TEXT:  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Berin Kinsman 
  Dancing Lights Press 
  http://dancinglightspress.com 
   
  Revised text version 1.01 
  Copyright 2016 Berin Kinsman.  
  All Rights Reserved 
  Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game 
  License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper names 
  (characters, locations, equipment, etc.), dialogue, plots, storylines, language, incidents, locations, characters, artwork, 
  and trade dress. 
  Open Content: Except for material designated as Product Identity, the contents of are Open Game Content as 
  defined in the Open Gaming License version 1.0a Section 1(d). No portion of this work other than the material 
  designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without written permission. 
   
  Portions of this book were previously published as  
  The Forager’s Guild Guide to the Nine Alignments by Asparagus Jumpsuit 
  
  Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 
  Using This Book ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5 
  Defining Alignment ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 
  Dimensions of Alignment ............................................................................................................................................. 5 
  Describing Alignment ................................................................................................................................................... 5 
  The Nine Alignments..................................................................................................................................................... 5 
  Using Alignment ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 
  Defining Alignment ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
  Alignment Elements ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 
  Combined Alignments ................................................................................................................................................... 6 
  Boxes versus Scatter Graphs ......................................................................................................................................... 8 
  Ranking Alignment elements ........................................................................................................................................... 10 
  Roleplaying Rankings.................................................................................................................................................. 10 
  Good Versus Evil ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 
  Ranking Good .............................................................................................................................................................. 12 
  Ranking Evil ................................................................................................................................................................ 12 
  Law Versus Chaos ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 
  Ranking Law ................................................................................................................................................................ 14 
  Ranking Chaos ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 
  Dimensions of Alignment ............................................................................................................................................................... 15 
  Physiology ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16 
  Elements of Physiology ............................................................................................................................................... 16 
  Physiological Needs ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 
  Physiology and Alignment .......................................................................................................................................... 16 
  Sociology ........................................................................................................................................................................... 18 
  Elements of Sociology ................................................................................................................................................. 18 
  Sociological Needs ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 
  Sociology and Alignment ............................................................................................................................................ 18 
  Psychology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 20 
  Elements of Psychology ............................................................................................................................................... 20 
  Psychological Needs .................................................................................................................................................... 20 
  Psychology and Alignment .......................................................................................................................................... 20 
  Describing Alignment ....................................................................................................................................................... 22 
  The Nine Alignments ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23 
  Lawful Good ...................................................................................................................................................................... 25 
  More Lawful Than Good ............................................................................................................................................. 25 
  More Good Than Lawful ............................................................................................................................................. 25 
  Why to Choose a Lawful Good Alignment Statement ................................................................................................ 25 
  How a Lawful Good Alignment Statement Might Help You ...................................................................................... 25 
  How a Lawful Good Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ...................................................................................... 26 
  How A Lawful Good Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ...................................................................... 26 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Lawful Good ...................................................................................... 26 
  Neutral Good .................................................................................................................................................................... 27 
  More Good Than Neutral ............................................................................................................................................ 27 
  More Neutral Than Good ............................................................................................................................................ 27 
  More Lawful Than Chaotic .......................................................................................................................................... 27 
  More Chaotic Than Lawful .......................................................................................................................................... 27 
  Why to Choose A Neutral Good Alignment Statement .............................................................................................. 28 
  How a Neutral Good Alignment Statement Might Help You ..................................................................................... 28 
  How a Neutral Good Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ..................................................................................... 28 
  How a Neutral Good Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ..................................................................... 28 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Neutral Good..................................................................................... 28 
  Chaotic Good..................................................................................................................................................................... 29 
  More Chaotic Than Good ............................................................................................................................................ 29 
  More Good Than Chaotic ............................................................................................................................................ 29 
  Why to Choose This Alignment .................................................................................................................................. 29 
  How a Chaotic Good Alignment Statement Might Help You ..................................................................................... 29 
  How a Chaotic Good Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ..................................................................................... 29 
  How a Chaotic Good Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ..................................................................... 30 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Chaotic Good ..................................................................................... 30 
  Lawful Neutral .................................................................................................................................................................. 31 
  More Lawful Than Neutral .......................................................................................................................................... 31 
  
  More Neutral Than Lawful .......................................................................................................................................... 31 
  More Good Than Evil .................................................................................................................................................. 31 
  More Evil Than Good .................................................................................................................................................. 31 
  Why to Choose This Alignment .................................................................................................................................. 31 
  How a Lawful Neutral Alignment Statement Might Help You .................................................................................. 32 
  How a Lawful Neutral Alignment Statement Might Hurt You .................................................................................. 32 
  How a Lawful Neutral Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ................................................................... 32 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Lawful Neutral .................................................................................. 32 
  Neutral .............................................................................................................................................................................. 33 
  More Good Than Evil .................................................................................................................................................. 33 
  More Evil Than Good .................................................................................................................................................. 33 
  More Lawful Than Chaotic .......................................................................................................................................... 33 
  More Chaotic Than Lawful .......................................................................................................................................... 33 
  Why to Choose This Alignment .................................................................................................................................. 33 
  How a True Neutral Alignment Statement Might Help You ...................................................................................... 34 
  How a True Neutral Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ...................................................................................... 34 
  How a True Neutral Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ...................................................................... 34 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on True Neutral ...................................................................................... 34 
  Chaotic Neutral ................................................................................................................................................................. 35 
  More Chaotic Than Neutral ........................................................................................................................................ 35 
  More Neutral Than Chaotic ........................................................................................................................................ 35 
  More Good Than Evil .................................................................................................................................................. 35 
  More Evil Than Good .................................................................................................................................................. 35 
  Why to Choose This Alignment .................................................................................................................................. 35 
  How a Chaotic Neutral Alignment Statement Might Help You ................................................................................. 36 
  How a Chaotic Neutral Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ................................................................................. 36 
  How a Chaotic Neutral Alignment Statement Might Define a Character .................................................................. 36 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Chaotic Neutral ................................................................................. 36 
  Lawful Evil ........................................................................................................................................................................ 37 
  More Lawful Than Evil ................................................................................................................................................ 37 
  More Evil Than Lawful ................................................................................................................................................ 37 
  Why to Choose This Alignment .................................................................................................................................. 37 
  How a Lawful Evil Alignment Statement Might Help You ........................................................................................ 37 
  How a Lawful Evil Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ........................................................................................ 37 
  How a Lawful Evil Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ......................................................................... 38 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Lawful Evil ........................................................................................ 38 
  Neutral Evil ....................................................................................................................................................................... 39 
  More Evil Than Neutral .............................................................................................................................................. 39 
  More Neutral Than Evil .............................................................................................................................................. 39 
  More Lawful Than Chaotic .......................................................................................................................................... 39 
  More Chaotic Than Lawful .......................................................................................................................................... 39 
  Why to Choose This Alignment .................................................................................................................................. 39 
  How a Neutral Evil Alignment Statement Might Help You ....................................................................................... 40 
  How a Neutral Evil Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ....................................................................................... 40 
  How a Neutral Evil Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ........................................................................ 40 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Neutral Evil ....................................................................................... 40 
  Chaotic Evil ....................................................................................................................................................................... 41 
  More Chaotic Than Evil............................................................................................................................................... 41 
  More Evil Than Chaotic............................................................................................................................................... 41 
  Why to Choose This Alignment .................................................................................................................................. 41 
  How a Chaotic Evil Alignment Statement Might Help You ....................................................................................... 41 
  How a Chaotic Evil Alignment Statement Might Hurt You ....................................................................................... 41 
  How a Chaotic Evil Alignment Statement Might Define a Character ........................................................................ 42 
  Examples of Alignment Statements Based on Chaotic Evil ....................................................................................... 42 
  Using Alignment ............................................................................................................................................................................ 43 
  Compliance and Deviation ............................................................................................................................................... 44 
  Good/Evil Compliance ................................................................................................................................................ 44 
  Law/Chaos Compliance .............................................................................................................................................. 44 
  Bonuses and Penalties ................................................................................................................................................. 45 
  Alignment Restrictions ............................................................................................................................................... 46 
  Detecting Alignment ......................................................................................................................................................... 47 
  Open Game License Version 1.0a .................................................................................................................................................. 48 
   
