D&D General Alignment for this character

GoblinOrc

First Post
Hey

In my new session we are using alignment and our character has to try and follow it as best as they can.
What alignment fits this character?


  • Not super chaotic or impulsive
  • They are okay with following authority figures (leaders, etc) provided they are legit in their earning of said authority. They don’t follow blindly simply because they’re labeled an “authority figure” they follow because they believe they deserve and earned their titles of authority through actual work and logic.
  • Hates unfairness, tries to be as fair as possible. Will automatically push back if see unfairness or cruelty
  • Opionated
  • Dark aesthetic
  • Hates being wrong, think they are right a lot.
  • Ultimately just wants to be with his group and to think(always in their head)
  • not righteous but willing to put up a fight
  • The character is looked at by the others as a rock(as in stable)
  • A negative trait is sometimes they are controlling and manipulative, pushing others to do what they believe is right and not considering other opinions
  • emphasis on logic, accuracy, and efficiency methodical approach to problem-solving
  • values order, logic, and personal/their group gain
 

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Edit: it's your first post. Welcome!

I find it a bit odd that, if you are expected to choose an alignment "and follow it as best [you] can" that you are starting with a bunch of personality traits and trying to shoehorn them into an alignment, rather than starting with an alignment.

Don't get me wrong: I think you have described a very interesting, multi-faceted character. Which means, just like real people, they don't fit conveniently into any of the ridiculous alignment boxes. So if your aim really is to fit into one of those boxes, I would start with what's in the box instead of starting with concepts rooted in reality.
 

Based on the last points, I'd say likely lawful neutral. Being lawful doesn't mean you follow the laws wherever you are, just that you abide by a code. But for me it would depend on their point of view on things that cause harm to people that are otherwise innocent. Do they want to help the innocent, even if it makes achieving their personal goals potentially more difficult? Then they're more on the good side of things.

But alignment is not a straightjacket and it doesn't dictate every action the PC takes. It's just a general way of how the PC views the world and how they make judgements most of the time. In this case you've kind of put the cart before the horse.
 



Lawful Neutral.
This.

Based on the last points, I'd say likely lawful neutral. Being lawful doesn't mean you follow the laws wherever you are, just that you abide by a code. But for me it would depend on their point of view on things that cause harm to people that are otherwise innocent. Do they want to help the innocent, even if it makes achieving their personal goals potentially more difficult? Then they're more on the good side of things.

But alignment is not a straightjacket and it doesn't dictate every action the PC takes. It's just a general way of how the PC views the world and how they make judgements most of the time. In this case you've kind of put the cart before the horse.
And this.

I think those pretty much say it all. 🤷‍♂️

I find it a bit odd that, <snip> that you are starting with a bunch of personality traits and trying to shoehorn them into an alignment, rather than starting with an alignment.
Actually, this is pretty common IME.

Most people have a harder time understanding all the tenants an alignment might follow (some are followed, some are not) because alignment is a general disposition, as @Oofta says.

As a Lawful Neutral PC, you will typically follow those tenants, but occasionally you will swing towards good or evil as the Lawful requires since the Neutral is often "flexible" as being neutral.

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  1. Most of the time, the PC will act LN (star).
  2. Occasional tendencies to good or evil (large arrows) will happen depending on the situation. As long as these are brief and not too frequent, they aren't a big issue. The PC is neutral when it comes to their views on good vs. evil.
  3. Rare dips into True Neutral might occur when the Lawful element cannot be satisfied. If these happen too often, a shift in alignment might be common.
  4. Very rare touches to NG or NE might happen, but if these become more common a shift in alignment is warranted.
Personally, I play a lot of Lawful Neutral (Good), meaning they tend toward good.

That has always been my take on alignment anyway. YMMV, of course.
 
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Overall, the descriptions below come across as Good with Neutral tendencies, or Neutral with Good tendencies

  • Not super chaotic or impulsive
Lawful can be unpredictable and "impulsive". Lawful Stupid is played chaotically in this sense.

  • They are okay with following authority figures (leaders, etc) provided they are legit in their earning of said authority. They don’t follow blindly simply because they’re labeled an “authority figure” they follow because they believe they deserve and earned their titles of authority through actual work and logic.
Meritocracy leans toward non-Evil. But it might be individualistic competition (Chaotic) or fulfilling societal expectations (Lawful)

  • Hates unfairness, tries to be as fair as possible. Will automatically push back if see unfairness or cruelty
Good.

  • Opionated
Any.

  • Dark aesthetic.
Leans Chaotic (if "dark" means deviating from societal expectations).

  • Hates being wrong, think they are right a lot.
Everyone.

  • Ultimately just wants to be with his group and to think (always in their head)
"Group" here means what exactly? Groupism and self-identifying with the group is the definition of "Lawful".

If by group, you mean close friends in the party, that can be any alignment.

  • not righteous but willing to put up a fight
Neutral.

  • The character is looked at by the others as a rock(as in stable)
A principled leader of any alignment.

  • A negative trait is sometimes they are controlling and manipulative, pushing others to do what they believe is right and not considering other opinions
Tending non-Chaotic. Chaotic prioritizes the desires of each individual.

  • emphasis on logic, accuracy, and efficiency methodical approach to problem-solving
Rational thinking versus emotional feeling, either can be any alignment.

  • values order, logic, and personal/their group gain
"Order" in the sense societal expectations, leans Lawful. Logic is any alignment. The balance between personal gain and group gain seems a balance between Chaotic individuals versus Lawful group.
 
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Being lawful doesn't mean you follow the laws wherever you are, just that you abide by a code.
Both Lawful and Chaotic can abide by a "code".

If it is an personal, individualistic code, then it is Chaotic. If it is a societal, group-conforming code, then it is Lawful.

The hate against unfairness and cruelty is inherently Good, by definition.
 

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