Playgrounders in D&D

[danielxcutter]

This would make an awesome PBP campaign.

I think there was a fanfic or something where a couple dozen people from our world were sent to 3.5 D&D or something and actually did pretty well. Not that it wouldn't be totally kickass as a PBP campaign, of course...

[RazorChain]

Get my hand on alchemy set, start nitrating some glycerol, make dynamite. Blow up dungeons, gain lots of XP from wholesale slaughter of monsters. Dig up the treasure. Start a company called monster mining. Get to max level in whatever class. Make a steam engine tanks with rocket propelled grenades, take over the world.

[Inevitability]

I think there was a fanfic or something where a couple dozen people from our world were sent to 3.5 D&D or something and actually did pretty well. Not that it wouldn't be totally kickass as a PBP campaign, of course...

Do you have a link, by any chance?

[danielxcutter]

Do you have a link, by any chance?

I don't, but there was one on Tvtropes, on the Dungeons and Dragons FanficRecs page.

[Strigon]

He has a doctorate.

Huh. A Phd in mathematics. Well, that figures, doesn't it?

Danzibr, I retract my previous statement, and substitute it with an apology.

[GrayDeath]

Hmmmm, given the Fact that aside from Dexterity (I tend to be slow and clumsy, at least moreso than average) my Stats are slighlty (Cha, Con) to a medium bit (Int) above average, but none of them is great, I`d probably gravitate towards one of the less Statdependant Classes .... IF I, as an assumed Expert L2, survive the first few days.

As I take faith seriously I would not simply start worshipping who/Whatever I got dropped closest to, so no ClericJumping.

later on, if I find the chance and Time, I would probably gravitate towards Wizard (as only Work and Int are necessary) or something pacty (Binder or Warlock), or depending on the exact Setting maybe its more Incarnum or psionics. Any way, lacking any prerexisting Talent sadly removes my actually favoured Classes....sigh.

[Kelb_Panthera]

For you, it's Icelandic.

Oh dear. That does make things much more difficult. It'd be difficult to even figure out what world I'm on. My plan remains the same but now I also get to try to figure out how to communicate wth hostile strangers all along the way. With any luck, I can find my way to a city with a temple to a commerce god and maybe find someone I can communicate with or, rather, someone who can employ magic to communicate with me.

Unless english is like rashemi or goblin or something like that.

[Masema]

Unless english is like rashemi or goblin or something like that.

OR abyssal. Praying to Pelor that it's not Abyssal.

[GrayDeath]

HMmm, very likely wrong target for that prayer, given the Burning Hate`s .... predesposition. ^^

[Doctor Awkward]

It's interesting to me to read all of the responses where one's survival is contingent on the kindness of strangers.

Human beings in our world are generally kind to one another for tribal reasons because we know survival chances are higher as a group than as individuals. It's this instinct that leads people to be optimists, and to expect the best out of their fellows.

But you are applying these same principles to a world in which metaphysical laws are clearly defined, absolute and readily available to the general populace.

For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

[Masema]

HMmm, very likely wrong target for that prayer, given the Burning Hate`s .... predesposition. ^^

Then who should I pray to, considering that he is the God of all that is Good and Holy.

[Strigon]

...
For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

Somewhere on the upper-left quadrant. I've never really been tested in a major way, alignment wise, but I've been pretty much moral and dependable.

[GrayDeath]

It's interesting to me to read all of the responses where one's survival is contingent on the kindness of strangers.

Human beings in our world are generally kind to one another for tribal reasons because we know survival chances are higher as a group than as individuals. It's this instinct that leads people to be optimists, and to expect the best out of their fellows.

But you are applying these same principles to a world in which metaphysical laws are clearly defined, absolute and readily available to the general populace.

For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

Hmmmm, following a lot of "Hat Alignment would I be" Tests, I am very much of the thought that I`d ping as Chaotig Good or maybe (if I am in a particular bad place atm" Chaotic neutral to true neutral.
I am neither focussed enough on Good to be Neutral Good nor Holy enough to be LG, but neither am I iun any way or form evil, so....yeh.

