Playing Chaotic Characters

Adament · Post by **Adament** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:11 pm

I play a chaotic character and by watching others play theirs I have come up with a couple of suggestions. Many play a chaotic character as the, run head first into battle and damn the consequences, type. They rush around eager for a fight without pause plowing into the nearest trouble they can find. They are the first one to go running into a room or a dungeon and the ensuing chaos is the result of their character and hence their alignment. This poses certain problems in a game that virtually takes place real time but has a communication lag of a few seconds (i.e. the typing skills of the party and dm involved). In real life if we see someone about to do something stupid or rash we can shout or take action at almost the instant we realize it is about to happen. In game however this may take at least a few seconds to react and type your response and by then the action has very possibly taken place. Not only this but a chain reaction often occurs leading other players to follow the actions of the chaotic player without the normal communication taking place. The second and most important problem with charging a room or dungeon without a brief pause is if a dm is present and involved. Often they need time to set up what tricks or treats they have in store. If you charge into a room before they are ready this can ruin anything they have prepared and basically destroy their hard work and a lot of the fun for everyone.

My suggestion is this. If you play chaotic allow a certain pause before you rush that room or dungeon in a chaotic frenzy. This allows for role-playing among the party and possible communication with the dm.

If anyone has anything to add or disagrees it is welcome. Also I would like to see observations or comments that perhaps may aid in role-playing other alignments or character types.

As always thanks for fun.

chamalscuro · Post by **chamalscuro** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:18 pm

I'd submit that rushing ahead into battle, damn the consequences, is more indicative of a low Wisdom. Your alignment is a life philosophy, as opposed to just using rash battle tactics.

I play a Chaotic character. She is not a "joiner" -- bouncing around from social circle to social circle, even agonizing for a dozen levels whether to join a guild as loosely organized as the AKN. She travels around much on her own, invisibly watching others (being Good, she will anonymously aid travellers).

She crafts for a time, then gets bored of crafting, and explores. Then gets bored of exploring, and looks for newbies in Le'Or or Elysia to mentor. Then gets bored of that, returns to crafting. She calls Le'Or home, then Ferrell, then lives in the wild T'Nanshi forest for a time.

About the only consistent thread in her life is her love of sorcery. Even then, her extreme reluctance to "join" has cost her. She procrastinated joining a mage order, to the point that now -- lacking Andrinor's Mark -- she cannot cast her new eighth level spell. She'll procrastinate more, until her dithering really begins to cost her.

Naieth · Post by **Naieth** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:27 pm

I'd say it depends on which characters you play with. I honestly can't say I run into this problem.

Given that, those are true words.

My charcter would speak about it ICly, or stop adventuring with these if it keeps happening, I think. But.. I don't run into this

.

Xandor Amakiir · Post by **Xandor Amakiir** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 4:40 pm

But i do, ask Elong what Xandor does when he walks into a Bugbear village

Red · Post by **Red** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:03 pm

I think it should pretty much be dealt with IC. I know there's a delay in communications, but just because they go charging into the room doesn't mean everyone else has to.

Let them charge into the room while the rest of the party holds the door. If they get killed, or have to burn a bunch of potions and kits then their actions have consequences.

If your PC is the confrontational type, take care of it IC.

If the chaotic character upsets enough people in the party, kick him/her out. If enough of the party isn't bothered by it, maybe it's a party your character shouldn't be a part of.

Jo' d · Post by **Jo' d** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:07 pm

Being chaotic, does not preclude my char from having an internal discipline, regarding its survivability. After all, even chaotics can't bet that they'll be back from the DP. They therefore, rarely exhibit their chaotic nature by charging into battle, but instead, by being unpredictable in their interactions with the world around them. While a paladins reaction to certain situations will be predictable..a chaotics wouldnt.
Still a good point made as to the communication barrier...

Chamalscuro sez:

I'd submit that rushing ahead into battle, damn the consequences, is more indicative of a low Wisdom.

