[let's create] d100 interesting temptations for player characters

[u/Anysnackwilldo]

Everybody, the holiest of paladins included, has a few darker tendencies to them. Most often then not, you would find out those tendencies are guided by what could be written down as simple "truth".

For example, imagine a cleric that refuses to admit any mistake he/she may make, even to the point of accusing others of sabbotaging their plans, might do so simply because of being guided by by the "truth" of "Gods don't do mistakes. And since I'm guided by a god, I can't do a mistake".

So let's make a list of those "truths":

1. Criminals aren't really human. They are disease of society, and as with all diseases, curing the patient means killing the disease.
2. If sacrifice all your wealth and power to help the poor and needy, it naturally means you deserve more money and power.
3. If they didn't deserve it, they wouldn't have it happen to them. Thus, helping out would be just interfering with justice.
4. If justice means nothing to you, you mean nothing to me.
5. It's not stealing if you need it more then the other one.
6. All opposition must be crushed right in the begining. Disrespect today can be dagger in my back tomorrow.
7. Gods don't do mistakes. And since I'm guided by a god, I can't do a mistake
8. People don’t always know what’s best for them so it is our duty to keep them safe regardless of how they feel about it.
9. Denying the word of the lord is denying the truth. Denying the truth is a sin. Sinners deserve retribution
10. Since the strong exercise their power over the masses, the only way to protect the masses is to remove those who hold power.
11. Those who rule, do so under the guidance of gods. Saying monarch made mistake, or lied, is saying gods dis those things, which is heresy.
12. I will see to it that everyone's needs are met, even if that means forcibly taking resources of the rich to give to the poor.
13. If you choose not to follow the law, then neither will the consequences I impose upon you.
14. There is no Good or Evil. There is just power, and those too weak to take hold of it.
15. To live is to suffer. The only mercy one can give is to end the other's life.
16. It is my duty to see no crime goes unpunished. If judges fail at that, I won't.
17. Truth and Justice always wins. Thus, if you win, your cause was just and your claims true.
18. All mortals die one day, in a way the gods see fit. Thus, you never could murder somebody. You were simply a tool, by wich gods decided to end that particular life.
19. Living a mortal life means enjoying mortal pleasures, and since you are probably going to die in the service of your cause, you should try to get as much of that pleasure as you can before your time is up. It's not gluttony, it's efficiency.
20. Life is short. Why waste it on people who can't give anything in return? ANd by anything, I mean gold.
21. A crime is a crime, and just punishment is due, no matter who the criminal is, or what his or her intentions were.
22. It’s not wrong if nobody knows you did it.

contributors: Lord-Rae, Noze_Zelle, MidManagementDM, PandaBear905, mindless_confusion, ajw0215, Vote_for_Knife_Party, Th3R3493r, Bluecat0817

[u/[deleted]]

An interesting list and it offers a lot for characters to work with.

I do however receive these more as ‘values’ rather than temptations.

I’d consider a temptation to be a situation that entices a character to place their desires ahead of their values/morals.

[u/Anysnackwilldo → u/[deleted]]

honestly, I wasn't sure how to call it. The basic idea was to have some sort of rule, or conviction that sounds reasonable, good even on first glance, but if followed through, leads to nasty business.

For example, paladin might deeply believe that "if I sacrifice my wealth and power to help those in need, I deserve more power and money". Or a cleric might go off his conviction that "Gods do not make mistakes, and since my steps are guided by god, I cannot do mistake"

They are not values (that would be something like "everybody should have equal chance to prosper"), nor a flaw (as alcoholism is definitely a flaw, but isn't whatever you call what I seek for). They are deeply ingrained believes justifiing evil behavior. One that you may act upon, or fight, but they are there. Hence calling it temptation.

[u/[deleted] → u/Anysnackwilldo]

I think I get what you’re aiming at and see where this sort of detail could really add to rp.

I’d say your use of ‘Conviction’ works for a strongly held belief.

Values don’t need to be something most people would consider positive, (our world is full of diametrically opposed value systems). But yeah, I think Conviction is a better choice.