Then who should I pray to, considering that he is the God of all that is Good and Holy.

May Lord Pelor the Bruning Hatred Bathe you in his radiance and sear away any Imperfections

[Kelb_Panthera]

It's interesting to me to read all of the responses where one's survival is contingent on the kindness of strangers.

Human beings in our world are generally kind to one another for tribal reasons because we know survival chances are higher as a group than as individuals. It's this instinct that leads people to be optimists, and to expect the best out of their fellows.

But you are applying these same principles to a world in which metaphysical laws are clearly defined, absolute and readily available to the general populace.

For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

Probably nothing. Maybe a weak lawful ping. I'm quite confident I'm either neutral or lawful neutral. Not that I'd imagine it would be much of a concern to a deity of commerce and certainly not to The Uncaring One.

[Virdish]

I expect i would be chaotic good. I believe in humanitarian principles and if the law gets in the way of them then I believe it needs to be done away with.

[Red Fel]

And it would be nice if you could get wireless Internet connection as well.

See that? That's the kind of thinking that gets you a promotion.

Wait, that's your main goal? What's the plan, bossman?

Think about it this way. Take your average, middling-accomplished individual, reasonably intelligent, somewhat savvy. Put him in a medieval fantasy world. If he isn't quickly killed, he'll use common-level modern knowledge, and do something - like triggering an industrial revolution - that winds up with him obscenely wealthy and living in the lap of luxury.

Now, replace Joe Blow with me.

Do I even need a plan? Arrive, gain power and influence, revolutionize the world, become a living god, retire to a palace the size of a small town. Be worshiped and served until I die/ become immortal/ ascend to godhood.

It ain't complicated.

Red Fel,

Come on, we know you'd show up as a chicken infested commoner.. and proceed to cause a black hole to consume the entire crystal sphere to sacrifice all as a method to become a God.

If I showed up as a chicken infested commoner? You'd better believe I'm taking down the entire crystal sphere.

No way I'm putting up with that kind of indignity. And if I have to go, everything goes with me.

Watch Game of Thrones, duh. I assume Red Rel's blood pools are in 4k now?

You know it. Only the highest quality plasma displays.

So humble. Anyway, I'd actually kind of like to see a world that you rule. I mean, it would kind of suck not having any real freedom, but we don't have that anyway, the illusion isn't very comforting, and under you, life would actually probably be pretty good for normal people. That is, if you deliver.

You'd be surprised. The key to a good totalitarian regime is that life at the bottom changes fairly little. Go watch Brazil to see what I mean. The big change would be that the justice system would be quick and severe, and that every citizen would have absolute confidence that the laws would be enforced. For the average Joe who goes through his regular life, working and obeying the law, nothing changes but that knowledge. Less crime, true, but not like I'm promising a chicken in every pot or anything. Just a guarantee that if you work hard enough, are smart enough, and are ruthless enough, you can climb to any height. Well, almost any - I'm still the guy on top.

Also, we'd have really good shows. Bread and circuses, yo. I'm thinking we could get a D&D version of Stranger Things that would be straight-up meta.

For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

Very little after that. I expect they'd go blind.

[Eldest]

RAW? Chaotic Evil. BoVD is stupid but has alignment rules.

[Vizzerdrix]

I think for most, Gond or Cas would be fitting.

[John Longarrow]

It's interesting to me to read all of the responses where one's survival is contingent on the kindness of strangers.

Human beings in our world are generally kind to one another for tribal reasons because we know survival chances are higher as a group than as individuals. It's this instinct that leads people to be optimists, and to expect the best out of their fellows.

But you are applying these same principles to a world in which metaphysical laws are clearly defined, absolute and readily available to the general populace.

