D&D General Alignment for this character

[aco175]

I was thinking LN as well when reading the list in the OP. I also like the picture @ezo used. I was picturing the list as bullet points to plug in all the little boxes in each of the 9 sections. There seemed to be 5-6 that fit LG or NG and 1-2 that would be more LE or N, but most fit in the LN with flexibility to dip a toe into the other colors next to it.

 

[Clint_L]

Actually, this is pretty common IME.

Yes, except that the OP specified: "we are using alignment and our character has to try and follow it as best as they can." I read that as their brief, so it seems to me that if you are trying to follow a particular alignment as closely as possible, start with that alignment's description and then build a personality that fits.

If you're just starting with personality traits and then trying to find a best fit on the alignment chart, then A) I think you fail on that brief, and B) you don't actually need the alignment chart to understand your character.

Edit: from that brief, I am imagining a fairly old school campaign where there will be consequences for violating alignment, as adjudicated by the DM. So it's probably a good idea to hew as closely as possible.

 

[GnomeWorks]

I don't have anything personal to add to this discussion, given that I haven't used core alignment at my table for a long time now, but I found this page some years ago that goes significantly in-depth into alignment and I've found it a useful resource for games that still use alignment.

 

[Guest 7037866]

Yes, except that the OP specified: "we are using alignment and our character has to try and follow it as best as they can." I read that as their brief, so it seems to me that if you are trying to follow a particular alignment as closely as possible, start with that alignment's description and then build a personality that fits.

You could do it that direction, certainly, but as I said IME people usually go the direction the OP is.

1. You decide on your PC's personality, beliefs, etc.
2. You identify what alignment best fits those parameters.

When people begin with alignment, I find often the PCs become cliches of the alignment.

If you're just starting with personality traits and then trying to find a best fit on the alignment chart, then A) I think you fail on that brief, and B) you don't actually need the alignment chart to understand your character.

I don't know why A).

B) I agree with completely. Most of the time I don't even bother with alignments anymore.

But, given the OP, obviously they are using them.

 

[Guest 7037866]

but I found this page some years ago that goes significantly in-depth into alignment and I've found it a useful resource for games that still use alignment.

It is a decent source but I don't agree with some of it. For example, NE code #4:

You shall not aid the weak.

If it advances your own goals, comforts, etc., go ahead and aid them. You aren't doing it because you actually care about them, but by aiding them you are furthering your own ends.

It should be (IMO):

You shall not aid the weak unless it is to your own benefit.

 

[GnomeWorks]

It is a decent source but I don't agree with some of it.

I mean... it's an alignment thread. Not agreeing with someone else is like, 95% of the content of these things.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I don't have anything personal to add to this discussion, given that I haven't used core alignment at my table for a long time now, but I found this page some years ago that goes significantly in-depth into alignment and I've found it a useful resource for games that still use alignment.

That page needs to have Batman listed as an example of each of the alignments, per the meme, and just let readers discover what's happening on their own.

 

[Guest 7037866]

I mean... it's an alignment thread. Not agreeing with someone else is like, 95% of the content of these things.

FWIW, the "some of it" that doesn't jive with me personally is pretty small.