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witchthewriter · 11 months

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𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝

I thought I should make a post explaining why I add a moral alignment to every character I write for!

This way of describing characters came about in a 1977 version of the Dungeons & Dragons handbook by Gary Gygax. The alignment system was based on the fantasy stories of Michael Moorcock and Poul Anderson.

It was a way for players to decide how their characters would think and act in the game. And I’ve now integrated it as a part of how I see characters and their motives.

Here’s a few alignment tests if you’d like to find out for yourself!

(P.s each test has different questions so one might not give you the same answer as the other. Quite like the Hogwarts House quizzes).

Comment down below or reblog with your result!

Test One.

Test Two.

Test Three.

Test Four.

Test Five.

𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: Superman, Brienne of Tarth, Robocop.

Crusaders

・They’re the protectors, but also seen as morally rigid and stubborn

・Always do the right thing; what’s expected of them by society

・Feel very uncomfortable breaking the rules

・They believe in societal rules and expect everyone to follow those rules. They can be blinded by their righteousneous at times.

・They get angry when people get away with breaking the rules

・Believe good deeds and behaviours will be rewarded

・This alignment has good intentions; there is no malice in their actions - even if something bad may happen because of them

・They take pride in bringing ‘bad people’ to justice

・The upside of this alignment is that it combines honour and compassion.

・The downside of this alignment is that it retricts freedom and criminalises self-interest

・Sees Lawful Good as Honorable & Humane

・Sees Neutral Good as Humane but Unreliable

・Sees Chaotic Good as Humane but Dishonorable

・ Sees Lawful Neutral as Honorable but Apathetic

・Sees True Neutral as Unreliable & Apathetic

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Dishonorable & Apathetic

・Sees Lawful Evil as Honorable but Ruthless

・Sees Neutral Evil as Unreliable & Ruthless

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Dishonorable & Ruthless

𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: Jon Snow, Gandalf, Spiderman.

Benefactors

・Believe in doing what’s right, even if that means going against the law

・They help others because they have the desire to do so, not because the law or anyone else, tells them to do it

・They recognise that the law can be unjust. They don’t blindly follow it.

・Most protagonists embody this alignment.

・They - usually - don’t kill, even if the villain is right in front of them.

・The upside of this alignment is that they will do whatever they can to help those in need

・The downside of this alignment is that they can become unpredictable when they think they’re doing the right thing

・They don’t disregard the law completely, but will break it if it means helping someone

・The difference between Neutral Good and Chaotic Good, is that CG hates authority and the government/leading state. While NG thinks there is a reason for rules.

・It’s a great alignment because it means doing good without bias for or against order. But can be a bad/dangerous one because it can limit the actions of the truly capable.

・Sees Lawful Good as Humane but Strict

・Sees Neutral Good as Practical & Humane

・Sees Chaotic Good as Humane but Lax

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Strict & Apathetic

・Sees True Neutral as Practical but Apathetic

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Lax & Apathetic

・Sees Lawful Evil as Strict & Ruthless

・Sees Neutral Evil as Practical but Ruthless

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Lax & Ruthless

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: the 11th Doctor, Robin Hood, Mary Poppins.

Rebels

・They don’t care about society’s rules, they care about what’s doing right

・Freedom is their highest value

・Detest authority

・This is the best alignment you can be because it combines a free-spirit with a good heart.

・They believe freedom is the only way a person can feel true happiness

・The upside of this alignment is that they will do absolutely everything in their power not only to help innocence, but bring about change if they can

・The downside of this alignment is that they disrupt the order of society and punish those who do well for themselves

・CG will keep their word to anyone who isn’t evil

・The difference between Chaotic Good and Chaotic Neutral is that CG is self-aware of their actions. They don’t want other people to get hurt.

・They’re willing to lie, cheat and steal if it’s for the greater good

・CGs’ don’t put their desires above the greater good; they want to help in every way they can.

・Sees Lawful Good as Humane but Dogmatic

・Sees Neutral Good as Humane but Conformist

・Sees Chaotic Good as Independent & Humane

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Dogmatic & Apathetic

・Sees True Neutral as Conformist & Apathetic

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Independent but Apathetic

・Sees Lawful Evil as Dogmatic & Ruthless

・Sees Neutral Evil as Conformist & Ruthless

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Independent but Ruthless

𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: Dwight K. Schrute, Percy Weasley, Judge Dredd.

