That's an excellent point, Dancing-Banana-Man.
It also highlights what I think D&D could use -- a number of possible flavors for the various classes. I agree that the reason for not having Lawful Bards relates to flavor, but I also agree that it's bad to create classes with no flavor in them -- this is one of the reasons that I personally think there are so many complaints about the fighter. It's not a weak class in my opinion, but it is a flavorless class.
I'd love for them to post something like: "Variant: The Lawful Bard. The bard uses precise oratory to create art that works to bolster the power of the ruling classes and encourage the citizens to live orderly and productive lives. No class abilities change as a result of this change in flavor. The bard who chooses to start in this manner must maintain a non-chaotic alignment. If he ever becomes chaotic, he loses all bardic abilities until such time as he receives an Atonement spell, at which point me may choose to return to his Lawful status or continue on as a freedom-loving chaotic bard."
Or:
"Variant: The Lawful Barbarian. Instead of a barbarian, this wilderness warrior invokes the spirits of his ancestors to infuse him with strength and might in battle. These warriors often serve as tribal defenders or legal authorities among their people, dispensing justice and using their wisdom to settle disputes. Out of respect for the laws of nature and the laws of tradition that have enabled their people to survive, these barbarians must never become chaotic. If they do, they lost the ability to Invoke their Ancestors (rage) until such time as they receive an Atonement spell, at which point they may return to their Lawful status of continue on as a wild and uncontrolled chaotic barbarian."
It also highlights what I think D&D could use -- a number of possible flavors for the various classes. I agree that the reason for not having Lawful Bards relates to flavor, but I also agree that it's bad to create classes with no flavor in them -- this is one of the reasons that I personally think there are so many complaints about the fighter. It's not a weak class in my opinion, but it is a flavorless class.
I'd love for them to post something like: "Variant: The Lawful Bard. The bard uses precise oratory to create art that works to bolster the power of the ruling classes and encourage the citizens to live orderly and productive lives. No class abilities change as a result of this change in flavor. The bard who chooses to start in this manner must maintain a non-chaotic alignment. If he ever becomes chaotic, he loses all bardic abilities until such time as he receives an Atonement spell, at which point me may choose to return to his Lawful status or continue on as a freedom-loving chaotic bard."
Or:
"Variant: The Lawful Barbarian. Instead of a barbarian, this wilderness warrior invokes the spirits of his ancestors to infuse him with strength and might in battle. These warriors often serve as tribal defenders or legal authorities among their people, dispensing justice and using their wisdom to settle disputes. Out of respect for the laws of nature and the laws of tradition that have enabled their people to survive, these barbarians must never become chaotic. If they do, they lost the ability to Invoke their Ancestors (rage) until such time as they receive an Atonement spell, at which point they may return to their Lawful status of continue on as a wild and uncontrolled chaotic barbarian."
