way to do it, thats how the other two examples performed, he chose from personal preference to kill everyone as it was safer for his own and he took a pleasure in slaughtering his enemies.
But anyway, we've both made our points so till withdraw from this now as well :P
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 24, 2011, 08:25:25 AM
Your missing the point...its what they are trained to do, this is their place to be, their thing....

Quote from: davidhoff
*puts the broken record back on*



Going into a hostile environment against evil-cultitsts after a surrender is refused and killing some and taking some prisoners is L/E?  Sounds more L/G to me (go getem Jennara!).



If playing judge/jury/exectuioner is considered lawful (I doubt it)..well then maybe this is L/E.  But also, if the Rofie is ordered to take the evil-cultest hideout and he see's no other way to ensure the safety of his men, and surrender has been refused, I think this is acceptable, but it would be more L/G or L/N...not L/E.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: miltonyorkcastle on October 24, 2011, 03:48:18 PM
Quote
"You are a paragon of virtue and honor. Dedicate your life to justice, honor, and the pursuit of law and order. Hold the law above all else at any cost, even if this means bringing loved ones or friends to justice. Without the order of law, chaos would reign and the world would descend into dark times where Pyrtechon would thrive. Extend honor to all--even your foes. Aid others whenever and wherever possible as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not make way for acts of evil. The common people are the strongest force in bringing order and prosperity to all. We must protect them.


Eh, I think I quit reading somewhere on this third page, but let me just toss this out there:

You can be honorable and be evil. You can be just and be evil. You can pursue law and order and be evil. "What? Impossible. Or very hard, at least." I disagree. It's very easy. Here's how:

Let's look at 'honor', an attribute generally applied to 'good' people. But, in fact, an evil person can be extremely honorable. Because being 'honorable' requires something to honor. Since one cannot 'honor' everything, one must choose. If you 'honor' goodness, unselfishness, altruism, etc, then you will uphold that. If you 'honor' selfishness and the law (the law will get me what I want), than you will uphold that. Even when you are told to 'honor' your enemies, again, that is based on a perspective of what is honorable, and what isn't. "I honor you, my foe, lawbreaker, by slitting your throat, for it is honorable to die at the hands of justice and serve as an example to all that chaos will not be tolerated." Yes, I believe one can play an openly evil Rofereinite priest that is in fact supported by Roferein. You don't have to honor life to be honorable. Sure, lying isn't honorable (since that was brought up), but who said you have to lie to be evil?

Next, let's look at justice. "Eye for an eye" is just. Revenge is just. In fact, enforcement of law is sanctioned revenge. Someone abuses society, and society takes back what was lost through punishment of the crime. And justice, again, is determined by those who deal it. For some, one eye for one eye lost is just. For others, seven eyes for one eye is just (unprovoked, you took an eye from the guard captain, so now you and each of your family members must lose an eye in order for justice to be served).This is why you can't have evil Toranites, as Toran holds mercy and compassion with as high a regard as justice, if not higher. This is also why sometimes Rofireinites and Toranites clash.

I think you know where this is going, but we now have the pursuit of law and order to discuss. Not only can we enforce the law in some measurably 'evil' way, but we can in fact pursue the creation of 'evil' laws insofar as they support a peaceful and civil society, and they are equally enforced upon everyone. Let's go back to the 'seven eyes for one eye' scenario. I'd personally call that an evil law, but so long as the guard captain was beholden to the same law as the regular joe, then the law is equitable, civil, and promotes peace (through fear of punishment).

"But, none of those things are virtuous!" On the contrary, all of those things are virtuous! It simply depends upon the virtues about which you are speaking. And, of course, on what you believe are virtues. A 'virtue' does not have to be 'good.' But even so, if you are honorable and just, you could be considered virtuous. If you are a shining example of law defeating chaos, you could be considered virtuous, even if the means aren't pretty.

"Okay, okay," you say, "but how do you rectify that with the part of the dogma that says to aid others and not support evil.?" Easily. As a LE Rofireinite who believes in the virtues of justice and the law, I believe that I am aiding you, helping you, bettering you even, to cut off your hand for breaking the law, to slay you for causing strife in an otherwise peaceful society. Not only do I believe it, but it is true if, in fact, you see the error of your ways and repent, and even if you don't, I am still aiding others by ridding the world of an unrepentant, non-peaceful, uncivil person. Getting rid of an evil, even. If you are affording the society a greater peace (reduced violence) and civility, then you are not 'making way for evil.'  

Now you say, "but the divine law supports all good things! If you honor the divine law, that means you honor what is good." Incorrect. Let me repeat: Incorrect. The divine law supports a civil (ordered), peaceful (prosperous) society where the common man is treated equitably (protected). The belief is that a civil, peaceful society is, by default, 'good'. Or better than the alternative. A society, of course, can be civil and peaceful, yet not be considered 'good' in the sense that the society is not altruistic. Obey the law, you will have peace and civility. Disobey, and you will suffer horribly. As long as the rules are always enforced the same, it's even fair. Once you break the law, you forfeit your rights to peace and civility. Rael's methods come to mind, as does Acacea's recently mentioned concepts of fanatical beliefs/organizations. The potential suffering is so great that people don't even want to come close to breaking the law. As such, the society is very stable and very peaceful, if also stifled. It's predictable, and if you obey the rules, even if they are sometimes a bit unreasonable, you live in peace and know what you are going to get.

"But the means! The means are 'evil', so you've 'made way for evil.'" Rofirein's dogma never suggests that the means to reach this state must be 'good'; it only suggests that the means must be 'honorable, just, and law-abiding.' And we've already reviewed how you don't have to be good to be honorable, just, and law-abiding. According to Rofirein's dogma, if you are honorable, just, and law-abiding, then you will not make way for evil, but instead for a peaceful, civil, equitable society.

Also, nowhere in Rofirein's dogma does it suggest that one must be brought to court to receive justice, either. If you are a cleric of Rofirein (at protector level or higher), and you see someone break the divine law (cause civil strife, etc.), it is your duty to act upon society's behalf and dispense justice in accordance with the law. If you're in a city/province that requires the criminal be brought before local magistrates and juries to deliberate the man's case, then perhaps you submit to those laws as part of supporting and protecting an already peaceful, civil society. But if you are in the boondocks or a place where no such laws exist, then it is your job, as one who must protect and support the peace of society, to both judge (via a 'fair' trial) and punish the criminal yourself, and in doing so, teach the man that he must act in accordance with the divine laws that promote societal betterment.

I am waiting for the Rofireinite priest who pulls a Judge Dredd and says, "I am the law!"

But wait, what about the "Lawful Neutral having a bad day argument"? Nowhere in Rofirein's dogma does it say you can't torture or maim or take a child away from its mother all in the name of justice, honor, and the law. "I honor you, my young friend, by peeling the skin from your arm, for with this act, you will forever remember the pain you have caused this society by your actions, and it is honorable to suffer for mistakes made if you learn from them, just as it is honorable for one to teach such as yourself the importance of following the law."

So yes, while this is fantasy and as such we can define 'good' and 'evil', that doesn't mean that things like 'justice' or 'honor' are inherently good or evil.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: ShiffDrgnhrt on October 24, 2011, 04:14:41 PM


So Tyra can become a Rofie!  Sweet!

Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 24, 2011, 04:22:56 PM
Quote from: miltonyorkcastle
Also, nowhere in Rofirein's dogma does it suggest that one must be brought to court to receive justice, either. If you are a cleric of Rofirein (at protector level or higher), and you see someone break the divine law (cause civil strife, etc.), it is your duty to act upon society's behalf and dispense justice in accordance with the law. If you're in a city/province that requires the criminal be brought before local magistrates and juries to deliberate the man's case, then perhaps you submit to those laws as part of supporting and protecting an already peaceful, civil society. But if you are in the boondocks or a place where no such laws exist, then it is your job, as one who must protect and support the peace of society, to both judge and punish the criminal yourself, and in doing so, teach the man that he must act in accordance with the divine laws that promote societal betterment.

I, and everyone else who read a particular thread in the Rofirein forum, have been specifically told that this is not the case.  It is expressly not permitted to go forth into the wilderness and dispense judgement and punishment as you see fit.  Whether through the government of the kingdom or the church structure, a Rofireinite must attempt to bring criminals to those legally sanctioned to judge and execute sentences.  Also, unless told otherwise, no PC Rofireinite is officially sanctioned by a government, which makes each of them below the rank of a town guard on the totem pole of authority.

Quote
Nowhere in Rofirein's dogma does it say you can't torture or maim or take a child away from its mother all in the name of justice, honor, and the law.

This is a low blow.  No one else's dogma says that, either.  We don't have access to the Divine Law because it doesn't actually exist.  If we can just assume it doesn't say we can't, then anything goes.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: miltonyorkcastle on October 24, 2011, 04:34:11 PM
Quote
It is expressly not permitted to go forth into the wilderness and dispense judgement and punishment as you see fit.


