Since exchanges seem to be dying down, I’ll bring up a tangent from a different thread of mine:
What are some tests that people could go through while proving their spiritual worth (e.g. when climbing Mt. Celestia? Proving their worthiness to a god -or it’s angelic agent- from whom they must ask a favor, etc.)
Personally, I prefer, non-obvious tests that misdirect. For example, the PC is sent on some task by an angel or god. Along the way, he encounters a knight who is in trouble of losing against a monster. The PCs helps out (and in turn, the knight might help the PC on his quest) but later on when both report back to the angel or god, the knight makes no reference to the PC helping him.
In this case, the test wasn’t whether the PC would help the knight (as that was obvious) but it is really a test of:
-Humility (in the hopes that the PC lets the knight have the glory)
-Devotion to the truth (setting the record straight even if it hurts the knight)
OR
-Self-reliance (even though the knight “owes” the PC, the PC should try to perform his task of peity on his own)
Whatever the real test is, subtle clues should be available to give some guidance to an observant PC as to what is desired.
I also have always liked the test I saw in a Planescape cartoon where a paladin is told that he is "too heavy" to pass to the next layer of Mt. Celestia. The paladin eventually realizes that he should divest himself of the armor and trapping upon which he relies so much.
Here are a few of sins or failings that one is supposed to overcome to attain spiritual enlightenment:
--Extravagence/Attachment to material things
--Debauchery
--Lust – tough to test just through verbal descriptions
--Gluttony - ditto
--Greed
--Sloth/Laziness
--Despair/Self Doubt
--Wrath/Anger
--Envy
--Pride/Hubris
--Vainglory/Boasting
--Cruelty
--Dishonesty
--Fear/Superstition
--Indifference to Suffering
--Impatience
Do any of these suggest a good test or adventure? I know that the gods could always send the PCs out to retrieve the MacGuffin or to slay the BBEM (and I think that would be fine for the ruse) but I'd like to hear some ideas for situations that test a player's moral choices, either obviously or subtly.
It should be mentioned that the sin of Wrath, though pertaining primarily to anger, did not refer solely to it, as its opposite number was temperance. Thus, wrath also covers other emotions, and is the sin of allowing oneself to be controlled by/in bondage to one's emotions/passions.
A similar virtue extolled in the Bible to temperance is sobriety and vigilance (the two are often linked together), and drunkeness is likewise listed as a sin in the New Testament.
You also should have mentioned hatred, which is usually listed as separate from wrath.
Another sin is malice/ill will-- the desire to see other people suffer, and possibly deriving satisfaction from it. This is specifically listed as a "sin" in Buddhist sutras.
Provocation is a sin as well, though you have to compare Bible translations to glean that (and there are, in fact, a LOT of verses which talk about provocation.)
Hypocrisy is a big one in most organized religions.
Another is exploitation. Granted, this is one of those things that, in the D&D world, you generally can't do if you want to keep your good alignment.
The Bible singles out more than just lust and "fornication" (more or less the same thing) as sins. It specifically lists lewdness (and profanity) several times as sinful behavior.
The Quran specifically mentions gambling as haraam (sinful/forbidden), and most Christians (and Buddhists) tend to agree that gambling is not Christ-like/Buddha-like behavior.
""Do any of these suggest a good test or adventure? I know that the gods could always send the PCs out to retrieve the MacGuffin or to slay the BBEM (and I think that would be fine for the ruse) but I'd like to hear some ideas for situations that test a player's moral choices, either obviously or subtly.""
It is just as important for the player to learn virtues. In most religions, these include:
--Charity/Generosity
--Faith/Trust/Hope
--Gratefulness
--Honesty
--Humility
--Kindness/Love
--Longsuffering/Endurance (basically enduring crap without ever complaining)
--Mercy
--Patience
--Piety, respect towards superiors, etc.
--Selflessness/Self Sacrifice
--Standing up for one's convictions, even under the threat of death
--Temperance/Self control/self-discipline/sobriety
--Vigilance
--Zeal