Quote:
Originally posted by JackOfClubs
@VonDondu: As usual, we are on the same page with regard to the philosophical issues. However, there are some complications with my character who is a CG Cleric dualed to Thief at level 3. My take on the matter is:
As a young girl Lorelei was groomed for the priesthood, but very early on her willful and independent nature thwarted her commitment to any particular deity...
She was accosted by the High Priest of Lathander... He seemed to be under the impression that she was still a practicing cleric, perhaps because of the manner of her dress or by some more mystical discernment... She really does want to help people and has confined her thieving to the wicked and undeserving...
While she would like to honor the god who so recently delivered her from the hands of the evil Irenicus, she is not quite sure this Sarles is the fellow to do it. She feels reasonably sure she could find a way to use that illithium to better purpose, and has a vague suspicion that there is a craftsman in town that will help her do it. However, she is not sure that the rigid priests will see it that way. They often seem not to reason morally as human beings but to be following some sort of Script. She just cannot tell if her actions will be interpreted by that Script to be dishonoring to the deity...
Her current idea is to follow her own instinct and simply delay telling anyone about any problems that arise until she has done all the good that she can... |
You've just explained why people (including Clerics) need guidance. Lorelei sounds like someone who distrusts authority figures, rendering her unable to profit from their advice. That's not very smart for a Thief.
Surely she can make a distinction between an act of piety and an act of selfishness. Therefore, she should let her conscience be her guide. If she wants to behave like a Thief, then her choice is clear. If she wants to behave like a Cleric, then her motives must be true.
Lorelei does not seem to understand the tenets of the Morninglord. The Temple of Lathander does not require strict adherence to arbitrary rules; the Temple's goal is to achieve the best outcome for all concerned, based on individual needs. The Temple of Lathander would not have you conform to anything you didn't truly believe in; that would defeat their purpose. (No offense to Helm, but Lathander is quite different from Helm.)
This brings me back to a point I made earlier: Lorelei does not seem to have any faith in the people who would guide her if only she would let them. This is a hindrance to her spiritual growth. The fact that Dawnmaster Kreel (?) could tell that she is a "woman of faith" should be a clue that he can help her realize her potential, and she should jump at the opportunity.
I suggest the following: she should approach the illitihium quest as a personal test. She should be very clear about her motives, make her decisions accordingly, and let the chips fall where they may. Then she should return to the Temple and tell them exactly what she did. Unless she did something completely outrageous such as murdering Sir Sarles, the priests will listen to her story and offer her advice to help her grow from the experience. They might even be able to see her actions in an unexpected light, and Lorelei will see that the result of her actions was even better than she had thought. That's what having faith is all about. You do your best, you learn from it, and with Lathander's blessing, you reap benefits you never even expected. Try it.