Oh dear. I have a bad feeling about this...
Guys, I don't of course know the alignments of your characters or how they view the world in general although Marius sure would. And I'm not saying you're not playing your characters the way you should. Quite on the contrary.
Actually I can relate to the way Anna and Arvin reacted to Marius's intimidating behavior towards the old clerk. I really can... In real life. However... It's not a real life we're talking about or playing in. It's a dark fantasy world setting resembling that of our world in the Middle Ages or even the Dark Ages.
Now think about this for a second: We come upon a town that is totally devoid of people except for a witch burning at the stake. It is clear from the evidence that everyone has simply disappeared - be it fleeing something/someone or not. Only one person seems to be remain in the town and he's a mad man by the sound of it.
We are a group of heroes who have together fought evil in multiple forms - man and monster alike. We live in a world where an assassin can turn himself invisible and stab anyone through the heart with a poisoned dagger. And that assassin may in fact be a demon or a poor soul possessed by a witch or a devil for all we know. It's a world where anyone could basicly be the enemy in disguise.
I know I'm painting a dark, grim and pessimistic view of the world here. Or perhaps it's the view of a paranoid person or perhaps it's the way someone who wishes to prepare himself against the evil powers would view the world.
However, I'm sure none of your characters would have difficulties in striking down an enemy, be it a human, elf or orc when defending themselves. But yet, yet you are ready to cast spells at a trusted companion when he grasps an unknown man by his robe?
Did anyone cast a Detect Evil or Know Alignment on the man? Or perhaps a Detect Magic to make sure he's not under the influence of some evil being? Do we really know we can trust this crazy old man who is only shaken by something evil he has witnessed? Do we?
Also do remember that Marius works for the church of Rydor, the god of Truth and Justice. And he is operating under a mandate from the King of Ertain too. Though he may be threatening the man, he would never kill him unless he is proven guilty for terrible crime or would attack Marius or his companions. But Marius will learn the truth from the man even if it would require touching his robe and threatening him. He isn't pulling out teeth or beating a confession out of him, now is he?
Now please do excuse me, if the rant above has an angry tone to it. That is definitely not my meaning. Do forgive me if what I'm trying to say doesn't come out right. English is not my native tongue after all and I can't probably express myself the way I'd like to.
All I'm trying to say, that I've loved
all the posts so far and I really do wish to play with you through this adventure. And I definitely don't take this personally or hold it against any of you.
But I'll have difficulties turning Marius into something he is not. He is after all a Lawful Neutral witch hunter working for the church and the king. He is doing the work neither of his masters is willing to do openly, but know is required.
But I will not of course ruin the game for everyone with my character. If it becomes obvious that Marius doesn't fit into the group, I'll drop him and create a new, better suiting character with Almerin's permission of course.
Again I'm sorry if I offended anyone by this post.