Well said, my low Wis Gnoll follower of Ra-Ghul, would be an excellent example of your point. He is my only chaotic who would do so....but even for him, it would not occur until the 'Fury' set in.

J

ps...several posts submitted whilst writing in response...damn you guys are fast.

darthjee · Post by **darthjee** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:46 pm

for me, i have o low wis chaotic caracter . . .and i think that chaotic is more related to free will .. . related to no not folowing rules she doesnt agree with

the low wiz is what gets her in trouble . . .but still, when someone in the party say . . ..stay behind . . .she stays behind. . .. .it happened so much that i gave up evoling her swords skill . . .now she is always behind with a bow . . . .. but sometimes she can rush in a run

although she has low wiz, she is smart enough to set traps, use spells before battle ((sometimes she doenst use . . . .thinking she wont need . . .poor girl)) and use any battle tatic

Kyle Stormshield · Post by **Kyle Stormshield** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 7:14 pm

Sorry to hijack but my LG Pally (who can make a pet rock look smart at times) still thinks the way you disable a trap is by gritting your teeth, setting it off and hoping for the best. Luckily this hasnt killed anyone (other than himself)....yet.

loki70 · Post by **loki70** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:42 pm

My monk, when fully buffed, will charge in and hope for the best. Absurdly high wis, LN and very disciplined, he just uses the element of surprise and can survive a lot. He also targets the mage or ranged attacker.

My cleric walks slowly in, uses stunning or otherwise debilitating spells, and hacks his way through, hoping to keep everyone in front of him. LN

My fighter, who is chaotic, is a coward. He runs through battle, avoiding as many enemies as he can, gets one to chase him, turns and fights, and hopes he can kill that one before the rest gang up on him. He uses dirty tricks when he can, monopolizes on weaknesses, and when all else fails, runs like a girl

spool32 · Post by **spool32** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 8:50 pm

Having fought many many times with the Dru'Elite crowd, I can tell you that a chaotic nature does not equal poor decision-making in battle. Even rulebreakers want to live, and want their friends to live... Robin Hood's merry men made a plan before they rescued him, and they stuck to it. Chaos in action, IMHO.

-spool32 / HERT

Vercongetorix · Post by **Vercongetorix** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:02 pm

My CG bard doesn't rush off into battle, mostly because she's a lowbie and would only succeed in getting herself killed. She typically expresses her chaotic worldview by being noticably mercurial. She'll switch from happy to sad to enraged within seconds. Part of the way she views things is to say and do exactly what comes to mind. She loves pranking unsuspecting people, so long that it doesn't do them any harm.

Ellowin · Post by **Ellowin** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:27 pm

I play a CG archer who (before going adventuring with people she doesn't know) informs everyone that she WILL shoot people in the legs if they run ahead. If given time she'll go so far as to lecture someone about the dangers of such foolishness. Doing this before you get going saves on the lag the original post talked about. Granted she usually gives another warning or two, but as anyone who's traveled with Ell will tell you...she follows up on her threats

So, I would concur with the people that say it's a low wisdom thing to do and has little or nothing to do with being chaotic. I think deciding that chaotic equals being as random as possible can work, but one has to be ready to take the ic consequences. Also, it's not the only way to play a chaotic alignment...by a long shot.

-J

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:28 pm

My CG Fighter/WM will charge recklessly into a fight and I mainly attribute this to his low wisdom and to the fact that he thinks he's better than he actually is

I play his CG'ness as he does what he thinks is right regardless of what anyone else may think, whether it be the law, his friends or anyone.

p0m · Post by **p0m** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:35 pm

Ellowin wrote:Granted she usually gives another warning or two, but as anyone who's traveled with Ell will tell you...she follows up on her threats

So, I would concur with the people that say it's a low wisdom thing to do and has little or nothing to do with being chaotic. I think deciding that chaotic equals being as random as possible can work, but one has to be ready to take the ic consequences. Also, it's not the only way to play a chaotic alignment...by a long shot.
-J

She does follow up on her threats? Heh, just kidding.