Not every kingdom/country even has 'sanctioned judges'? And while you could drag a criminal across kingdoms to see a judge, the crime might not have relevance, not to mention Rofirein's light won't reach the new lands if you uphold the law somewhere else. Also, which thread (yes, I know some folks can't see the Rofir forums)?

Quote
This is a low blow. No one else's dogma says that, either. We don't have access to the Divine Law because it doesn't actually exist. If we can just assume it doesn't say we can't, then anything goes.


So true. And since the divine law and the common law isn't listed on LORE, then all you have to rely on is your characters interpretations' of the dogma and what a GM tells you. So yeah, pretty much anything goes until such a time as the common law and/or the divine law is posted (the latter I doubt will exist in printed form).

And this makes things so much more interesting, don't you think? Now you can have more distinct factions within the church, interpretations on how to go about upholding the law and bettering society. Now Jennara can work toward convincing others to follow her beliefs as the best way to uphold the law, just as some Lucindites have their own ideas about the best way to use the Al'noth, with both cases seeing their god grant power to followers of the faith who go about their worship in wildly different manners.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 24, 2011, 05:06:38 PM
From Milt:
Quote
So yeah, pretty much anything goes until such a time as the common law and/or the divine law is posted


Agreed.  We can't have an educated discussion about this until we know whether Divine Law is "Good" based law as was suggested here:

From Dezza:
Quote
The charter of laws is based on the Divine Law.

The Charter of Laws was agreed to by decree by most of the good and nuetral faiths under the Diamonior rule in Dreger centuries ago, along with most of the nations (of the time) that supported 'lawful' and or 'good' organised society. Its a shame this information is not yet widely available as it would help to clarify a lot of things for people about this thread. But we do what we can with what we have.


and here:

From the Congregation of the Principium: (http://lore.layonara.com/Congregation%20of%20the%20Principium)
Quote
...scribes made copies of the laws and then sent them to every corner of the empire, to every good aligned faith who had participated...


Or, whether its not a good based law as was declared by you:

From Milt:
Quote
Now you say, "but the divine law supports all good things! If you honor the divine law, that means you honor what is good." Incorrect. Let me repeat: Incorrect.


It makes a huge difference on how Rofies would have to act in general and how well a L/E Rofie fits into the faith.  So, hopefully we'll at least get a specific answer on this basic question (ie, is Divine Law a Good law?) from the LORE gods.  The details of Divine Law are less important right now, but maybe they are something like the Law of Layonara (http://lore.layonara.com/Law%20of%20Layonara).
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 24, 2011, 05:07:29 PM
Quote from: miltonyorkcastle
Not every kingdom/country even has 'sanctioned judges'? And while you could drag a criminal across kingdoms to see a judge, the crime might not have relevance, not to mention Rofirein's light won't reach the new lands if you uphold the law somewhere else. Also, which thread (yes, I know some folks can't see the Rofir forums)?

It's in the new post there, quotes and links.


Quote
And this makes things so much more interesting, don't you think?

No, actually, I don't.  If we were discussing Mist or Katia or any non-Lawful god, it would definitely be nice.  Even for Grannoch or Vorax it could be interesting.  But for THE god of law and order, not so much.  It was bad enough before.  Openly admitting anything goes makes it so much worse.

Think about playing a monstrous character.  There's a challenge in it (or should be, anyway) because of the drawbacks and the limitations, right?  That's also one of the interesting things about playing a Lawful character.  Neutral is easy; just do whatever.  Chaotic isn't much harder than Neutral; just add rebellious tendencies.  But Lawful comes with regulation, and then to put the Rofireinite church on it makes it even more strict.  Well, it should in my opinion.  When one of the qualities Rofirein is said to govern is guidance, you'd expect maybe his church would at least have a label that said "This Way Up," y'know?  Not, "Hey, whatever until someone says something, dude."  And it seems that there would be something very unifying to explain why the church hadn't fractured into multiple sects - entirely separate churches - who all believed they had the right rules and the right way, each with its own Golden Voice.  

But here you are telling me the whole thing should be considered more open, more splintered, more wild, and that maybe the day of a hundred Rofireinite faiths is approaching.  Some of us want the order and the structure and the regulation.  It's a sad day.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: miltonyorkcastle on October 24, 2011, 05:33:59 PM
Quote
Some of us want the order and the structure and the regulation.


In order for this regulation to exist in such a way as to promote unity in the church:
- The common law must be written down (devised and posted).
- A code for how the Rofireinite church interacts with locals laws must also be written down (devised, posted).

Until such a time, we are left with varied interpretation of the dogma (chaos). In the real world, those societies that adhere most strictly to a set of unchanging laws often do splinter into sects based on interpretation (I.E. the various Muslim sects and Christian denominations). Most modern societies instead function with a set of laws that are assumed to be changeable and expandable. Thankfully, with the direct intervention (giving or taking of powers) of the gods in the fantasy setting, one can know which interpretation is correct and which isn't.

Also, @davidhoff: The Ten Commandments are generally considered 'good' laws. 'Evil' people promote them all the time. What will make a difference in this regard are the laws having to do with the enforcement of the law, and if such laws of enforcement are included in the common law and divine law. Laws pertaining to fair trials would fit into the category of enforcement laws.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 24, 2011, 05:52:02 PM
Note I am not taking a side here or there anymore, I've said my piece on where I stand and am out of the argument, but giving a suggestion on how to call it quits.

I personally think this argument will never actually come to a good ending (no pun intended :P), because both sides (including me) have contrasting ideas in our heads about what is evil/good and whether law and order, and rofirien, lean into one more so than the other. Both can't leave this satisfied so:

Perhaps it would just be simpler to clear up a few points without argument. As in the GMs or Ed just give a straight yes/no answer. Preferably after they agree cause all this cross-qouting and "he said/she said" is doing nothing for any side except confusing people.

Was the Divine Law established to promote Good OR Order as priority (if this question is valid)? They aren't the same IMO and in several fantasy settings law and order has been made evil. Shivering Isles, Warhammer etc etc.

IF its Order, that must mean the good aligned dieties were agreeing on a general policing system that was equally fair, but with all the clashing aspects, I doubt they could've settled on any structed law system that was always orientated towards the good outcome rather than the just (especially on any system resembling law systems from real life), orderly outcome. If this is so, then maybe Rofirien dogma needs a looking at on LORE and some corrections to what sort of RP it implies is expected of characters from that faith. A greater emphasis on the Church being about Law and Order, and put the good/evil aside so both groups can operate in the church. This can even lead to some sub-plots of the infighting between the two groups. Whatever, it may just settle this down and maybe Gulnyr you'd open up to the idea abit more; afterall if you feel so strongly about it, Commander Jennara can get involved in it and it won't be a free-for-all because they must stay true to lawful. You will have to give up the "if you follow the law or are killing bad its all good action" argument though guys :( , thats what I meant by we disagree on what is good and what isnt.

It also ends the argument flat out. Rofiren church is neutral as a whole but has good and bad souls upholding law and order for peaceful society, morality does not enter into judgement for judgement must be neutral and unbiased (as much as possible atleast).

If its to promote only good law, then the church may as well join Toran (who will happily uphold law but not at the expense of mercy, compassion and 'right') as a sub-sect of sheriffs (doubt it'll happen). But it also means that the LE will be a small minority and difficult to play because then Rofirien may not forgive too many evil actions from the same follower before a cleric or paladin gets in trouble (cutting out evil submissions unless they intend on shifting alignment to LN or LG later). This also ends the argument (and ruins several character concepts that exist already and are being played; requiring them to alignment shift or delete). Not to mention there's no point having two dieties if they are that similar.

Or we can just ponder for a moment if whether this is worth the argument, since the primary solution thats been presented for 'Against-LE Rofires' party is that they are LN with evil mood swings or LNs that are always doing good cause its against obviously evil people and the law is always good no matter what. The LE Rofie concept must currently be working, presumably, without any actual spanners flying in the works, so we could just let it be and maybe in the future disallow LE for rofirein subs (up to the team). I dont know, I personally don't care, but what I do care about is that this is capable of ruining character concepts that are already in play, and ultimately, all we'll achieve is half an annoyed bunch and half a satisfied bunch.

What do you all think, will clarity on Rofirien/what he stands for, and the Divine Law (like davidoff suggested), settle it?

Edit: if only I'd pressed Send Reply before Milty, this might not look like it was just ghosting his last post; sorry! :P
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 24, 2011, 07:38:51 PM
Yes, I think we're going to need clarification on whether Divine law is a "good" based law that is desinged to further a good society as you say:

Quote
What do you all think, will clarity on Rofirien/what he stands for, and the Divine Law (like davidoff suggested), settle it?


I think your following proposition is intersting...:

Quote
If its to promote only good law, then the church may as well join Toran (who will happily uphold law but not at the expense of mercy, compassion and 'right') as a sub-sect of sheriffs (doubt it'll happen).


