Lawful Allignment Ideas

[Tkayafox]

Hello! I hope this is not in the wrong location but it seemed like the right place to ask. I love character design, and I find that chaotic neutral characters are too easy to put my own personality onto. I've enjoyed playing an evil character on a neutral team before, but now I want to try a lawful character. Someone bound to the law, with the power to make judgement under said law. Likely from some foreign authority, so I can have a little more play with the character without affecting the GMs own world.

I could use some help to make this interesting to play, and not obnoxious to other players. And Ideally, the law itself should be somewhat flawed itself, which could bring in morality conflicts etc.

What kind of laws would prove interesting in character to enforce?
I have a few potential ideas but could use some more.

- The character has power of authority to punish in the name of said authority.
- Punishments can include maiming or killing at times. For instance cutting off a thieves arm.
- Perhaps some form of prohibition on certain magics.
- There is no concept of gifts. Anything given must be repaid.

[DeathlessOne]

Being Lawful is not about "laws" but more about believing that order and structure are more important than individual autonomy. For example, you believe that "laws" are necessary in order for society to flourish and grow, and that too much individual freedoms will lead to chaos and anarchy. To them, rules should dictate action rather than individual whim and emotional response. Where you fall on the good/evil spectrum describe more on how you deal with enforcing the rules, however you come about making them.

The character you are describing is something that can be played by any non-good alignment fairly easily. They are just being fanatical about what laws they particularly like to enforce because it is convenient to them.

My suggestion is to reassess the character and see how they fit within this paradigm. Otherwise, play what you want just be sure to make sure the GM is in agreement with how alignment functions within the game.

[Watery Soup]

I think you should also think about why, when creating a lawful character for the first time, you immediately sought out all the negative aspects of lawfulness, rather than starting with its positive aspects. Unless you're trying to prove (perhaps even to yourself) that being lawful is terrible, I'd suggest starting with a background where lawful will shine. If you don't want a goodie two shoes, I'll suggest the following:

Your character background could begin in an anarchic location (I use Kowloon Walled City or mid-1990s Somalia as inspirations), rising through the ranks of a warlord's fiefdom or a mafia-like organization. Your adherence to the rules is not about principle, but self-preservation: people who don't obey die; independents who "go their own way" generally lose to the organized clan. The laws are powerful, and even if you dislike your warlord / capo / pirate captain, you stick with the program because you would certainly perish without your brothers and sisters.

You could also be "lawful" in the sense that a monk is lawful - you strictly adhere to an internal (vs external) set of rules. You're disciplined and focused, and you shake your head dismissively at the undisciplined and unfocused after you wipe the floor with them. Think like the Type A person at work who doesn't chit chat or hang out, he/she has a reputation as being unfriendly or arrogant but you can't argue with the fact that he/she meets his/her goals every quarter and pulls more than his/her weight on group projects. He/she cashes a fat bonus check on the way home, and thinks, "Don't hate the player, hate the game."

[Scott Wilhelm]

You could draw/develop a long list of bizarre mannerisms and aphorisms that form your Lawful characters creed, and roleplay them at the table. Tell them that you a disciple of the great philosopher Thumb. You should always follow something as a Rule of Thumb.

Whenever someone says a particular word, you should spontaneously make a religious gesture, not crossing yourself--that one is taken--maybe put your thumb and forefinger to your head in the shape of the letter "L" for Lawful. When you commit some transgression, turn your back to the table or something.

Create rituals to observe spontaneously at arbitrary moments. When you have determined your drink is half full (or is it half empty), when somebody rolls a 3, a number divisible by 3, or has a 3 in it. Say a prayer the moment the gaming session has gone on for 77 minutes. Smite every NPC you see eating bread with the butter-side down...