Alignment Axis expansion

[Viktyr Gehrig]

How would you define blasphemous than in the context of D&D alignment (that means not tied to one specific religion)? I may have the wrong impression about the word...

Speaking out against either a popular religion or against one's own religion. In general, being skeptical and possibly dismissive of the claims of other religions, unless dictated to do so by your own faith.

Divorced from religion, blasphemy could be viewed as vocal opposition to the Truth as presented by those in power. Without veering too far into the realm of politics, someone who does not accept the public statements of their society's leaders and loudly proclaims them to be false would be blasphemous.

In a very general sense, blasphemy is opposition to ideology-- either to the ruling ideology or to ideology in general.

 

[Dirigible]

I have, at times, been known to use a pentaxial system that goes like:

Orderly / Criminal / Chaotic (one of these)
Good / Evil
Constructive / Destructive
Selfish / Generous
Loyal / Treacherous​

 

[fusangite]

I guess, using JamesDJarvis proposal as an example, alignments would mesh normally. For example there could be:

Honourable Pious Lawful Good

But don't lawful+good=honourable+pious?

 

[Roman]

But don't lawful+good=honourable+pious?

Indeed I think they are rather close. That's why I am not sure these two particular axis would be the best additions. Have you got any ideas for other axis?

Is the plural of axis axis?

 

[Testament]

The title of the thread made me think of expanding the alignment axes:

Exalted-Good-Neutral-Evil-Vile
Canonical-Lawful-Neutral-Chaotic-Entropic

Vile could also be replaced with Very Very Naughty. I suppose Canonical could also be replaced with RAWful. *wink*
-blarg

OOOOOH! I like this one. A lot!

As I see it, Canonical (or Static as I think of it) and Entropic are the sorts of things that are so alien and extreme that most, if not all mortal beings cannot reach them. That said, Exalted and Vile should be extremely rare too.

I mean, Exalted characters are so damn stupid that their survival is impaired, while Viles have half the planet trying to stop them. And that's assuming that their unholy patrons haven't whisked them away for their own purposes, like the Blood War or their own internal struggles.

 

[Testament]

Is the plural of axis axis?

Axes, I believe. Could be wrong though.

 

[glass]

Axes, I believe. Could be wrong though.

No, you're right.

I have toyed with the idea of a Nature-Artifice axis, indicating whether the character believes in changing or living in harmony with the environment.


glass.

 

[Roman]

Thanks - I knew it would have to be either axis or axes, but was not sure which one.

I have toyed with the idea of a Nature-Artifice axis, indicating whether the character believes in changing or living in harmony with the environment.

Actually, I like this one a lot - I think it is an axis that does not conflict with the current alignment system and would mesh in pretty well.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

It would also establish a more useful alignment guideline for Druids. The entire "neutrality" aspect has always struck me as foolish.

 

[John Morrow]

It would also establish a more useful alignment guideline for Druids. The entire "neutrality" aspect has always struck me as foolish.

Druid neutrality is working pretty well in my campaign cosmology, actually. I treat it sort of an an "everything in moderation" philosophy with a strong desire for natural homeostasis. The four corner alignments would draw a Druid away from moderation and into the affairs of ideology. This also positions the druids neatly between the forces of Good and Evil, Law and Chaos which would all happily reshape the world to match their ideology, if given the chance.

In fact, the Druid in my game was instructed not to simply exterminate Evil creatures that don't pose a threat because they provide a natural pressure against the growth of human civilizations that will replace the natural with widespread harvesting and cultivation. In my game, the Druids simply don't put humans and other good sentients in the priviledged position that those of Good alignments generally do. And while Neutral Good druids may take an interest in the affairs of sentients and protect them, they have to deal with the fact that nature is often indifferent to their plight.