#character alignments

Disclaimer: This is not a vagueblog, just a mindset I've seen around, both on Reddit and Tiktok. It's my intention to aid understanding, not sound accusatory.

For those who've never played, or who only have a passing concept of character alignments, D&D uses a system not unlike a political compass, just replacing the economic axis with a good-to-evil axis and reversing the direction of the libertarian-to-authoritarian axis.

Let's break down the two components (the two axes) that make up a character alignment.

Lawful Good: "I follow the laws because they are good. Breaking the law is wrong."

Neutral good: "I want to do the most good for the most amount of people."

Chaotic good: "I will do what I think is right."

Lawful neutral: "I am governed solely by my creed and will do whatever is the best course of action so long as it aligns with my laws."

True Neutral: "I am governed by logic. The best course of action is what should always be done, regardless of impact on others."

Chaotic Neutral: "I am governed solely by my emotions and I will do good or bad depending on how I feel."

Lawful evil: "I do whatever I want but I also have a set of personal rules to keep things fresh and won't DARE break them'

Neutral Evil: "I will do whatever is to achieve my end goal and I don't care how many people get hurt."

Lawful Good: Smiling on the outside, crying on the inside.  Doesn’t realize they’re Important until the third act.  Provides someone food at least once.  Paperwork (TM).  Faith in the System, not in the Leader.  Will sometimes throw people under the bus because The System Works and It Will Be Okay.

Neutral Good: Has a Friend Assortment.  Journey of discovery where they knock something over and think they’re a rebel.  Talks about life in metaphorical terms.  Is just here to find a companion and learn something about themselves.  Will make a point about mentioning some food item.

Chaotic Good: Cannot stay clean.  At some point they’re going to have to sit or kneel in order to show an emotional shift.  Is a martyr because the System Isn’t Working.  They Will Cry.  For some reason isn’t eating even though everyone else is?  Can live in the woods with little effort.

Lawful Neutral: Sorry, sir, a background character you love that’s too interesting to be a background character will die.  Will be holding papers at some point.  Is up for some things.  At some point they have to ask who someone is or where someone is.  They work the system to protect someone.

True Neutral: Starts out as ambiguously ‘bad’ but we know they’re going to end up with the good guys by the end of the story.  Wears leather on their feet.  Has a narratively important debt.  Knows People.  Is up for anything (Terms and Conditions will apply).  Holds cups by the rim.

Chaotic Neutral: Will kill for you.  Says it’s for the money but it’s really cause they just feel like it.  An older family member pats their head and calls them sweet while seeming mostly normal.  Is actually up for anything.  Comedic relief.  You have now unlocked their tragic backstory.

Lawful Evil: A smile that makes you call your therapist.  Doesn’t want to start drama, just thinks you should know.  Prepare to be crushed by the wheels of the System.  Never gets in trouble for anything.  Talks in a baby voice at least once.  Likes to wear something with their favorite color.  Not so secret racist.

Neutral Evil:  They’re just doing a job until they’re not.  Blank face, something wild happening behind them.  They have had enough and now they’re going to do a violence.  Petty revenge and easy offense.  Just wants to see what will happen (they know what will happen).  Has an accent clothing piece.

for example: (I could have done this for other fandoms but I do have other stuff to do rn lol) 

I also put my OCs on this because that’s where I thought it up in the first place 

feel free to use this for other fandoms or your own OCs :)