Additional "playing the alignment" help

[Plane Sailing]

I'm always on the look out for additional "stereotypes" that I can present to players (and NPCs) to help with getting to grip with what an alignment means in day-to-day life.

I've been attempting to steer away from philosophical issues, since that has traditionally been less clear to role play.

One of the dichotomies that I'm finding helpful at the moment is

CHAOTIC: Tends to be reckless
LAWFUL: Tends to be methodical
(neutral here doesn't mean "can swap between the two for best advantage", it means neither typically reckless OR methodical)

What kind of behavioural cues do you seek to encourage alignment stereotyping?

(hopefully the whole issue of the stereotypical alignments can be left for another thread I'm just trying to work within the system here!)

Cheers

 

[Macbrea]

Ah, I like to explain them slightly differently.


Lawful is people that give their word or follow what appears to be the rules at the time.

Example: Basicly, say a lawful person walks into a room with a set of turn styles and zig zag poles to channel someone through the room. They assume that they are there to make the the area alot more useful during busy times and will subconsciously work their way through the path naturally created by the obsticles.


Chaotic people look at a situation and decide the best way to make it through without enhibiting their freedoms. They can appear very random and reckless at times.

Same Example as above: A chaotic person walking into the same room as above would look to see if it was easier just to climb over or under all the poles to get to the other side. Rather then use excess energy to work their way through the maze. They may still got through the turnstyles unless there is a much easier way to get around them. Like hopping over them.

Neutral people are people that slide back and forth depending on the situation that they are in.

Same Example as Above: A neutral person would enter the room. Step under the poles in a direct route to the Turnstyles and just go through the turn styles instead of wasting the effort to go over them. The thought of taking the time to actually think about ways to get around it just weren't worth it in the first place. They literally are the middle ground between those that follow rules blindly and those who purposely break the rules to make life easier.

 

[Bonedagger]

Originally posted by Plane Sailing
What kind of behavioural cues do you seek to encourage alignment stereotyping?

(hopefully the whole issue of the stereotypical alignments can be left for another thread I'm just trying to work within the system here!)

I dunno..

Lawful: Have a clear idea of what the laws should be. Community/structure makes you strong and safe. It's all about finding your place in the hierarchy. Clear world view.



Chaotic: Trust your own instinct and intellect. Clear world view.



Neutral: Judge intentions of laws before following them. Undecided. Cautious.

Or... The world is all about balance.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I guess I'm thinking more in terms of personality traits. Following the fences in a post office just doesn't translate well to my D&D games!

I would expect Lawful to be better planners, and better team players/organisers.

I would expect Chaotics to be better individualists and better at spontaneous decisions.

Obedience/reaction to local laws is often used to attempt to define things, but I find that rarely helps get to the personality underneath, rarely helps with the roleplaying aspect (unless we see too many Lawful Stupid aligned people!)

Cheers

 

[Altin]

Well, in terms of personality traits, I've always thought that Lawful characters will tend to be more set in their ways and resistant to change and new ideas than Chaotics. Lawfuls will also react worse when faced with ideas contrary to their view of how to world works, they will dismiss them where a Chaotic would perhaps incorporate them into the way they look at life. Essentially, chaotics will be more flexible on the whole, lawfuls more rigid in their opinions, beliefs, ect.

But my ideas of alignment tend to have more to do with life philosophy than behavioural traits, so I can't help much beside that little suggestion.

Yours.
Altin

 

[kengar]

Lawful -the way I use it- means someone who recognizes the importance of their role within a group or community. This can translate to a stringent adherence to actual statutory laws (no jaywalking, etc.) or to a moral code that promotes the group over the individual.

LG= The best way to protect and help the greatest number is for everyone to work together for the common welfare. If an individual's privacy or rights are a bit limited in the process, so be it. It is important to keep in mind that the goal is to see less suffering, not more. So torture and cruelty are unacceptable "tools" for the group to use in enforcing laws or protecting themselves. Honor is important because if you cannot be trusted to keep your word, you cannot be trusted to do what needs doing.