Because of this section of the Congregation of the Principium:

Quote
That Charter would also serve to create a new court
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 24, 2011, 07:47:52 PM
Forums would not let me edit my last post for some reason...but here is the continuation of my last post

Edit: I guess I had to clean it..here goes again.

Because of this section of the Congregation of the Principium:

Quote
That Charter would also serve to create a new court--the Divine Court. This court would be overseen by the Rofireinties and the Toranites and would be responsible for the maintenance and the refinement and carrying out of the laws and punishments across the empire (and effectively the world) for the next thousand years.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Filatus on October 24, 2011, 08:13:55 PM
Disclaimer: This is my personal interpretation.

As has been pointed out earlier in this thread, the Divine Law was put in place to prevent the chaotic influence of Pyrtechon and its goal to see the world go up in flames. It was not intended to lead to enlightenment per se, but thwart the danger of chaos.

A key difference between Toranites and Rofirinites is that Toranites are tasked with placing themselves directly in front of the innocent so to speak. Individually, they are expected to put themselves in service of the innocent.

For a Rofirinite, I imagine the Divine Law is the prime defense against chaos. It is a little less focused on the individual, because justice after all is blind. They are there first of all, to see that the Divine Law is put in effect to prevent society from falling into chaos. Hence, I guess why the deal with Sulterio was made. The situation, though hardly doing them any favors, is still better than the alternative.

In the old situation, when Rofi was still LG, they were basically trying to be both. Toranites as we know them and Rofirinites as they are now. There's a big difference in that Toranites are sworn to protect the innocent first, while Rofirinites have to prioritize the Divine Law, because of the greater threat of chaos to the whole of society.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Acacea on October 24, 2011, 08:20:06 PM
I solemnly swear that I will never comment on this subject again if it will make milty stop talking and making Rofireinites worse than they were, already. Haha. Sorry, dude. That was terrible. What? I take it all back. I don't even care if we have Rofireinites labeled LE when they are mostly LN, as long as they are Rofireinite. I just think they're mislabeled, which when you get right down to it is a pretty small difference. I don't disagree with Dremora's examples, nor davidhoff's observations that even those examples need not be evil - just that if they are evil, they're pretty specific.

I do disagree that "I am the Law" is ever something acceptable for a Rofireinite of any rank, but especially low-middling ranked ones. It's been said before that no single person is supposed to have all the power, and in order for Rofireinites to be able to enforce order and make harsh judgments, they have to police and judge themselves, as well.

Remember - blank your deity field and I will take anything in anyone's name of any alignment.

Several of the examples here, like Dremora's, may seem like they're stretching some to fit, but are given with consideration to the faith and in a general understanding of it. Some seem to have a pretty gross interpretation of what it means to be Rofirienite, though, so bring on your evil-lite Dremora style if it moderates the rest!

"miltonyorkcastle - the unifier!" The debate police will be praising your name for many threads to come, man. ;)

Quote
Nowhere in Rofirein's dogma does it say you can't torture or maim or take a child away from its mother all in the name of justice, honor, and the law. "I honor you, my young friend, by peeling the skin from your arm, for with this act, you will forever remember the pain you have caused this society by your actions, and it is honorable to suffer for mistakes made if you learn from them, just as it is honorable for one to teach such as yourself the importance of following the law."



(Ps for Filatus: It wasn't that Rofirein was LG - he was LN but allowed LG, TN, and LN priests - no LE. It was just that the one alignment was excluded. This was just erased and put back in on paper as an oops, so all the explanations afterward are just cover. An understanding "yeah I know, that was weird, but it's too late and too much bother to fix it now" is actually better than all the awkward attempts to make it right and make it sound like something was considered and thought about when it wasn't.)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 24, 2011, 08:20:07 PM
@Milt...regarding the 10 Commandments.  Yes its a good law.  Evil people will always find a way to manipulate the law and rationalized their actions to say they are within the law and still be evil.  This is because they "think" in their own minds that what they are doing is honorable, virtuous, just and proper.  But we know better, because we see things objectively and can call it for what it really is.

Let's take the Fifth Commandment - Honor Thy Mother and Father.  Let's say the evil neighbor see's Joe curse at his Father.  He grabs his hedge trimmer and comes over and cuts Joe's legs off and spits on Joe's body.  Evil neighbor see's this as lawful because Joe just broke the law and needed punishment.  He see's this as furthering society because Joe will maybe show some respect in the future to his Dad and the world will be a better place.

Problem is we know he's not acted lawfully.  He's committed another crime to rectify the first, he's not shown any due process, and the punishment does not fit the crime.  In summary, when you have a good law and a L/E person trying to enforce it in a lawful/evil way, they will either (a) not act lawfully (ie, cutting legs off is committing another crime, no due process, punishment doesnt fit crime) or (b) if they do act lawfully (ie, instead of cutting legs off, Joe gets sprayed with a water hose or gets publicly reprimanded) then their actions probably are not going to fall in the categor of "evil".
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Alatriel on October 24, 2011, 08:33:45 PM
Alright, I'm going to put a mod hat on here.  

The topic is getting quite heated, and I'm going to ask that everyone please step back for a period of 24 hours and take a few deep breaths.  There are a lot of good points on both sides of this debate, but I know that tensions and emotions run high on this sort of topic, and while it is healthy to get these things out, it is not something we want to see get out of hand.  Please remember that personal attacks are not acceptable, and while you may disagree, and that's fine, disagreements should be aimed at the topic, not other people.

Take the next day or so to think it over, and then after a period of settling, if you still want to get back into it, please make sure that the comments are constructive and not disrespectful to each other.

*stows the mod hat*
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Acacea on October 24, 2011, 08:46:36 PM
I would ask that milty be allowed to use his own mod hat, as he is in a better position to judge my intent in being amused, and I had already sent him a PM saying as much. If he wants it withdrawn, I will withdraw it - but your response made it far more serious than it needed to be. Either way - out for good.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 25, 2011, 04:08:48 AM
Quote from: Gulnyr
But for THE god of law and order, not so much.  It was bad enough before.  Openly admitting anything goes makes it so much worse.  


No matter what anyone says you are not going to be happy. I suggest if it offends you as much as it seems to do then sit down and write it up how you want it to be and submit it for discussion. But if you think thats too hard, spare a thought for those of us who tried to do that and maybe you'll begin to see just what a difficult task it is. Consider many prior forums posts here and maybe, just maybe you'll start to see it from another point of view.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 25, 2011, 04:11:04 PM
Don't snap at me for not being a yes-man.  Help me.  [post=470141]Look[/post] how much like me you were.  Tell me what changed your mind from being so opposed.  Do you really believe that it makes sense now, even though nothing has changed about the write-up?  I would never think less of anyone for simply admitting LE had been tacked on without any significant work or changes done to make it work from the ground up.  Just say so.  "We know it's a horrible, forced thing, but that's what we've got until we switch over to mantras.  We're not going to fix it.  Sorry."  But to cram and force and twist and insist and pretend like it used to say something different - no, I'm not going to let you debase yourself or insult my intelligence.  Don't tell me who I am or what makes me happy.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: ShiffDrgnhrt on October 25, 2011, 08:29:34 PM
I thought we had been asked to step away from this for a day? =\
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Acacea on October 25, 2011, 09:31:47 PM
Yeah. Let me help you out with that.
POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS

...But since I'm already in trouble, I will just tromp on back into the thread hold to explain publicly, as I have been told I was out of line, but the hold and my response to it were made publicly anyway, and also my inbox is full and I can't take anymore PMs today...! Plus, why not sow a little more chaos in the thread about Order? *rubs hands*

My response to Alatriel's moderation was not intended to imply she was a) unfit to moderate b) a sucky DM c) an idiot d) a martian or e) whatever else was read into my post except what I meant, which was:

I have been arguing one thing or another here for over 6 years. As far as I am concerned, milty is just some dweeb posing as a real person at some parts of his day when he is not indulging some nerdy hobbies. I have no issues whatsoever saying to him, "Dude, I think you're whack," and being amused about it, because he's a good sport and for the most part pretty laid back. I like laid back people. They don't get all freaked out when someone just doesn't agree with a viewpoint. Talk about the topic, you know? Not what you feel someone feels about a problem. Were I angry, I certainly would never be calling someone out in the manner I joked with milty.

In the same way, I found Dremora quite reasonable - if anything I agreed, and as I said my issue was more one of labeling than anything else in his or her examples. Filatus, who cares about that guy's feelings. ;) Davidhoff, also quite reasonable regardless of which viewpoint he takes, and with Gulnyr and these people I have no trouble holding a pretty civil conversation with diverse opinions. I am sorry if praising any of these people's civility and ability to reason associates them with me in a negative way... ha.