  
  Alignment is possibly the most hotly debated element in traditional roleplaying 
  games. Many people find it to be a useful way to get a handle on character motivation. 
  Others find it far too vague to be an effective tool. It is literally two-dimensional and 
  absolute; a person is either good or evil, lawful or chaotic, or a perfect balance. There is 
  no room for subtlety or nuance in the rules as written.  
  Even different editions of games using alignment offer varying explanations of what 
  combinations are possible, and what those mixtures mean.  In systems that otherwise 
  provide numeric representations and statistical models for success and failure, 
  alignment is open to interpretation. Aside from some restrictions on and prerequisites 
  for character abilities, it's left for players and gamemasters to sort out.  
  Yet alignment remains virtually unchanged where other elements of classic fantasy 
  roleplaying have either evolved or fallen away. The reason is because arguing about 
  alignment can be fun. We want alignment to make sense. People like to discuss whether 
  a celebrity, historical, or fictional character is one alignment or another. Memes are 
  shared, online quizzes are generated, and motivational posters are created. All of which 
  goes toward developing some meaning and practical utility.  
  This is not the definitive resource on alignment. The topic is so subjective that 
  nothing could be. What this book presents is one possible interpretation of alignment, 
  and a system for using it to enrich your game. It presents an alternate way to describe 
  alignment, as a means of customizing your character's personality, goals, and beliefs. 
  There are simple mechanics to reward characters who embody the tenets of their 
  alignment, and penalize those who stray. If it doesn't answer all of your questions about 
  a character's stance toward morality, you should at least find enough fodder to continue 
  the never-ending conversation. 
   
   
   
   
  Berin Kinsman 
  June 2016 
   
  
  This book is broken into sections, each expanding on what alignment can mean and 
  how it can be used in your game.  
  The way the elements of good and evil, law and chaos are used throughout this book 
  is explained. The ranking system is detailed, along with how the elements of alignment 
  might be quantified. Various other terms are defined.   
  The physiological, sociological, and psychological influences on the character's 
  alignment are explained. Reasons why the same general alignment can represent 
  different motivations and world views are expounded upon. 
  How to write an alignment statement that zeroes in on what the character is about. 
  This covers ways that alignment can be customized to reflect the specifics of your 
  campaign world and the nuances of morality and belief. 
  This is an exploration of each permutation of law and chaos, good and evil, and 
  neutrality. It includes explanations of shades and variations available with the 
  alignment, and examples of alignment statements. 
  Ways that alignment can be used to enhance roleplaying opportunities. This section 
  also covers how alignment can be enforced by providing bonuses and penalties for 
  adhering to alignment statements and playing in character. 
   
  
  Alignment, as defined here, is a reflection of an individual’s approach to morals, 
  ethics, and attitudes. The key word there is approach. It’s not necessarily a reflection of 
  the values that the person adheres to; it’s the values they aspire to. If you think that it’s 
  important to heal the sick and feed the hungry, but you don’t stop to give a coin to a 
  beggar one time, you’re not radically out of alignment. Your action in that instance isn’t 
  in line with your professed beliefs over time, but you probably had reasons or 
  extenuating circumstances. If you don’t really care about the poor but you toss a gem in 
  their direction, it doesn’t mean you’ve had a sudden change of heart; maybe you had a 
  moment, maybe you had a motivation that played into a larger scheme. Alignment is 
  about where an individual’s thoughts and actions find their level in the big picture. 
  A range of personality types and personal philosophies are represented by 
  alignment. This means that two characters with the same combination of elements can 
  be quite different from one another. Think about religions, political parties, or any 
  organization that has a professed ethos or moral stance. The bit of dogma or doctrine 
  that speaks to one person isn’t the same bit that drew in another person. There are bits 
  of the platform that you’re passionate about, and others that you just sort of go along 
  with because it’s part of the package deal. 
  Think of alignment is climate, rather than weather. A region might be tropical, but 
  that doesn't mean it's hot and humid all day, every day. It might be arctic, but there can 
  be variations as to how cold it is at any given time, or how much snow may fall from 
  season to season. In the same way, an evil person doesn't have to display that even in 
  every single action they undertake. A lawful character doesn't need to be completely 
  rigid about rules and discipline during every waking moment. It's just what their 
  behavior averages out to over time. 
  When you see a reference to elements, or alignment elements, it denotes a single 
  piece of the combined alignment: law, chaos, good, evil, and neutrality are alignment 
  elements. 
  When you see a reference to a combined alignment, it means the traditional, two-
  part alignment: lawful good, chaotic neutral, neutral good, and chaotic evil are all 
  combined alignments. 
  
   
   
  
  Each of the combined alignments represents a very broad cross-section of thought 
  and belief; there’s a lot of room for interpretation within each of those blocs. The typical 
  representation of alignment is as nine fixed boxes, arranged in a neat grid. This gives 
  you the impression that these are fixed things; alignment goes into one of these clearly-
  defined boxes and that’s all there is to it. It’s very concrete, and not in the least bit 
  abstract. 
  A better way to look at alignment is as a scatter graph. You’ve got an x axis, good and 
  evil. You have a y axis, law and chaos. The center plot (0,0) would be true neutral. 
  Anything on an axis line would be neutral as regards the elements along that axis. You 
  are able to see that there’s more range and more variety possible in a combined 
  alignment. There are degrees good and evil, shades of law and chaos. There is variation 
  within each of those quadrants, and along the neutral lines. Distinctions blur a bit. 
  Disclaimer: I’m not about to present a literal system that outputs a scatter graph. 
  It’s a metaphor. It’s a visual aid to help you begin to think about alignment differently. 
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
  The alignment elements you'll encounter in this book have descriptive rankings.  
  These reflect the degree to which a character adheres to the elements of good and evil, 
  law and chaos. Each element is ranked separately. The ranking levels are: 
   
  Low Element – The alignment element is abnormally weak or totally absent.  
  Below Baseline Element – The alignment element is less prevalent than normal. 
  Baseline Element – The alignment element presents typically for the setting. 
  Above Baseline Element – The alignment element is conspicuous and prevalent. 
  High Element – The alignment element is strong and clearly dominant.  
   
  A character with a low ranking in evil is technically still evil, but barely beyond 
  neutral. At the baseline, the character meets the expectation of what a person with that 
  element would be in that setting and campaign. A high ranking means that that 
  character practically exudes that elements from their pores, and anyone paying 
  attention can sense it. 
  From a story perspective, rankings help to flag potential conflicts. Not only will you 
  have the potential to pit good versus evil or law versus chaos, you can create drama with 
  differences within an element. A character with a high level of good might feel another 
  character whose good is below the baseline poses a problem. Someone with a low level 
  of chaos might find someone with an above baseline chaos ranking to be frightening.  
   
  
  Good versus evil, as used in this book, boils down to selflessness versus selfishness. 
  Are you serving your own interests, or the greater good? Are you going to go slay that 
  dragon because the village needs to be saved, or because you stand to turn a tidy profit? 
  This is where some shades of alignment come into play. Many characters may jump at 
  the opportunity to gather fortune and glory, but they might do what needs to be done 
  simply because it’s the right thing to do even if there was no promise of reward. 
  Definitions of good and evil that rely on hurting and killing other beings are 
  problematic. Most tabletop roleplaying games, especially in the fantasy genre, revolve 
  around combat and other acts of violence. If hacking up living creatures and people is 
  inherently evil, then all characters would by definition be evil. Without violence, they'd 
  be dead. Simply opposing evil is not enough to define one’s self as good, though. Nor 
  does fighting against good-aligned beings make one evil. Characters with like elements 
  can and do oppose each other. Those who cite the lack of realism in typical applications 
  of alignment are right when they point out that the real world is far more complex than 
  that. It once more comes down to motivations and intentions. 
  Good versus evil is about why the person in question is willing to engage in violence, 
  and the types of harm they’re comfortable with inflicting. Selflessness, or good, seeks to 
  protect innocent life and preserve the dignity of others. There is some sense of justice to 
  it, and likely some element of sacrifice. Selfishness, or evil, is okay with debasing and 
  destroy innocent life, implementing murder and oppression for fun and profit. There is 
  a distinct lack of compassion evident in their actions. 
  Neutrality is closer to a balance between being selfless and being selfish. The 
  character may lean more toward one direction than the other, but they recognize that in 
  general there is a time and place to look after one’s own interests and well-being, and a 
  time for putting the welfare of society and one’s fellow first. 
  Animals are often thought to be incapable of moral action. Their instincts are for 
  self-preservation, or a devotion to their pack, pride, herd, colony, or other grouping. For 
  this reason, animals are generically tagged as neutral, because conscious decisions about 
  right and wrong don’t matter when you’re looking for food or protecting your young. 
   
