Alignment
The “forces of Good” and the “forces of Evil”, agents of “Order” and champions of “Chaos,” are real and palpable forces in Orea (and the various dimensions that surround it). All sides have their own champions, power-mongers, even entire races devoted to or created by them, and gods vying for control and/or seeking to maintain a balance between them. These abstractions of forces and attitudes are categorized and organized by Alignment.
Your character’s alignment is a general combination of personal attitudes, beliefs and philosophy. The PC’s alignment and how closely they adhere to it and conduct themselves is the objective difference between “hero” and “villain” though circumstances can easily lead to either being perceived as the other.
Predominantly, alignment offers a way for the player to keep the character’s ethics and morals in mind and play them accordingly. It gives an “out of game” label for the PC’s “in-game” philosophy, world view and explicit or implied codes of conduct.
The world of Orea includes 9 possible alignments organized along two axises: The “Law - Chaos” axis and the “Good - Evil” axis, with “Neutrality” at the crossroads.
The first axis speaks to the PC’s ethics, how much the PC values or gives importance to the ideals of Law and/or Order vs. Freedom and/or Chaos.
The other axis defines the PC’s morals, how much they value others vs. self, the importance of life and creation vs. death and/or destruction.
Using these combinations we have the range of 9 possible Alignments. As in all beliefs and personal views, idealists and/or extremists of any alignment are possible, though for most PCs alignment is a guideline, a range of acceptable behaviors and attitudes.
Lawful Good (LG): “The Crusader” and/or “the Eternal Innocent.” The Lawful Good character is an idealist with a sincere desire to attain and live by those ideals. The LG PC believes and strives to make things how they “should be”, rising above how things “are.” They do not lie or cheat. They will not harm an enemy who yields/surrenders nor torture captives. They will not disobey a law(s), so long as it does not oppress or cause harm to the innocent, and will always show respect for authority.
Order is very important, often in the belief that it leads to Peace and stability. “Justice” is also important, automatically associated with “doing good” and “maintaining order”. Devotion to order and the “strength of character” to maintain a disciplined life, set in the context of a strict ethical and moral code, is common.
Compassion, honesty, justice, and the ideal of “goodness” are associated with the Lawful Good character.
Neutral Good (NG): “The Good Person” and/or “Doing the Right Thing”. The Neutral Good character has little to no interest in what is “Lawful” or “Chaotic.” If a law is harmful to people, it is ‘wrong.” If chaos and disorder are tearing apart a community it is equally “wrong.” The PC has a strong moral barometer that is not easily swayed by arguments of law or temptations of chaos, nor a desire to engage in the extremism of either. Their ethics are malleable so long as the ends serve the greater Good...as they define it.
Chaotic Good (CG): “The Noble Loner” and/or “The Rebel”. The Chaotic Good adventurer is interested in making sure nothing threatens the side of good nor impedes their individual freedom (or the freedoms of others). Their ethical code is summed by the phrase, “whatever it takes.” If they have to lie, cheat, steal or kill to further the cause of good they will do so with little to no remorse. The word of “authority” or “law” hold meaning only if they work toward the Good and/or betterment of the people. They seek to further their causes by the exercise of freedoms, encourage their individual strengths.
Morally, they are as other Good PCs. It is wrong to harm innocents. It is wrong to oppress the weak. It is wrong to promote evil acts...though how the Chaotic Good characters defines “innocent”, “weak” or “evil” might be very different than, say, the Lawful Good character.
Lawful Neutral (LN): “The Judge.” A Lawful Neutral character has all of the strict discipline and belief in Order without compunctions toward “good” or “evil.” They seek Truth and believe upholding Law to be of the utmost importance, as Law (moreso than anything else) breeds and supports Order. Only through maintaining Order can the stability of society be maintained.
Their unwavering regard for truth make LN a common alignment among clerics and mages who prize divination magic. Lawful Neutral is also the perfect alignment for soldiers and guards, as they are prone to uphold laws and follow orders.
Neutral or “True” Neutral (N): “The Arbitrator” and/or “The Apathetic.” A truly Neutral character can be somewhat enigmatic. In arguments of Restraint vs. Freedom, Law vs. Chaos, and even Good vs. Evil, the Neutral PC has no (or little) preference.
This can be born of a lack of concern. The PC simply doesn’t care about the ethics or moral implications of anything, only what is beneficial or disadvantageous for them. There is a selfishness to this sort of PC without the cruelty or heartlessness of an Evil character.
Another option for a True Neutral PC is a belief in a “universal/cosmic Balance.” Clashes of morals or ethics are not overly concerning because the universe will take care of itself...things will work out as they “should” or “are meant to.”
The other way one might treat this esoteric balance is to fight for it. In other words, if Chaos or Law, Good or Evil start to spread too far, “imbalancing” the balance, the True Neutral actively opposes that force to help maintain or restore the balance between Law/Chaos, Good/Evil, Creation/Destruction, whatever it happens to be. Such is the primary goal and mission of the Druids of the Ancient Order of Mistwood. They get involved when the cosmos is “out of whack.” There is no reason a non-druid PC couldn’t maintain the same philosophy.
