Here is an Alignment system I use for Dungeon World & 5E Campaigns –
Optional : Alternative Alignment System
· My character values – X
· My character strives against – Y
· My character is indifferent to – Z
Choose X, Y and Z from :
Arcane Guilds, Crime, Equality, Family, Military, Nature, Religion, Society.
· Players will need to discuss with the Gamemaster the areas their character will focus on so the Gamemaster can insert some events or even plot lines involving those things.
Eg; My character values Equality, strives against Religion & is indifferent to Arcane Guilds.
That could also be tied into experience and advancement pretty neatly. I like it!
That could also be tied into experience and advancement pretty neatly. I like it!
One question: how has the “indifferent” category worked in play? I worry that it would become a meaningless add-on since the player can’t really act on it. Or worse still, a player might turn down a plot hook because “Well, Granthak is indifferent to family, so I guess this settlement can just burn…”
One question: how has the “indifferent” category worked in play? I worry that it would become a meaningless add-on since the player can’t really act on it. Or worse still, a player might turn down a plot hook because “Well, Granthak is indifferent to family, so I guess this settlement can just burn…”
I like this a lot. You could also expand the list of choices, especially to make them more specific to a setting: I value the Na’vi tribes, I strive against the RDA, I am indifferent about the Avatar Program (or whatever, I watched Avatar late last night).
The Colonel in Avatar would traditionally be “Lawful Evil”, but under this system he’d be more like Value = RDA, Strive Against = Those who buck the system, Indifferent = Na’vi people. He doesn’t actively hate the Na’vi, he just doesn’t care about them and will sweep them aside because that’s what’s demanded by the RDA. He only strives against them when they start to buck the system, at the direction of Jake Sully and the others in the Avatar program.
I think this will allow more subtle changes in character because X,Y, and Z seem more malleable than a static alignment. I’ll have to give it some play time instead of just theorizing to see what I think. Thanks Blake Ryan!
I like this a lot. You could also expand the list of choices, especially to make them more specific to a setting: I value the Na’vi tribes, I strive against the RDA, I am indifferent about the Avatar Program (or whatever, I watched Avatar late last night).
The Colonel in Avatar would traditionally be “Lawful Evil”, but under this system he’d be more like Value = RDA, Strive Against = Those who buck the system, Indifferent = Na’vi people. He doesn’t actively hate the Na’vi, he just doesn’t care about them and will sweep them aside because that’s what’s demanded by the RDA. He only strives against them when they start to buck the system, at the direction of Jake Sully and the others in the Avatar program.
I think this will allow more subtle changes in character because X,Y, and Z seem more malleable than a static alignment. I’ll have to give it some play time instead of just theorizing to see what I think. Thanks Blake Ryan!
Yeah I am thinking the indifferent option is not necessary. Where there is potential to incentive story is not just hitting these with the character but also changes in these. If something becomes valued or hated, or if something switches between the two.
Yeah I am thinking the indifferent option is not necessary. Where there is potential to incentive story is not just hitting these with the character but also changes in these. If something becomes valued or hated, or if something switches between the two.
I think there’s some dramatic value in indifference, especially if one changes from indifference to one of the other states. Or from another state to indifference. “I valued my friendship with Bob, then he told a lie and now I’m indifferent towards him”. I think indifference could be fictionally relevant. But I want to see it in play. Theory and application don’t always sinc lol
I think there’s some dramatic value in indifference, especially if one changes from indifference to one of the other states. Or from another state to indifference. “I valued my friendship with Bob, then he told a lie and now I’m indifferent towards him”. I think indifference could be fictionally relevant. But I want to see it in play. Theory and application don’t always sinc lol
I like the indifferent aspect of it. As motivation is one of the strongest drives for learning, that could be a an Experience/Advancement weak spot, without doubt. If indifference had to do with caring and empathy, players would have to choose carefully where to place it from start. If extraordinary experiences would allow for life changing experiences, a player might be allowed to change the indifference over time, like changing outlook or focus in life.
