I typically don't use alignment/morality systems except as rough shorthand for a character's tendencies and behaviors. In game play, I find they tend to be a smidge restrictive. In general, for MMO RP, I stick to D&D and Palladium alignments, since most people know one or the other and together, they provide a more nuanced picture of a character (knowing that an Anarchist is also CG says some interesting stuff about why they act the way they do).
As for Palladium alignments, there was an alignment test with descriptions for Palladium running around the Internet, but I guess Kevin's notorious legal team had it taken down. The full list can be found in Rifts, probably the only Palladium game one can reasonably find these days. In brief summary, though:
As for Palladium alignments, there was an alignment test with descriptions for Palladium running around the Internet, but I guess Kevin's notorious legal team had it taken down. The full list can be found in Rifts, probably the only Palladium game one can reasonably find these days. In brief summary, though:
- Principled: Your typical "white knight," the Principled character strives to protect the weak and aid others. They never betray anyone, refuse to lie or cheat, and believe in fairness in all things.
- Scrupulous: This basically good character is a typical "cop on the edge" movie hero. Scrupulous characters work within the law as much as they can, but will bend or break it if necessary to help or protect others. Principled characters won't rough up a perp to get information out of them; Scrupulous characters will.
- Unprincipled: This character is more or less good, but is highly anti-authority and values freedom very highly. They'll associate with both sides of the law as they see fit and will profit from and cheat people they see as bad, but they ultimately have a heart of gold.
- Anarchist: This character hates the Establishment and is out for his own good only. He'll do what it takes to shake up the system while saving his own skin, but he's not motivated by a desire to harm others -- only to be free himself.
- Miscreant: The difference between Miscreant and Anarchist is that the Miscreant does like harming others. Where the Anarchist doesn't really care about other people, the Miscreant views them as marks and rubes to be taken advantage of and thrown away when it's convenient.
- Aberrant: IMO, the most interesting Palladium alignment; the Aberrant has a strict code of honor that he plays by even as he executes his wicked schemes. He might murder your family, but that's because you killed one of his henchmen, and that's the appropriate trade in his mind. If he offers you hospitality, take it, because he won't betray his word. Aberrant is the "bad guy" version of Principled.
- Diabolic: The psychopathic murderer, the power at all costs guy, the burn the world for fun guy -- these are all Diabolic characters, who will do whatever they want whenever they want because they just enjoy hurting people. The Diabolic, unlike the Miscreant, doesn't typically view people as means to an end; he views them as toys, and playing with them is an end in and of itself.
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
