Is Jack Bauer LG?

[Mouseferatu]

I'm going to put forth a radical theory here:

Jack Bauer is Lawful Evil. The actions he takes--no matter what the motivations might be--can only qualify as evil in D&D's definitions.

But then why does he try to protect people? Why does he keep his word (when he can)?

Quite simply, the "Lawful" alignment implies order, but it also (often) implies adherence to a code. Jack Bauer is an evil guy whose personal code happens to follow most of the precepts of "good."

Weird, I know. But I'm quite serious. Nowhere do the alignment rules define what a personal code can or cannot consist of.

 

[Nomad4life]

Jack Bauer exists beyond the ridiculous confines of a painfully artificial “alignment” system.

Actually, Jack Bauer is a good example of why everyone should abandon such systems altogether.

 

[gunter uxbridge]

I'm going to put forth a radical theory here:

Jack Bauer is Lawful Evil. The actions he takes--no matter what the motivations might be--can only qualify as evil in D&D's definitions.

But then why does he try to protect people? Why does he keep his word (when he can)?

Quite simply, the "Lawful" alignment implies order, but it also (often) implies adherence to a code. Jack Bauer is an evil guy whose personal code happens to follow most of the precepts of "good."

Weird, I know. But I'm quite serious. Nowhere do the alignment rules define what a personal code can or cannot consist of.

Here here...LE fits Jack perfectly.

Will we ever again hear the immortal words, "Get me a hack-saw!"

heh....

 

[Mouseferatu]

Jack Bauer exists beyond the ridiculous confines of a painfully artificial “alignment” system.

Of course he does. Most fictional characters can't be accurately modeled in D&D. Doesn't mean we should stop trying to figure out how to get close.

 

[catsclaw227]

Jack Bauer exists beyond the ridiculous confines of a painfully artificial “alignment” system.

Actually, Jack Bauer is a good example of why everyone should abandon such systems altogether.

Quoted for truth. And a good example of why we (still) have pointless arguments at our game table about whether an act is lawful, chaotic, good or evil.

 

[Thotas]

I've thought about this question ... he seems to want both Law and Good, but often seems to have to choose between them. Sometimes it also seems like he's willing to be a personally bad for an impersonal good, almost like the L5R concept of how the Scorpion Clan is allowed to do dishonorable things that need to be done so that others won't have to compromise their honor.

I'm not sure what alignment to assign to Jack, but his DM is a true rat bastard.

 

[catsclaw227]

I'm not sure what alignment to assign to Jack, but his DM is a true rat bastard.

OMG - i just blew milk and pizza out my nose.

 

[Glyfair]

Jack Bauer exists beyond the ridiculous confines of a painfully artificial “alignment” system.

Actually, Jack Bauer is a good example of why everyone should abandon such systems altogether.

Well, if you see them as confines, I agree. I think most people would have less problems with them if they saw them as tendancies (more like Gygax's graph in the early Dragon magazines).

What alignment is "X" have a tendancy for people to pick on one or two inconsistancies and assuming they define the alignment. If a character would be a perfect lawful good alignment, but has one or two traits that are clearly chaotic neutral, that doesn't mean the character isn't lawful good. It just means that aren't as extreme lawful good as those who don't have those extreme quirks.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm going to put forth a radical theory here:

Jack Bauer is Lawful Evil. The actions he takes--no matter what the motivations might be--can only qualify as evil in D&D's definitions.

But then why does he try to protect people? Why does he keep his word (when he can)?

Quite simply, the "Lawful" alignment implies order, but it also (often) implies adherence to a code. Jack Bauer is an evil guy whose personal code happens to follow most of the precepts of "good."

Weird, I know. But I'm quite serious. Nowhere do the alignment rules define what a personal code can or cannot consist of.

Works for me. In fact, I'm hoping to sweet-talk a DM here in the play-by-post board into letting me play just such a paladin/blackguard in the Shackled City campaign.

 

[Harmon]

OMG - i just blew milk and pizza out my nose.

Now that is disgusting- pizza and milk, that is gross.