Alignment Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alignment Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ananvil
09-28-06, 10:23 PM So in my campaign, there is a city ruled by the BBLG (Big Bad Lawful Guy??)

I envision him as being Lawful Neutral, he rules the city with an assortment of perhaps trivial, but strictly enforced laws.

Basically, any criminal offense can get you thrown in jail and sent to labor camps, there are no monetary fines.

Once you serve your sentence, your belongings are returned and your free to go.

My question is thus; does this describe a LN or LE character?

Also;
If there was a person who challenged him, because he thought the laws were harsh, but believed very strongly in laws himself, would he be Lawful or Chaotic?
Paxar
09-28-06, 10:29 PM I could see your BBLG being LN. "Labor camp" brings to mind harsh and unmerciful treatment, but that doesn't have to be the case.

For your second question, a person who believes strongly in laws and order is lawful. Governments overthrow each other all the time, that doesn't mean that one has to be chaotic. Lawful just means belief in structure.
trapspringer
09-29-06, 12:03 AM His acts are lawful. Depending on the circumstances they may also be evil.

The conspirators may be lawful.
Mitchell
09-29-06, 02:33 AM Agreed. As long as the criminals are given a fair trial, then the society could be LN. Treatment of prisoners is another issue.
Lawful in the personal alignment sense has a few different takes, but I would say it depends on the style and the end goal. If they decide that mass rioting is the answer and they just want to overthrow the system to overthrow the system, it doesn't sound very lawful to me, in any sense. If, however, they believe that there is corruption in high places and they organize protests and attempt to paralyze the system while they go to work, that's a different matter.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ananvil 09-28-06, 10:23 PM	So in my campaign, there is a city ruled by the BBLG (Big Bad Lawful Guy??) I envision him as being Lawful Neutral, he rules the city with an assortment of perhaps trivial, but strictly enforced laws. Basically, any criminal offense can get you thrown in jail and sent to labor camps, there are no monetary fines. Once you serve your sentence, your belongings are returned and your free to go. My question is thus; does this describe a LN or LE character? Also; If there was a person who challenged him, because he thought the laws were harsh, but believed very strongly in laws himself, would he be Lawful or Chaotic?
Paxar 09-28-06, 10:29 PM	I could see your BBLG being LN. "Labor camp" brings to mind harsh and unmerciful treatment, but that doesn't have to be the case. For your second question, a person who believes strongly in laws and order is lawful. Governments overthrow each other all the time, that doesn't mean that one has to be chaotic. Lawful just means belief in structure.
trapspringer 09-29-06, 12:03 AM	His acts are lawful. Depending on the circumstances they may also be evil. The conspirators may be lawful.
Mitchell 09-29-06, 02:33 AM	Agreed. As long as the criminals are given a fair trial, then the society could be LN. Treatment of prisoners is another issue. Lawful in the personal alignment sense has a few different takes, but I would say it depends on the style and the end goal. If they decide that mass rioting is the answer and they just want to overthrow the system to overthrow the system, it doesn't sound very lawful to me, in any sense. If, however, they believe that there is corruption in high places and they organize protests and attempt to paralyze the system while they go to work, that's a different matter.