RigaMortus
Explorer
This is more of a philosophical debate than anything, simply because there are no in-game terms which define True Alignment or Inherent Evil. This would probably be a campaign specific subject.
True Alignment
Is there such a thing? Consider this... Hundreds of years ago, humans waged war against different species purely for the purpose on controlling land. One such species they drove off were Orcs. So the humans of today now occupy the land which used to be occupied by Orcs of yesterday. If the Orcs wage a war against the humans to get their "land" back, who is right and who is wrong? Who would be classified as the "evil" people and who would be classified as the "good" people? Surely the Orcs see themselves as being in the right, and their perspective is that the humans are evil. The humans see the opposite. Their land, which has been their land for hundreds of years, is now being invaded by "evil" Orcs (as they see them).
Now in the MM, Orcs are defined as "evil" by default. And your average human commoner is defined as "good" (or maybe neutral). This, to me, would be their True Alignment, as it is defined in the books. However, their perception of each other is the opposite.
If a Good Human Paladin tried to Smite Evil on a Good Orc (a rare case) who was invading his territory, would it work? After all, the Paladin sees the Orc as evil, and the Orc is invading and slaughtering humans (whom he sees as evil).
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Inherent Evil
Is there such a thing? And if there is, is it impossible for the "inherently evil" being to be redeemed?
Orcs, Gnolls, and even Dark Elves are "Evil" according to Core rules. Now I don't think they are all inherently evil, they are evil by circumstance. Drizzt is an example of the rare case where a Drow is not evil. If you have an Orc growing up in an all Orc society, where they are very barbaric, value war and harming people, that is how he is going to grow up. Put that same Orc in a human settlement where he is shown care and nurture, and he will grow up being good.
Now lets look at some things which could be argued as being "inherently" evil. Namely, Devils and Demons. They are born of evil, and are therefore all assumed to be evil. But is this a close-minded view? Is there an absolute 0% chance of a demon being "born" good, or at least redemed? Can a Balor see the error of it's ways and denounce it's demon heritage and try to live a "good" life?
If it is indeed possible, then wouldn't a Good person try and spare anything they fight (barring animals which attack/defend on instinct)?
If a LG Paladin fights an Evil Rogue and the Rogue is loosing and surrenders, should that Paladin take his head off, or should he show mercy? Turn in the Evil Rogue? Make him repent for his ways?
Now what if that Paladin is fighting an Evil Demon who also surrenders and begs for mercy? Is it not possible at all for that demon to see the error of it's ways and turn over a new leaf of goodness?
Let's say the Paladin is a bonifed demon slayer. The DM decides to throw him a curve ball one day and confronts him with a Lawful Good demon. Should the Paladin kill this creature, since he has taken a vow to destroy all demons he comes in contact with? What happens if he attacks the demon without questioning it and ends up killing it?
Just something to think about
True Alignment
Is there such a thing? Consider this... Hundreds of years ago, humans waged war against different species purely for the purpose on controlling land. One such species they drove off were Orcs. So the humans of today now occupy the land which used to be occupied by Orcs of yesterday. If the Orcs wage a war against the humans to get their "land" back, who is right and who is wrong? Who would be classified as the "evil" people and who would be classified as the "good" people? Surely the Orcs see themselves as being in the right, and their perspective is that the humans are evil. The humans see the opposite. Their land, which has been their land for hundreds of years, is now being invaded by "evil" Orcs (as they see them).
Now in the MM, Orcs are defined as "evil" by default. And your average human commoner is defined as "good" (or maybe neutral). This, to me, would be their True Alignment, as it is defined in the books. However, their perception of each other is the opposite.
If a Good Human Paladin tried to Smite Evil on a Good Orc (a rare case) who was invading his territory, would it work? After all, the Paladin sees the Orc as evil, and the Orc is invading and slaughtering humans (whom he sees as evil).
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Inherent Evil
Is there such a thing? And if there is, is it impossible for the "inherently evil" being to be redeemed?
Orcs, Gnolls, and even Dark Elves are "Evil" according to Core rules. Now I don't think they are all inherently evil, they are evil by circumstance. Drizzt is an example of the rare case where a Drow is not evil. If you have an Orc growing up in an all Orc society, where they are very barbaric, value war and harming people, that is how he is going to grow up. Put that same Orc in a human settlement where he is shown care and nurture, and he will grow up being good.
Now lets look at some things which could be argued as being "inherently" evil. Namely, Devils and Demons. They are born of evil, and are therefore all assumed to be evil. But is this a close-minded view? Is there an absolute 0% chance of a demon being "born" good, or at least redemed? Can a Balor see the error of it's ways and denounce it's demon heritage and try to live a "good" life?
If it is indeed possible, then wouldn't a Good person try and spare anything they fight (barring animals which attack/defend on instinct)?
If a LG Paladin fights an Evil Rogue and the Rogue is loosing and surrenders, should that Paladin take his head off, or should he show mercy? Turn in the Evil Rogue? Make him repent for his ways?
Now what if that Paladin is fighting an Evil Demon who also surrenders and begs for mercy? Is it not possible at all for that demon to see the error of it's ways and turn over a new leaf of goodness?
Let's say the Paladin is a bonifed demon slayer. The DM decides to throw him a curve ball one day and confronts him with a Lawful Good demon. Should the Paladin kill this creature, since he has taken a vow to destroy all demons he comes in contact with? What happens if he attacks the demon without questioning it and ends up killing it?
Just something to think about
