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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ToreadorVampire" data-source="post: 4152623" data-attributes="member: 9619">[wot?  ToreadorVampire actually posting on ENWorld?!]In short, I think alignment as-is is overused.  Here's what I would like (in my ideal game system):Average sentient creatures are *all* unaligned.  This means that whilst they may act a bit evil, or a bit goodly, or whatever, their alignment isn't strong enough to be a force worthy of detection by alignment-detecting FX or game system purposes.Then, alignment is used only to record the extremes.  Paladins, as a 1st level ability should gain the "goodly" descriptor, all outsiders from an aligned plane gain descriptors of their plane (since they are made from their alignment).  Characters over a certain power threshold could maybe have a descriptor too (perhaps bought as a feat).A few races (who are inherrently magical in nature and are all strongly aligned) would also come with a descriptor (say Drow to evil maybe?).Having an alignment descriptor should have some meaningful game-system purpose, like you inflict damage of your descriptor in battle, or "goodly" things gain bonusses versus evil.  An alignment descriptor should be a coveted thing, as it provides a nice power-up.Just to make things clear though - an alignment descriptor should be an extreme and prestigious thing ... I'm not saying that a creature with an alignment descriptor should be supernaturally prevented from taking actions opposed to that alignment.  But there should be serious consequences of breaking alignment - akin to a Paladin falling from grace.This removes alignment for 99.9% of the game world's population (or if your demographics of powerful characters/paladins/supernatural creatures are different, maybe only 95%), making it less of a deal for joe average.  But makes it a worthwhile game mechanic for those who want to use it.Oh yeah, I clicked "Free Tibet", erm, none of the other options suited me.</blockquote>

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