Judges

・Lawful Neutrals’ always act in accordance with the law, tradition or code.

・They behave in a way that matches the organisation they follow. They’re deathly loyal to it.

・Because they are so emotionless when following their tradition/law, they can come off as Lawful Evil

・The upside of this alignment is that they are reliable and honorable without being a zealot

・The downside of this alignment is that they seek to destroy choice, freedom, individuality, diversity.

・They believe in the government wholeheartedly, even if it’s hurting its citizens. Even if it is becoming tyranical.

・LN have blind loyalty

・They rarely seek things for themselves. Their desires line up with the laws and traditions.

・The difference between Lawful Good and Lawful Neutral is that LG will question the laws that are hurtful to others. They aren’t completely following blindly. They speak up.

・Lawful Neutral doesn’t consider morality when abiding by the law

・Sees Lawful Good as Honorable but Idealistic

・Sees Neutral Good as Unreliable & Idealistic

・Sees Chaotic Good as Dishonorable & Idealistic

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Honorable & Realistic

・Sees True Neutral as Realistic but Unreliable

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Realistic but Dishonorable

・Sees Lawful Evil as Honorable but Egotistic

・Sees Neutral Evil as Unreliable but Egotistic

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Dishonorable and Egotistic

𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: The Chesire Cat, Lara Croft, Malcolm Reynolds.

Undecideds

・True definition of ‘on the fence’

・They neither want to hurt nor help others; they only want to keep themselves alive and will do whatever that means to make sure it happens.

・They don’t uphold the laws but neither do they rebel

・The upside of this alignment is that they act naturally - without prejudice.

・The downside is that they lack conviction and are apathetic.

・Basically...they are nice to those that are nice to them and hurt those that hurt them.

・True Neutrals’ are offended by those with big opinions

・They despise bigots

・And usually avoid philosophical ideals altogether

・Will keep their word if it’s in their best interest

・Will never betray a family member, friend or ally unless the situation is dire

・True Neutral characters stay non-committed to any cause, legal or moral system.

・Sees Lawful Good as Strict & Idealistic

・Sees Neutral Good as Practical but Idealistic

・Sees Chaotic Good as Lax & Idealistic

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Realistic but Strict

・Sees True Neutral as Practical & Realistic

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Realistic but Lax

・Sees Lawful Evil as Strict & Egotistic

・Sees Neutral Evil as Practical but Egotistic

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Lax & Egotistic

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: Han Solo, Captain Jack Sparrow, Catwoman.

Free-Spirits

・Chaotic Neutrals’ follow their heart, but in comparison with Chaotic Goods’ they won’t self-sacrifice for the greater good.

・They hate being given orders, and actively go against the law. Even if it’s because of something petty.

・They can easily slip into Chaotic Good or Chaotic Evil with one step

・This alignment is the best you can be because it represents true freedom from the law, societal standards and a moral code.

・They can be a dangerous alignment because they want to destroy authorative figures and structures; even if it’s doing good for the community.

・They believe there is no order to anything, even their actions. They’re completely unpredictable and may do things on a whim.

・This alignment is usually the con-mans, the gamblers, insurgent. Aka, the uncomitted free-loader who desires nothing more than self-gratification.

・CN will keep their word if it serves their self-interest

・These people don’t want people to suffer because of their actiohs - but don’t care if their actions may hurt others.

・Sees Lawful Good as Dogmatic & Idealistic

・Sees Neutral Good as Conformist & Idealistic

・Sees Chaotic Good as Independent but Idealistic

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Realistic but Dogmatic

・Sees True Neutral as Realistic but Conformist

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Independent & Realistic

・Sees Lawful Evil as Dogmatic & Egotistic

・Sees Neutral Evil as Conformist & Egotistic

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Independent but Egotistic

𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: Darth Vader, Dolores Umbridge, Lex Luther.

Dominators

・This alignment is a tyrant

・They have no problem with for-going morals in honor of the law.

・The downside of this alignment is that evil combined with law, means a society-wide regimes.

