BookTenTiger
He / Him
In 5e D&D, alignment is construed along two axes:
Lawful - Chaotic
Good - Evil
Alignment is often ignored and mostly optional, but rather than just getting rid of it, what if we replaced it with two different axes? What would be some fun ideals, concepts, or domains to align characters to?
NOTE: This thread is not for discussing D&D's current alignment system. It is also not for discussing WotC's recent announcements. Instead, I would like to use this thread as a fun brainstorming discussion on alternate ways to describe alignment, even if those ideas would not fit everyone's campaigns!
Here are some ideas I had:
Traditional - Changing
Individualist - Egalitarian
In this campaign, characters and creatures would choose how much they want to continue their culture's old traditions or rebel against them. At the same time, they decide how much of their character's moral compass has to do with making their own lives better versus improving the lives of their community. So a Traditional Individualist is someone who might want to rise to the top of a trade or occupation in their culture, while a Traditional Egalitarian might be someone who performs a necessary but selfless task for their community. Meanwhile, a Changing Egalitarian may try to change the laws or traditions of their culture to make things better, and a Changing Individualist is an extremely adaptive person who is always trying new ways of life.
You could also do something really specific to a setting, like:
Ignan - Aquatic
Nature - Technology
In this campaign, the world is made up of vast oceans surrounding volcanic islands. The people can be very industrious, but the smoke and pollution from their creations raises the ire of the natural world. Someone who is Ignan Nature may have strong emotions and drive, which allows them to fight on behalf of nature. An Ignan Technology character, on the other hand, uses their irrepressible curiosity to fashion or use innovative technologies. An Aquatic Technology character may have the drive to explore and travel, using ships and submarines. However, an Aquatic Nature character is defensive and guarded, with an innate connection to sea life.
Obviously these are just rough ideas, but it's fun to think about!
What are some of your ideas for Alignment Axes?
(And I hope I don't need to say it, but let's leave the political axes to the real world. Let's not use words like Democratic, Republican, Conservative, or Liberal, and if you really need to, I suggest using a thesaurus!)
Lawful - Chaotic
Good - Evil
Alignment is often ignored and mostly optional, but rather than just getting rid of it, what if we replaced it with two different axes? What would be some fun ideals, concepts, or domains to align characters to?
NOTE: This thread is not for discussing D&D's current alignment system. It is also not for discussing WotC's recent announcements. Instead, I would like to use this thread as a fun brainstorming discussion on alternate ways to describe alignment, even if those ideas would not fit everyone's campaigns!
Here are some ideas I had:
Traditional - Changing
Individualist - Egalitarian
In this campaign, characters and creatures would choose how much they want to continue their culture's old traditions or rebel against them. At the same time, they decide how much of their character's moral compass has to do with making their own lives better versus improving the lives of their community. So a Traditional Individualist is someone who might want to rise to the top of a trade or occupation in their culture, while a Traditional Egalitarian might be someone who performs a necessary but selfless task for their community. Meanwhile, a Changing Egalitarian may try to change the laws or traditions of their culture to make things better, and a Changing Individualist is an extremely adaptive person who is always trying new ways of life.
You could also do something really specific to a setting, like:
Ignan - Aquatic
Nature - Technology
In this campaign, the world is made up of vast oceans surrounding volcanic islands. The people can be very industrious, but the smoke and pollution from their creations raises the ire of the natural world. Someone who is Ignan Nature may have strong emotions and drive, which allows them to fight on behalf of nature. An Ignan Technology character, on the other hand, uses their irrepressible curiosity to fashion or use innovative technologies. An Aquatic Technology character may have the drive to explore and travel, using ships and submarines. However, an Aquatic Nature character is defensive and guarded, with an innate connection to sea life.
Obviously these are just rough ideas, but it's fun to think about!
What are some of your ideas for Alignment Axes?
(And I hope I don't need to say it, but let's leave the political axes to the real world. Let's not use words like Democratic, Republican, Conservative, or Liberal, and if you really need to, I suggest using a thesaurus!)