Guest Blog & Contest with Jess Haines

The H&W Team Talks About Character Alignment


Hello there! Jess Haines here. I’m the author of the urban fantasy novel HUNTED BY THE OTHERS and its sequel, TAKEN BY THE OTHERS (coming January, 2011).

Today the cast of HUNTED BY THE OTHERS are going to talk about character alignment—in other words, whether one is good, evil, or somewhere in between...

__________________


Shiarra: What the hell is character alignment?

Arnold: I can answer that. I think I know more about this than the rest of you guys.

Shiarra: Well, yeah. What is it?

Arnold: Ever play D&D? Or some other roleplaying game?

Sara: Not all of us are as geeky as you, hun.

Shiarra: *shifty eyes*

Arnold: Character alignment is sort of like saying whether you’re likely to be a good or a bad guy. There are different sorts of characterizations for it—like lawful evil or chaotic good. You’re just picking what kind of path your characters might take in the campaign, so your DM—

Chaz: Your what?

Arnold: DM. Dungeon Master.

Chaz: The what?

Sara: That sounds kinda kinky.

Arnold: I can make it kinky.

Royce: I think that’s quite enough of that.

Shiarra: Seconded.

Chaz: What.

Arnold: So the DM needs to know whether your character is acting the way he should. A lawful good character wouldn’t steal candy from a baby. A chaotic evil character wouldn’t save someone’s life unless he intended to use them for something nefarious later on. Get the picture?

Chaz: No.

Arnold: Anyway. Does that explain it for the rest of you?

Chaz: Uh, no.

Shiarra: Yes.

Sara: Sure.

Royce: I don’t like where this conversation is headed.

Arnold: Moving right along.

Chaz: I don’t get it.

Shiarra: I’ll explain it to you later, babe. Okay, Arnold—what classifications are there?

Arnold: You have your base alignment, which is good, evil, or neutral. Then you have a sub-alignment—lawful, neutral or chaotic.

Chaz: Chaotic? I like fighting.

Royce: We know.

Shiarra: Oh! So that means Chaz is chaotic good, right?

Arnold: Right.

Sara: Shia, that would make you and me lawful good.

Arnold: Exactly, you got it.

Shiarra: So what are you?

Arnold: Err…

Chaz: I’m still not sure what you guys mean.

Sara: Actually, I’m more curious about the vampire. Royce, what would you say you are?

Royce: I’d rather not discuss this.

Shiarra: Why not?

Royce: We are talking about D&D. As if my image hasn’t already been sullied enough the last few months.

Arnold: Hey! I will have you know there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a gamer geek!

Sara: We know, sweetie.

Shiarra: *makes gagging noises*

Chaz: I’m not a gamer geek either. Seriously, I don’t get it. Someone explain it to me?

Arnold: Okay. Small words. You. Chaotic good. You do chaotic things like fight when it’s not necessarily the right time to be fighting someone. However, you do it for the right reasons.

Chaz: …oh.

Shiarra: I still want to know about Royce. Let’s guess!

Royce: I’d rather you didn’t.

Shiarra: Tough.

Sara: The more he twitches, the closer we are to guessing it!

Arnold: I’m guessing lawful neutral. He doesn’t usually pick sides, but he sticks to the law from what I’ve seen.

Shiarra: I don’t know. He did use threats to get me sign the contract. That seems pretty evil.

Royce: Could we not discuss this?

Sara: I see a twitch!

Royce: Ms. Halloway, I don’t appreciate your attitude.

Sara: I think we’re close to the mark!

Shiarra: Ohhh, I get it! He’s lawful evil! He’s a blood-sucking fiend who sticks to the letter of the law!

Arnold: Hey, that seems pretty spot-on, actually.

Royce: My. How astute. Why don’t we discuss the mage?

Arnold: I dunno, I think we’re about ready to wrap up here…

Chaz: Wait, no, I think I’ve almost got it! So the vampire is evil because he’s a vampire! …right?

Royce: Yes. That is exactly it. Let us all bow to your expertise.

Shiarra: Hey! That’s not nice.

Arnold: While I do enjoy picking on the jock, I think it’s about time to wrap this up. So remember, kids! Vampires are always evil, blood-sucking fiends.

Royce: Oh, go attack a gazebo.

__________________


Err, right! You can learn more about Shiarra and the rest of her friends in HUNTED BY THE OTHERS

(By the way, for those who don’t get the gazebo reference—or for added laughs—check this out!

Thanks again for having me and the gang over, Amber!



---------------------

Contest Time

I hope you enjoyed getting to know the H&W team! I really liked Hunted by the Others and can't wait for the next book in the series! Have you had the pleasure of reading Hunted yet? Well here is your chance to get a copy!

Jess is giving away a copy of Hunted by the Others to one lucky Amberkatze's Book Blog reader (Sorry US only).

How To Enter

So I gave up yesterday and ordered myself a Kindle. Do you have one? Or some kind of E-book reader? Let us know what you think of e-books!

No E-book Views = No Entry

Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Bookdepository.com links/Banners below and around the site!



The contest will stay open until Sunday 10th of October 2010 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.