The Basics: Character Alignment in Dungeons and Dragons

In the world of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), alignment is a crucial aspect of a character's identity. Alignment is a moral and ethical framework that determines a character's motivations and behavior. In D&D, there are nine possible alignments: lawful good, neutral good, chaotic good, lawful neutral, true neutral, chaotic neutral, lawful evil, neutral evil, and chaotic evil.

Lawful good characters are those who are guided by a strong sense of morality and a desire to do what is right. They are honest, honorable, and dedicated to upholding the law and helping others. Examples of lawful good characters include paladins and knights.

Neutral good characters are those who are motivated by a desire to do what is best for the greater good. They are not necessarily bound by the law, but they are not chaotic either. They believe in doing what is right, even if it means breaking the rules. Examples of neutral good characters include adventurers and healers.

Chaotic good characters are those who believe in doing what is right, but who reject the constraints of laws and societies. They are independent and free-spirited, and they believe in following their own moral code. Examples of chaotic good characters include rebels and Robin Hood-like figures.

Lawful neutral characters are those who believe in following the rules and upholding the law, but who do not necessarily have a strong moral code. They may be motivated by self-interest or a desire for order, but they do not necessarily care about helping others. Examples of lawful neutral characters include bureaucrats and soldiers.

True neutral characters are those who are neutral on all moral and ethical axes. They do not necessarily believe in doing good or evil, and they do not necessarily believe in following the law or breaking it. They may be motivated by personal gain or a desire for balance. Examples of true neutral characters include druids and hermits.

Chaotic neutral characters are those who reject the constraints of society and the law, and who do not have a strong moral code. They are unpredictable and may act on whim, following their own desires without regard for the consequences. Examples of chaotic neutral characters include barbarians and madmen.

Lawful evil characters are those who believe in upholding the law, but who use it for their own gain and to oppress others. They may be power-hungry, selfish, or manipulative. Examples of lawful evil characters include tyrants and dictators.

Neutral evil characters are those who are motivated by their own self-interest and a desire for power. They may do evil for the sake of doing evil, or they may be pragmatic, only committing evil acts when it serves their own interests. Examples of neutral evil characters include assassins and thieves.

Chaotic evil characters are those who are completely unrestrained by laws or morals. They are driven by their own desires and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get what they want. They are destructive, unpredictable, and dangerous. Examples of chaotic evil characters include cult leaders and demons.

In D&D, alignment is an important aspect of a character's identity, as it determines their motivations, behavior, and even their abilities. Choosing the right alignment for your character can help bring them to life and make them a compelling part of the game.

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