Nine distinct alignments define all the possible combinations of the lawful-chaotic axis with the good-evil axis. Each alignment description herein will depict a typical character type. Remember that individuals vary from the norm, and that a given character may act more or less in accord with his or her alignment from day to day.
Along with the nine alignment descriptions will be a sexual preference for that particular alignment be listed. Each includes heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual folk. This may influence other aspects of sexuality, such as the approach taken toward monogamy or promiscuity. All descriptions are just base guidelines only.
However taking your character out of alignment, such being chaotic evil, saving a stranger because it's the right thing to do, would cause a road in the alignment shift.
GOOD VS. EVIL
Good characters and creatures protect innocent life. Evil characters and creatures debase or destroy innocent life, whether for fun, or for profit.
"Good" implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the dignity of sentient beings. Good characters make personal sacrifices to help others.
"Evil" implies hurting, oppressing, and killing others. Some evil creatures simply have no compassion for others and kill without qualms if doing so is convenient. Others actively pursue evil, for sport or out of duty to some evil deity or master.
People who are neutral with respect to good and evil have compunctions against killing the innocent, but lack the commitment to make sacrifices for other people, either to help or protect them. Neutral people are committed to others by personal relationships. A neutral person may sacrifice himself to protect his family or even his homeland, but would never do so for a stranger.
Being good or evil can be a conscious choice, as with the paladin, who attempts to live up to his ideals or the evil cleric who causes pain and terror to emulate his god. For most people though, being good or evil is an attitude that one recognizes but does not choose. Being neutral on the good-evil axis usually represents a lack of commitment one way or the other, but for some it represents a positive commitment to a balanced view. While acknowledging that good and evil are objective states, not just opinions, these folk maintain that a balance between the two is the proper place for people, or at least for them.
Animals and other creatures incapable of moral action are neutral rather than good or evil. Even deadly vipers and tigers that eat people are neutral, because they lack the capacity for morally right or wrong behavior.
LAW VS. CHAOS
Lawful characters tell the truth, keep their word, honor tradition, respect authority and judge those that fall short on their duties. Chaotic characters follow their consciences, resent being told what to do, favor new ideas over tradition, and do what they promise if they feel like it.
"Law" implies honor, trustworthiness, obedience to authority and reliability. On the downside, lawfulness can include close-mindedness, reactionary adherence to tradition, judgementalness and lack of adaptability. Those who consciously promote lawfulness say that only lawful behavior creates a society in which people can depend on one another and make the right decision in full confidence that others will act as they should.
"Chaos" implies freedom, adaptability, and flexibility. On the downside, chaos can include recklessness, resentment toward legitimate authority, arbitrary actions, and irresponsibility. Those that promote chaotic behavior say only that unfettered personal freedom allows people to express themselves more fully and lets society benefit from the potential that individuals have within them.
Someone who is neutral with respect with law and chaos has normal respect for authority and feels neither a compulsion to obey, nor a compulsion to rebel. She is honest, but can be tempted into lying or deceiving others.
Devotion to law or chaos may be a conscious choice, but more often it is a personality trait that is recognized rather than being chosen. Neutrality on the lawful-chaotic axis is usually simply a middle state, a state of not feeling compelled to one side or the other. Some few such neutrals, however, espouse neutrality as superior to law or chaos, regarding each as an extreme with its own blind spots and drawbacks.
Animals and other creatures incapable of moral action are neutral. Dogs may be obedient and cats free-spirited, but they do not have the moral capacity to be truly lawful or chaotic.
LAWFUL GOOD; The "Crusader": A lawful good character acts as a good person is expected or required to act. She combines a commitment to oppose evil with a discipline to fight relentlessly. She tells the truth, keeps her word, helps those in need, and speaks out against injustice. A lawful good character hates to see the guilty go unpunished.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "Be virtuous in all endeavors."
A lawful good character acts with thought, looking ahead to the implications of his actions. She earnestly endeavors to be honest and respectful with any potential partner. Some choose to be celibate or chaste. Others wait for sex until a permanent relationship, such as a marriage is formalized.
A lawful good alignment does not prohibit sex outside marriage. It just means a character must clearly communicate what she is offering, and what she expects of her partner in advance.
Not recommended for our campaign, but still can be chosen.
NEUTRAL GOOD; "Benefactor": A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates, but does not feel beholden to them.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "Give Pleasure."
This philosophy guides a character to seek to please his partner or partners. A neutral good character wishes to do well in the world. He focuses on enjoying life and making life enjoyable for those near and dear to him.
Neutral good characters are easygoing, lovers, sometimes pursuing casual relationships, sometimes forming lasting relationships and commitments. In either case, the have the strong desire to leave their partner happier for having been with them.
Not recommended for our campaign, but still can be chosen.
CHAOTIC GOOD; "Rebel": A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him, with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right, but has little use for laws and regulations. He hates it when people try to imitate others and tell them what to do. He follows his own moral compass, which, although good, may not agree with that of society.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "If it feels good, do it."
A chaotic good character does what he thinks is best. He's rebellious and cares little for customs and the norms, but respects others' views. Simply put, he does what he thinks is good and right.
Often, a chaotic good character makes an effort to exhibit his individuality, especially in a repressive society. He knows what he believes and follows his heart, seeking happiness while trying not to hurt others. He wants those with whom he forms a relationship to feel better off for having been with him.
Not recommended for our campaign, but still can be chosen.
LAWFUL NEUTRAL; "Judge": A lawful neutral character acts as law, tradition, or a personal code directs him. Order and organization are paramount to him. He may believe in personal order and live by a code or standard, or he may believe in order for all and favor a strong, organized government.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "I kiss by the book."
