An Analysis of the Alignment System Used in d20 Games, with References to Artificial Morality and Artificial Prudence

James Poapst

15 December, 2011

Author's Note

This paper will use references to the 3.5 Dungeons and Dragons tabletop roleplaying gaming system. When applicable and required, I will provide examples and explanations. For those wishing to use this as a basis upon which you will lay the alignment system of your own campaign, a few notes to bear in mind. Firstly, whether or not you agree with my conclusions, this system can still be used if applied across all alignment based choices, since it refers and works within itself. Secondly, with respect to the dynamic alignment system I will be exploring in this work, it is meant to compliment, not replace, the current rules regarding alignment. Thirdly, with respect to the neutral alignments, this work will be very vague, because they are very vague alignments little will be said about them.

The Dungeons and Dragons Alignments, and What They Mean Currently Dungeons and Dragons, hereafter referred to as DnD, has a 9 point alignment system, encompassing what I shall term the moral axis, or Good and Evil, and the ethical axis, consisting of Law versus Chaos. Both of the axes intersect at some point to arrive at a total alignment, for example, a character who is Good on the moral axis and Chaotic on the ethical axis would be described as Chaotic Good. Therefore, in total, there are nine different alignment for a character to be. Problems arise, however, in how to define these value terms. The official rules state the following: Good characters and creatures protect innocent life. Evil characters and creatures debase destroy innocent life, whether for fun or profit. Good implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the dignity of sentient beings. Good characters make personal sacrifices to help others. Evil implies hurting, oppressing, and killing others. Some evil creatures simply have no compassion for others and kill without qualms if doing so is convenient. Others actively pursue evil, killing for sport or out of duty to some evil deity or master. People who are neutral with respect to good and evil have compunctions against killing the innocent, but may lack the commitment to make sacrifices to protect or help others. Law implies honour, trustworthiness, obedience to authority, and reliability. On the downside, lawfulness can include closed-mindedness, reactionary adherence to tradition, selfrighteousness, and a lack of adaptability. Those who consciously promote lawfulness say that only lawful behaviour creates a society in which people can depend on each other and make the right decisions in full confidence that others will act as they should. Chaos implies freedom, adaptability, and flexibility. On the downside, chaos can include recklessness, resentment toward legitimate authority, arbitrary actions, and irresponsibility. Those who promote chaotic behaviour say that only unfettered personal freedom allows people to express themselves fully and lets society benefit from the potential that its individuals have within them. Someone who is neutral with respect to law and chaos has some respect for authority and feels neither a compulsion to obey nor a compulsion to rebel. She is generally honest, but can be tempted into lying or deceiving others. or