Chaotic Neutral (CN): “The Free Spirit” and/or “The Loose Cannon”. A player choosing to be Chaotic Neutral need not be insane (though certainly could be as “disturbed” as any alignment). “Unpredictable” most certainly, “disruptive” perhaps, but not insane.
They hold no ethical qualms or chains to upholding order or respect for the law or authority. Morally, they are freed of the constraints of good or evil feeling no obligation to bettering society or its downfall. They simply wish to be allowed to pursue their own interests without judgements or obligation to anyone but themselves and their pursuits. One’s personal freedom is paramount. All of this totals up to Chaotic Neutrals not, necessarily, being the best at working with an adventuring group as they might take off on their own agenda. They are often seen as a disruption or require a keen eye and/or firm hand to keep in line (or at least a lot of patience).
Lawful Evil (LE): “The Megalomaniac” and/or “The Dominator”. Power is the absolute ideal. Exercising that power and increasing it is the most noble endeavor. Enforcing one’s power is the best way to promote Order...or, rather, Order is the best means to promote and increase one's power. There is an “honor” to the Lawful evil character lacking among other evil alignments. They are willing to make a deal and keep their word...if it promotes their desired Order and preserves their power. They admire structure and function well in a chain of command, unless there is an exposed weakness in that chain that can be exploited for more power. Worthy superiors are due obedience, if not respect. Inferiors are due nothing. Betrayal is to be expected from those beneath you and dealt with harshly.
In general, one’s ethics matter. One’s morals, however, do not...or rather, are decidedly “evil.” Lying, stealing (probably more “taking by force” than subtle theft), killing, torture, threats and cruelty are all justified in the course of procuring power for one’s self and/or superiors. Another creature, creation itself, only has value insofar as they can benefit (promote the power of) the LE character. Domination over those weaker than you is the natural order of things. Weakness is repugnant. “Mercy” is a cry of the weak who, by definition, require domination to serve the greater glory that is the LE character’s personal power. Lawful Evil is epitomized by the iron-fisted tyrant, the would-be world-conquerer, paladins and clerics of gods (or powerful devils) who promote domination and/or covet power (often through force), and politicians or nobles looking to wrangle their way up the proverbial ladder to power.
Neutral Evil (NE): “The Villain” and/or “Doing the Wrong Thing”. The Neutral Evil character has the ethical ambiguity of the Neutral Good. Lying, cheating, telling the truth, playing by the rules... order, freedom, law and chaos mean very little to the NE character. So long as they get what they want, their ends are met...their means require no consideration of conscience so long as they get the ends they desire.
The morals of NE are the quintessential villain. They are always out for their own gains. Period. Always scheming about whatever their next move will be. The feelings, beliefs and lives of others are of no consequence if they get in the way.
Neutral Evil does not have the bent for pointless destruction of the Chaotic Evil or the structured desire for domination of the Lawful Evil. It is pure selfishness without concern for any other person, cause or society. If they want power, they’ll do whatever they can to get it. Or gold or revenge, a thrill or a comfort, it doesn’t matter what the “it” of the moment is. They’ll do whatever they need to get what they want.
Cruelty, oppression, destruction...abiding by or using the Law (if it’s in their favor!), all of these things can be entertaining or even “fun.” If they are necessary to achieve the Neutral Evil’s goals, so be it.
Chaotic Evil (CE): “The Destroyer” and/or “The Corruptor”. The Chaotic Evil character accepts, and enjoys, the savagery and cruelty in the world and contributing to it. They have little concern for, well, anything. The promotion of destruction and the downfall of others: individuals, whole societies, ideals or causes, seems their only concern. “Kill it. Smash it. Destroy it. Corrupt it. Enslave it.” Hatred and anger rule the CE’s mind and motivations.
Laws and Order do not matter except to tear them down. Morals do not exist at all or exist solely for the purpose of tempting and tearing down those who do value them. Concepts of things like life, beauty, peace, love, all things considered “good” are worthless and, perhaps worse, they are weak. Anything weaker than the CE character deserves to be enslaved or consumed in their hatred. Demons (and those who follow them) are the literal embodiment of Chaotic Evil. A character does not so much choose this alignment as much as is indoctrinated or forced to it through cruel circumstance, upbringing, brainwashing or is simply psychotic or deranged and, well ...evil.
Changing Alignment
For a player to deliberately change a character’s alignment after play begins is fairly rare. But sometimes circumstances in-game can cause a change in a character’s behavior or outlook that might impact their alignment. If the player sincerely wants to alter their character’s alignment because of story-related or “character growth” reasons, etc... that is the player’s prerogative. They can roleplay the change, accordingly, over time.
The DM is empowered to offer warnings and/or alter the PC’s alignment if the character’s behaviors are deliberately and consistantly outside their proposed alignment. Putting Lawful Good on your character sheet and then slaughtering and pillaging, for example.
For certain classes, Paladins and Druids in particular, a change in alignment could result in the loss of a PC’s abilities and powers.