LN= The group and it's continuation are paramount. The individual is reduced to a mere cog in the machine. The group's goal is not necessarily sinister, but neither is it trying to particularly enhance its members' personal lives.

LE= Order is necessary to maintain Control. The strong rule the weak, the weak serve the strong. Discipline is maintained by any means necessary. The strong work to keep in place the system which gives them power. The weak do as the strong say to avoid punishment and gain some protection.

Chaos is about the individual and freedom. A chaotic sees their personal rights as the single most important thing. It's not that they necessarily wish to see others' rights trampled -often they will try to interfere if they see that happening- but they usually see the preserving of freedom as an individual's responsibilty.

CG= It's wrong to hurt people for no reason. Freedom is maintained by not infringing upon others'. The laws of the land are fine if they don't get in the way too much, but right and wrong comes from within, not a judge or a king.

CN= All CN characters are psychotic.


Just kidding

CN= Freedom is paramount. Anything that hampers your individuality or freedom to choose is bad. Any time you choose to accept an outside authority, it irks you, even if you know it's the smart thing to do at the time. It's not that you can't go along with a group, you just hate feeling like part of the crowd. You aren't especially malicious, but you won't hestitate to lash out if threatened or offended. Generally you'll do what seems right at the time.

CE= Rules are for the weak and stupid. Morality and laws are crutches the weak use to hide from the true nature of things. You know the Truth, though, and it suits you just fine. You're going to look out for #1 and anybody who gets in your way has their face ground into the #2. Power is to be seized and held. If you have to torture, rape, kill, and pillage to get what you want, great!


(The above is IMHO, YMMV, yada yada yada)

 

[Magic Rub]

yada yada yada...

What about your H.O. of N.E., N.G., & TN?

 

[hong]

H.O. ... N.G. ...

I'll take any excuse to beat my Cyborger result into the ground:

Hong "beating it into the ground RIGHT NOW IKWYIM blah blah" Ooi

 

[kengar]

What about your H.O. of N.E., N.G., & TN?

Sorry, I'm a little taken aback. Most folks are grateful when I stop rambling. I've never had a request for more.

Lessee,

NG= The preservation of life & improving the quality of it is paramount. Laws and rules that work towards this goal are good, but if you have to break the rules to ease suffering, you will. It's not (necessarily) that you will never kill, but it would have to be in self-defense or to stop a very clear threat to others.

TN= Abstractions like Good & Evil, Law & Chaos are just that: Abstractions. It's important to understand that all of them exist inside everyone and everything. The important thing is to avoid letting any one aspect go to extremes. Balance is the key to harmony, both in yourself and in the world. What some might consider evil is necessary from time to time. Working to preserve life and otherwise acting "Good" is respectable, but not if it gets in the way of the natural balance of things (preventing the killing of certain animals resulting in overpopulation, etc.).

NE= The ultimate pragmatist. Sociopaths are often NE. You have a goal or goals. Unlike the CE, you are more than willing to work within -and for- a group or authority if it furthers your aims. You will also break those rules whenever you see fit, especially if you can do so in a way that doesn't burn bridges. Torture is just "motivation." Lying? That's just saying what needs to be said at the time. It's not a question of malice or hate, it's a question of taking the steps necessary and not being squeamish about it.

Some NE's "enjoy themselves" more than others, these tend to be more sadistic and cruel than cold. As they continue on this path, it wouldn't surprise me to see more of them move towards LE or CE as they find the niche that let's them explore their cruelty most fully; A cruel overlord or even his royal torturer (LE) v. the serial killer who torments his prey for his own personal amusement (CE).

</rant>

 

[Magic Rub]

...Sorry, I'm a little taken aback. Most folks are grateful when I stop rambling. I've never had a request for more.

Why stop a good rant halfway? If you're on a roll just go fer' it.