Dannar suffers from a lowish wisdom, so you're likely to see Ell at least once shoot him. Chaotic to me is exactly what she describes, it's not a "Let's do 20 different things in a row".

CG is more "Do what you feel like, with good in mind." So Dannar does what he feels like, and hopefully does good. If not, hello arborea.

chilingsworth · Post by **chilingsworth** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:23 pm

Grag's been seen the whole of the Chaotic spectrum. Since he's always had a highish int and wisdom, I don't generally try to send him rushing into battle ahead of everyone. Unfortunately, I'm not well coordinated, and often end up doing exactly that.

Naieth · Post by **Naieth** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:28 pm

My chaotic character is pretty predictable.

Melakin Skywieder · Post by **Melakin Skywieder** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:33 am

I'd submit that rushing ahead into battle, damn the consequences, is more indicative of a low Wisdom

I concur (having the Wis 8 PC

)

Being Chaotic as state is a mindset. It doesn't mean you are stupid though people may choose to play it that way. It does mean you might be unpredictable and probably don't think too much of laws as they pertain to your personal life and goals.

and I though Ell shot people in the legs cause she was a bad shot

Demonseed · Post by **Demonseed** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:17 am

I thought Ell shot people because she keeps sneezing with a loaded bow. . . .

Kard has taken to carrying around a clean cloth for her to blow her nose every time he goes out with them

Celedith · Post by **Celedith** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:42 pm

Celedith will shoot you in the back of the legs just on principle, but she's CG too.

mighty_alcibie · Post by **mighty_alcibie** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:29 pm

My CG fighter/rogue doesn't rush into battle. In fact she oposses those type of decisions. Now, if there's a party around thats different. She will party like its 1999.

Arnimane · Post by **Arnimane** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:40 pm

spool32 wrote:chaotic nature does not equal poor decision-making in battle. Even rulebreakers want to live, and want their friends to live...
-spool32 / HERT

*cough* Tactics! *cough*......Oh wait, thugs invented em....should have saved this for a drul'r....

dhocott · Post by **dhocott** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:54 pm

I agree; chaotic does not represent poor tactical action, and I thought Ell just wanted some target practice.

Marleh · Post by **Marleh** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:57 pm

loki70 wrote:My monk, when fully buffed, will charge in and hope for the best. Absurdly high wis, LN and very disciplined, he just uses the element of surprise and can survive a lot. He also targets the mage or ranged attacker.

Disciplined? When did that change?

I would actually use Hebrin as an example of when people have walked away from a dungeon instead of deal with someone who is continually running ahead of the rest of the party.

This is an example from the other side really. There are some character builds out there that allow them to run into a fight and expect to come out alive, but what about the rest of the group? They need time to prepare, to rebuff after their lesser spells and potions wear off, to try to find yet another stack of healing kits. In the meantime, those who get through a fight relatively unscathed need to learn to stop and learn a bit of patience.

But no matter if you are the strongest or the weakest, I have to concure with the rest who point out that running into a fight is not only indicitive of low wisdom, and is likely to get your character avoided by a group. Even a chaotic person can grow tired of chugging heal potion after heal potion to drag someone out of a fight, only to see them do it again. Tiring, frustrating, and not worth it.

Especially if/when you ignore the work of a good scout. How many times have I panned the camera round after being asked to scout, only to find essential party members, like the healer of the group, right on my heels and about to run ahead? No, please, you go right ahead and use the toe-technique to disable that trap... Yes, that one.

My character is not charasmatic as others who would shoot someone after a few warnings to remind them to not run ahead and get away with it. Also, with massive amounts of sneak attack, it could really hurt if she did. But don't tempt her.

Tigg · Post by **Tigg** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:33 pm

there's a lot of different ways to let the chaotic alignment path show through on your character, I think as long as someone has it in mind when they are rp'ing, then they are on the right track