For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

Decades of putting the needs of the many before my own? Upper part of the quadrant. I've even got the paperwork to back it up. :-)

[Inevitability]

For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

Definitely Lawful, probably LN. I have some slight LE and LG tendencies, but I'm quite confident it comes down to LN overall, which I'm fine with (as far as afterlives go, Mechanus isn't that bad).

[PaucaTerrorem]

Find an inn.
Start cooking for them.
Marry bar wench.
Get disease.
Die painfully.

[Inevitability]

Find an inn.
Start cooking for them.
Marry bar wench.
Get disease.
Die painfully.

I doubt a good-aligned temple with access to Remove Disease is going to leave someone to die.

[flappeercraft]

For instance, suppose you were to walk into a temple and throw yourself upon the mercy of the clerics and they decide to cast any of the series of Detect Alignment spells on you.

What do you expect them to see?

Probably Lawful Neutral or Lawful Evil probably more of the latter. Honestly I would just go to a church of Hextor for assistance if I needed the help of any church, join them and stuff, probably would go the path of arcane caster using shenanigans obviously and then assist them with my power as a reward for helping me.

[Doctor Awkward]

Somewhere on the upper-left quadrant. I've never really been tested in a major way, alignment wise, but I've been pretty much moral and dependable.

Hmmmm, following a lot of "Hat Alignment would I be" Tests, I am very much of the thought that I`d ping as Chaotig Good or maybe (if I am in a particular bad place atm" Chaotic neutral to true neutral.
I am neither focussed enough on Good to be Neutral Good nor Holy enough to be LG, but neither am I iun any way or form evil, so....yeh.

Probably nothing. Maybe a weak lawful ping. I'm quite confident I'm either neutral or lawful neutral. Not that I'd imagine it would be much of a concern to a deity of commerce and certainly not to The Uncaring One.

Decades of putting the needs of the many before my own? Upper part of the quadrant. I've even got the paperwork to back it up. :-)

These are not at all unexpected responses. No one truly believes themselves to be evil. Even a token respect for authority and the rule of law is a sign of decency and humility. And the belief that you would happily flaunt of authority in the face of oppression is enlightenment thinking at it's finest.

It would be wonderfully simple if you could be sure you weren't lying.

Introspective examinations are hard. Especially if you don't know exactly what you are looking for.

Think about it this way. Take your average, middling-accomplished individual, reasonably intelligent, somewhat savvy. Put him in a medieval fantasy world. If he isn't quickly killed, he'll use common-level modern knowledge, and do something - like triggering an industrial revolution - that winds up with him obscenely wealthy and living in the lap of luxury.

Now, replace Joe Blow with me.

Do I even need a plan? Arrive, gain power and influence, revolutionize the world, become a living god, retire to a palace the size of a small town. Be worshiped and served until I die/ become immortal/ ascend to godhood.

It ain't complicated.

Indeed. Very straightforward. Very moving.

The wish fulfillment fantasy of a true tyrant.

You'd be surprised. The key to a good totalitarian regime is that life at the bottom changes fairly little. Go watch Brazil to see what I mean. The big change would be that the justice system would be quick and severe, and that every citizen would have absolute confidence that the laws would be enforced. For the average Joe who goes through his regular life, working and obeying the law, nothing changes but that knowledge. Less crime, true, but not like I'm promising a chicken in every pot or anything. Just a guarantee that if you work hard enough, are smart enough, and are ruthless enough, you can climb to any height. Well, almost any - I'm still the guy on top.

I'm tickled by your use of the phrase "good totalitarian".
A system of government in which the populace is beholden to the state through a codified and exacting set of laws, and which inculcates obedience in the populace by feeding them a steady diet of mainstream propaganda mostly centered on national pride and utter faith in those in power. It's a system whose success depends entirely on rigidly maintaining the rule of law at all costs. By it's very definition, it cannot be good, in exactly the same way the plane of Mechanus cannot ever be good, at the risk of annihilating itself.

In effect, life would change for everyone, since the rule of law must be absolute for the system to function. The laws do not serve the needs of the people, they serve the needs of the system. The only possible guarantee you could ever make anyone in such a system is that they will serve the needs of the system, and that they will climb exactly as high as the current, or anticipated, needs of the system dictate.

