Five Alignment System [Multi-alignment rules added]

[Michael Morris]

This alignment system doesn't attempt to define good or evil - let characters and nations squabble over that.

Having said this, an "enlightened" Sodrean may indeed do kind things in order to further his personal power, or at least his freedom. The point is, ultimately, his motive is "self." While one might argue that altruism doesn't truly exist, I'd counter that such a sentiment is indicative of having "colored glasses on" - one's own alignment colors how they see the world.

A Valrean may be able to work with an enlightened Sodrean, but he'd constantly be questioning his motives and bickering would come about as soon as the issue of personal sacrifices came up.

Don't believe me? Watch even the most enlightened businessman cry foul at the idea of a tax hike.

 

[Fieari]

Speaking of Dusk... whatever happened to Dusk's website? This thread reminded me of it, and I went to look for it, but all links on the web seem to head towards non-existant locations.

 

[Turanil]

And it's true. The "good" emperor rarely gets overthrown by the rebel alliance.

Only by the "Illuminati" or similar evil cabal...


To go back to subject: I would like better that your alignments become Allegiances instead, in the d20 Modern way. It would let options for more traditional Law / Chaos, Good / Evil allegiances as well, except that all other allegiances except for your five ones, wouldn't give specific advantages (except the reaction bonus with other people of the same allegiance). Now, for the five allegiances you describes, it would require a ceremony / ritual, during which a character pledges him/herself to that allegiance.

 

[Michael Morris]

Speaking of Dusk... whatever happened to Dusk's website? This thread reminded me of it, and I went to look for it, but all links on the web seem to head towards non-existant locations.

Dusk will relaunch officially summer 2005. Other details I'm guarding at this time.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Being good isn't the same thing as being a saint. I consider myself a good person, but I'm no Mother Teresa.

Good and evil are terms best used to describe actions, not people, in my opinion. Any of these five alignments can do good or evil, though their motives may or may not be pure.

And besides, a me-first attitude is the foundation of capitalism. Restricting the role of government is a very Sodrean idea as well - and the US Constitution is written soley with that purpose in mind. So yes, Sodrean thinking can be good - in moderation.

So we have to either agree with you or say that capitalism and the US are evil?

 

[ARandomGod]

So we have to either agree with you or say that capitalism and the US are evil?

Hey, can't blame him, he didn't make the rule. Or the assertation. He just pointed out that the US and capitalism could be seen as having been created with those "alignments". Or, alternatively, that those alignments could and would have come with with a similiar system.

You don't have to agree with him OR say that it's evil... if you can come up with an alternate viewpoint, that is.

 

[Michael Morris]

So we have to either agree with you or say that capitalism and the US are evil?

Ok, the ice is about to get very thin on this. I'll address this but afterwards let's please move away from politically loaded statements - they are against the rules after all.

Each alignment in my system labels it's enemies as evil - or at least undesirable. Ignore the colors for a moment and the connotations they bring. Any view you can take is likely to be opposed. Throughout the Cold War Soviet Russia repeatedly labeled the west in general and the US in particular as evil. Without passing judgement about the truth or veracity of those statements - that was their "point of view."

Similarly, from Valrea's point of view, independent thought and self advancement is evil. From Sodrea's point of view conformity and legal codes as a means to confine personal freedoms are likewise evil. The fact that NO alignment in my system gets to be defined as 100% good or 100% evil is what makes it so dynamic.

Capitalism is very much a product "Sodrean" thinking. But the Sodrean or "Black" alignment is not evil, even as much as folks like to label it so.

 

[Piratecat]

So we have to either agree with you or say that capitalism and the US are evil?

Nope, we're not going there. Everyone knows the "no politics" rule here, right? Right. If not, please review "The Rules" at the top of every forum.

Many thanks.

 

[Creamsteak]

This is interesting. I didn't like it when you were simply calling them black/white/red/green/blue or what-have, but with a few renames I find it at least pallateable.

 

[Al]

I suppose that a good Sodrean would have a strong emphasis on individual human rights in a libertarian model of government. He could advocate human rights as part of not just beneficial for himself, but the promotion of his mentality throughout Dusk by emphasising the primacy of the individual and characterising certain rights as "belonging" to the individual. Actually, modern Western rights-based discourse fits very well into an enlightened Sodrean mould.