・Fannatics, dictators and extremists fall under this alignment

・This alignment cares about traditions, enforcing the law and keeping order

・These people/characters consider themselves the best because they combine ‘honour’ with a dedicated self-interest.

・However, this is the most dangerous alignment because these people will manipulate the law to suit their desires

・They hold any Lawful alignment as honorable, chaotics as dishonorable.

・Lawful Evil absolutely hate Chaotic Good people/characters very ... very much. They pose the most threat.

・Labelled ‘diabolical’, Lawful Evils’ will always use the rules. No matter how evil they are, they will never break the rules.

・They will do anything; kill, maim, torture - as long as it doesn’t break the law.

・Sees Lawful Good as Honorable but Self-Righteous

・Sees Neutral Good as Unreliable & Self-righteous

・Sees Chaotic Good as Dishonorable & Self-Righteous

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Honorable but Irresolute

・Sees True Neutral as Unreliable & Irresolute

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Dishonorable & Irresolute

・Sees Lawful Evil as Honorable & Determined

・Sees Neutral Evil as Determined but Unreliable

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Determined but Dishonorable

𝐍𝐄𝐔𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: Voldemort, Jabba the Hutt, Milady de Winter.

Malefactors

・Is selfish and has no issue with harming others to get what they want

・They might follow rules if it serves them, but they do not feel bound to them

・This alignment usually makes alliances with others to further their own agenda, but have no issue with double-crossing their allies

・They don’t see much value in having a moral code

・They’re feared because they carry out evil for evil’s sake

・They believe themselves the best alignment because they advance themselves without regard for others

・This alignment is only out for themselves; they don’t care about bringing down social structures. Instead, they have a desire and they will do whatever it is to get it.

・The difference between Lawful Evil and Neutral Evil is that LE still follows the law and its structures. NE may follow the law - only if it works in their favour, then they have no problem going below it to their gain

・The difference between Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil is that the latter is completely unpredictable. NE will at least have a reason why they’ve allied with someone, or are following the rules in some way. CE will do things for absolutely no reason.

・Sees Lawful Good as Strict & Self-Righteous

・Sees Neutral Good as Practical but Self-Righteous

・Sees Chaotic Good as Lax & Self-Righteous

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Strict & Irresolute

・Sees True Neutral as Practical but Irresolute

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Lax & Irresolute

・Sees Lawful Evil as Determined but Strict

・Sees Neutral Evil as Practical & Determined

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Determined but Laxed

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋

𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒: The Joker, The Night King, James Moriarty.

Destroyers

・These characters are malevolent

・Villains vying for revenge usually fall under this alignment

・One may see this as the most evil as they set out to destroy everything - order, life, tradition, freedom.

・They think they are the best alignment because they choose freedom and self-interest

・These people/characters never feel the need to keep to their word

・They prefer to work alone

・Just like the other Chaotic alignments, they too hate authority, and actively seek to destroy it

・Will kill for pleasure, has no moral code, doesn’t care at all about the wel-fare for others

・They believe self-discipline and honour as restrictive

・Seen as the most frightening because they are so unpredictable and violent

・ Lawful Good is the antithesis of Chaotic Evil

・Chaotic Evils’ believe that freedom should only belong to those strong enough to keep it

・Sees Lawful Good as Dogmatic & Self-Righteous

・Sees Neutral Good as Conformist & Self-Righteous

・Sees Chaotic Good as Independent but Self-Righteous

・Sees Lawful Neutral as Dogmatic & Irresolute

・Sees True Neutral as Conformist & Irresolute

・Sees Chaotic Neutral as Independent but Irresolute

・Sees Lawful Evil as Determined but Dogmatic

・Sees Neutral Evil as Determined but Conformist

・Sees Chaotic Evil as Independent & Determined

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honourablejester · 5 months

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I’m watching Pathfinder lore videos, because I just enjoy looking at other people’s worldbuilding, and a tiny little nugget stuck with me. I was watching this video on the demon lords of the Abyss, and it came to Angazhan, the great ape demon of jungles, apes and tyranny. And it just mentions that his realm, Ahvoth-Kor, is formed in a great ravine in the Abyss, with jungles on either wall, but gravity pulls towards the walls, so as you stand on the ‘ground’ in one jungle on one wall, you can see the other above you. Trees and rope bridges cross the gap, which must be fascinating as you cross the halfway point and gravity abruptly reverses itself. And I just. I mean, Angazhan doesn’t do much for me as himself, but his realm caught my attention the most in the entire video, just for that one detail. Because it’s so cool. He lives in a folded realm. You can climb a pillar to the sky and then fall up the top half of it to the ground on the far side.

