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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Will" data-source="post: 1634809" data-attributes="member: 5566">I think it is intent, but intent tied very specifically to action.That is, if someone would knife someone else for cash, if given a chance to 'get away with it,' that person is evil, whether or not they ever got the chance to do it.Likewise, if someone is chained to a rock somewhere but wants to save humanity, and would actually do so if given a chance, that person is good.In the real world, we shy away from such pronouncements, because there is no RL way to know what someone 'would' do, and people who say one thing or another are often full of crap. But D&D magic 'knows.'However, this is not, in my mind, connected to the idea of 'intent' as it is used in the real world. That is, doing evil for a good cause doesn't matter. It is intending to do an act, not what you think the ultimate results are about.If I murder innocents, sure that it will save the world, I am still disregarding the wishes and well-being of people. It's still evil. However, saving the world is still good.So... on to 'if you act like X, your alignment changes.' This, to me, is partially about practical limitations... one can argue that 'the situation is strange, that's why I'm acting evil, but I really would be good!' A GM lacking the magical power of a D&D cleric will have to take the more mundane approach, and go by the 'put up or shut up' rule.So, in short, I feel actions are evidentiary (sp?), but not the core of alignment. Someone can be evil who doesn't show it, but actual acts of evil or goodness are a good indication of where alignment is (or is going).I also think spells that are good or evil have an influence type of effect. Brushed by the wing of an angel, one might be inspired to become good. Touching the source of unlife and dealing with diabolic forces, and one is pulled elsewhere...And a final thought. Again, I think people ascribe too narrow a focus for 'good' and 'evil.' While that might be good as a houserule, it's not the core system. Core D&D has vast numbers of people being good and evil. So the selfish merchant who clips coins is evil, and the nice innkeeper who nonetheless asks for money up front can be good.In my campaign, however, I reserve all alignments for extremes, and most people are neutral.</blockquote>

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