Lawful neutral characters value law, order, and tradition. Good and evil are concepts of little importance. Arranged marriages are common in a lawful neutral society. Many such societies have very particular customs or laws governing sex. As with a lawful good worldview, sexuality is controlled and acts of sex are deliberate, considered matters, not lightly undertaken.
Tolerable for the campaign and may be chosen
TRUE NEUTRAL; "Undecided": A neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. She doesn't feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos. Most neutral characters exhibit a lack of conviction or bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a character thinks of good as better than evil -- after all. She would rather have good neighbors and rulers rather than evil ones. Still, she's not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way.
Some neutral characters commit themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of neutrality as the best most balanced road in the long run.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "Act normally."
A neutral character is the most difficult to quantify. She doesn't seek to be evil or good, chaotic or lawful, but is by turns each, depending upon circumstance. In relationships, she may be virtuous or unfaithful, committed or casual. She often does what's convenient and expedient. A neutral person might be faithful because she wants her partner or partners to be faithful, or she fears being caught. Likewise she may betray her lover because she wants to experiment or because she thinks her partner will not find out.
A few neutral characters want perfect balance. They diligently pursue the path of neutrality. Often, because of their philosophical pursuit or equilibrium, they are chaste or partner only with another seeker of equilibrium because relationships with people of other temperaments generally lead to conflict.
A decent alignment for the campaign but hard to play correctly for some as it is too easy to shift alignments using this one.
CHAOTIC NEUTRAL; "Free Spirit": A chaotic neutral character follows his whims. He is an individualizer first and last. He values his own liberty but doesn't strive to protect other people's freedom. He avoids authority, resents restrictions and challenges traditions. A chaotic neutral character does not intentionally disrupt organizations as part of a campaign of anarchy. To do so, he would have to be motivated by good (and have a desire to liberate others) or evil (and a desire to make those different from himself suffer). A chaotic neutral character may be unpredictable but his behavior is not totally random. He is not likely to jump off a bridge as to cross it.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "It's all about me."
A chaotic neutral character does whatever he pleases, when he likes, with whomever he wants. He prides himself on his spontaneity, enjoying a blatant disregard for society's norms. He rarely pauses to consider the impact his actions have on other people. When forming relationships, he only cares about himself and what's good for him. He often leaves a trail of emotional wreckage and heartbreak in his wake.
This is a decent choice for the campaign if you do not want to be "evil", but cannot play a true neutral alignment. This would be an excellent choice. However if you are good or evil with this one, state Chaotic Neutral with good OR evil tendencies.
LAWFUL EVIL; "Dominator": A lawful evil character is considered a villain. He methodically takes what he wants within the limit of his code of conduct without regard for which it hurts. He cares about tradition, loyalty and order but not about freedom, dignity, or life. He plays by the rules, but without mercy or compassion. He is comfortable in a hierarchy and would like to rule, but is willing to serve. He condemns others not according to their actions, but according to race, religion, homeland or social rank. He loathes breaking laws or promises. That reluctance comes partly from his nature and partly because he depends on orders to protect him from those who oppose him on moral grounds. Some lawful evil characters have particular taboos, such as not killing in cold blood, (but have underlings do it) or not letting children come to harm (if it can be helped). They imagine that these compunctions put them above unprincipled villains.
Some lawful evil people or creatures are committed to evil with zeal, like that of a crusader is too good. Beyond willing to hurt others for their own ends, they take pleasure in spreading evil as an end unto itself. They may also see doing evil as part of a duty to a deity or a master.
Lawful evil is sometimes called "diabolical" because devils are the epitome of this alignment.
SEXUAL PREFERENCES : A lawful evil character uses sex as one of his tools. He takes what he wants from those within his power, negotiates with peers, and submits to those above his rank. A lawful evil character is most definitely evil, but he plays by the rules.
An excellent choice for this campaign, as this is a dark setting. Evil is preferred.
NEUTRAL EVIL; "Malefactor": A neutral evil character does whatever she can get away with. She is out for herself, pure and simple. She sheds no tears for those she kills, whether for profit, sport, or convenience. She has no love of order and holds no illusions those following laws, traditions, or codes would make her any better or nobler. On the other hand, she doesn't have the restless nature or love of conflict that a chaotic evil character has.
Some neutral evil characters hold up evil as an ideal, committing evil for its own sake. Most often these characters are devoted to evil deities or societies. This alignment is often referred to as the "true evil".
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "It's all about what I can get away with."
The self-centered, self-serving neutral evil character pursues personal ambitions or agendas by all expedient means. When lacking honor or principles, the neutral evil character values personal gain above all. She controls, abuses, or prostitute others. Relationships involving a neutral evil individual tend to be emotionally painful, often filled with betrayal and deceit.
This is the most widely used alignment in the campaign, so yes a good choice to use.
CHAOTIC EVIL; "Destroyer": A chaotic evil character does whatever his greed, hatred, and lust for destruction drive him to do. He is hot tempered, vicious, arbitrarily violent and unpredictable. If simply out for whatever he can get, he is ruthless and brutal. If he is committed to the spread of chaos and evil, he is even worse.
This alignment is often called demonic, because demons are the epitome of chaotic evil.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE : "Fuck You! No fuck you! Screw this, fuck you all!"
The chaotic evil character likes to hurt torture and destroy. He commits appalling acts on a mere whim. Sex for him is entirely selfish and often violent. Chaotic evil creatures sometimes seek sexual satisfaction through rape, mutilation, bestiality, or the abuse of helpless creatures.
Not a widely used alignment, but can be taken for this campaign. If you are looking to be graphic in your detail, then read our Player conduct first and discuss things with us, to be certain that we all understand each other before you begin to play.
Page last updated on Feburary 20th 2005
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