  
  These are the general degrees of good that a character may display. From these 
  guidelines, you can develop character- and setting-specific criteria for selflessness. 
  Low Good – The character displays obvious selfish tendencies, but would never 
  intentionally do anything that caused other people harm. 
  Below Baseline Good – The character looks out for their own interests 
  sometimes, but would never harm others to do so. 
  Baseline Good – The character displays the socially normative level of selflessness 
  expected within the campaign setting. 
  Above Baseline Good – The character makes personal sacrifices for the benefit of 
  others, serving as an example to others. 
  High Good – The character is almost completely selfless, to the point of creating 
  their own suffering and hardship.  
   
  These are the general degrees of evil that a character may display. From these 
  guidelines, you can develop character- and setting-specific criteria for selfishness. 
  Low Evil – The character displays a few selfless tendencies, but wouldn't help 
  anyone at the expense of their own needs. 
  Below Baseline Evil – The character might be selfless, but never if it costs them 
  anything or impacts their own needs. 
  Baseline Evil – The character displays the socially normative level of selfishness 
  expected within the campaign setting. 
  Above Baseline Evil – The character openly places their desires ahead of the 
  needs of others, and actively harms people. 
  High Evil – The character is absorbed with his or her own desires, and has a 
  complete disregard for the suffering caused to others by their selfishness. 
   
  
  Law and chaos imply a sense of structure. On one end, there are rules, authority 
  figures and hierarchies. There’s process, methodology and tradition, which arise from a 
  sense of security and efficiency. The advantages of law are consistency and an assurance 
  that things are going to get done. The downside is that there’s an inherent lack of 
  flexibility, an unwillingness to change and adapt, and a tendency toward being closed-
  minded and judgmental. 
  At the other end there’s chaos. It's instinct and creativity and a sense of freedom. 
  Embracing change, embracing a willingness to adapt and staying flexible are all good 
  and necessary traits. Someone needs to figure out how to deal with new things. Chaos 
  can also mean recklessness, irresponsible behavior, a disregard for processes that work, 
  and disrespect toward authority figures that get things done. 
  Neutrality means recognizing that there’s balance between the needs of individuals 
  and the larger society. Someone has to make sure the fields are tended, and the ale gets 
  delivered, but there’s also a need to dance, sing, make art, and dream about the 
  possibilities of life. 
  Animals and other creatures considered incapable of moral action are again pegged 
  as neutral by default. The logic is that while animals can be trained, and patterns of 
  behavior passed down to insure their survival, this isn’t really “lawful” behavior. Bees 
  don’t gather pollen and build hives, and stray dogs don’t bite random strangers, based 
  on any sort of ideology. 
   
  
  These are the general degrees of lawfulness that a character may display. From these 
  guidelines, you can develop character- and setting-specific criteria for a sense of social 
  responsibility. 
  Low Lawfulness – The character mostly obeys the law and follows the rules, more 
  out of habit than ideology. 
  Below Baseline Lawfulness – The character believes some things that aren't in 
  the interest of society, but mostly supports order. 
  Baseline Lawfulness – The character displays the socially normative level of 
  lawfulness expected within the campaign setting. 
  Above Baseline Lawfulness – The character is deeply invested in the ideals of 
  order and discipline, and follows the rules. 
  High Lawfulness – The character is obsessed with discipline, and lives strictly 
  according to a code or set of rigid laws.  
   
  These are the general degrees of chaos that a character may display. From these 
  guidelines, you can develop character- and setting-specific criteria for a sense of 
  individual entitlement. 
  Low Chaos – The character rejects the status quo, more out of laziness than for a 
  higher ideology. 
  Below Baseline Chaos – The character isn't wild about discipline and tradition, 
  but goes along to get along. 
  Baseline Chaos – The character displays the socially normative level of chaos 
  expected within the campaign setting. 
  Above Baseline Chaos – The character ignores the status quo and does what he or 
  she wants with no regard for the rules. 
  High Chaos – The character is philosophically opposed to rules and laws and 
  actively seeks to break them. 
   
  
  Every character exists in three dimensions: their physiology, their sociology, and 
  their psychology. Each contributes to shaping the character's view of themselves and of 
  the world around them. They are the source of beliefs and attitudes, and impact whether 
  the character is more selfish or selfless, or inclined toward the needs of society or the 
  freedom of the individual. 
  The dimensions lean heavily on the character having a well-developed back story. 
  How they were raised, what they have experienced, and the way other people have 
  treated them all come into play. For more information on developing a detailed 
  character back story, check out the book Building Character published by Dancing 
  Lights Press. 
  This section will cover each of those dimensions in depth. The elements of each 
  dimension will be explored. How each dimension serves to shape the character's 
  alignment elements is explained.   
  
  Physiology is the character's physical being. It impacts how people feel about 
  themselves, and how others perceive them. It’s not just about what the character looks 
  like, but how their appearance affects their outlook on life. In prose fiction, the 
  character’s physiology is often the least important thing about them. In visual media it’s 
  still not important a lot of the time, but it can still matter.  
  When thinking about a character's physiology, consider things like their age, their 
  height and weight, and their overall state of health. How do those things color the way 
  they look at life, the compassion they show to others, and their views on society versus 
  the individual? Things like feelings about their sex and gender, distinguishing marks 
  and how they got them, and the way they choose to dress, can stem from the same 
  formative experiences that inform their alignment elements.  
  Physiological needs are the most basic requirements for human survival. These are 
  absolute necessities like food, clothing, shelter, breathable air, and drinkable water. If 
  these requirements can’t be met, the character’s body will ultimately fail. Physiological 
  needs have to be met before a character can even begin to address their sociological and 
  psychological needs, or worry about making it to the next stage of life. Both resources 
  and circumstances can contribute to the state of the character’s physiological needs.  
  If a character has many physiological needs, their alignment elements may be driven 
  by what is required to address those needs. If the character has few physiological needs, 
  their alignment elements will be around what it takes to rise higher, or at least fall no 
  further. 
  A good alignment element can manifest in a character if they are comfortable with 
  their physiology overall. Even difficulties can cause them to have compassion for other 
  people who suffer similar limitations. If their physical abilities are above the baseline, 
  they may lean toward good out of gratitude. 
  An evil alignment element can arise if the character's physiology causes them any 
  sort of suffering. Their difficulties make is hard to think about anything other than their 
  needs, or to have empathy for others in similar situations. If their physical abilities are 
  above baseline, they may feel entitled.  
  
  A lawful alignment element can stem from the character fitting in because of their 
  physical abilities and appearance. If they are above or below baseline in some area of 
  their physiology, they aren't treated any differently. If the structure of society has 
  provided for their physiological needs, they may feel a sense of duty.   
  A chaotic alignment element can appear if the character doesn't fit in because of 
  their appearance or physical abilities. If they are above or below the baseline, they are 
  treated differently. If they are left to struggle with their physiology, or feel oppressed 
  because of it, they may place individualism above conformity to social order. 
  
  Socioeconomic status is the character's social and financial class. It affects the 
  character’s quality of life, as well as their self-esteem. It can impact how others perceive 
  them inasmuch as they know the character's background, or can see behaviors assumed 
  to stem from such a background.  
  A character's sociological influences include their religion, their political views, and 
  even their race and ethnicity. It can extend to their level of education, the prestige of 
  their occupation, and the acceptance of their preferred forms of entertainment.  If the 
  character is accepted and included, or shunned and vilified for who they are, it will be 
  reflected in their alignment elements.  
  Sociological needs include friendship, intimacy, and family ties. Lacking those 
  emotional connections can impact the character’s wellbeing and their ability to form and 
  maintain healthy relationships. The character needs a feeling of belonging and 
  acceptance within social groups and organizations. The character’s personality, the 
  actions of other characters, and general circumstances can contribute to the state of the 
  character’s sociological needs. 
  If a character has many sociological needs, their alignment elements may be driven 
  by what is required to address those needs. If the character has few sociological needs, 
  their alignment elements will be around what it takes to rise higher, or at least fall no 
  further. 
  A good alignment element can manifest in a character if they are comfortable with 
  their socioeconomic status. If they have been treated fairly, they will be kind to others. If 
  they have been oppressed or abused, they will have compassion for others in similar 
  situations. 
  An evil alignment element can arise if the character has been beaten down as a result 
  of their socioeconomic status. No one has helped them, so they feel no obligation to help 
  others. If their status is above the baseline they may feel that they are deserving, or that 
  they need to protect what they have from the underserving. 
  A lawful alignment element can stem from the character being accepted and 
  supported by society. They feel an element of gratitude and in return have a sense of 
  
  duty. If their socioeconomic status was poor, they may be driven to create change 
  through order and discipline. 
  A chaotic alignment element can appear if the character is ostracized by society. If 
  they have been oppressed, they may feel that they owe no loyalty to others. Experience 
  has shown them that every individual is on their own, and responsible for their own 
  livelihood.  
   
