Alessandra, Undead Hunter: Early SoA UpdateOk. I have a little time now so I'll try to provide some coverage of Alessandra's early adventures. Unfortunately, I accidently deleted many of the screenshots so this will be a bit fragmentary.
The ChataeuThe Chataeu actually ended up being the most difficult thing Alessandra has had to do in her adventure thus far. I have never gone north of Rielev in SCS. I sent Alessandra into the library to pick up the Oil of Speed and was surpriseed to find that it was within call for help range of Iylich and his Mage. Alessandra was happily chunking Duergars when that pair showed up. Facing a Mage without a complete tactical toolkit -and without a Berserkers rage or anything of that ilk- can be dangerous of course.
The opening was dicey. Once the Mages' pre-buffs fired, disruption was difficult and the Mage did have Horror in his book. Alessandra had not rested and memorized Remove Fear since she was not expecting an arcane opponent. She made her save, happily, but rolling to save even once during an adventure consistutes a major, major misstep to my mind. Lesson learned: don't go into the library unless you are ready for a tussle.
After that harrowing moment, everything went smoothly. She was soon enjoying the morning light in the promenade with acorns in tow. She was ready to move on.
The Helm As mentioned earlier, Alessandra found a curious item in Irenicus's bedroom: The Helm of Opposite Alignment. Due to her lifelong fascination with evil, it intrigued her like no other object could. She put it on almost immediately.
Here is what has always interested Alessandra about evil.
What we see here is a group of people in a tavern. They are all eating the same food and drinking the same drinks. For all intents and purposes, they seem to have the same desires and predilections. But look: some of them are evil and others are not. Alessdandra has always wondered whether there is really a difference. The Helm has helped her reach her answer.
With the Helm on, she had no reservations about indulging in the "entertainments" offered at the Copper Coronet. She spent a night with a Courtesan and then another sampling Black Lotus. Even with the Helm on, she could recognize that there was something not quite right about the compulsion her companion was under to perform his duties. But aside from that, she saw little "evil" behind those doors.
Later, she discovered a bank of cells housing slaves. The Helm made her indifferent to their plight, but she freed them nonetheless since doing so gave her a chance to wreak havoc without repercussions. And while freeing the slaves would enhance her reputation, The Helm did not make her adverse to that at all. One of the most important things Alessandra learned is that -for the truly evil- nothing is more valuable then a sparkling reputation. She was eminentely pleased to be honored for her act of "compassion."
Reputation is one asset which the truly evil value. Charisma is another. Reputation alone faciliates evil (After all, how else can one pillage without the guards a callin'?). But reputation
and charm- now
that is the sweet spot. Alessandra used the gold she gathered from freeing the slaves to buy the Blade of Roses. It became one of her most valued items second only to her Helm. There was an undeniable synergy between the two.
To an outside observer, Alessandra did little different while she was wearing The Helm. She did don Laerl's Tear Necklaces and other baubles- opting to adorn herself with resources that could otherwise immensely benefit those less privileged. But no one noticed this or saw it as vaguely evil for some odd reason (Perhaps because they wished to wear baubles themselves, Alessandra thought) . Mostly, it was what she did in private that differed. True evil, after all, is not in what is seen: it is in what is unseen and -most importantly- in what we ourselves choose not to see.
And so, alone in a forest, when a man asked for her aid, the Helm compelled her to let him twist.
Mind you, assisting Renfeld would have cost Alessandra little and it would have benefitted him immensely: this can only be seen as a clear win. She was just about to walk away, when she finally understood something crucial about evil. Evil is not exotic, or incomprehensible, or seductive: it is nothing but pointless, myopic selfishness- completely untinteresting. Crude.
With that thought in mind, she wrestled down The Helm's call, and carried Renfeld to safety.
Having learned what she needed to, Alessandra went to a Temple and had The Helm removed. She may never wear it again.
The PlanThe plan is as yet unclear. She has just completed the Trademeet Quest. Her immunity/counter set is now complete. Her next stop will likely be the De'Arnise Keep though she reamains uncertain. I'll post when there is more clarity here. I can also post on Alessandra's early combat and item collection route if there is interest.
Best,
A.
Edited by Alesia_BH, 16 November 2011 - 11:40 AM.
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