The original alignment system didn't even include the law/chaos axis, and the revision that added the law/chaos axis basically aligned chaos with evil and law with good (much as 4E does).
Other way around, I believe. Good and evil were introduced later. Gygax took the law and chaos thing from Poul Anderson's books.
I would have prefered a minimum alignment system for PRPG. With 90% of all characters being unaligned. This group would include both good and bad people and all the in betweens and should allow people to roleplay with freedom and representing more complex psykes.
the remaining 10% would be Evil or Good. These characters are not only moral extremes but have made it a defining aspect of their very being to persue their chosen moral standing. This last group would include most paladins and many (though not all) clerics.
I am tempted to introduce this system into my campaign but am unsure how to deal with all the aignment based effects in the game.
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I am tempted to introduce this system into my campaign but am unsure how to deal with all the aignment based effects in the game.
Count all unaligned characters as Neutral for the purpose of resolving spells. To my knowledge, all alignment based effects state what happens to Neutral characters. Those that don't typically have no effect on Neutral characters. That's my plan for my next game.
... and should allow people to roleplay with freedom and representing more complex psykes. *snipped*
What I think some of us are saying is: The alignment system already allows you to roleplay with freedom, and represent complex psyches... it just says what happens to a character being affected by a Dictum spell (for example).
If you are playing in a game that doesn't use alignment specific spells much (or at all), such as d20 Modern for example, then it makes total sense to ditch the current alignment system in favour of something more like "Allegiances" or whatnot.
If you are playing an E6 game, where most of the aligned spells (other than protection from X) don't even exist... it probably makes sense to ditch alignment altogether and just have rules for the "embodies X alignment" types.
Ultimately, it's best to look at the aligment system as simply a game mechanic, rather than roleplaying crutch or cage.
Just as the question asks above. Is it worth it?
Thanks
My girlfriend certainly seems to think so...planning a Rogue 2 / Fighter 2 / Cleric of Norgorber 1 / Shadow Dancer 4/ Assassin 3.
I'm going with the majority on this one. For non-spellcasters yeah, it's great. Some of the caster Prestige Classes are cool. The system really is much more balanced then it used to be.