D&D General I lack knowledge of LN and CN monsters

[le Redoutable]

So could you help me please ?

 

[ECMO3]

Well it is a bit complicated but to simplify:

LN think order and laws are the necessary underpinnings of society. Lawbreakers must be brought to justice. People that rebel against the laws (just or unjust) must be stopped. Without order society would devolve into chaos and LN characters strive to stop that.

CN is the most difficult alignment to play correctly IMO. CG are people who love freedome and respect life. CE care only about themselves the self is first and foremost and takes precendence over everything else. CN though is in this wierd place where lack of order is ideal but others and self have little meaning.

Back in 1E I used to say CN meant just plain insane and random. The character could not do anything specifically just to suit himself (because that would be chaotic evil), and he could not do things to suit the idea of the value of life (because that would be good). The character had to rail against order at every step. No rules, just random!

 

[le Redoutable]

Isn't Orcus the leader of 'madmen' ??

 

[Eubani]

Inevitables

 

[Minigiant]

Inevitables and modrons on LN
Slaadi for CN

 

[Iry]

While there are fey of every alignment, I think True Fey / Archfey are the most iconic CN. They follow codes of conduct, but the code is different for each one and often include things that are just bizarre. But if you can discover them, you can use them against the True Fey. They can be kind and horrible in equal measure, often because of Orange and Blue morality. It's possible to interact with them in a non-destructive manner, which opens the door to many story hooks. Just watch out you don't get swept into their story.

 

[TerraDave]

Above, plus Slaads and Modrons, which were added later.

 

[Scars Unseen]

While there are fey of every alignment, I think True Fey / Archfey are the most iconic CN. They follow codes of conduct, but the code is different for each one and often include things that are just bizarre. But if you can discover them, you can use them against the True Fey. They can be kind and horrible in equal measure, often because of Orange and Blue morality. It's possible to interact with them in a non-destructive manner, which opens the door to many story hooks. Just watch out you don't get swept into their story.

I'm kind of fond of the Pactverse (setting for a pair of modern fantasy web serials, Pact and Pale) interpretation of fey. Basically, their lifeblood is novelty, but being functionally immortal, they have to engage in wildly elaborate plots and fictions in order to find it, taking on different roles and involving other fey and mortals in search of one more story to stave off stagnation.

 

[Stormonu]

Isn't Orcus the leader of 'madmen' ??

Thankfully, D&D dropped the idea that Chaotic Neutral = insane.

A Chaotic Neutral individual is a "free spirit". They have no regard that a person, government or being* has power over them or that they have responsibility to. They don't perform an act because they have particularly strong opinion whether it is right or wrong, good or evil - they act in a manner based on their emotional reaction (or what some might refer to as "whim"), or a very careful, if convoluted reasoning (though not necessarily logical). A Chaotic Neutral might be cruel (in a "Some people just want to watch the world burn" sort of manner), but more often they will act in a way that doesn't bring negative repercussions to themselves. Their approach towards others could probably be summed up as "Disturbeth not the leaf, lest the tree fall on your head." If a Chaotic Neutral individual takes a disliking to someone, they generally won't bother to hide their disdain, unless they don't feel they are in a position to act without harmful consequences to themselves.

Individuals whom I consider to be generally Chaotic Neutral:
Lando Calrissian, Jar Jar Binks (Star Wars)
Dave Lister, Cat (Red Dwarf)
Harry Mudd, Q, Quark (Star Trek)

Lawful Neutral is, of course, the opposite. Everything has its place in the order of the universe. Nothing happens without reason or intent. They expect others to "know their place" in the pecking order of the universe and may become upset at those who flagrantly flaunt the law or abuse a legal system. Often, if they can't define it and put it into a category, it doesn't exist. Woe betide those who attempt to change the status quo in their presence - things are the way they are for reasons; even if such reasons aren't understood, whoever put those rules in place knew what they were doing and wouldn't have done so without a good reason. Lawful Neutrals aren't outright evil, and in many cases are excellent at being good citizens doing good works within the confines of the law, but they can quickly fall afoul of blindly following misanthropic rules or leaders without question - possibly even rationalize such acts as "in societies best interests". If a Lawful Neutral individual takes a disliking to someone, they will only handle the situation if they are authorized to do so, otherwise they will report the individual to a superior (along with a detailed list of grievances) to sort out the situation. Furthermore, if the superior fails to act, they rarely will take matters into their own hands, though they may continue to prod their superiors until they act or are commanded to cease being a bother.

Individuals whom I consider to be generally Lawful Neutral:
C-3PO, Admiral Piett (Star Wars)
Arnold Judas Rimmer, Kryten (Red Dwarf)
Spock, Odo (Star Trek)

* A chaotic neutral person is not necessarily an aethist, but is unlikely to have a strong faith in any power other themselves ("Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a laser blaster"). When worshipping a deity, it is more often an act to curry favor should a time of need arise, keep away a god's wrath or simply a habit from being raised in an environment where it is expected - though in the latter case the chaotic neutral probably doesn't pay much mind whether the deity actually cares about their well-being and is just paying lip service.

 

[le Redoutable]

A little puzzle for smart people

How would you place those basic professions relatively to alignment ?

Athlete
Brute
Hunter
Ruler
Teacher.
Craftsman
Herbalist
.judge ( was called inspector ).
Jeweller