  
  Psychology is in many ways the synthesis of physiology and sociology. The 
  character's ambitions, attitudes, frustrations, and complexes are built upon from their 
  physical and socioeconomic influences. It reflects their conscious and unconscious 
  decisions and behaviors.  
  A character's psychological dimension is influenced by several factors. Their 
  emotional stability is how well they remain calm under pressure. Impulse control shows 
  how well they can regulate their desires. Open-mindedness is how accepting they are of 
  new and different ideas. Social engagement and social harmony reflect their willingness 
  and ability to work and play well with others.  
  Psychological needs include the character’s feeling about their security, self-esteem, 
  and behaviors. This can include either stress or comfort about physical safety, financial 
  well-being, health, and relationships. It could be the condition of their overall mental 
  health, or how they regard their ability to make sound life decisions. 
  If a character has many psychological needs, their alignment elements may be driven 
  by what is required to address those needs. If the character has few psychological needs, 
  their alignment elements may be around what it takes to rise higher, or at least fall no 
  further. 
  A good alignment element can manifest in a character if they have a generally 
  positive and healthy outlook on like. They can picture themselves in the place of others, 
  and express empathy and compassion. The character likes people and gets along with 
  other, so he or she wants to see them taken care of.  
  An evil alignment element can arise if the character is resistant to new ideas and 
  different sorts of people. They do not get along well with others, and may see them as a 
  threat to their desires. The character isn't willing or able to identify with others, so they 
  embrace selfishness.  
  A lawful alignment element can stem from the character if they possess the ability to 
  regulate their impulses. They are very concerned with the welfare of others, and take 
  comfort on social order. The character has the self-discipline to keep their emotions in 
  check. 
  
  A chaotic alignment element can appear if the character possesses little ability to 
  control their emotions or impulses. They have little in the way of self-discipline, and 
  revel in their feelings. Other people aren't their concern, although they should be free to 
  pursue their own fates.  
   
  
  Rather than writing “lawful good” or “chaotic neutral” on your character sheet, 
  create a descriptive phrase.  Come up with something that reflects why the character 
  behaves the way they do, or the manner in which they express their moral or ethical 
  stance. Express personality traits, and take note of important details in their 
  background. Lean on the character's relationships with political, religious, or 
  philosophical movements or organizations. Discuss the way they’re dealing with goals 
  they’re working toward. An alignment statement can reflect a reputation they’ve earned 
  or an obligation they carry. Here are a few examples: 
   Knight of the Order of the Orphaned Saint (lawful good) 
   Justice is blind (lawful neutral) 
   Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven (lawful evil) 
   Death before dishonor (neutral good) 
   Everything in moderation (neutral) 
   Compassion is for the weak (neutral evil) 
   Kings should serve the people; people should not serve kings (chaotic good) 
   Change is the only true law in life (chaotic neutral) 
   I like to hear them scream (chaotic evil) 
  When thinking of an alignment statement for a character, there are two things to 
  keep in mind. First, how might the alignment statement help you? Under what 
  circumstances would you leverage it for a benefit for your character? Start thinking 
  about ways it can work to your character’s favor. Tie it into the events in the campaign 
  setting, the rest of the party’s attitudes, and even the character’s other abilities. 
  Next, think about how it might hurt the character. When it would be used against 
  them? What sorts of things would it prevent them from doing, or make harder for them 
  to accomplish. How can that belief or thought, their sense of morals or lack thereof, 
  present an obstacle for the character? Have an idea how it presents a downside in 
  relation to the setting, the rest of the party, and their race and class. 
  The final thing that alignment statement can do is create details within the game. 
  You don’t have to roll dice or do anything to make this happen. Just by virtue of having 
  the alignment statement Knight of the Order of the Orphaned Saint, you’ve proven that 
  your character is a knight and that there is an organization called the Order of the 
  Orphaned Saint. Having the alignment statement kings should serve people; people 
  should not serve kings shows that the setting has kings and that they’re probably 
  oppressive, not operating in the best interests of their subjects.  
  
  The nine alignments define all of the possible combinations of the law/chaos axis 
  and the good/evil axis. Within each, the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. A 
  good person will view chaos differently than an evil person; a lawful person has different 
  perspectives on evil than a chaotic one. Each component influences and shapes the 
  other. 
  A character might also lean more toward one element than the other. A chaotic evil 
  person isn’t automatically devoted to both equally. They may be more dedicated to evil, 
  and chaos feels like the most effective way to express that. A character might embrace 
  the chaos and the evil seems, philosophically and emotionally, a better “fit” for them. 
  Once again, no alignment can be boiled down to a simple, cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all 
  label. 
  An effective way to picture this is as a line graph. It’s another scatter graph, really. 
  Think about whether a character has a closer affinity to good or evil, or whether their 
  morals and ethics have more to do with law or chaos. They may be lawful good, but 
  strongly lawful and marginally good; they could be chaotic evil, but sturdily evil and only 
  barely chaotic. They might be very intensely both; they might be just this side of neutral 
  on both. Within any given combined alignment, there will be shades and subtleties. 
  This is just a matter of intensity. It doesn’t even begin to address motivations, 
  beliefs, how they approach the components of their alignment. It quantifies it a bit, but 
  doesn’t qualify it or explain the how and the why, only how much. It does, however, get 
  you thinking about what proportions of each you want to express in your character’s 
  personalized alignment statement. 
  Now that we have some perspective on how to view alignment and how it may mean 
  different things to individual characters with varied world views and experiences, let’s 
  dig into the meat of the nine alignments themselves. 
  
   
   
  
  A lawful good character behaves in the way a virtuous person is expected, and in 
  some instances required, to act. She combines a commitment to help others with respect 
  for authority and faith in the rules and structures of society. She is truthful, honorable, 
  and cares about appearances. She obeys the law and expects others to do the same. The 
  needs of the many, meaning organized society, outweigh the needs of any individual. 
  A character that is more lawful than good might believe that selflessness is the 
  natural outcome of discipline. When everyone follows the rules, is obedient to the 
  doctrine of the deity, and obeys the laws of the land, it benefits everyone. Lawfulness 
  leads to prosperity for all, universal happiness, and a deep and meaningful sense of 
  contentment. The ordered pattern of things, those methodologies of society, were 
  established to get the results that they do in order to create and maintain an 
  environment where the greater good can flourish. 
  A character that elevates good over law believes that the way to accomplish the 
  greatest benefit to all is to codify and quantify evil. By identifying and defining 
  immorality, we can follow logical steps to deal with it and eliminate it. Law is the best 
  possible way to insure that good will triumph and evil with wither and die on the vine. It 
  will be systematically shut out, and deprived of any opportunity to thrive. 
  Lawful good is the alignment to choose if your character has a sense of honor, 
  appreciates tradition, and possesses deep respect for authority. If the character displays 
  a great deal of empathy, and places the needs of others ahead of her own desires, she 
  may be lawful good. 
  If the character’s actions benefit from their knowledge of and adherence to the rules, 
  the player may cite this alignment for a bonus. This applies whether the statement 
  references a code of conduct, a methodology, or a religious or political doctrine, 
  If the character’s actions include an element of self-sacrifice, putting herself at risk in 
  order to protect, defend, or otherwise help other people, the player may cite this 
  alignment for a bonus as well. 
  