And it just made me realise that I love the Abyss, or rather the potential of the Abyss, in both its D&D and Pathfinder incarnations. Because chaos gets all the cool world states. Because chaos feels free to break the rules and get weird, and therefore give you fantastic landscapes like Ahvoth-Kor. Which is actually quite normal, aside from the fact that it’s folded double on itself. You could go so much weirder.

But, at the same time, I also hate the Abyss, just slightly. Because you can’t get weird, apparently, without also getting evil. Because, while I have seen the chaotic good and chaotic neutral planes mentioned, they don’t get anywhere near as much attention. How many people even know the names of the good-aligned chaotic planes? And, yes, Limbo and the Maelstrom are more of a thing, and the Maelstrom at least is fantastically cool, but they’re not focused on really either. Because they don’t have cool themed villains hanging out in them. Which is, granted, another excellent selling point of the Abyss. Demon lords are a lot more idiosyncratic than archdevils, more, again, weird and wonderful. On the D&D side, which I’m more familiar with, I do adore Juiblex, Zuggtmoy and Fraz-Urb’luu. When you are shaping your realm out of raw chaos to match your personality, it gives you a degree of wild customisation that more lawful, rigid planes just don’t allow. The demon lords are exciting, in a way archdevils just aren’t for me.

But. It means that if you want really cool fantastic landscapes and batshit world states, you have to go to an evil plane where everything is trying to kill slash torture you. The good aligned chaotic planes of the respective ttrpgs, Elysium and Arborea and the Beastlands, are to a large extent just ‘unchecked nature’, the extremely pastoral idea of untouched wilderness. If you want to see truly cool and alien and fantastic things, you have to get tortured for it.

Or, granted, try the Maelstrom in Pathfinder. The Maelstrom is really cool.

Like. If they’re both formed from raw chaos, why can’t good be equally as batshit? Why can’t you have, I don’t know, a chaotic good sea god whose ship sails upside down on the surface of a vast ocean of air, and whose sea sprite petitioners venture down in diving bells to marvel at the stars? (Sidenote: there could also be more good-aligned sea gods, just as a general note). Why isn’t there a heaven for the souls of subterranean travellers and explorers where they get to spend eternity spelunking absolutely mind-boggling and impossible caves that open out into the raw foam of chaos? Why couldn’t the chaotic good plane also be a nested stew of personalised bubble worlds shaped from raw fundament by strong-willed but mildly-to-majorly batshit themed entities, that are just in this case also friendly and unlikely to torture you out of hand?

Why is good so tame? Even at its wildest, it’s so tame compared to how batshit and weird evil gets to be. Like, yes, good means safety, but safe doesn’t have to mean ‘bounded’. It could mean ‘I will touch my grace upon you so we can witness wonders together’. It could mean ‘let me make a place where fire does not burn so I can turn a sun inside out and let you experience the strange geometries of its interior’.

I just. The Abyss is really, really cool, this strange bubble realm of nested psychoses written onto reality by larger than life beings. I do love it. But. You could have that, and not have it built on suffering. Not instead of, but as well. With equal weight.

Let good be weird too. Let chaos in general just be the place where both horrors and wonders beyond imagining are explored.

As another, related complaint, I know it's to do with game balance and player capabilities, but it's also a bummer that the outer planes in general are something most PCs will never experience first hand, owing to being in general fantastically lethal and/or hard to get to. I just wanna wander Zuggtmoy's fungal fields, and climb rope bridges across the gravity line in Ahvoth-Kor!

Anyway. Carry on.

#pathfinder #d&d #worldbuilding #the abyss #chaos #alignment #i get that the aligned planes in general is dodgy worldbuilding to start with #but also it's such a waste of chaos not to go full weird with it #if this is the exercise we're doing #how are we conceiving chaos in relation to morality #why is good considered inherently less chaotic #also just let me explore some weird-ass landscapes #i just really want to

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