Alignment System Idea [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alignment System Idea [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Orayn, Elvish Blademaster
08-13-05, 12:01 PM Rather than pick from one of the existing alignments, why don't we represent alignments with a set of numbers? The first would represent societal alignment, and the second would represent moral. Positive numbers are on the Lawful/Good side of things, and negative numbers are the Chaotic/Evil side. The higher the absolute value of the number, the more the character agrees with that point of view. For example, a +5/+5 character would agree whole-heartedly with both order and righteousness, while a -5/-5 character would submit fully to both evil and chaos. In the bigger scheme of things, 0, 1, and -1 would represent neutral in both axes, while anything higher or lower would represent the actual alignments.
Gilean
08-13-05, 12:14 PM So, how many orphanages need you to save before you can sacrifice a baby?
Thorak
08-13-05, 12:35 PM What Gilean is trying to say is that you can't quantify something like alignment; there are too many variables. You can describe it, but trying to say "I'm lawful 2 and you're lawful 4" isn't going to work; maybe one of you is more honourable, but the other follows the letter of the laws of the land. You're each equally lawful, but you'd say the other guy isn't as lawful as you, because your interpretation of what lawfulness should be differs.
Orayn, Elvish Blademaster
08-13-05, 01:29 PM Well, the intention wasn't to rank one person above the other, it was to show your relative interpretation and compliance with a certain viewpoint with greater precision. It was a thought, but obviously one that needs more work.
Thorak
08-13-05, 04:42 PM Well, the intention wasn't to rank one person above the other, it was to show your relative interpretation and compliance with a certain viewpoint with greater precision. It was a thought, but obviously one that needs more work.
My point is that people will disagree on how much they comply or don't, because they have different interpretations of what is most important for a person of X alignment.
Orayn, Elvish Blademaster
08-13-05, 04:49 PM My point is that people will disagree on how much they comply or don't, because they have different interpretations of what is most important for a person of X alignment.
Ah. I understand. Apologies for wasting boards space with ineffective ideas.
Snommelp
08-13-05, 07:48 PM Actually, I was thinking of using something somewhat like this with my own group. Instead of using a five point grid, it would be more like thirty, and the DM is the only one with access to the information. The DM moves you along the grid according to your actions, but the only notice most characters would get would be when the DM says "change your L to an N, please." Characters who have to be a certain alignment would get more warning, like a paladin feeling that his deity is more distant than a few weeks ago.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Orayn, Elvish Blademaster 08-13-05, 12:01 PM	Rather than pick from one of the existing alignments, why don't we represent alignments with a set of numbers? The first would represent societal alignment, and the second would represent moral. Positive numbers are on the Lawful/Good side of things, and negative numbers are the Chaotic/Evil side. The higher the absolute value of the number, the more the character agrees with that point of view. For example, a +5/+5 character would agree whole-heartedly with both order and righteousness, while a -5/-5 character would submit fully to both evil and chaos. In the bigger scheme of things, 0, 1, and -1 would represent neutral in both axes, while anything higher or lower would represent the actual alignments.
Gilean 08-13-05, 12:14 PM	So, how many orphanages need you to save before you can sacrifice a baby?
Thorak 08-13-05, 12:35 PM	What Gilean is trying to say is that you can't quantify something like alignment; there are too many variables. You can describe it, but trying to say "I'm lawful 2 and you're lawful 4" isn't going to work; maybe one of you is more honourable, but the other follows the letter of the laws of the land. You're each equally lawful, but you'd say the other guy isn't as lawful as you, because your interpretation of what lawfulness should be differs.
Orayn, Elvish Blademaster 08-13-05, 01:29 PM	Well, the intention wasn't to rank one person above the other, it was to show your relative interpretation and compliance with a certain viewpoint with greater precision. It was a thought, but obviously one that needs more work.
Thorak 08-13-05, 04:42 PM	Well, the intention wasn't to rank one person above the other, it was to show your relative interpretation and compliance with a certain viewpoint with greater precision. It was a thought, but obviously one that needs more work. My point is that people will disagree on how much they comply or don't, because they have different interpretations of what is most important for a person of X alignment.
Orayn, Elvish Blademaster 08-13-05, 04:49 PM	My point is that people will disagree on how much they comply or don't, because they have different interpretations of what is most important for a person of X alignment. Ah. I understand. Apologies for wasting boards space with ineffective ideas.
Snommelp 08-13-05, 07:48 PM	Actually, I was thinking of using something somewhat like this with my own group. Instead of using a five point grid, it would be more like thirty, and the DM is the only one with access to the information. The DM moves you along the grid according to your actions, but the only notice most characters would get would be when the DM says "change your L to an N, please." Characters who have to be a certain alignment would get more warning, like a paladin feeling that his deity is more distant than a few weeks ago.