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Post by prickinsmack on Apr 30, 2018 17:37:48 GMT -5
I've been trying to do a lot of research about the RDD class and the changes that a PC will experience both in their personality and physiology while progressing in levels. Mostly I've stuck to the 3.5 Draconomicon for ideas but I've also branched out to talking through ideas with other players. Thus leads to my problem which could stem from my relative naivety about the setting and so I ask you the people as a whole to help me clarify.
It's often mentioned through roleplay and OOCly that part of the changes mentally for someone going through RDD levels is a sudden leap into hedonism. As I understand it, hedonism in this context would be the inability to think towards and/or disregard future consequences in preference for immediate gratification.
My problem is I don't understand where this change of mentality is coming from and as such I don't know how to properly integrate into my roleplay. From everything I read on dragons regarding the D&D setting, I've inferred the opposite would be true. The Draconomicon states, "Dragons have no desire to live for the moment; they have a vast supply of moments stretching out before them." Now correct me if I'm wrong but that sounds to be the exact opposite of hedonism. Now I know that RDDs are not themselves directly descended of dragons and as such don't have the same feelings of time. However it feels like if anything the awakening of a draconic temperament might slow a PC down to make them more considerate of the effect of their actions.
Am I wrong in my understanding of this? Can you, the people, offer me your insights on the matter? Of course sources for your insights would be of the most help!
Thank you all in advance for your thoughts and responses!
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Post by hellscream123 on Apr 30, 2018 17:48:32 GMT -5
Not every character does do this. Most that do or did (at least that I met) did it more due to the old mortal failing: gain power, go a little weird.
Remember that dragon disciples are still not complete dragons. First and foremost they gain strength, durability and firepower. Intelligence and understanding isn't broadened until level 9 of the class. So it's completely feasible that some gain hedonistic tendancies from the power granted.
This is however judt my personal view on the subject based on what I've Rp'd with over the years more than an exactly line of lore.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2018 17:58:36 GMT -5
I think it is related to blood, personal choice and environment, really.
1) Blood in a sense that certain dragon species tend to behave in a specific fashion. Thus, it increases the possiblity of Dragon Disciples behaving as their draconic ancestors do or did.
2) Personal Choice because the characters still retain their free will, which was also what possibly motivated them to become diciples.
3) Environment because it can shape people and other living beings in many ways.
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Post by Fluffy the Mad on Apr 30, 2018 18:59:50 GMT -5
I've been trying to do a lot of research about the RDD class and the changes that a PC will experience both in their personality and physiology while progressing in levels. Mostly I've stuck to the 3.5 Draconomicon for ideas but I've also branched out to talking through ideas with other players. Thus leads to my problem which could stem from my relative naivety about the setting and so I ask you the people as a whole to help me clarify. It's often mentioned through roleplay and OOCly that part of the changes mentally for someone going through RDD levels is a sudden leap into hedonism. As I understand it, hedonism in this context would be the inability to think towards and/or disregard future consequences in preference for immediate gratification. My problem is I don't understand where this change of mentality is coming from and as such I don't know how to properly integrate into my roleplay. From everything I read on dragons regarding the D&D setting, I've inferred the opposite would be true. The Draconomicon states, "Dragons have no desire to live for the moment; they have a vast supply of moments stretching out before them." Now correct me if I'm wrong but that sounds to be the exact opposite of hedonism. Now I know that RDDs are not themselves directly descended of dragons and as such don't have the same feelings of time. However it feels like if anything the awakening of a draconic temperament might slow a PC down to make them more considerate of the effect of their actions. Am I wrong in my understanding of this? Can you, the people, offer me your insights on the matter? Of course sources for your insights would be of the most help! Thank you all in advance for your thoughts and responses! Where this comes from, at least in regards to FRC, is likely the most common emotional traits of the dragon type they share blood with. On FRC, we are only allowed Red and Gold heritage. The 3.5 MM lists reds as the most covetous and vain of all dragons, with great (over)confidence in their fighting styles. This might be rightly or wrongly taken to be synonymous to hedonism, but it's quite possible that a human seeking traits of red dragons might succumb to short-sightedness in being covetous of pleasures or wealth. After all, they did not grow up as these dragons did, and do not have either their exceptional stats or ability to hoard over a millennium, not do they necessarily share their viewpoint on long-term ventures- RDDs do not get to share in the ancient lives of these dragons, after all. They might feel that they must amass even more in the short time in which they have. Likewise a gold-based Dragon Disciple might take on traits of their blood to excess. A GDD might take to a crusade against injustice and to promote good. These are, of course, up to player interpretations- their characters may feel neither of these things, and it would be perfectly acceptable. MM is pages 76 and 84 or so, respectively. The Draconomicon copies most of the attitude parts word-for-word. |
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Post by Dimitri on Apr 30, 2018 21:00:37 GMT -5
I want to add to the above for Fluffy, you can also be Brass here on FRC.
