RigaMortus
Explorer
This is actually from the Lord of the Rings RPG. I thought it was really cool and shared some simularities with DnD alignment, and I just wanted to share it with people here.
The Qualities of Heroes
Compassion
“Deep in his heart there was something that restrained him: he could not strike this thing lying in the dust, forlorn, ruinous, utterly wretched.”
- The Return of the King
Heroes share the feelings of others, and they have pity on even the most wicked and wretched of creatures, such as Gollum. They do not wantonly slaughter their enemies, even when it might be prudent, for to do so would violate the hero’s code. Both Gandalf and Frodo spare Saruman, and though much evil might have been averted had they not, in the end both still recognize that their decision was the right one.
Responsible Free Will
“Were you ten times as wise you would have no right to rule me and mine for your own profit as you desired.”
- Theoden, The Two Towers
Free will is one of the most important concepts. Everyone has a choice to do good or evil, and heroes choose the good. To exert control over the will of another is one of the ultimate evils, and heroes reject it utterly, knowing that true wisdom lies in allowing each person to pick his own path.
Generosity
“Then I say to you, Gimli son of Gloin, that your hands shall flow with gold, and yet over you gold shall have no dominion.”
- Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring
Heroes give generously, both of themselves and of their goods, as need warrants. For example, Theoden gives Shadowfax to Gandalf, prized though the great horse is, because Gandalf deserves him, needs him, and has developed a bond of friendship with him. Heroes often acquire riches and glory during their lives, but obtaining them is not their main motivation. Those who are evil and cowardly are grasping, greedy, and grudging, often seeking gold for gold’s sake alone.
Honesty and Fairness
“I would not snare even an orc with a falsehood.”
- Faramir, The Two Towers
Heroes deal with other folk honestly and fairly at all times. Though they may, like Gandalf, not reveal all they know, simply to satisfy the curiosity of others, a true hero neither avoids nor skirts the truth when the proper time comes.
Honor and Nobility
“We are truth-speakers, we men of Gondor. We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt.”
- Faramir, The Two Towers
From the highest lord of Gondor, to the lowliest Hobbit of the Shire, true heroes always display the classic qualities of nobility and honor. They abide by their word, treat others fairly and with the respect due them - regardless of station - and have that graciousness of spirit which marks the true noble.
Restraint
“Legolas is right,” said Aragorn quietly. “We may not shoot an old man so, at unawares and unchallenged, whatever fear or doubt be on us.”
- The Two Towers
This point was touched on earlier, but it bears repeating: Heroes are not indiscriminate killers hacking down anyone who angers or threatens them, or spilling blood needlessly. They kill in battle and often accomplish great feats of arms, but that is a different thing than ruthlessly butchering anyone and anything that happens to cross their paths. They exercise restraint, slaying their foes only when they absolutely must.
Self-sacrifice
“It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.”
- Frodo, The Return of the King
Perhaps most importantly of all, heroes are self-sacrificing. They give of themselves, even unto death, to keep the world safe from evil. Frodo, a powerless Hobbit, willing walks into Mordor on a seemingly hopeless errand because it’s the right thing to do for the greater good. Aragorn puts off his own happiness for decades to help save the Free Peoples from the Shadow. Boromir sacrifices his own life to atone for his misdeeds and save two hobbits. These heroes care not for reward or glory. The accomplishment of the quest is reward enough.
Valor
“By our valor the wild folk of the East are still restrained, and the terror of Morgul kept at bay.”
- Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring
Heroes possess great valor. They are brave, with the strength of will and spirit to meet fearsome servants of evil and stand against them. They do not shrink from danger, though it threatens their very lives.
Wisdom
“For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”
- Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring
Heroes possess wisdom and insight. They understand their own limitations and can judge the value and truth of things fairly, rather than through the lens of their own self-interest or foolish desires. They realize, for example, that they dare not use the Ring against Sauron, though its power might allow them to defeat him.
The Qualities of Heroes
Compassion
“Deep in his heart there was something that restrained him: he could not strike this thing lying in the dust, forlorn, ruinous, utterly wretched.”
- The Return of the King
Heroes share the feelings of others, and they have pity on even the most wicked and wretched of creatures, such as Gollum. They do not wantonly slaughter their enemies, even when it might be prudent, for to do so would violate the hero’s code. Both Gandalf and Frodo spare Saruman, and though much evil might have been averted had they not, in the end both still recognize that their decision was the right one.
Responsible Free Will
“Were you ten times as wise you would have no right to rule me and mine for your own profit as you desired.”
- Theoden, The Two Towers
Free will is one of the most important concepts. Everyone has a choice to do good or evil, and heroes choose the good. To exert control over the will of another is one of the ultimate evils, and heroes reject it utterly, knowing that true wisdom lies in allowing each person to pick his own path.
Generosity
“Then I say to you, Gimli son of Gloin, that your hands shall flow with gold, and yet over you gold shall have no dominion.”
- Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring
Heroes give generously, both of themselves and of their goods, as need warrants. For example, Theoden gives Shadowfax to Gandalf, prized though the great horse is, because Gandalf deserves him, needs him, and has developed a bond of friendship with him. Heroes often acquire riches and glory during their lives, but obtaining them is not their main motivation. Those who are evil and cowardly are grasping, greedy, and grudging, often seeking gold for gold’s sake alone.
Honesty and Fairness
“I would not snare even an orc with a falsehood.”
- Faramir, The Two Towers
Heroes deal with other folk honestly and fairly at all times. Though they may, like Gandalf, not reveal all they know, simply to satisfy the curiosity of others, a true hero neither avoids nor skirts the truth when the proper time comes.
Honor and Nobility
“We are truth-speakers, we men of Gondor. We boast seldom, and then perform, or die in the attempt.”
- Faramir, The Two Towers
From the highest lord of Gondor, to the lowliest Hobbit of the Shire, true heroes always display the classic qualities of nobility and honor. They abide by their word, treat others fairly and with the respect due them - regardless of station - and have that graciousness of spirit which marks the true noble.
Restraint
“Legolas is right,” said Aragorn quietly. “We may not shoot an old man so, at unawares and unchallenged, whatever fear or doubt be on us.”
- The Two Towers
This point was touched on earlier, but it bears repeating: Heroes are not indiscriminate killers hacking down anyone who angers or threatens them, or spilling blood needlessly. They kill in battle and often accomplish great feats of arms, but that is a different thing than ruthlessly butchering anyone and anything that happens to cross their paths. They exercise restraint, slaying their foes only when they absolutely must.
Self-sacrifice
“It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.”
- Frodo, The Return of the King
Perhaps most importantly of all, heroes are self-sacrificing. They give of themselves, even unto death, to keep the world safe from evil. Frodo, a powerless Hobbit, willing walks into Mordor on a seemingly hopeless errand because it’s the right thing to do for the greater good. Aragorn puts off his own happiness for decades to help save the Free Peoples from the Shadow. Boromir sacrifices his own life to atone for his misdeeds and save two hobbits. These heroes care not for reward or glory. The accomplishment of the quest is reward enough.
Valor
“By our valor the wild folk of the East are still restrained, and the terror of Morgul kept at bay.”
- Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring
Heroes possess great valor. They are brave, with the strength of will and spirit to meet fearsome servants of evil and stand against them. They do not shrink from danger, though it threatens their very lives.
Wisdom
“For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”
- Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring
Heroes possess wisdom and insight. They understand their own limitations and can judge the value and truth of things fairly, rather than through the lens of their own self-interest or foolish desires. They realize, for example, that they dare not use the Ring against Sauron, though its power might allow them to defeat him.
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![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
