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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 04:29:16
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Well met, all.
I would like advice on interpreting and DMing the paladin's ability to "detect the presence of evil intent" in my 2nd Edition campaign. The revised 2nd Edition PHB states the following:
quote:
A paladin can detect the presence of evil intent up to 60 feet away by concentrating on locating evil in a particular direction. He can do this as often as desired, but each attempt takes one round. This ability detects evil monsters and characters (p. 27).
So far, I have only allowed the paladin in the group to detect whether a monster or character is evil if this creature or NPC actually has evil intent; that is, plans to do harm to the paladin or the PC around him. However, the player rightly contends that the rules, particularly the last line, appear to indicate that a paladin can detect evil alignment, even if there is no intent to do harm. How have other DMs handled this?
Cheers,
Afet
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Afet bint Tuzaní
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 08:24:30
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Hi Afet!
I cannot really help you on this matter as I only dmed 3rd Ed. However, just to through in my two cormyrian lions:
1. You are DM. As such you could rule however you seem fit.
2. Leaving the omnipotence of the DM aside, the arguement of the player has some merrits. Regarding the last sentence as a stand-alone his arguement rings true.
3. However, IMO you need to read the second in connection with the first. Doing so would lead to the conclusion that the Paladin can detect 'evil intent' but only evil monsters and characters. Agumentum e contrario: he would not be able to detect 'evil intent' in any good-aligned creatures.
In my understanding the 2 sentences are supposed to be read in connection. Otherwise the designers might have left out the first sentence entirely as it than has no meaning at all.
Ergo: This ability does not allow him to detect evil creatures per se!
That would be my logical approach on the matter. Therefore I come to the same conclusion as you have handled the matter all along. Will say: in your case I would not change a thing! 
good gaming always, Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
Edited by - Ergdusch on 29 Apr 2008 08:26:45 |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 09:48:39
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| The Complete Paladin's Handbook had two pages dedicated to this topic alone. |
Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
Edited by - Zanan on 29 Apr 2008 09:52:29 |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 10:47:43
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I would go with a slight mix. In general I would say that he was only able to detect evil plans, but in some cases there would be such extreme "taints" that he would sense it no matter what. Some examples could be older priests of the most evil cults, Gaurgath being a good example, some Red Wizards, etc.
In other words, the ability works when you the DM find it logical. this does of course make paladins a pain in intrigue based mysteries and such, but if you remember the ability it should not be to much of a problem. |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 13:48:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Zanan
The Complete Paladin's Handbook had two pages dedicated to this topic alone.
Thanks, Zanan. Don't know why I didn't think of that. The Complete Paladin's Handbook states:
quote:
The paladin's sensitivity to evil responds the target's intention to commit an evil act. The ability doesn't reveal the precise nature of the intended act, nor does it reveal the target's actual alignment.
So there you have it.
Cheers,
Afet |
Afet bint Tuzaní
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Zanan
Senior Scribe
Germany
942 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 14:06:19
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In short ...
Able to detect evil radiated by characters, monsters, undead, negative energy Plane influences, evil artifacts, swords, and intelligent objects. No cursed objects or traps, nor beings with INT 0 or 1.
Responds to the targets intention to commit an evil act. Does not reveal the nature or the act, nor the alignment.
Characters who are strongly aligned, faithful and of level 9+ do radiate evil if intend upon appropriate actions. (Zanan: Like a drow priestess. What she is up to or her alignment remains a mystery though.)
If a NPC murdered a passerby recently, he might still radiate evil, but the paladin cannot detect the nature of the crime.
Evil creature (e.g., rakshasa) can disguise their appearance, but not their evil intentions.
High level characters may radiate evil even if they don't planning something evil right now or thinking evil thoughts. Great Red Wyrms or hill giants are examples mentioned - they radiate evil uncontrollably.
Do not that this feature goes out of the window once the whole area (drow city) radiates evil.
The creature targeted gets no save, but may cover their alignments and thus radiation by spells.
The book offers a variety of possible reading of evil, e.g. a detected pickpocket result in "a light throb behind the eyes" a mass murderer gets "dull pounding behind the eyes", while a venerable red dragon or lich gives the paladin an agonising headache.
(for a closer look, see The Complete Paladin's Handbook (AD&D, TSR 2147), p.10-11.)
+ + +
That said, detecting evil and evil intention is by no means a wildcard or the like to go over and slaughter someone, or even ask him or her about the intentions they may have. For being "good" or fighting "evil" is one thing, obeying laws et al another. And the declaration of one person being "evil" (with essentially no proof other than one own's statement) is not necessarily enough to justify what could easily interpreted by others as cold-blooded murder. Though I guess you know that.
You should've posted that 45 mins ago! Would have saved me the typing!  
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Cave quid dicis, quando et cui!
Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel!
In memory of Alura Durshavin.
Visit my "Homepage" to find A Guide to the Drow NPCs of Faerûn, Drow and non-Drow PrC and much more. |
Edited by - Zanan on 29 Apr 2008 14:09:22 |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2008 : 19:58:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Zanan
You should've posted that 45 mins ago! Would have saved me the typing!
Sorry 
Thanks for typing that out, Zanan. It certainly wasn't a wasted time. You provided much more detail than I did, so the next person with this question will have all the information they need.
Cheers,
Afet |
Afet bint Tuzaní
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Paladin's ability to detect "evil intent"