[Stryyke]

Let's see. To start, I would classify myself as somewhere between chaotic neutral, and neutral evil.
I have a PhD in gravitational physics. So I could use some general physics knowledge, but my specialty wouldn't be terribly useful. But I think I can safely say that I would have between 16 and 18 INT, a 14ish Con, 10 Wis, 10 Dex, 9 STR, 7 CHA. Or there-abouts. So my first goal would be to learn any spell that I can sell for coin. Work my way up till I can teleport, and become an expensive medieval taxi service. I would use the money to keep learning, until I can achieve some form of immortality. Then invulnerability. Then retire to a nice cottage somewhere, and kill anyone who comes withing 10 miles of me.

[Strigon]

Introspective examinations are hard. Especially if you don't know exactly what you are looking for.

Agreed. Fortunately, we have entire books on what to look for.
Haven't you seen the alignment threads here? It always boils down to "the rulebooks say this, but that's stupid so we're going to try to salvage something that makes sense".

We know exactly what constitutes Good, Evil, Chaotic and Neutral. And, heck, if you really need proof, take a look at any first-party Evil character. They pretty much all hurt people regularly, in some form or another. I do not, so I'm comfortable saying I'm not Evil, at the very least. Expecting Good people to help someone in need is hardly a stretch, and it still wouldn't be a stretch even if that person were Evil. Unless you know that they're about to cause harm to someone else, and you can't possibly stop them, letting an Evil person die is not Good behaviour. Killing an Evil person who needs to be stopped? Good people will do that. Refusing to help an Evil person just because he pinged Evil? Not Good. Or at least enough of a grey area that - if I were Evil - I could find someone to help.

Now, I'm not saying I'm incapable of Evil acts; I could certainly fall if pushed hard enough, especially if a loved one was in danger, but capacity for Evil acts != Evil alignment. If it did, no Paladin would ever fall, because the only LG people would be the ones who can never perform Evil or Chaotic acts.

[danielxcutter]

I'm tickled by your use of the phrase "good totalitarian".
A system of government in which the populace is beholden to the state through a codified and exacting set of laws, and which inculcates obedience in the populace by feeding them a steady diet of mainstream propaganda mostly centered on national pride and utter faith in those in power. It's a system whose success depends entirely on rigidly maintaining the rule of law at all costs. By it's very definition, it cannot be good, in exactly the same way the plane of Mechanus cannot ever be good, at the risk of annihilating itself.

In effect, life would change for everyone, since the rule of law must be absolute for the system to function. The laws do not serve the needs of the people, they serve the needs of the system. The only possible guarantee you could ever make anyone in such a system is that they will serve the needs of the system, and that they will climb exactly as high as the current, or anticipated, needs of the system dictate.

You know, I think it wouldn't be that hard to provide minimum sustenance to everyone.

In this thread, there's a mention of using a use-activated item of create food and water to provide the peasants with infinite food. ExLibrisMortis makes a strong argument that a village could save enough money to buy one.

It isn't too much of a stretch to think that the ruler of the multiverse would be able to provide every village with one.

[LordOfCain]

RAW? Chaotic Evil. BoVD is stupid but has alignment rules.

Why automatically chaotic evil?

[Virdish]

So there was some interest in a campaign based on this notion so I did a thing. I created a recruitment thread looking for some players and a DM. Thought I'd link the recruitment here so people could jump in if they are interested.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...5#post21452845

[Eldest]

Why automatically chaotic evil?

Because the writers of BoVD invented Vile, a term for horrible evil deeds, and then labeled some stupid, rather innocent stuff as Vile. This is going off memory, I haven't read the book in ages, but still a terrible book. If we were ignoring it, I could argue for any of the three Chaotic alignments, but still most likely Neutral or Evil. I simply don't care about other people unless I feel a connection to them, it's just stupid to hurt other people without a big enough payout.