D&D (2024) Lawful, Chaotic, and Neutral touched species.

[Vaalingrade]

even if necrotic is death and not evil i don't think we need an actual 'evil' energy type for the direct mirror

And we already have divine by way of the gods with unattractive followers.

 

[Frozen_Heart]

Always felt weird to me how the good aligned outer planes are based around radiant damage, while shadowfell is necrotic.

While the evil aligned outer planes and the feywild are a random mishmash of damage types.

Then there are the law and chaos outer planes. And 5e likes to pretend those don't exist.

 

[Maxperson]

Depends on the setting.

Gods either settle existing planes or create giant demiplanes.

Maybe I misunderstood. I thought this was about blood ties to lawful or chaotic outer planes.

What I want as people who have a racial connection to a Chaotic or lawful plane.

I agree with that. 3e had several plane touched races, which was very nice.

 

[CreamCloud0]

it's not any form of magic but i wonder if a lawful species could have an automatically known fighting style?

edit: i mean, hobgoblins have always kinda been an iconic lawful monster to me at least one of the ones that isn't going too abstract into it or being influenced by other alignments(devils feel like evil first lawful second thematically), even if it isn't something that's in their current entry i could see a free fighting style just being exactly the sort of thing they'd give them

 

[Tonguez]

it's not any form of magic but i wonder if a lawful species could have an automatically known fighting style?

edit: i mean, hobgoblins have always kinda been an iconic lawful monster to me at least one of the ones that isn't going too abstract into it or being influenced by other alignments(devils feel like evil first lawful second thematically), even if it isn't something that's in their current entry i could see a free fighting style just being exactly the sort of thing they'd give them

funnily enough reading through earlier editions material on inhabitants of the Lawful planes a common trait is resistance to Illusion - apparently the lawful mind just cant abide the chaotic nature of such trickery.

I suppose Lawful combat could allow for better coordination with allies

 

[CreamCloud0]

funnily enough reading through earlier editions material on inhabitants of the Lawful planes a common trait is resistance to Illusion - apparently the lawful mind just cant abide the chaotic nature of such trickery.

I suppose Lawful combat could allow for better coordination with allies

My first guess for a lawful resistance would have been to charm: preventing outside forces from unduly influencing their decision making but yeah illusion makes sense too

I can see charm resist working in that same vein for chaotic too, freedom from outside influences controlling them

 

[Scott Christian]

For me, I like how the Personality, Bonds, Ideals, and Flaws describe them. I do understand that the ideal has a tendency to outrightly state them, but the others can be read as leaning one way or another. To me, this gives the player a practical way to use their alignment in their decision making. A quick Hermit background example that I rolled randomly:

• Personality: I feel tremendous empathy for all who suffer.
• Ideal: My gifts are meant to be shared with all, not used for my own benefit.
• Bond: My isolation gave me great insight into a great evil that only I can destroy.
• Flaw: I am dogmatic in my thoughts and philosophy.

To me, this is a much greater tool for a player than having a race all lean the same way because it allows for the individual of that race to still be lawful, neutral, chaotic, etc., yet express those ideals on an individual basis.

 

[CreamCloud0]

For me, I like how the Personality, Bonds, Ideals, and Flaws describe them. I do understand that the ideal has a tendency to outrightly state them, but the others can be read as leaning one way or another. To me, this gives the player a practical way to use their alignment in their decision making. A quick Hermit background example that I rolled randomly:

• Personality: I feel tremendous empathy for all who suffer.
• Ideal: My gifts are meant to be shared with all, not used for my own benefit.
• Bond: My isolation gave me great insight into a great evil that only I can destroy.
• Flaw: I am dogmatic in my thoughts and philosophy.

To me, this is a much greater tool for a player than having a race all lean the same way because it allows for the individual of that race to still be lawful, neutral, chaotic, etc., yet express those ideals on an individual basis.

while that's very fair i feel like you're saying this from the pespective of the conversation being in the old 'orcs are always chaotic evil' way of species=alignment? rather than aasimar and tiefling's 'you are connected to [edit: and empowered by] these forces but they do not define or control you'

 

[payn]

For me, I like how the Personality, Bonds, Ideals, and Flaws describe them. I do understand that the ideal has a tendency to outrightly state them, but the others can be read as leaning one way or another. To me, this gives the player a practical way to use their alignment in their decision making. A quick Hermit background example that I rolled randomly:

• Personality: I feel tremendous empathy for all who suffer.
• Ideal: My gifts are meant to be shared with all, not used for my own benefit.
• Bond: My isolation gave me great insight into a great evil that only I can destroy.
• Flaw: I am dogmatic in my thoughts and philosophy.

To me, this is a much greater tool for a player than having a race all lean the same way because it allows for the individual of that race to still be lawful, neutral, chaotic, etc., yet express those ideals on an individual basis.

In my experience, the alignment is more general and allows for a greater swath of roleplaying opportunity. BIFTs are too specific and end up making caricatures instead of characters, IME. Also, nobody at the table ever remembers them, also IME. A problem for players, but not an issue for a GM especially if NPC is only going to be around for a scene or two. However, creating or even randomly rolling a BIFT for every NPC would be a chore. The entire species thing I haven't heard in decades and players have never subscribed to it. Seems like a complaint to give heft to preference.

 

[Scott Christian]

while that's very fair i feel like you're saying this from the pespective of the conversation being in the old 'orcs are always chaotic evil' way of species=alignment? rather than aasimar and tiefling's 'you are connected to these forces but they do not define or control you'

No. I am saying the exact opposite. I feel like the tools they give players in backgrounds specifically allows your tiefling, that is connected to devilish or fiendish forces, to express his personality, despite the connection. It works perfectly for your type of table. However, for a table that is "all orcs are evil," it also allows them to express that evil through individual characteristics.

To me, this is the only way it works for both tables. It even allows players from different mindsets to play at the same table.