  If the character’s action clearly breaches the alignment statement, the gamemaster 
  might cite this alignment statement to prevent the character from taking that action or 
  impose a penalty. This includes violations of protocol, infringement of the law, clear 
  breaks with traditions, and other desecrations of the established code of conduct. 
   If the character’s actions represent placing her own needs and interests significantly 
  ahead of the needs of others, the gamemaster might cite this character's alignment 
  description to prevent her from taking that action or impose a penalty. This excludes 
  instances of self-defense and survival requires so that the character can live in order to 
  help others, 
  An alignment statement based on lawful good might reflect the existence of a 
  chivalrous order, religious organization, or other formal body. It will show that the 
  character follows a stringent code or established hierarchy. They actively promote 
  charity as well as aid and protect the innocent. 
   Fellow of the Temple of the Blameless Martyr (lawful good) 
   Devotee of the Divine Right of the Consecrated Sovereigns (lawful good) 
   Adherent to the Ancient Traditions of my Ancestral Healers (lawful good) 
   Sworn to place the well-being of others ahead of my individual longings 
  (lawful good) 
   
  
  A neutral good character acts in the best interests of other people. It might involve 
  working with authorities to organize processes, or creating the rules needed to insure 
  the greatest benefit to the most people. It might comprise performing random acts of 
  kindness on an individual basis, as long as the greater good is being served. The needs of 
  both society and individuals must be served. It is wrong to consider one more important 
  than the other. 
  A character has strong feelings about good, but is ambivalent about law or chaos. 
  They are simply tools that can be used to further the cause. One isn't better than the 
  other, and each can be leveraged under different circumstance. The only thing that 
  matters is that other people are being cared for.  
  The character cares more about the balance of law and chaos than about the 
  promotion of good. However, good is always the preferred outcome. Neither the 
  individual, nor society as a whole, hold more importance than the other. Evil may stem 
  from the disruption of that balance, if order stifles the spirit and chaos creates physical 
  danger. 
  The character considers the balance between law and chaos to be essential, but the 
  character’s personal preferences lean toward being organized. They prefer to follow 
  proven methodologies and to have a well-ordered process. This may be a reaction to the 
  world being random and confusing in the eyes of the character. They see the need for a 
  bit more discipline to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  The character feels the balance between chaos and law is essential, but their feelings 
  lean toward a free-wheeling, in-the-moment approach. Rules get in the way of doing 
  what's necessary to effectively help others. This may be a reaction to the world seeming 
  to be too rigid and restrictive, and in need of a bit more randomness and mayhem to 
  regain perfect equilibrium. 
  
  Neutral good is the combined alignment to choose if the needs of others outweigh 
  the character's personal desires. The world is made up of both order and chaos, and the 
  opposition of those forces is what makes things work. If the character doesn’t care about 
  the means by which that greater good is served, she may be neutral good. 
  If the character’s actions represent striking a balance between law and chaos, or 
  create an internal conflict regarding the nature of law versus chaos, the player may 
  leverage this alignment to ask for a bonus.  
  If the character’s actions include an element of self-sacrifice, putting herself at risk in 
  order to protect, defend, or otherwise help other people, the player may point to this 
  alignment a cause for a bonus. 
  If the character’s action actively seeks to strengthen or weaken authority for reasons 
  other than the promotion of a greater good, the gamemaster might cite this alignment 
  statement to prevent her from taking that action, or impose a penalty. 
  If the character’s action represents placing her own needs and interests significantly 
  ahead of the needs of others, the gamemaster might cite this alignment statement to 
  prevent her from taking that action, or impose a penalty. This excludes self-defense and 
  survival actions needed to insure that the can live to help others. 
  An alignment statement based on neutral good might reflect the existence of 
  something that promotes the ideals of selflessness and compassion. This might be a 
  philosophical treatise, political writing, or religious belief. Organizations will be 
  unstructured with no formal hierarchy, more like casual alliances built around common 
  ideals. 
   Acolyte of the Goddess of Fruitful Abundance (neutral good) 
   Follower of the Writing of the Benevolent Hermit (neutral good) 
   Supporter of the Peasant's Rights Coalition (neutral good) 
   Under a vow to never harm an innocent creature (neutral good) 
  
  A chaotic good character cares about others, but does what her conscience and her 
  gut tell her rather than following the proper procedures. She doesn’t care what other 
  people think, and has little use for laws and regulations. She has her own moral 
  compass, and sees the needs of individuals as more important than the needs of an 
  organized society. 
  Good is a natural outcome of unrestricted freedom. When everyone gets to do what 
  they want, the way they want, whenever they want, it benefits everyone and leads to 
  happiness and contentment. The pattern of things was established to get the results that 
  they do, in order to restrict and maintain an environment where the greater good can’t 
  truly flourish. 
  The way to accomplish good is to limit authority and oppose the establishment. 
  Identifying and defining evil only leads to logical steps for implementing oppression and 
  atrocity. Chaos is the best possible way to insure that good will triumph, because evil 
  will be denied the opportunity to become institutionalized and entrenched as an 
  accepted societal norm. 
  Chaotic good is the alignment to choose if the character is a free spirit intent on 
  making her own way in the world. Trust is placed in people, not institutions or titles. If 
  the character possesses a great deal of empathy, and places the needs of others ahead of 
  her own desires, she may be chaotic good. 
  If the character’s action challenges the status quo, opposes oppressive authority, or 
  goes against harmful traditions, the player may cite this alignment for a bonus.  
  If the character’s actions include an element of self-sacrifice, putting herself at risk in 
  order to protect, defend, or otherwise help other people, the player may cite this 
  alignment for a bonus. 
  If the character’s action helps to establish or strengthen authority, affirms the power 
  of tradition, or actively restricts individual freedoms, the gamemaster might cite this 
  
  alignment statement to prevent her from taking that action, or impose a penalty for the 
  action.  
  If the character’s action represents placing her own needs and interests significantly 
  ahead of the needs of others, excluding self-defense and survival so that she can live to 
  help others, the gamemaster might cite this alignment statement to prevent her from 
  taking that action, or impose a penalty. 
  The character's beliefs and attitudes likely stem from internal, rather than external, 
  sources. Personal experiences, uplifting events that they have witnessed, people they 
  admire and wish to emulate, or even inspirational screeds that they have read. An 
  alignment statement based on chaotic good will establish that these persons, events, and 
  writings exist or have existed in the game world. 
   Itinerant Lay Preacher of the Fifth Temple of the Holy Schism, Reformed 
  (chaotic good) 
   Comrade of the Anti-Monarchist Resistance League (chaotic good) 
   Devotee of the writing of the Libertine Prophet (chaotic good) 
   My personal oath is to oppose tyranny and care for the oppressed (chaotic 
  good) 
   
  
  A lawful neutral character obeys the rules, adheres to tradition, and values order and 
  organization above all. She may believe in personal standard and follow a doctrine or 
  code of honor, or favor a strong, organized government that keeps society functioning. 
  No individual is more important than the needs of an orderly society, but neither should 
  society be oppressive to the productive individual or honest citizen. 
  The lawful neutral character has strong feelings about order and discipline but is 
  ambivalent about good or evil. They are simply tools that can be used establish and 
  maintain order. One is not better than the other, and each can be leveraged in the 
  service of lawfulness 
  The character choosing the lawful neutral path cares more about the balance 
  between good and evil than about the promotion of law. Order is seen as the outcome in 
  establishing that balance, and chaos may stem from the disruption of that balance. 
  The balance between good and evil is essential, because there cannot be good 
  without evil. The character’s personal preferences and methodologies lean toward 
  charity and selflessness, but the value of occasional selfish pursuits in the world is 
  recognized. This may be a reaction to the world seeming to be too sinful and in need of a 
  bit more virtue to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  The balance between evil and good is essential, but the character’s personal 
  preferences and methodologies lean toward their own interests.  This may be a reaction 
  to the world seeming to be too coddling, charitable, and in need of a bit more self-
  reliance and tough love to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  Lawful neutral is the alignment to choose if the character is honorable and reliable. 
  People should be free to pursue their own interests, but governments and organizations 
  should in turn exist to aid those in need. So long as order is maintained, anything is 
  theoretically permissible. 
  