What has actually disturbed me most in this thread are the assumptions of emotion - when I see, "You assume that..." or "you assume this" or "you won't be happy unless" or "you can't make up your mind" or "because players haven't done x," I find that more unsettling than anyone's reasonable discussion, because it feels heated and more personal. Was it a player? Heh. No.

So when I am laughing and telling milty, dude - gah - and all I see on the page are Davidhoff and Dremora, also pretty chilled out people as far as I can tell - and the thread is suddenly moderated for everyone to take a chill pill, I can't help but think someone assumed again someone's personal feelings. In this case, since I could not fathom it being because of the other dudes, as they were pretty cool about it, I assumed the "personal attacks" were in reference to my direct comments about milty. I mean, what else?

That kind of irked me, and I wished that next time someone ask about intent instead of assuming, or just let the person "attacked" handle it themselves.  (!) That is what I meant by allowing milty to use his own mod hat - not that he is a better DM or moderator or whatever - just that if he was the target, he's got the same capabilities. I was told it wasn't specifically about that, even if it was included, but that's even weirder to me, in the sort of, "What? Are you talking about Dremora, then? What did he do? Davidhoff? That guy didn't do anything, either." kind of way.

Alatriel was acting under instruction, however, so it was someone else I should have been saying, "What the heck just happened?" to. I was pretty taken aback, though, because while I will happily share the blame for the likely locking of this thread in my responses to moderation, I didn't understand the reason for it starting. If anyone appeared to be freaking out, it wasn't any of the players I saw, and I was pretty sure milty would have taken my playful jabs at him in stride.

You can moderate whomever you like, of course. I was told I hurt all kinds of feelings with my reply, though. Sorry. From where I was sitting, there was a mostly civil discussion except for the occasional interjections of "you assume" "you assume" "you won't be happy" "you're just" etc - that frankly I would prefer just to ignore, they're so meaningless and rude - and I took a friendly shot at someone I've known for a long time that I knew would be taken without offense, and then someone hit a panic button. I felt that it made my very much not a personal attack post into a personal attack by publicly moderating without allowing explanation or reaction - like if milty had just responded, "ha! I'll add that to my list of titles" would it have appeared to be boiling over in rage?

Anyway, I understood moderating my mouth more than I do the other players here. I'm kind of over it, which is why I don't mind flailing around inside the caution tape. It's over anyway, right?

It was not my intent to wound anyone - that very lack of intent is what was shocking about the hold. Did it really seem like a lot of people were irritated and rude? I only saw one person being provocative, and it was by making assumptions of emotion and character - far more a "personal attack" than anything else I saw, and unfortunately I can see that it is hard to ignore that, even though one should - especially when it's someone speaking in the "We The Team" voice. "He started it" is never a good reason to explain responding to provocation, but still. A tiny bit saddening, like special case PvP rules. I don't know. Maybe all the dudes I thought were cool are actually frothing at the mouth at home. If so, please get your shots before PMing me. Oh wait, my inbox is full. *snaps fingers* Darn.

POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS


(Have a nice day!)
[/SIZE]
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 25, 2011, 10:36:14 PM
*steps around the police tape looking for blood-stained ground or fallen bodies as he slides by*

For the Record, I am ok with either interpretation of the Rofie faith (ie, its a "good" law, or the law is neutral and just about order).  My preference, if I had to choose, would be that it would be a "good" law and designed to further a good society.  I always root for the good guys; its kind of my nature.  I see Rofies as being the good guys that keep law and order, and look to see that order is ensured first, but if they see that there is corruption, back dealing, evilness or bad things going on, that they will try to rectify that.  It is called Divine Law, and to me that kinda speaks as a heavenly/good type Deity looking down at his followers.

I also think if Divine Law is a "good" law it allows for more order and stability.  Once you make it a "anything goes law as long as there is order", then you have greater division within the church (amongst the evil and good Rofies) and the law will be uneven throughout Layonara.  I think this causes chaos within the church, which doesn't make since because its a faith of Order.  The church should be unified in way of thinking and its enforcement.

I also think that based on the Lore I've read regarding Rofireine, that Divine Law appears to be a "good" law.  (see the links below on the Rofirein faith and the Congregation of the Prencipium).  It seems like the good faiths got together and hashed out the law and a divine court to enforce it.  I found two other links I'll post below:

In the Prantz History and Rumors  (http://lore.layonara.com/Prantz%3A%20History%20and%20Rumors)section,  it says the following:

Quote
From Prantz, he hosted the Congregation of the Principium, which resulted in the formation of the Charter of Laws designed to give the common man a guide to follow for proper legal behavior. Raklin also helped form the Divine Court, overseen at that time by Rofireinties and Toranites, that would be responsible for the maintenance, refinement, and carrying out of laws and punishments across the empire (and effectively the world) for the next thousand years. This time of good emperors and good governance lasted for over 500 years.
 (my emphasis)

Also regarding Prantz, Rainstorff (Voraxian Champion and L/G) was one of the adventurers that put Ralkin in power so that Ralkin could call the good guys to work out the law.  (very interesting write-up and read by the way)

Also see the Paladin's Oath for Rofirein (http://lore.layonara.com/Oaths%20and%20Vows):

Quote
12.Thou art a Paladin of Rofirein, one of his beloved few. Remember this in all that thy do. As one of the few Paladins of the Holy Order of Rofirein, it is your task to root out evil, injustice and tyranny wherever thee may be.
(my emphasis)

So, it looks like the good guys got together and made good law to further a good society and to root out evil and prevent the furtherance of evil acts.

Now, I'm also ok with Divine Law being more neutral and just involving order.  As I said, I think that leads to division and chaos and lack of uniformity within the church, but maybe that's ok.  I also think it tends to make the Rofies more like "puppets" to a regime.  For example, as long as there is order in a territory and things are not in chaos, then they have to follow and enforce the law...not matter what the law says and not matter what their alignment.  All they do is keep the peace and order...and have to stomache any thing that does not sit right morally with them.  The way things are in Rael comes to mind...but this type of theory leads to situation much worse than is in Rael.

So, hopefully Ed can come in here and give us some guidance...otherwise we don't have defined terms and can't really make any headway discussing it.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dezza on October 26, 2011, 06:23:16 AM
Quote from: Gulnyr
Don't snap at me for not being a yes-man.  Help me.  [post=470141]Look[/post] how much like me you were.  Tell me what changed your mind from being so opposed.  Do you really believe that it makes sense now, even though nothing has changed about the write-up?  I would never think less of anyone for simply admitting LE had been tacked on without any significant work or changes done to make it work from the ground up.  Just say so.  "We know it's a horrible, forced thing, but that's what we've got until we switch over to mantras.  We're not going to fix it.  Sorry."  But to cram and force and twist and insist and pretend like it used to say something different - no, I'm not going to let you debase yourself or insult my intelligence.  Don't tell me who I am or what makes me happy.


I got everything out of my system and took Harlas's advice in the thread, also if you read it carefully you will see that Leanthar was quite specific in what he wanted, I got the message.


What it comes down to is that it's what we have got to work with, it might have some flaws, but then is anything perfect? Can you get perfection in such a subjective topic? I don't think we can. I agreed to disagree and I worked with it and tried to be a positive influence moving forward.  There are times when its good to bring things up, discuss them, try to accommodate or change and move on. This is one of those times where we have to accept what we have at face value, work with it and try to enjoy the game that's been provided for us.

Even as I finish this post I regret trying to participate in this entire forum as I do not feel its met with any sort of positive outcome for anyone involved and that is unfortunate. I don't think I can add anything more of any value to this conversation so this will be my last post.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 26, 2011, 06:53:20 AM
I have a problem: Can't stay away from arguments if they look good.
Well I went to sleep and woke up so presumably its okay to post, I've waited a day. This will just direct to davidoff but refer to some others and the post is hardly inflammatory but feel free to delete it if I need to wait longer, I dont mind :)

Just as to what you've said about how the rest of us should judge the alignment based on what we see and from an OOC perspective and not what the character in question thinks. The Commandments come from a Rofie perspective, not hard fact, and if the Church is neutral overall, then a paladin cant be the NWN mechanic then (sure you can argue then it reinforces your point and maybe it does); its biased to being a paladin of order and law IMO (from Rofie's perspective), not a paladin by NWN mechanic. Ofcourse every diety thinks tey are in the right from whatever side they come from so its not surprising to see somin like that in the dogma.
Actually that title has had many different uses, and not all paladin examples in history were as goodly as they pretended or implied. Then again they didnt have a diety watching them, I suppose.