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Post by Fluffy the Mad on Apr 30, 2018 21:33:44 GMT -5
I want to add to the above for Fluffy, you can also be Brass here on FRC. Ah, you're right- it's any fire breathing, and I forgot. (I hate RDD as a class, so never take it) I think the idea is the same, though, with Reds being the primary culprit of those rumors/changes. |
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Post by Dimitri on Apr 30, 2018 21:39:41 GMT -5
I can feel the hatred. <3 Yah, I don't see many brass on the server. How you roleplay your changes are generally up to you, though almost all have scales and such added in their description and the like.
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Post by iangallowglas on Apr 30, 2018 23:01:20 GMT -5
Seamus is a Brass FTR/SORC/RDD, and he's also a Sunite. He's hedonistic, loyal to friends and family, and a patriot. Seamus is not defined by his classes. Having played my RDD on FRC for over 10 years, I would say you should play your RDD however you want and with whatever motivations and personality you prefer. No two RDDs (no two characters for that matter) are the same, nor should they be.
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Post by prickinsmack on May 1, 2018 6:43:19 GMT -5
Thank you all for your insights! It makes me feel lot more comfortable knowing I'm not breaking anything lore wise.
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Post by Aoi on May 1, 2018 8:18:38 GMT -5
I do have a brass RDD. I love diversity in RP so please go ahead and play your RDD a bit hedonistic if you like.  I rather roll my eyes if I see all RDDs played the same: - always only eating meat. - often rage, rage, rage. - more played like dragons than RDDs. My RDD is very much inspired by the draconomicon as well. So with her brass blood she has less problems with rage. But she has a strong need of conversation and loves music and arts very much. She's less meat fixated than other RDDs but eats almost everything that is just there. Except humaniods,cats, dogs etc.. Davina actually worships several deities. From Hanali over Sharess, up to Bahamut and Tamara. Hedonism is especially for brass RDDs totally ok I think. Depending on the way their humaniod part is influenced, they can enjoy life as well. Besides, the draconomicon says, some evil dragons hate brass dragons most just because of their frivolous way of life. I'd dare to say, there are very few RDDs that are as peaceful and fun loving as mine.  |
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Post by offduty on May 1, 2018 18:21:05 GMT -5
I play a red RDD. I rp her only real changes are the outer changes such as scales, teeth, claws, wings. She enjoys talking with people. She's very loving and caring. Her conflicts did not come from the awakening of her blood. It came from the very birth of the Character. When I started her she was a follower of Tiamat who had her voice taken by a fire arrow as a small child. She loved to do magic tricks and was caught by her father sneaking around feeding homeless people in Calimport. Expelled from her home and a very tender age she learned to live on the streets. After meeting Henrik he helped her leave her goddess and find her faith in Bahamut. After she awakened the blood she stayed pretty much the same fun loving girl she always was. Her only time of rage which I can't say came from her dragon side was when a paladin was going around insulting the triad. And the only difference in her anger was the desire to roast the tin can with her breath instead of stabbing it the heart in his sleep. As she advanced in her RDD levels she calmed down. Just the opposite of the class. Started out raging mad pre-RDD and ended up the sweet, loving gentle red post-RDD.
So it's up to you how you wish to rp your RDD. For the longest time, Lynn was the odd one out who has no traits of the reds that her wings would suggest she should have.
I also play Simi who is just now starting her levels of RDD she also is not typical of the RDD class. My reason for playing these characters this way is I believe just because they awaken the blood they do not lose sight of who they really are. Their conflicts come from their past either by faith or place of birth. I feel this keeps the Character true to themselves and not to mention I do not like to be locked into someone else's idea of how I should rp my characters. The class is really fun to play. In my personal opinion, they are no different than any other PRC anyone else plays. Make it you, and make it unique.
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