Results 1 to 2 of 2
  1. #1
    Galwylin
    Guest

    Alignments and Holy Men

    At 12:40 AM 9/25/98 -0700, Craig Dalrymple wrote:
    >
    >There seems to be the concept that Chaotic people are self centered.

    I think any alignment can have self-centered people within it. Neutral
    seems to lead itself to that more than lawful or chaotic though as its
    constantly choosing between them.

    >This is a land that does not have sweeping tangible identifiers; and that's
    >one of the reasons I fell in love with it. It's REAL and gritty.

    Very true. Birthright doesn't present a black and white world. Another
    reason it simply has to return to print.

    This has been a Galwylin® Production

    galwylin@airnet.net
    http://www.airnet.net/galwylin/

  2. #2
    Craig Dalrymple
    Guest

    Alignments and Holy Men

    I've been wading through my inbox for a few days and have decided to put
    forth my opinions on the whole discussion.

    IMHO Aligment is flawed and cannot handle the full range of human desires,
    duties, and debacles. It is however just a game mechanic so I ignore it as
    the DM no matter what my players think they have selected for their
    character.

    There seems to be the concept that Chaotic people are self centered. I think
    this is far from on target. Chaotic as an alignment (ignoring the G/N/E side
    of it for the moment) means that the person in question is spontaneous and
    random. It should be certain that some chaotic individuals will be self
    centered; but an equal amount will not be so. I play my chaotic characters
    as passionate individuals who can get caught up and swept away by events
    that are not forseen. Living in the moment is everything, though the moment
    does not always have to be lived for the self.

    Chaos is the opposite of Law or Order. This does not imply that Chaos is
    self serving. To be so in a consistent manner would not truely be Chaotic,
    as there would be a determinable pattern. It's really inconsistent with the
    meaning of the word to ascribe definite tangible adjetives to describe all
    chaotic characters. Only adjetives that imply inconsistent or random and
    without pattern can really modify the word properly, as such the same can be
    said for characters of Chaotic alignments.

    Lawful characters can be very self centered. Even LG. It's not the alignment
    of saints, just good people who belive in the power of law. Even when the
    law serves them quite well. This is why the nobility of any nation would
    claim to be lawful (law abiding and supportive of the ruling body) in a
    public arena, no matter what kinda dirtbag they are behind closed doors.

    It's all relative, and not very useful for advanced roleplaying situations.
    The Alignment system is great as a tool, especially in Hack and Wack games
    where aligned swords prefer wielders of certain mannerisms because the
    character sheets say so.

    Tieing this all in with Birthright, I remember reading a passage either in
    the main box, or in some early advertising/promo thing that said even
    paladins have to get their hands dirty from time to time to uphold the
    general good of society.

    This would imply that in Cerilia, the alignment system should be even more
    in question. Paladins approving of war on non evil nations over border
    disputes; good and noble elves coming out of the woods and killing man,
    woman, and child to "regain" their lost glory.

    This is a land that does not have sweeping tangible identifiers; and that's
    one of the reasons I fell in love with it. It's REAL and gritty.

    just my two cents.

    Grimwell

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Alignments introduction
    By Starfox in forum The Royal Library
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-05-2002, 02:45 AM
  2. Paladins, Priests, and Alignments
    By Brian Stoner in forum MPGN Mailinglist archive 1996-1999
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-24-1998, 11:02 AM
  3. Worshiper Alignments
    By MANTA in forum MPGN Mailinglist archive 1996-1999
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 08-10-1998, 01:24 PM
  4. Food for thought on alignments
    By Neil Barnes in forum MPGN Mailinglist archive 1996-1999
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-04-1997, 11:38 AM
  5. Alignments
    By John in forum MPGN Mailinglist archive 1996-1999
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 11-03-1997, 12:35 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
BIRTHRIGHT, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, the BIRTHRIGHT logo, and the D&D logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., and are used by permission. ©2002-2010 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.