Pages

Monday, October 18, 2010

How to write a story - Alignment (part 3)

Lawful Evil is referred to as the "Dominator" or "Diabolic" alignment. Characters of this alignment see a well-ordered system as being easier to exploit, and show a combination of desirable and undesirable traits; while they usually obey their superiors and keep their word, they care nothing for the rights and freedoms of other individuals and are not averse to twisting the rules to work in their favor. Examples of this alignment include tyrants, devils, undiscriminating mercenary types who have a strict code of conduct, and loyal soldiers who enjoy the act of killing. X-Men's Magneto is a Lawful Evil character.


Neutral Evil is called the "Malefactor" alignment. Characters of this alignment are typically selfish and have no qualms about turning on their allies-of-the-moment. They have no compunctions about harming others to get what they want, but neither will they go out of their way to cause carnage or mayhem when they see no direct benefit to it. They abide by laws for only as long as it is convenient for them. A villain of this alignment can be more dangerous than either Lawful or Chaotic Evil characters, since he is neither bound by any sort of honor or tradition nor disorganized and pointlessly violent. X-Men's Mystique, and Sawyer of the early seasons of Lost are examples of Neutral Evil characters.

Chaotic Evil is referred to as the "Destroyer" or "Demonic" alignment. Characters of this alignment tend to have no respect for rules, other people's lives, or anything but their own desires, which are typically selfish and cruel. They set a high value on personal freedom, but do not have any regard for the lives or freedom of other people. They do not work well in a group, as they resent being given orders, and usually behave themselves only out of fear of punishment. Chaotic Evil characters enjoy the suffering of others, and view honor and self-discipline as weaknesses. Serial killers and monsters of limited intelligence are typically Chaotic Evil. Riddick from Pitch Black is Chaotic Evil.*

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alignment_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)



I enjoyed reading about alignment again and I hope you did, too, but I don't think Riddick was entirely chaotic evil. After all, he did go back in the end and help save those last few survivors, remember? What do you think?

No comments:

Post a Comment

If you're interested in my blog I'm interested in your comments.