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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Stormonu" data-source="post: 5748602" data-attributes="member: 52734">I think that alignment is a great tool - for NPCs.  They're as excellent a shorthand as defining them as lazy, war-like or insane.  Defining an orc as chaotic and evil is fine.  It's a quick way of saying he's impulsive, won't stick to his word and does bad things to others - using two words instead of twenty.  You could add other terms - perhaps the orc is likewise cunning but proud.  In four words, you've breathed more life into your orc than alignment could ever hope to do.I don't think every NPC needs to be defined in terms of good and evil, law and chaos.  Only those whose actions can really be rolled up into such actions.  The local bartender may be just kind, whereas the local paladin is certainly good.  The sheriff is a lawfully-minded individual.  The alley-high roller cutpurse the party is trying to track down is chaotic and slippery, but neither definable as good or bad - perhaps he is simply craven and self-absorbed.PCs would define themselves by one or more (four?) adjectives.  The terms of alignment could among those, but many, many more might be available.  Heroic, Untrustworthy, Calm, Berserk, Far-sighted, etc.If these traits are strong enough then perhaps spells, magic items or creature abilities could be tied to utilize these traits.  Perhaps a magic portal will only open to those who are far-sighted.  A spell might protect against a greedy individual.  A temple might bestow a blessing upon good individuals.  Vile creatures might seek out agents of chaos to spread mayhem.  And so on.</blockquote>

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