I like the indifferent aspect of it. As motivation is one of the strongest drives for learning, that could be a an Experience/Advancement weak spot, without doubt. If indifference had to do with caring and empathy, players would have to choose carefully where to place it from start. If extraordinary experiences would allow for life changing experiences, a player might be allowed to change the indifference over time, like changing outlook or focus in life.
In such case, the indifference could be a way to align a PC in a direction, and force it to place a lot of focus on make a personal change (i.e. spend a lot of experience on changing it).
In such case, the indifference could be a way to align a PC in a direction, and force it to place a lot of focus on make a personal change (i.e. spend a lot of experience on changing it).
But if something is not in one of the other two options, doesn’t that imply indifference?
But if something is not in one of the other two options, doesn’t that imply indifference?
Not necessarily, if you ask me. There could be a middle ground that is an average level of motivation maybe. The values and strives are extraordinary focus areas bestowing bonuses of something similar, while the indifference is a tool of directing a PC away from an area. Everything else is just something in between.
Not necessarily, if you ask me. There could be a middle ground that is an average level of motivation maybe. The values and strives are extraordinary focus areas bestowing bonuses of something similar, while the indifference is a tool of directing a PC away from an area. Everything else is just something in between.
Phillip Wessels, yes I’d say if it’s not one or the other it could be indifference, but IMO by stating a specific indifference you’re telling the GM something you want your character to engage with. Why are you indifferent about society? That’s something you can engage with and build fiction around. I think that not stating a specific one would mean that both you and your character are indifferent about it.
Phillip Wessels, yes I’d say if it’s not one or the other it could be indifference, but IMO by stating a specific indifference you’re telling the GM something you want your character to engage with. Why are you indifferent about society? That’s something you can engage with and build fiction around. I think that not stating a specific one would mean that both you and your character are indifferent about it.
Indifferent about the Royal Families could lead to interesting problems. “We killed the dragon, so what if the prince died. We did what we were paid to do.”
An otherwise upstanding paladin who’s indifferent towards’ the party’s primary vice … or maybe their secondary vice.
A cleric who’s all about the followers, but indifferent toward the institution of the religion.
An atheist who’s indifferent towards the gods (well, as indifferent as you can be in a high fantasy world)
Indifferent about the Royal Families could lead to interesting problems. “We killed the dragon, so what if the prince died. We did what we were paid to do.”
An otherwise upstanding paladin who’s indifferent towards’ the party’s primary vice … or maybe their secondary vice.
A cleric who’s all about the followers, but indifferent toward the institution of the religion.
An atheist who’s indifferent towards the gods (well, as indifferent as you can be in a high fantasy world)
Very cool River Williamson, I like the cleric in particular, good culty prophet twist there 🙂
Very cool River Williamson, I like the cleric in particular, good culty prophet twist there 🙂
i guess you could change Indifferent to Ignorant Of – so people can roleplay not knowing about those things, then either being wary or wanting to know more
i guess you could change Indifferent to Ignorant Of – so people can roleplay not knowing about those things, then either being wary or wanting to know more
I still stand by the idea indifference is powerful. Done well, it can create gaps in a character’s moral code. It can display the privileges and biases of the PCs.
What area of the racial/social/economic/political spectrum has the PC turned away from? Nobody can pay attention to all things all the time. Even a general can be, say “Indifferent towards the rumors of a frost giant raiding army.”
All that said, I still like The Veil’s beliefs better because they’re more open-ended.
I still stand by the idea indifference is powerful. Done well, it can create gaps in a character’s moral code. It can display the privileges and biases of the PCs.
What area of the racial/social/economic/political spectrum has the PC turned away from? Nobody can pay attention to all things all the time. Even a general can be, say “Indifferent towards the rumors of a frost giant raiding army.”
All that said, I still like The Veil’s beliefs better because they’re more open-ended.
Maybe call it apathy?
Maybe call it apathy?
Could. Might sound too close to “empathy” or “antipathy” over a hangout call especially if you’re working with folks where English is not the native tongue.
Could. Might sound too close to “empathy” or “antipathy” over a hangout call especially if you’re working with folks where English is not the native tongue.