The Divine Law however might connote heaven/goodness to you but Divine, to me, simply refers to dieties. Not just the Holy but also the Unholy (though the majority of chaotic and evil were excluded in this case, I think, not all dieties partaking in its forging were strictly lawful, nor good). Divine is Divine. A Divine Law means its a law that cannot be questioned and whatever it says was written by the gods and thus irrefutable by mortals. It doesnt necessarily mean: Its purely based on Law and Good (or rather if they are in equal measure and what 'good' definition is being used; the mech one or a contextual one). Kinda tkaes us back to what david say about us not going to be to argue this properly without a write-up but oh well. As said in an earlier post about clashing aspects (refer below for the point), also since Law systems as we know it have unjustice occuring all the time and it cannot be avoided, sometimes even when those involved KNOW the victim doesnt deserve what he's getting but can't do much about it due to evidence or their foolish actions or whatever. That reinforces the: Law and Order BEFORE good. Which kinda, to me, means that evil-doers can fit in. Yes it's been said im stretching it abit to fit them in, but if it makes this apparent 'mistake' in labelling work more fluidly until it is changed or not; is that sucha bad thing? Though to be clear, I actually think it works but if the majority find its a stretch and my ideas of the alignments are kinda warped, then that could be true and im fine with accepting that.

Ultimately I find a lawful good idea kinda boring as Toranites come close to it already though they likely accept NG as good comes before law (which is pretty much what your kinda going for, with slight differences); I'd much prefer impartiality and broadness in the Rofies so they stand apart from that faith more and have some division in their methods (LN primarily, LG and LE as extremeists). It has a sense of irony and I know Gulnyr will probably not like that (dont take offence, im not judging you, im just predicting your reaction from what ive read in your argument) cause it contradicts 'Order' but at the same time, mortals are very unlikely to ALL agree on something and do it the exact same way because we are all individuals and by definition of life, it is formed from chaos as are its physical laws. If you use living creatures for Order, you will never attain perfection in it; never will be able to, flat out impossible. The Wolf tribe on Krashin tried it, they didnt do a great job and keep splitting up into different groups. Sheagorath and Jyggalag tried it.. the latter resorted to armies forged from resonance crystals, not living creatures of any kind. I dont even need to give you an example of our law systems and 'perfection'.
If Rofirein is going to be about Law and Order and good as the general intent (i support so long as you see the pripority in that), then some chaos must be permitted or all life must be extinguished or regulated strictly (doubt it). The former would allow for the two factions in the church to exist (one smaller than another granted, unlss you flat out scrap the good intent and leave it as Law), yes there's some 'chaos' you could argue but then again, they're both on the same side, they're both fighting for the Law and Order AND the 'greater good' ideal though how they achieve it is what they divide on, the majority of it sounds like it follows a more or less unified purpose (lets face it, rivalry is always fun even though you could argue if good is the intent, how can evil be permitted: read the 'greater good' part). So its mostly Ordered to a realistic point. Hell even the monastic orders in Layo divide themselves and fight, they can't achieve perfect Order and like-mindedness either.

Just what I have to say about those two points and a final paragraph to try and convert you XD I could'nt resist.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: blonde on October 26, 2011, 07:00:49 AM
I don't want to add anything to the discussion, except to say that I am a big fan of opening Rofirein to the full good<->evil spectrum. It opens some very interesting avenues within that faith and for characters who follow Rofirein. So thumbs up from me on that account.

I know this thread has been frustrating for some, but personally I have learned a lot from reading it. Makes you think about some stuff and gives ideas. As long as it is kept in civilized tones (and it has mostly) this kind of discussion is a positive thing.
We can't have written rules on every little thing, and that fact opens up for some degree of individual interpretation, which again can lead to discussions. Sweet! At any point the GM team can make a ruling one way or the other which hopefully ends any further discussion on the subject.

*Drops two cents in the forum collection box*
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 26, 2011, 07:01:50 AM
I also forsee the "ends justfying means" argument coming up again and before anyone says that they don't; remember thats strictly opinion and we don't know Rofie's opinion because his alignment and motivations have kinda been cast in doubt now after this. Although he is aligned to LN strictly speaking, not good/evil.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Acacea on October 26, 2011, 08:32:48 AM
I agree about "Divine" referring to deities rather than being "good," although I imagine when they laid it down that they felt it was good. Regardless, I've actually never seen Rofirein or his faith save the Knights as LG*. It was really just a matter of "you can do good freely if you want, which makes it easy to be LG, but there are so many laws proscribing the usual evil acts that this is much more difficult." I cannot speak for anyone else, but my issue has never been with expecting the faith to be of one mind - simply that there aren't any laws against giving food to the hungry or adopting orphans or showing mercy to the families of the accused, etc - it was only that it was hard to fit in there. It's not about members of the faith disagreeing with one another, but having an ordered system.

This is why I joked about taking your (Dremora's) version over milty's - I don't actually think there is anything wrong with the LE Rofireinites that I have seen, in concept, just felt like... hm, that there are "real" LE characters, and then LE Rofireinites, which are a specific "flavor" of the LN Rofireinite - generally no objections to concepts, but not able to push anything far enough to join the rest. Hopefully no players of LE Rofireinites have been offended, as I really just felt like they're mislabeled rather than inappropriate, in most cases. Does that make sense? "I don't feel like we are really saying anything very different about the deity for the most part, just the organization of letters."

*To edit for clarity, personally because of the larger figures in the faith's history and PCs and how I've run into some of his stuff on quests... and the way the laws were made, I have always seen Rofirein as being neutral for a good reason... or a good person in a neutral role, type thing. Benevolent, but committed to neutrality for the sake of order and impartiality. This is actually unrelated to to my argument, though. ;)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: blonde on October 26, 2011, 09:10:23 AM
Quote from: Acacea
I don't actually think there is anything wrong with the LE Rofireinites that I have seen, in concept, just felt like... hm, that there are "real" LE characters, and then LE Rofireinites, which are a specific "flavor" of the LN Rofireinite


How sad would it be if there was only one type of LE character, or even one type of LE Rofireinite? And I could easily see an evil priest of Rofirein doing more harm than say, an evil orc living in a forest somewhere.
There has got to be varying degrees of evil, and good for that matter, but boy those things are hard to put into numbers and absolutes. Mechanics ... hard to live with them, can't live without them.

Quote from: Acacea
I have always seen Rofirein as being neutral for a good reason... or a good person in a neutral role, type thing. Benevolent, but committed to neutrality for the sake of order and impartiality.


Im sure that is how most good people would like to see Rofirein, but his alignment is LN. :p
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: willhoff on October 26, 2011, 09:11:30 AM
I think to divine/figure out whether divine Rofie law is good or neutral you have to ask yourself what is the end goal for Rofirein.  What is he in the end trying to achieve.  Is it Prosperity for all?  Is it lack of chaos i.e. Order for its own sake?  Is it to protect the common man through good means or is the common man a weapon or tool for some other objective?  Or is it simply a power struggle between him and another dragon (Pyrtechon) i.e. if chaos ensues Pyrtechon wins...or something else.

I'm guessing we'll never know the answers as we are mere mortals O.o

Different characters would react differently based on all sorts of variables including, alignment, their interpretation of "Divine Law", the facts on the ground, the players mood ect.  Thats what makes it fun, interesting, challenging to play a Rofie.

Just the situation in Prantz is puzzling and curious for me.  A question I posed earlier:

Quote
How can one be following the divine law of a god by puting people in prison for worshiping the very god that gives you that divine law?


Rofirein must be pretty humble.  On its face it appears to be an evil law that the Rofie's are alright with enforcing leading me to believe that "Divine law" is neutral.  Its about order and lack of chaos.  ALL Rofireinites (even good ones in an evil area) have to follow "Divine Law" above all else and in Prantz this apparently means putining your bro's in prison for openly worshiping Rofirein.

Right? or I'm probably missing something.

Edit:  I had to be the one to take this thread to 100, oops Blonde got me :)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Acacea on October 26, 2011, 09:39:47 AM
*Rolls eyes* I told you it didn't have anything to do with what I was saying, Trap-Springer. That said, alignment is about actions, not about belief, and Rofirein is certainly LN, not Good. Reasons don't matter - that's why a lot of "Evil" characters can totally believe whatever is for the good of all.



(I will stop replying from work now...)
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Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: blonde on October 26, 2011, 09:53:39 AM
Quote from: willhoff
Just the situation in Prantz is puzzling and curious for me.  A question I posed earlier:



Rofirein must be pretty humble.  On its face it appears to be an evil law that the Rofie's are alright with enforcing leading me to believe that "Divine law" is neutral.  Its about order and lack of chaos.  ALL Rofireinites (even good ones in an evil area) have to follow "Divine Law" above all else and in Prantz this apparently means putining your bro's in prison for openly worshiping Rofirein.

Right? or I'm probably missing something.

