Back to Basics: Alignment - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

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#1 zombiegleemax Mar 06, 2006 20:41:59	It is sometimes claimed that the alignment system currently used in Dungeons and Dragons is an essential element of the D&D experience. To change that system would be to toss out a tradition that has been a part of D&D since its inception. Interestingly, the current alignment system is not the first alignment system to be used in the D&D game. In the original ("Basic") Dungeons and Dragons game by Gary Gygax, there were three alignment options: Lawful, Chaotic, and Neutral. This law-versus-chaos axis was the only measure of alignment. Only later, when the "Advanced" version of the D&D game was created, was the more-controversial good-versus-evil axis added, forming the alignment system that exists today. I say that the good-versus-evil axis is the more controversial of the two because it is often easier draw an arbitrary line between "law" and "chaos" than it is to draw an arbitrary line between “good” and “evil.” For those who dislike black-and-white definitions of good and evil – or whose black-and-white definitions differ from those of others – the good-versus-evil component of alignment can prove less than satisfactory, particularly considering the fact that good and evil each have a real and measurable impact on game mechanics. Without concerning ourselves with how best to define good and evil in the D&D game, let us examine an alternate alignment system that sidesteps the question by returning to the alignment system of old. What might D&D be like if it still used the one-axis, law-versus-chaos alignment system? First, we must examine some terms used by Basic D&D. Law, Chaos, and Neutrality Defined All of the quotes that appear below are taken from the Dungeons and Dragons Players Manual by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (from the Dungeons and Dragons Basic Rules Set 1 published by TSR, Inc., copyright 1974). D&D originally defined Lawful in the following way: Law (or Lawful) is the belief that everything should follow an order, and that obeying rules is the natural way of life. Lawful creatures will try to tell the truth, obey laws, and care about all living things. Lawful characters always try to keep their promises. They will try to obey laws as long as such laws are fair and just. If a choice must be made between the benefit of a group or an individual, a Lawful character will usually choose the group. Sometimes individual freedoms must be given up for the good of the group. Lawful characters and monsters often act in predictable ways. Lawful behavior is usually the same as behavior that could be called "good."
#2 wotc_mel Mar 27, 2006 18:03:47	bump

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zombiegleemax

Mar 06, 2006 20:41:59

It is sometimes claimed that the alignment system currently used in Dungeons and Dragons is an essential element of the D&D experience. To change that system would be to toss out a tradition that has been a part of D&D since its inception. Interestingly, the current alignment system is not the first alignment system to be used in the D&D game.

In the original ("Basic") Dungeons and Dragons game by Gary Gygax, there were three alignment options: Lawful, Chaotic, and Neutral. This law-versus-chaos axis was the only measure of alignment. Only later, when the "Advanced" version of the D&D game was created, was the more-controversial good-versus-evil axis added, forming the alignment system that exists today.

I say that the good-versus-evil axis is the more controversial of the two because it is often easier draw an arbitrary line between "law" and "chaos" than it is to draw an arbitrary line between “good” and “evil.” For those who dislike black-and-white definitions of good and evil – or whose black-and-white definitions differ from those of others – the good-versus-evil component of alignment can prove less than satisfactory, particularly considering the fact that good and evil each have a real and measurable impact on game mechanics.

Without concerning ourselves with how best to define good and evil in the D&D game, let us examine an alternate alignment system that sidesteps the question by returning to the alignment system of old. What might D&D be like if it still used the one-axis, law-versus-chaos alignment system? First, we must examine some terms used by Basic D&D.

Law, Chaos, and Neutrality Defined

All of the quotes that appear below are taken from the Dungeons and Dragons Players Manual by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (from the Dungeons and Dragons Basic Rules Set 1 published by TSR, Inc., copyright 1974).

D&D originally defined Lawful in the following way:

Law (or Lawful) is the belief that everything should follow an order, and that obeying rules is the natural way of life. Lawful creatures will try to tell the truth, obey laws, and care about all living things. Lawful characters always try to keep their promises. They will try to obey laws as long as such laws are fair and just.

If a choice must be made between the benefit of a group or an individual, a Lawful character will usually choose the group. Sometimes individual freedoms must be given up for the good of the group. Lawful characters and monsters often act in predictable ways. Lawful behavior is usually the same as behavior that could be called "good."

wotc_mel

Mar 27, 2006 18:03:47

*bump*