  If the character’s action benefits from their knowledge of and adherence to the rules, 
  whether that’s a code of conduct, a methodology, or a religious or political doctrine, the 
  player may cite this alignment for a bonus.  
  If the character’s action represents striking a balance between good and evil, or 
  creates an internal conflict regarding the nature of good versus evil, the player may cite 
  this alignment for a bonus. 
  If the character’s action clearly breaches protocol, infringes the law, breaks with 
  traditions, or otherwise violates her code of conduct, the gamemaster might cite this 
  alignment statement to prevent her from taking that action, or to impose a penalty.  
  If the character’s actions actively promote charity over individual self-interest, or 
  selfishness over the needs of organized society, other than in the pursuit of greater 
  order, the gamemaster might cite this alignment statement to prevent her from taking 
  that action, or to impose a penalty. 
  An alignment statement based on lawful neutral might reflect the existence of a 
  military order, religious organization, or other authoritarian body that follows a strict 
  code or traditional hierarchy in order to actively promote order, enforce the law, and 
  acts as stewards of societal customs. 
   Apostle of the Chantry of the Divine Clockmaker (lawful neutral) 
   Supporter of the Canonical Orthodox Parliament (lawful neutral) 
   Pledge of the Ancient Lodge of Cultural Sisterhood (lawful neutral) 
   Self-anointed champion of the traditions of my people (lawful neutral) 
   
  
  A neutral character does what seems to be the best in the moment. She finds too 
  much structure to be oppressive, but doesn’t like total disarray either. People in need 
  should get some help, but not to the detriment of people who just want to do their own 
  thing. She may be ambivalent about everything and have no strong opinions or beliefs, 
  judging each person and idea on relative merits and context. She may also advocate a 
  philosophy of moderation and a middle path that maintains balance. 
  The balance between good and evil is essential, because there cannot be good 
  without evil. The character’s personal preferences and the methodologies they use lean 
  more toward compassion and selflessness, but the role of pursuing self-interest in the 
  world is recognized. This may be a reaction to the world seeming to be too egocentric 
  and in need of a bit more charity to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  The balance between evil and good is essential, but the character’s personal 
  preferences and methodologies lean toward protecting their own interests. This may be 
  a reaction to the world seeming to be too soft and compassionate and in need of a bit 
  more self-sufficiency to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  The balance between law and chaos is essential, but the character’s personal 
  preferences and methodologies lean toward structure and authority. This may be a 
  reaction to the world seeming to be too disorganized, perplexing, and in need of a bit 
  more formal organization to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  The balance between chaos and law is essential, but the character’s personal 
  preferences and methodologies lean toward anarchy. This may be a reaction to the 
  world seeming to be too authoritarian and in need of a bit more freedom and autonomy 
  to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  Neutral is the alignment to choose if the character can see the benefits and necessity 
  of all sides. If the character likes to weigh all options, looks for compromise, and can 
  advocate moderation without prejudice or compulsion, she might be true neutral. 
  
  If the character’s action represents striking a balance between law and chaos, or good 
  and evil, or creates an internal conflict regarding the nature of opposed forces and 
  ideologies, the player may cite this alignment for a bonus. 
  If the character’s actions actively promote one ethos over another, be it law versus 
  chaos or good versus evil, other than in the pursuit of a better balance, the gamemaster 
  might cite this alignment statement to prevent her from taking that action, or impose a 
  penalty. 
  An alignment statement based on neutrality may reflect ideals of balance and 
  moderation in all things. This may stem from a philosophical treatise, a political writing, 
  or a religious belief that promotes those values. Organizations will be unstructured, with 
  no hierarchy, more like casual alliances built around common ideals. 
   Proselyte of the Cosmic Balance (neutral) 
   Believer in non-belligerent political policies (neutral) 
   Devotee of the writings of the Harmonic Poet (neutral) 
   My goal is to live a life free from judgment (neutral) 
   
  
  A chaotic neutral character is an individualist above all. She values her freedom to do 
  what he wants, but does not actively strive to protect others’ rights to do the same. The 
  character does not intentionally disrupt authority or the status quo, but has little use or 
  respect for structure and tradition. She doesn’t actively wish harm to come to others, but 
  feels it’s up to them to find ways to help themselves. 
  The character has strong feelings about freedom and anarchy but is undecided about 
  selfishness versus selflessness. Either can be an acceptable point of view if it’s what feels 
  right in the moment. One is not better than the other, and each can be employed in the 
  service of shucking off the fetters of authority and the limitations of too much structure. 
  The character cares more about the balance between good and evil than the overt 
  promotion of chaos. Too much authority, strict adherence to tradition, and the 
  discipline of doctrine are seen as obstacles to growth and freedom. She believes that 
  order may overshadow and destroy the natural balance of good and evil. 
  The character’s personal preferences and methodologies lean toward compassion 
  and selflessness, but the role of pursuing self-interest in the world is recognized. This 
  may be a reaction to the world seeming to be too egocentric and in need of a bit more 
  charity to regain perfect equilibrium. 
  The balance between evil and good is essential, but the character’s personal 
  preferences and methodologies lean toward protecting their own interests. This may be 
  a reaction to the world seeming to be too soft, compassionate, and in need of a bit more 
  self-sufficiency to regain the perfect equilibrium. 
  Chaotic neutral is the alignment to choose if the character feels that their own 
  personal freedom outweighs everything else. The needs of others and the needs of 
  society are none of their concern. The character is willing to help others when they 
  choose to, but is as likely to put their own needs first.  
  
  If the character’s action challenges the status quo, or opposes oppressive or 
  restrictive authority or harmful or repressive traditions, the player may cite this 
  alignment for a bonus.  
  If the character’s action represents striking a balance between good and evil, or 
  creates an internal conflict regarding the nature of good versus evil, the player may cite 
  this alignment for a bonus. 
  If the character’s actions help to establish or strengthen authority, affirm the power 
  of tradition, or actively restrict individual freedoms, the gamemaster might cite this 
  alignment statement to prevent her from taking that action.  
  If the character’s actions actively promote charity over individual self-interest, or 
  selfishness over the needs of organized society, other than in opposition to the status 
  quo, the gamemaster might cite this alignment statement to prevent her from taking 
  that action. 
  An alignment statement based on chaotic neutral may stem from internal rather 
  than external influences. Personal experiences, oppressive events they have witnessed, 
  people they admire have shaped their views and opinions. An alignment statement 
  based on chaotic neutral will establish that these persons, events, and writings exist or 
  have existed in the game world. 
   Holy Agent of Sacred Discord (chaotic neutral) 
   Believes that all aristocracy should be abolished (chaotic neutral) 
   Inspired by the teachings of the Aimless Philosopher (chaotic neutral) 
   Scarred by memories of abuse at the hands of authority (chaotic neutral) 
  
  A lawful evil character uses authority and the power of tradition to get what she 
  wants. The rules provide a clear path to achieve personal gain and acquire power, and 
  she will use those tools. She does not care about the freedom, dignity, or lives of others, 
  only about how order benefits her. When the rules are stacked in her favor, it doesn’t 
  matter whether they are unfair or oppressive to anyone else. 
  Order and authority are desirable things. Those who fail to follow the rules need to 
  be punished and made an example of, and this is perfectly acceptable. Lawbreakers 
  brought these actions upon themselves, after all, by not toeing the line. The needs of 
  others are less important than the needs of structure and discipline. 
  The character believes that rules can be established in such a way that they benefit 
  the few, or the one, to the detriment of the many. Selfish needs, whether they reflect 
  greed, personal desires, or taking delight in the suffering of others, can be met through 
  the exercise of authority and rigid codes of conduct. 
  Lawful evil is the alignment to choose if the character embraces authority and 
  traditions, but also places her own desires about those of everyone else. If the character 
  is methodical, intentional, and frequently selfish, callous, and even cruel, she might be 
  lawful evil. 
  If the character’s action benefits from their knowledge of and adherence to the rules, 
  whether that’s a code of conduct, a methodology, or a religious or political doctrine, the 
  player may cite this alignment for a bonus.  
  If the action clearly advances the cause of the character’s own interests ahead of the 
  needs and desires of others, the player may cite this alignment for a bonus. 
  If the character’s action clearly breaches protocol, infringes the law, breaks with 
  traditions, or otherwise violates her code of conduct, the gamemaster might cite this 
  alignment statement to prevent her from taking that action, or impose a penalty.  
  