Edit:  I had to be the one to take this thread to 100, oops Blonde got me :)


Wuhuu I won the thread! :D

You have to remember, that just because Rofirein is the "god of law" doesn't mean Rofireinites ARE the law in the world. In some cities/kingdoms/areas they may have been granted leave to act as judges, police, guards, etc. by the ruler of that place, but they have no authority per default (unless I have misunderstood the world completely...). I would imagine that in many places Rofireinites have more of a counselling role to the actual lawmakers. (A bit like jedies *grins*)

With the example of Prantz, I highly doubt there are Rofireinites walking around arresting people. Those are Rael's own guards that enforces his laws within his domain.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dorganath on October 26, 2011, 09:54:46 AM
I'm staying out of the core discussion of this thread, but I want to address one thing and I'm doing it here because of the full inbox issue.  Apologies if this drags things through the mud unnecessarily.

Quote from: Acacea
Alatriel was acting under instruction, however, so it was someone else I should have been saying, "What the heck just happened?" to. I was pretty taken aback, though, because while I will happily share the blame for the likely locking of this thread in my responses to moderation, I didn't understand the reason for it starting. If anyone appeared to be freaking out, it wasn't any of the players I saw, and I was pretty sure milty would have taken my playful jabs at him in stride.

Actually, no she wasn't acting under instruction. She acted after a discussion in the GM IRC channel. She also wasn't targeting you specifically, but the thread generally. It wasn't until your comment about letting milty use his moderator hat instead that your name was even mentioned. We could debate whether that was appropriate or necessary or not, and it will ultimately come down to a matter of perception.  

As should be somewhat clear by the way your comments were misconstrued by Alatriel and others, and by the way you have (apparently...correct me if I'm wrong) misunderstood Alatriel's intent in posting, I think that serves as a pretty good example of how one's perception of how a conversation may be seen can and will differ from person to person.  There have been conversations on the back-end related to this thread, and there is similarly a split opinion on the thread, its participants and the tone of the discussion.  

In the end, no one was censored, and the thread was not locked. It was a request for everyone to cool down and take a breather. As you can see, the discussion has continued.

All good!  

Carry on!
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: cbnicholson on October 26, 2011, 10:16:15 AM
A couple of things to add from my perspective. Yes, I can see All three Evil, Nuetrality, and Good as falling under Rofirein's umbrella, but with some caveats. This Knight (http://lore.layonara.com/Aesthir%20Stargazer) is a good example of what LE looks like. All through Daniel and Bella's courtship he was there predicting doom and generally being creepy. :p (I mean this in the best rp sense as possible) He even performed the wedding ceremony after "counseling" which as I'm sure Alatriel can testify felt more like an inquisition. ;) The caveat is, as discussed earlier, is that throughout this rp, the Knight in question was restrained in his actions and words by the Church and the Divine Law. There was a fine line that had to be observed and other than one point, which he redacted once clarification was given, the player did an outstanding job of playing an 'Inquisitor' (Disclaimer : no such official title exists, but if it did, Aesthir is it. ) Further points: At all times, it was believable that Aesthir truly believed he was doing the Gold's will and was justified even if it left a bad taste in my mouth.
 
 I won't go into "Good" rofies, Jennara probably epitomizes that side of it and most are very familiar with her life. The main point for Rofirenites is order and law. This has been hammered home time and again in the Rofie forums in many different aspects. Having the range of good - evil merely makes it more interesting.
 
 I would further add, there is slight difference in the focus between Clergy - Protectors through the Divine Voice and the Knights of the Wyrm. I see the Knights as leaning more 'good' in thier roles of protectors, but they are also traditionally allowed to be traveling 'judges'.
 
 
Quote
I think to divine/figure out whether divine Rofie law is good or neutral you have to ask yourself what is the end goal for Rofirein. What is he in the end trying to achieve. Is it Prosperity for all? Is it lack of chaos i.e. Order for its own sake? Is it to protect the common man through good means or is the common man a weapon or tool for some other objective? Or is it simply a power struggle between him and another dragon (Pyrtechon) i.e. if chaos ensues Pyrtechon wins...or something else.
 
 
 
 The Main point: The over arching goal imo is stability, law and order. The methods are up to the individuals.
 
 To address the Rofie-Pyrtechnon angle. Simply put, Pyrtechon puts a Rofie into an almost irrational anger. There is a reason why Daniel calls the other dragon god - Mine Ancient Enemy.
 
 
Quote
On its face it appears to be an evil law that the Rofie's are alright with enforcing leading me to believe that "Divine law" is neutral. Its about order and lack of chaos. ALL Rofireinites (even good ones in an evil area) have to follow "Divine Law" above all else and in Prantz this apparently means putining your bro's in prison for openly worshiping Rofirein.
 
 
 
 Prantz is a unique situation. Obviously, Lord Rael follows no other god than Sulterio, so the Divine Law is not ratified or observed in Prantz. Daniel would never persecute a brother or sister for worshipping Rofirein in Prantz, but he would remind them to respect Rael's dominion and ask them to stop immediately. The Courthouse still stands, but due to Lord Rael's decree, open worship of Rofirein is forbidden. This is not divine law, but Lord Rael's law never the less due to the 'ally' status of Prantz to the Rofie Church it is respected for the most part. ;) It's been said before , but the Rofirenites are always trying to argue and persuade Lord Rael and his adminstration to soften this stance.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 26, 2011, 10:18:53 AM
Alright I did some more digging and found some insightful information regarding the origins of "Divine Law".

A rare view of Rofireinite Priests drafting "Divine Law" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTTg5GoxSbM)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: cbnicholson on October 26, 2011, 10:20:39 AM
No, no, no..we used crayons not paint!:p :D
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 26, 2011, 10:49:37 AM
Lol is all I can say

Edit: And someone needs to hit mute on the one that keeps going: "oh yeah, oh yeah! ohyeahohyeahohyeah!"
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 26, 2011, 11:09:55 AM
Revisiting my original question:

Quote
What is the difference between a evil/lawful Rofi and a good/lawful Rofi?


Well, we know Rofirein is a L/N deity.  It also seems that there is some hesitancy to say that "Divine Law" is a good law.  So, we have "Divine Law" not being defined or codified; it's an unknown.  We want Rofireinites to be neutural and not really take sides, as long as there is order and stability.

Then we say we are going to allow L/E and L/G Rofie characters.  Well then, the was I see it played out in game is that Rofie characters will define what they think "Divine Law" is based on their alignment.  A L/G Rofie (like Jennara) will go into an evil city, with evil laws (kill the first born to sacrafice to the king) and say "wait" this law is not in accordance with "Divine Law" as she sees Divine Law, and she would oppose that law.  However, a L/E Rofie (like Aesthir) will go into the same evil city, with evil laws, and say "nice", I like the way this place is run and this King is my kinda guy and will enforce the law.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: cbnicholson on October 26, 2011, 11:14:18 AM
Short answer: the means used to the same end.  Conjecture here but I don't believe Aesthir would got to Prantz and say that because in the end he IS an agent of Rofirein and the Divine Law is not sanctioned in Prantz.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: willhoff on October 26, 2011, 11:23:03 AM
Quote from: blonde


With the example of Prantz, I highly doubt there are Rofireinites walking around arresting people. Those are Rael's own guards that enforces his laws within his domain.


For the record...It's my understanding that Rofireinites do act as judges in Prantz:

From Dezza:
Quote
And the writeup for the Citadel (http://lore.layonara.com/Rael%20Kingdom%3A%20Government) of Rofirein acting on behalf of Rael is correct. It has evolved into this because of the Rofireinites agreement to recognise Rael as the official ruler of Rael.



In that capacity, when they sentence a fellow Rofireinite to prison for *openly worshiping Rofirein they are following and enforcing that law, Rael's law.  If that particular Raelian law conflicted with "Divine Law" they would not enforce it.  

Sooo....guess even a lawful/good Rofie judge would have to enforce the above law.

*Hypo that is merely for illustration and not probably realistic as most Rofie's in Prantz would probably show restraint and not openly worship as it would create chaos.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 26, 2011, 11:28:16 AM
Perhaps the example of killing firstborn babies is a bad one as it hasnt been explained why that would be the law and why a LE would follow it? Granted he is Rofirienite and since that Law isnt the Divine Law he doesnt HAVE to follow it regardless of his alignment; but why would the LE character benefit in anyway from upholding a law like that? Unless he could get some tangible benefit to further Rofirien's cause by cooperating and enforcing such, I suspect an LE would'nt indulge in psychotic laws that have no beneficial function to the LE or his Church. He most certainly won't back a law that seems to just create chaos and instability or paves the way for it; not the firstborn example but something like authorizing official assassination guilds etc.

So if the 'evil' city has several laws that are not in the Divine Laws, an LE may enforce them or he may not just like an LG but where an LG would not enforce any law he doesnt have to when its 'evil' or harmful to innocents; an LE would for the sake of Order, especially if there is a reason behind it that would ensure Order is kept. Like for example, slavery for those who can't pay their debts, homeless, criminals whatever when there is labour shortage or as a punishment for riots and the like; or anything repressive to the general population. It would be both productive and keep Order in the city, and by enforcing it, the Church of Rofirien will gain some measure of position in whatever imaginary evil city we are working with here through some political negotiation between the character (if he has that authority) and the government. This is to the benefit of the character's personal standing and prestige and the church itself as Law and Order is kept and now their church has a foot in the door to keep an eye on these evil-doers and maybe in the future slowly mould the law system through their own influence into something that more closely resembles the Divine Law.

