Alignment in Castles & Crusades?

[Sado]

How prominently does alignment fit into C&C? Are there alignment restrictions on certain classes? Do monsters have default alignments? Are there spells that target given alignments?

 

[Captain Loincloth]

I just picked up the book yesterday, so I'll tell you what I know.

The only classes with alignment restrictions are the assassin, who can't be good, and the paladin, who must be lawful good. Clerics are generally required to follow the alignment of their deity. They did not ressurect alignment languages (YAY! Some things are better left dead).

That's about all I can tell you.

 

[Breakdaddy]

Yeah from what I remember off the top of my head that is the extent of the alignment restrictions. I honestly feel like the trolls didnt mean for alignment to be a huge factor in the character's development, but this is just an opinion based on the lack of guidance given on alignments in the Players Guide. Its just a basic writeup of what the alignments mean and thats about it.

 

[cleaverthepit]

Alignment can be dropped without effecting the game one whit. Its traditional and helps define a character or, really helps players stay in character.

Other than the paladin and assassin there are no algn restrictions and those can be dropped with no ill effect.

Only a few spells will become superfluous, such as Dispel Evil, Law, Chaos, Good or generalized to fit your needs as the moment commands.

The Paladin becomes the biggest issue. But, all I would do is redefine 'evil' as archenemy types - whcih can include a slew of creatures so be careful as to not make the categories too broad.

Monsters have algns but they are not to be considered restrictive. It is just a categorization to describe the personlity trending for those creatures. A lawful good orc? Sure, I am OK with that. I really mix and match my monsters motives and desires and loyalties. But in that case I would just drop alg altogether.

But it really only plays as big a part as you want.

Davis

 

[Mythmere1]

I think it's always good for a game to at least provide the baseline for an alignment system, as C&C does. Playing without alignments can be lots of fun (in any game system, a campaign based heavily on Jack Vance's fiction sort of needs to ignore alignment, as would a Black Company campaign).

But alignments can be a good guideline, allowing the players a quick shorthand that directs character persona. I have found that the lack of an alignment system can leave players a bit at sea about what they're supposed to do...

 

[Akrasia]

In addition to paladins and assassins, druids have an alignment restriction (any neutral).

I was surprised to see no alignment restriction for monks or barbarians.

But in general, I like the laid back approach, and it is better for DMs to introduce restrictions to suit their campaigns, rather than have them imposed on you by the rules.

 

[Sado]

In addition to paladins and assassins, druids have an alignment restriction (any neutral).

I was surprised to see no alignment restriction for monks or barbarians.

But in general, I like the laid back approach, and it is better for DMs to introduce restrictions to suit their campaigns, rather than have them imposed on you by the rules.

Good point. I would expect barbarians if anyone to have alignment requirements.

 

[Particle_Man]

While not spelled out, Clerics lose their powers if they don't act the way their deity wants, so that would at least mean they can't be opposed to their deity's alignment on either axis, I would assume.

Also the Knight's example of a code of conduct is restrictive enough that I would be very surprised to find a Chaotic Knight or an Evil one, although again, it is not spelled out.