tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post6963431681305324368..comments2024-02-27T01:17:39.925-08:00Comments on The Nine and Thirty Kingdoms: Effects of Dropping Alignment from the GameTalysmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-47126415293954800852012-12-12T17:50:40.524-08:002012-12-12T17:50:40.524-08:00Recently, I've come to see alignment as a biza...Recently, I've come to see alignment as a bizarre bolt-on that really adds nothing to the game.<br /><br />People and creatures are who they are, and act the way they act. People don't have alignments.<br /><br />I don't think you would lose any interesting weapon behaviour, or make clerics less distinct. You wouldn't have to rewrite any spells, either. You just have to use your noggin a little.<br /><br />While alignment tends toward a system of making certain items or swords or spells automatically work or not work based on a dissociated and arbitrary stat, without alignment as a crutch you're freer to make a call about what would actually happen.<br /><br />Rather than the lawful sword working for the lawful fighter, you might be more inclined to think, "This sword was forged for the knight Sir Ignatius, who always strove to uphold justice." Now the sword isn't lawful - it was forged to uphold justice. Maybe it will fight any user it sees as unjust, or maybe it just won't work to perform injustice.<br /><br />Either way, more interesting than a "lawful" sword, and all without alignment.<br /><br />Similarly with spells. By dropping alignment you make an easier path to a more interesting and nuanced approach to rulings.Charles Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00941603544547428940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-22629913983347047862012-12-11T18:20:30.610-08:002012-12-11T18:20:30.610-08:00I have long been fond of the alternate alignment s...I have long been fond of the alternate alignment system presented in the Dragon magazine article "For King And Country" (issue 101). Basically, the idea is that a character declares his allegiance for (or against) the local political and religious powers. Opposing political/religious powers are then "evil" with respect to that character. An example given in the article has Arthurian and Carolingian knights, both with Paladins, but acting in opposition to each other (the political structure is further complicated by Druidic Celts and Wood Elves with Rangers as special warriors, Scottish Dwarves, Viking raiders, and so on). I'd add that many supernatural creatures should be automatically "evil" (or "chaotic") for the purposes of many spells.faoladhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03691952430041394614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-77532519428956252462012-12-11T17:13:39.584-08:002012-12-11T17:13:39.584-08:00i have alignment in game universe - there were onl...i have alignment in game universe - there were only 2 or 3 alignments in dawn age - expanded to ADnD style in later age - in process of collapse in present game with balanced and neutrals and non aligned becoming popular and many alignment followers being poor examples. Clerics care the most concerned and tell you your soul needs you to be alignment true. Commoners in cities increasingly dont care.Konsumterrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18170560484656800416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239577512598038009.post-60584284689165312782012-12-11T16:51:29.729-08:002012-12-11T16:51:29.729-08:00BFRPG manages to work without alignment. It isn...BFRPG manages to work without alignment. It isn't totally absolutely required for D&D. <br />JDJarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691101939920824546noreply@blogger.com