Note its not the best example since some of the above may be 'too evil' (in some opinions) for a diety to tolerate amongst one of the clerics unless we assume Rofirien is well and truly impartial without tendancies to good/evil and cares only about Law; but its something atleast. The main point here was just to illustrate that the LE would enforce laws that may be repressive but are advantageous to his church's dogma and to him. So don't put too much stock in that example above please.

I believe someone used the chop the person's hand off for stealing example earlier in this thread which I can use here as a template. I can see an LG taking matters into his own hands if he discovers the theft before local authorities (whom he is under no obligation to report to) and tells the child to return the stolen item and then has a word with the shopkeeper to have the boy on as a helper until he repays his debt (value of stolen item), rather than enforce the hand-chopping rule. An LE may enforce it simply because it shows his church as willing to support the laws of others which earns brownie points and its the law and will serve as a good example to anyone else thinking about stealing (unlawful, disorderly act). That is probably a better example.

You can argue a LN may do the same, or an LN may simply recognise that the city does not respect the Divine Law, that he has no obligation to enforce its 'unofficial' laws (from his view) and may punish the child according to the Divine Law (if capable at the time). Hand the child over or simply inform the authorities of what he saw, perhaps after the child has escaped and give them a general direction to check out if the LN has a particular disdain for those who aren't following the Rofie justice system set-up.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 26, 2011, 02:22:14 PM
Quote from: Dezza
I got everything out of my system and took Harlas's advice in the thread, also if you read it carefully you will see that Leanthar was quite specific in what he wanted, I got the message.

I'm glad you feel better.  I don't think Leanthar was specific at all.  I mean, yeah, "this has to change," but that's not very enlightening.  If we're just going to roll over and lick boots because The Man speaks, we may as well give up.  All of us.  Things get better because people ask questions and point out incongruities.

Quote
This is one of those times where we have to accept what we have at face value, work with it and try to enjoy the game that's been provided for us.

At face value, it's not Evil.  See all the parts about aiding others and not making way for evil acts?  Face value.  But I don't care that there's Evil, only that no one will admit it was tacked on after the fact, instead trying to pretend it really does fit as if no one can read.

It's cool if you don't answer.  I understand walking away from the mess.

Quote from: Dremora
Ultimately I find a lawful good idea kinda boring as Toranites come close to it already though they likely accept NG as good comes before law (which is pretty much what your kinda going for, with slight differences); I'd much prefer impartiality and broadness in the Rofies so they stand apart from that faith more and have some division in their methods (LN primarily, LG and LE as extremeists). It has a sense of irony and I know Gulnyr will probably not like that (dont take offence, im not judging you, im just predicting your reaction from what ive read in your argument) cause it contradicts 'Order' but at the same time, mortals are very unlikely to ALL agree on something and do it the exact same way because we are all individuals and by definition of life, it is formed from chaos as are its physical laws.

One of the comments I remember about adding Evil and making a "change" is that Rofirein and Toran had been too much alike.  And that's debatable, I guess, but wasn't entirely untrue with the way Rofireinites had been played.  The prominent ones were LG.  What do you expect, y'know?  It has always seemed to me the difference is that Rofireinites will be more likely, in general, to stick to the law (whatever the law may be) and toss aside good or evil or whatever while Toranites would toss aside the law to uphold good.  That's an interesting distinction.  Both gods could be LG and it would still be interesting.  

Way back a few years ago, when a change had to be made, no change was really made.  LE was tacked on and there was a bend toward making sure it was the law and order part that got the focus.  A little too much, sometimes, making the whole faith seem bland and one-dimensional and, oddly, too open and messy.  "Law, for law's sake, overtime, regardless of which law is before us. Any law will do!"  It's not that I don't understand something was already written and it took a long time and no one wanted to write it again.  It's not that I don't believe that a change could have been important.  It's that one step was taken instead of actually making a real change, and that left it broken and weird, and no one will just admit it.  Honestly, I'm glad it didn't change more.  I would have had to throw away Jennara, probably.  

If I don't want to lose my character to overhauls, why am I pointing this stuff out?  Because I want things to succeed.  I want Layonara to make sense - without resorting to shoehorns and special cases - and to be cohesive so that it isn't ridiculed and laughed off the Internet when it goes big and extra-public.  I'm asking questions and poking at wrinkles because I care.  People who don't care will simply rip it open and leave it to bleed.

The point is that I agree with what you're saying.  It's just that it isn't actually written that way because Evil was added afterward. So it's not impartial and broad but leaning heavily toward Good.

Quote from: davidhoff
Then we say we are going to allow L/E and L/G Rofie characters.  Well then, the was I see it played out in game is that Rofie characters will define what they think "Divine Law" is based on their alignment.  A L/G Rofie (like Jennara) will go into an evil city, with evil laws (kill the first born to sacrafice to the king) and say "wait" this law is not in accordance with "Divine Law" as she sees Divine Law, and she would oppose that law.  However, a L/E Rofie (like Aesthir) will go into the same evil city, with evil laws, and say "nice", I like the way this place is run and this King is my kinda guy and will enforce the law.

Playing a Rofireinite is not recommended for people with heart conditions.  It's not nearly as orderly and Lawful as would be expected, which is horribly frustrating.  Defining the law per character is pretty much the textbook definition of Chaotic, y'know?

Quote from: cbnicholson
Jennara probably epitomizes that side of it and most are very familiar with her life.

"Jennara probably epitomizes that side of it and most believe they are very familiar with her life."

Minor correction.  Carry on.

Quote
The Main point: The over arching goal imo is stability, law and order. The methods are up to the individuals.

I can't agree with the way this is worded. Did you mean it more specifically?  Something like "Methods within the restrictions of Divine Law are up to the individuals."
 
Quote
Simply put, Pyrtechon puts a Rofie into an almost irrational anger.

Jennara has been known to giggle at them and wish them a good day.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: cbnicholson on October 26, 2011, 03:19:11 PM
Quote
Changes by Gulnyr
 Fair enough.  The Divine Law was exactly what was I was thinking when I wrote that, just forgot to put it in there.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dremora on October 26, 2011, 03:50:38 PM
That then throws me in doubt of where you want to go with this Gulnyr. You are just looking for an admission that evil was tacked on for the sake of it and that Rofiren isn't strictly a lawful neutral god of Law and Order? Or you want it changed back to the old way where he was basically LG (with Lawful being dominant to good)?

Remember the whole point of this argument was the difference between the LE and LG Rofirenites, which davidoff brought up; if your looking for a change one way or another, probably the only course left to anyone that does is to take it up with the Team directly and talk it through whether or not they'll agree to a change in whatever direction you suggest. If your wondering our thoughts, the only clearer method would be to do a poll I reckon, most of us with an opinion on the subject have probably already posted up most like, though maybe some got scared off lol.

And more directly between you and me, I take your word for what Rofirien was in the past, you've been here longer than me without a doubt so you're more qualified to say whatever it was but ultimately, LG Toran and LG Rofirien and the two differences are which alignment half is dominant? Yes its different, I don't dispute it, but ultimately I just personally find the idea kinda less interesting COMPARED to one valueing Good above all else but supporting the law when it upholds good and one who upholds the Divine Law purely to thwart chaos and disorder, with variation accepted in the methods provided they do not conflict with the Divine Law (which in this scenario we assume isnt about Good more so than Just, Fair rules for society to abide by that all 'good' aligned dieties communally agreed on). Why is it less interesting? Because it narrows the variation you'll see. Simple.
As said before I don't mind what ultimately is decided, both are different, both will lead to conflict between the churches and some may prefer the churches play as unified teams rather than having sects and splinter factions. Both boost the roleplay, but I see far more fun for Rofirenites involved if they have some internal faith struggles as well (though presumably you dont and something about it is having the opposite effect?). Afterall, allowing evil and making Rofie LN in a strict sense doesn't mean there will be fewer LG submissions or LN submissions. LE is still restricted to experianced players anyway right, and now faith classes are restricted a little too?
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Gulnyr on October 26, 2011, 05:25:30 PM
Regardless of where it started, the topic drifted.  Explaining how an Evil Rofireinite acts sorta requires an explanation of how Evil works with the dogma, and the dogma was written LN-LG, as Dezza said before.  So it makes ugly wrinkles and requires twisting and pushing and special cases.  Not all of the examples of the difference are horrible.  There were actually a few pretty good explanations.  All those with one guy as judge, jury, and executioner are right out, though.  That's not just my opinion; apologies to those who can't see Ed's very recent post saying so in the Rofi forum.  And a lot of stuff really comes down to defining alignment, too, which is always going to cause problems.