  If the character’s action places the needs of others ahead of selfish desires and vested 
  self-interests other than in the pursuit of a larger plan that will result in an even greater 
  gain, the gamemaster might cite this alignment statement to prevent her from taking 
  that action, or impose a penalty. 
  An alignment statement based on lawful evil might actively benefit the ruling class at 
  the expense of the rights and freedoms of the underclass. It may reflect the existence of a 
  doctrine promoting martial power, a religious cult, or a totalitarian body that enforces 
  an authoritarian hierarchy. 
   Primate in the Cult of the Prosperity Idol (lawful evil) 
   Supporter of the Elitist Oligarchy (lawful evil) 
   Upholder of the writings of the Avaricious Merchant (lawful evil) 
   Those beneath me can never hold back my ambition (lawful evil) 
   
  
  A neutral evil character is out for herself, pure and simple. She sheds no tears for 
  other people, and doesn’t have any vested interest in adhering to authority and tradition 
  or defying and tearing down those structures. If it will get her what she wants, she will 
  go along with it and have no problem changing sides when it’s to her benefit. 
  The character doesn’t care about law or chaos. Whichever stance serves her selfish 
  interests in the moment is the best approach to use. Whether it’s supporting structure 
  and authority, or disrupting the establishment and overthrowing stabilizing influences, 
  it doesn’t matter. The means justify the ends, so long as the ends are the fulfillment of 
  personal desires. 
  The balance between law and chaos is the most important thing; one cannot exist 
  without the other. If striking that balance works to the personal benefit of the character, 
  that's an added benefit. This view might stem from her perception of too much charity, 
  compassion, and weakness in the world, and the need for more suffering to toughen 
  people up in order to restore balance. 
  The balance between law and chaos is essential, but what gets the character what 
  they want is being prepared and methodical. This may be a reaction to the world 
  seeming to be too disorganized and stupid, and in need of a bit more retribution to 
  regain perfect equilibrium so that evil can thrive. 
  The balance between chaos and law is essential, but mayhem and disorder work to 
  the benefit of the character. This may be a reaction to the world’s structure and 
  authority working against the character’s aims. Any order may simply feel too limiting, 
  with the world in need of more uncertainty and turmoil to regain perfect equilibrium 
  that fosters evil. 
  Neutral evil is the alignment to choose if the character is completely selfish and self-
  centered with no true concern for other people. She has no concern for institutional 
  authority or individual liberties. If she’ll follow the rules when it suits her, then turn 
  
  around and break those same rules when that’s more advantageous, the character may 
  be neutral evil. 
  If the character’s action represents striking a balance between law and chaos, or 
  creates an internal conflict regarding the nature of law versus chaos, the player may cite 
  this alignment for a bonus.  
  If the action clearly advances the cause of the character’s own interests ahead of the 
  needs and desires of others, the player may cite this alignment for a bonus. 
  If the character’s actions actively seek to strengthen or weaken authority for reasons 
  other than the advancement of her personal agenda, especially if it is for the direct 
  benefit of other people with no clear advantage for herself, the gamemaster might cite 
  this alignment statement to prevent her from taking that action, or impose a penalty.  
  If the character’s action places the needs of others ahead of selfish desires and vested 
  self-interests other than in the pursuit of a larger plan that will result in an even greater 
  gain, the gamemaster might cite this alignment statement to prevent her from taking 
  that action, or impose a penalty. 
  An alignment statement based on neutral evil might reflect the ideals of self above 
  society. This could stem from the existence of philosophical ramblings, political 
  manifestos, or religious cults. Organizations will be unstructured with no formal 
  hierarchy, more like temporary alliances built around completing mutually 
  advantageous goals. 
   Zealot in the Cult of the Supremacy of Ego (neutral evil) 
   Defender of the doctrine of political apartheid (neutral evil) 
   Supporter of the doctrine of culling the weak and dependent (neutral evil) 
   I will get what I want by any means necessary (neutral evil) 
   
  
  A chaotic evil character loves herself and hates authority. Tradition is a straightjacket 
  that keeps her from getting what she wants. Honor is nothing more than allowing other 
  people to oppress you by forcing you to behave the way they want you to, rather than 
  allowing you to express yourself. Compassion is just an excuse for letting other people 
  take what’s rightfully yours. 
  The character wants freedom from oppressive authority and doctrine. She craves the 
  autonomy to do what she wants, because that serves her own selfish interests best. That 
  structure and order benefit other people doesn’t matter. It’s not even that the character 
  wants to do evil acts; their opposition to tradition and organizations with power simply 
  outweighs concern for others. 
  The character's selfish interests aren’t best served by law and order. Authority is seen 
  as the primary obstacle to achieving selfish desires. Therefore, disruption of the status 
  quo is the best way to insure that evil can survive and thrive and bring about the 
  fulfillment of the character’s greatest desires. 
  Chaotic evil is the alignment to choose if the character is both selfish and anti-
  establishment. If keeping other people from fulfilling their desires is as satisfying as 
  actually fulfilling her own, the character might be chaotic evil. 
  If the character’s action challenges the status quo, opposes restrictive authority or 
  repressive traditions, the player may cite this alignment for a bonus.  
  If the action clearly advances the cause of the character’s own interests ahead of the 
  needs and desires of others, the player may cite this alignment for a bonus. 
  If the character’s actions help to strengthen authority, affirm the power of tradition, 
  or in any way sacrifice the character’s own individual freedom, the gamemaster might 
  cite this alignment statement to prevent her from taking that action or impose a penalty. 
  
  If the character’s action places the needs of others ahead of selfish desires and vested 
  self-interests, the gamemaster might cite this alignment statement to prevent her from 
  taking that action or impose a penalty.  
  Alignment statements based on chaotic evil may stem from internal, rather than 
  external, sources. They have been influenced by personal traumas, horrific events that 
  they have witnessed, people who have abused them and taught them that's how the 
  world works. The alignment statement will confirm that these persons, events, and 
  writings exist or have existed in the game world. 
   Acolyte of the Cult of Sacred Destruction (chaotic evil) 
   Backs the disruption of organizations that coddle the weak (chaotic evil) 
   Has memorized the forbidden writings of the Profane Diviner (chaotic evil) 
   I will gain revenge on the society that made me what I am (chaotic evil) 
   
  
  The following systems attempt to make the concept of alignment less abstract. 
  Applying some numerical rigor brings them in line with the mechanical components of 
  the game system, and illustrates their importance. Having concrete applications for 
  alignment also makes characters' moral and ethical stances more useful within the 
  context of your game.  
  Alignment remains primarily a roleplaying function. All of these systems hinge on 
  the character's actions, and whether those actions are appropriate or inappropriate in 
  respect to their stance toward good and evil, law and chaos. It's not a simple as declaring 
  that because the character has a certain alignment element, they get a bonus. They need 
  to play it out, and the effect of the character's action has to either clearly support the 
  promotion of their world view, or visibly run contrary to it.  
  Players respond to rewards and receiving bonuses for leaning into alignment when 
  choosing their actions encourages them to roleplay. It gets people thinking about what a 
  character should do, and would do, based on their alignment. This means sometimes 
  foregoing the obvious and most advantageous, tactical choices and doing something 
  because the character would think it the right thing to do, or the way to create the most 
  mayhem, or otherwise address their personal needs and conform to their ideologies.  
  Not all of these systems will fit with every game or group. The gamemaster can use 
  one or all of these systems, depending on what is suitable to the type of campaign being 
  run. Because these are optional rules, you can try them on, see if the work, and then 
  drop them or apply your own house rules to them in order to make them function best 
  for your particular group. 
   
  
  As discussed in the section on the nine alignments, when the character behaves 
  according to the tenets of their alignment elements they can request a bonus. If the best 
  thing to do tactically isn't what the character should do according to their stance toward 
  good and evil, law and chaos, and they choose to follow their alignment, they should get 
  the bonus. This rewards actual roleplaying, promotes drama and story, and offsets 
  perceived penalties for not behaving the way the rules as written were designed to 
  support. 
  So when a good character has a choice between doing the good thing or the 
  strategically sound thing, and they do the good thing, they get a bonus. When the evil 
  character has a choice between doing the thing that, tactically, will give them the 
  greatest advantage and doing the evil thing, and they do the tactical thing, they get a 
  penalty. It balances out rules and roleplaying. 
  When good characters do good things, they are in compliance; when they fail to 
  demonstrate altruism and kindness, they're out of compliance.  When evil characters do 
  evil things, they are in compliance; when they fail to serve their own interests ahead of 
  others, they're out of compliance. 
  Good - Compliance is acting selflessly; deviation is acting selfishly. 
  Good/Evil Neutrality - Compliance is doing what is necessary; deviation is doing 
  things because they are right or wrong. 
  Evil - Compliance is acting selfishly; deviation is acting selflessly. 
  When lawful characters do lawful things, they are in compliance; when they fail to 
  follow the rules and demonstrate discipline, they're out of compliance.  When chaotic 
  characters do chaotic things, they are in compliance; when they fail to follow their own 
  heart and mind, they're out of compliance. 
  Law - Compliance is putting social order above the individual; deviation is putting 
  the individual above social order. 
  Law/Chaos Neutrality - Compliance is doing what is necessary; deviation is 
  putting either social order or the individual ahead of the other.  
  Chaos - Compliance is putting the individual above social order; deviation is 
  putting social order above the individual. 
  
