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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shiroiken" data-source="post: 9529231" data-attributes="member: 6775477">I see Good, Evil, Law, and Chaos as fundamental forces of the universe, which is why the outer planes are based on them. In addition, there's varying degrees of each, such as "evil," "Evil," and "EVIL." A goblin raider is evil because it does evil things (pillage, murder, etc.), not because of it's philosophical viewpoints. Lord Soth is Evil because he actively supports and promotes the empowerment of evil in the world. A demon is EVIL because it is an embodiment of the force of evil in the universe. The goblin might be redeemed by showing it a better way to live, but it would be difficult to convince Lord Soth to abandon the cause of evil... while a demon that is redeemed is no longer a demon by definition (which would be a rare thing indeed!).Each of these can be put into the view of good, law, and chaos as well. Most people would be some form of neutral or lower case good/evil/lawful/chaotic, as they don't actively promote one side or the other, but have their own tendencies. Adventurers and other powerful individuals are more likely to be capital Good/Evil/Lawful/Chaotic, but even they are much more likely to be simply living their lives, rather than supporting a philosophy. Deities, celestials, fiends, modrons, and other outer-planar beings are almost certainly GOOD/EVIL/LAWFUL/CHAOTIC, but even then you might have exceptions (albeit rarely).As for what "good" and "evil" mean, I think this is tricky because people tend to automatically imply their modern views. Since this is always changing, it means that each generation is likely to have their own versions. Most people will agree with common things, but when you get into the weeds that involves killing (a staple of D&D), it becomes murky. For me, killing a goblin raider is simply punishing a criminal, but a Good character might try to redeem it instead. A Good character is much less likely to attempt to redeem an Evil character, since they're likely just as entrenched in their views. Trying to redeem an EVIL being is likely a futile quest, but one a GOOD being might embark upon.Probably want to get involved when it hits 70/30, because of the snowball effect. One side can be winning, but once it gets too far, it becomes easier for that side to take control completely.</blockquote>

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