In the end, I think it needs structure.  When each DM can play it differently and each player can decide what is and isn't allowed, it's not really any different than, say, Mist's church, where there's a few ranks under a Chaotic god and church.  Mist just has different fluff on top, but it all plays out the same in the end.  I know it's a lot of work and I know there's a fine balance between too much structure and too little, but there are only five Lawful gods, and not even all of those really need extra structure.  It's not like the whole pantheon has to be rebuilt.  And it doesn't even have to be now.  Just stamp 'work in progress' on it and have it done up more clearly by MMO time.

Additionally, when there are too many struggles within a faith, it stops making sense that it is one church rather than several splinter churches.  People like to use the example of real life faiths having people with various opinions.  That's true, but you'll notice not all Christians are Catholic, for example, and they don't all look to the Pope for answers.  They may all agree on core issues, but other differences of opinion have pushed them apart.  Having a jumble of opinions under one, broad Chaotic church is far and away easier to explain than under a Lawful church.  The more deviation, the less unity there will be among people who believe there is actually a Right Way to do things that is externally prescribed by a deity.  "Heresy" is a word much more likely to come from the Lawful churches, not the Chaotic ones, y'know?  There are rules to follow and rites to observe; law and order must be obeyed; stay in line, march in step; all that good stuff.  Saying 'anything goes until you hear otherwise' is basically just throwing it all in the trash; it's Mist's church painted gold.

I don't have any desire to see Rofirein as LG.  I was just saying that two gods with the same alignment and with followers who do similar things can be different in interesting ways if you put some thought and detail into it.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Nehetsrev on October 26, 2011, 11:15:19 PM
*Emwonk wanders by the thread and spends hours upon hours reading through much of it.  The whole while he pauses time and again to simply shake his head in near bewilderment.  In the end, he walks away muttering to himself.*
 
 "Emwonk cognates alternate entities require alter flow perception, disregard ascended entities, flow joint Current directly - equal Emwonk's flow."
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: davidhoff on October 27, 2011, 12:15:10 AM
Quote
You know the law we live by. And where is it written beyond Camelot live lesser people, people too weak to protect themselves, let them die? Malagant: Other people live by other laws, Arthur. Or is the law of Camelot to rule the entire world. King Arthur: There are laws that enslave men, and laws that set them free. Either what we hold to be right and good and true is right and good and true for all mankind, under God, or we're just another robber tribe. Malagant: Your words are talking you out of peace and into war. King Arthur: There's a peace you only find after war. If that battle must come. I will fight it!


You know the movie right?  Well I wish I could have found a video clip of the scene but couldn't.

Not sure where this gets us or if it helps, but the scene came to mind when I was thinking about this topic.  It's kind of like Maligant is the L/E Rofie that was found out and kicked out of the faith.  Now Maligant is questioning Arthur about Camelot Law/Divine Law and Kind Arthur explains it to him.  

*shrugs*
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: mixafix on October 27, 2011, 07:59:19 AM
*tongue only slightly in cheek here but*
 
 119 posts on the unsolveable
 0 players in game
 
 Are we discussing the right topics!
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: miltonyorkcastle on October 27, 2011, 12:22:25 PM
Quote
All those with one guy as judge, jury, and executioner are right out, though. That's not just my opinion; apologies to those who can't see Ed's very recent post saying so in the Rofi forum.


As should be expected after the length of this thread, this is actually still under discussion/waiting on clarification. :)
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: drakogear on December 11, 2011, 05:04:32 AM
After a bit of thinking about Lawful evil I have in a way summarized my thought on the alignment in general and how it may apply to a Rofi.

Lawfulness (in my opinion) be it good, neutral or even evil would all prize loyalty and discipline (act of. NOT Skill) very highly if not above all else for without loyalty you have treachery witch breeds chaos. The opposite of law. Though as for being LE, they would likely prefer to serve under a tyrant (Lawful evil ruler) and after proving there loyalty to said tyrant (or any leader/ruler) they will be granted power and rank. It would be a sign of disloyalty (in my opinion) to not acknowledge and/or reward a servants loyalty and devotion, and by serving under a tyrant the LE person might be granted the privilege and/or right to treat those under him (lower raking) however he saw fit. Often time flaunting his position. "Know your place, fool."

Though now with that said, the eligibility for an evil Rofi is not all that far off. Indeed you may be doing a lot of good, at least in the eyes of the common people, but there is still room for bits of evil.

Example:

An adventurer comes into town and looks pretty well armed. Perhaps he may intend to use those weapons on someone with in this peaceful little town. So being a keeper of the peace... as it were, the Rofi calmly approaches the adventurer and requests he hand over all his weapons. Otherwise he can turn around and leave this peaceful town. The adventurer complies and hands the Rofi his weapons and is thus allowed into town. Later the adventurer wishes to leave and so he returns to the Rofi to reclaim his weapons, but in order for the weapons to be returned the adventurer must pay a fee. He is as always free to leave whenever he wishes but he will not be getting his weapons back till he pays.

Thus, law and order is maintained and the evil Rofi gets to make a bit of a profit on the side. Bit of the pay is sent to the church as donations of course. Must keep up his loyalties after all if he wishes to obtain high ranks and the power they may grant.

One might even tax the roads and gates. Why? Well we don't want to allow free passage for any of those vandals or ruffians to enter these quiet and peaceful towns and/or regions now do we? There for if they can not pay then they may not enter.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: drakogear on December 11, 2011, 05:31:50 AM
Quote from: davidhoff
You know the movie right?  Well I wish I could have found a video clip of the scene but couldn't.

Not sure where this gets us or if it helps, but the scene came to mind when I was thinking about this topic.  It's kind of like Maligant is the L/E Rofie that was found out and kicked out of the faith.  Now Maligant is questioning Arthur about Camelot Law/Divine Law and Kind Arthur explains it to him.  

*shrugs*


Hah, "First Knight". Used to have it on tape a long time ago. Old movie but was good.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: drakogear on March 29, 2012, 02:09:51 PM
Sorry for bringing up an old debate but... think I've found another thing for evil rofies.

Flogging (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellation)

As described in the link here, it is the act of methodically beating or whipping a person. Thusly a lawful evil Rofi catches a person performing a crime... they could well... beat them down before hauling them away.

As stated in LORE: Law of Layonara (http://lore.layonara.com/Law%20of%20Layonara)

crimes, punishable by imprisonment for less than a year, forced labor, flogging, or community service

oh yes... forced labor would also be something for an evil rofi. *Cracks whip* Back to work you filthy maggots!

Note these are punishments for lesser crimes... so could they be applied to those who have done greater crimes? ;) ;)

Edit: Wanted to add what I think... would be a great example... don't ask me why. I just like making examples.

A man is convicted of murder and is captured by LE Rofies. They take and beat the man down to about an inch of his life... then haul him away to a labor camp... at least until his court date.

I know... harsh... but he did murder someone... or at least was convicted of doing so.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Alatriel on March 29, 2012, 02:27:34 PM
I just want to point something out here.  Forced labor and flogging are not solely used by LE Rofies.  This is an agreed upon and acceptable punishment that is used by many alignments.  Certainly a LG may cringe at the punishment or even find it distasteful, but you're only looking at one element of crime and punishment, instead of the larger picture.  Punishments for crimes are what steps in when good morals fail.  If "doing the right thing" doesn't step in, then the deterrent of what would happen if someone is caught often will keep people from breaking the laws.  The points that you're making are only looking at the one person punished instead of the fact that likely, even though you have suggested that the person only "supposedly" committed a crime rather than having faith in the system to prove guilt or innocence, that person is guilty and does in fact need to be punished in some way.  Flogging is a punishment for a serious offense.  If all a person gets is a slap on the wrist, it's not going to deter the larger population to follow the rules of conduct.

As for forced labor, this is possibly one of the easier sentences.  Yes, they are being forced to work.  Think of that as a better alternative to being forced to rot in a cell somewhere.  Prisons use labor camps as a way of letting prisoners resume a "job" that actually gets them OUT of the prison for a while.  Certainly they are still chained, but at least they get to see the sun on their face.

Yes, if the Rofireinite is evil he/she may utilize the situation to their advantage, or enforce the harshest punishments they can.  However, these punishments that you're describing have many different scenarios.

Also, if a man is convicted of murder, he's already had his court date.
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: drakogear on March 29, 2012, 06:18:15 PM
True I suppose, but would think an evil rofie would actually take some pleasure in Flogging and forcing then to work... say... in a coal mine? Not getting any sun down there. Now are they? :p
Title: Re: Evil/Lawful Rofireinite vs Good/Lawful Rofireinite
Post by: Dorganath on March 29, 2012, 08:42:39 PM
Don't apply modern-day morality, legality and norms, and certainly not those of Western civilization, to the world and setting of Layonara. For the most part, they simply do not apply, or do not apply in the way they might in the societies most of us know in our day-to-day lives.
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