  The system is simple. When a character does something that clearly demonstrates 
  one of their alignment elements, they get a +2 bonus. When their action supports both 
  elements of their combined alignment, they get a +4 bonus. If they act against one of the 
  alignment elements, they get a -2 penalty, and if their action breaks with both elements 
  of their combined alignment, they suffer a -4 penalty.   
  The bonuses are cumulative, but they can also cancel each other out. If a chaotic 
  good character does something that's clearly the chaotic thing to do (+2), but in no way 
  represents the good thing to do (-2), the bonus and penalty cancel each other out (0 
  modifier).  
  -4 
  The character has violated the tenets of both parts of their alignment. 
  -2 
  The character has violated the tenets of one part of their alignment. 
  0 
  The character has acted in accordance with both part of their alignment. 
  +2 
  The character has embodied the tenets of one part of their alignment. 
  +4 
  The character has embodied the tenets of both parts of their alignment.  
   
  
  Alignment statements assume no restrictions. Compelling fictional worlds are made 
  up of all sorts of people, just like the real world. It's difficult to fairly judge people on 
  their beliefs or how they think about ethics; only their actions provide a tangible look 
  into who they really are.  
  Gamemasters are free to restrict which alignments characters can choose from. 
  Remember, though, that drama arises from conflict. Having characters with deep moral 
  and philosophical differences can make for some great roleplaying moments. 
  The gamemaster can also decide whether or not to restrict character abilities 
  according to alignment. Knowing how to do something does not, in and of itself, make 
  the character good or evil, lawful or chaotic. The way it's used might, and there are 
  clearly abilities that are strongly tied to one particular element or not.  
  It's recommended that that gamemaster let players do what they will, then apply 
  bonuses and penalties based on compliance. If using poison is considered evil, but a 
  good character wants to do it, let them – but apply the -4 penalty for not behaving as 
  someone who professes to be good should. When an evil spellcaster wants to use a good-
  aligned magical weapon, let them – with the -2 penalty. A lawful character casting a 
  spell whose effects are clearly tied to chaos can do it, but there have to be penalties on 
  damage, effects, or concentration. 
  This is only the beginning, of course. There should be consequences within the story 
  for not complying with alignment. Deities will be upset, for a start. Organizations that 
  the character belongs to, who have codes of conduct based around alignment elements, 
  will have something to say. The characters themselves might have guilt, existential 
  crises, or doubts about their beliefs.  
  
  The ranking of an alignment element is an indicator of its prominence. A character 
  with a below baseline element isn't clearly demonstrating the telltale behaviors, making 
  it harder to detect. When elements are above the baseline, they're more obvious, so 
  determining the character's alignment becomes easier. 
  Whether the means of recognizing a character's alignment depend on trained 
  perception or magic, the strength of the alignment elements will offer bonuses or 
  penalties. These modifiers are cumulative, and add together. If a lawful evil character 
  has a low lawfulness (-2) and a below baseline evil element (-1), the penalty to detect 
  that character's alignment is a total of -3. If a neutral character is below baseline on their 
  law/chaos axis (-1) and above baseline on their good/evil axis (+1), the modifier is 0. If a 
  chaotic good character is above baseline on their good element (+1) and high in chaos 
  (+2), the total bonus to determine their alignment is +3.    
  -2 Low Element – The character displays no obvious tendencies associated with 
  the alignment element. 
  -1 Below Baseline Element – The character shows few of the behaviors that 
  indicate the alignment element. 
  0 Baseline Element – The character exhibits the normal signs and tendencies of 
  people with that alignment element. 
  +1 Above Baseline Element – The character displays behaviors clearly indicative 
  of the alignment element. 
  +2 High Element – The character exudes the alignment element to the point that 
  they practically embody it.  
   
   
  
  The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved. 
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  15 Copyright Notice 
  Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc. 
  System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Rich Baker, 
  Andy Collins, David Noonan, Rich Redman, Bruce R. Cordell, John D. Rateliff, Thomas Reid, James Wyatt, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax 
  and Dave Arneson. 
  Forager’s Guild Guide to the Nine Alignments Copyright 2015 Berin Kinsman. 
  Understanding Alignment Copyright 2016 Berin Kinsman dba Dancing Lights Press. 
  
   
  Reading, writing, and roleplaying are all part of continuum for me. You read the 
  books, you write characters, settings, and adventures, and you roll dice and tell stories 
  together with friends. Then you read some more, to fill in the knowledge gaps or find 
  fresh inspiration. You write some new things for the game or based on it, and you head 
  back to the table to share and conspire with your group. Read, write, roll, repeat.  
  Most roleplaying games aren’t designed around the way stories are created and told. 
  A lot of people will argue that that’s not the job of a game rulebook, even though the 
  game is based on acting out characters and telling stories. They like the tactical aspects, 
  the bits that stem from the hobby’s wargaming roots. Their point of view and preferred 
  style of play is absolutely valid, and more power to them; that I want something 
  different from my roleplaying experience doesn’t make them wrong. Some will point out 
  various indie game that do put story firmly at the center of the experience, and a lot of 
  those games are awesome; I play and enjoy a few of them myself, every opportunity that 
  I get. Just as there are books published for every taste and interest, and just as there are 
  many methods of telling stories, there are wide varieties of roleplaying games. This is 
  just one of them. It’s intended to fill a specific niche. It’s not the last word on any topic 
  by any means, but will hopefully become part of the ongoing conversation.  
  Download your copy of ReadWriteRoll now! 
   
  
   
  At the heart of all great stories are strong characters. It doesn’t matter whether 
  you’re reading a short story, writing a novel, or watching a play. The characters found in 
  TV series, comic books, and games are more alike on a creative level than they are 
  different. The symbiotic relationship between character and story is universal across 
  media. 
  In this book, we’ll explore what goes into crafting memorable and enjoyable 
  characters. While the focus is on tabletop roleplaying games, I’ll be using writing terms 
  rather than RPG jargon. It’s not going to be about crunching numbers or picking 
  abilities. I’ll talk about writing your character, rather than just playing them. Because 
  while there are other hats that we wear around the table, including those of performer 
  and tactician, we’re all writers. Even if we never put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, 
  it’s the writer’s craft that we’re dabbling in. 
  Follow this link to download Building Characters for 20% off!
  
   
  The term worldbuilding gets thrown around a lot by both writers and roleplayers. It’s 
  most frequently used in reference to the construction of a fantasy realm or an entire 
  fictional universe. There are maps, and histories, and complex back stories, and all sorts 
  of engaging little details. While these worlds are allegedly being created as the grand 
  stage for a work of fiction, which includes novels, films, television shows, and games, 
  worldbuilding is often an end unto itself. It’s an intellectual exercise, a creative outlet, 
  and just a whole lot of fun. 
  This isn’t a book about worldbuilding. This is a book about telling stories. 
  What I mean to say is, this book isn’t about worldbuilding for its own sake. You’re 
  not going to learn how to create an encyclopedia for an alternate universe. I’m not going 
  to show you have to write the ultimate travel guide for an imaginary place. It’s not a 
  book full of checklists and random tables. This is about assembling the critical details 
  that you will need in order to tell a story. 
  Follow this link to download Setting Design for 20% off! 
   
   
  
   
  Tell better stories using your favorite tabletop roleplaying game! 
  We all know that stories need a beginning, a middle, and an end. Hero goes on quest, 
  hero faces obstacles, hero completes quest. Lovers fall in love, antagonist keeps lovers 
  apart, lovers end up together. Things beyond the protagonist’s control change, the 
  protagonist faces adversity, the protagonist learns to adapt and achieves greatness. On 
  that basic structure writers and storytellers throughout the ages have woven variations 
  and created masterpieces. We keep coming back to the same foundations today for one 
  very good reason: those structures are versatile and continue to work. 
  This book will help you to leverage basic story structure and use it to your advantage. 
  You’ll be able to say what you want while keeping your audience engaged. The three-act 
  structure and its variations will be discussed in detail, along ways this structure can be 
  expanded beyond a single story and into a series or campaign. In the end, you’ll have 
  new tools in your storytelling toolbox, along with the knowledge of how and when to use 
  them in your own creative works.  
  Follow this link to download Story Structure for 20% off! 
   
   
   
   
  
   
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SOURCE: textdata/thevault/_GM Books/World Building & Game Design/ Misc J, K, L/Kinsman, Berin - Understanding Alignment; For Tabletop Roleplayers (revised text v1.01) (2016).pdf