The Unseen Servant forums

Vargr1105 wrote:Are we supposed to post on the "Prologue" thread or will there be an "Action" one?

Delazar wrote:I noticed you're writing in present tense, I'm supposing we should do the same?

Delazar wrote:

Delazar wrote:I noticed you're writing in present tense, I'm supposing we should do the same?

would it be a big problem if I write in the past tense? I find it comes more naturally to me, and it also reads more like a novel...

Character Alignment

Three basic ways of life guide the acts of both player characters and monsters. Each way of life is called an alignment. The three alignments are named Law, Chaos, and Neutrality. Each alignment has a language that includes hand signals and other body motions. Player characters always know how to speak their alignment language in addition to any others they may know. If a monster is able to speak, it will also be able to use its alignment language.


Players may choose the alignments they feel will best fit their characters. A player does not have to tell other players what alignment he or she has picked, but must tell the DM. Most Lawful characters will reveal their alignment if asked. When picking alignments, the characters should know that Chaotics cannot be trusted, even by other Chaotics. A Chaotic character does not work well with other player characters.


The alignments give guidelines for characters to live by. The characters will try to follow these guidelines, but may not always be successful. If a DM feels that a player is not keeping to a character’s chosen alignment, the DM may suggest a change of alignment or give the character a punishment or penalty.


Law (or Lawful) is the belief that everything should follow an order, and that obeying rules is the natural way of life. Lawful creatures will try to tell the truth, obey laws, and care about all living things. Lawful characters always try to keep their promises. They will try to obey laws as long as such laws are fair and just.

If a choice must be made between the benefit of a group or an individual, a Lawful character will usually choose the group. Sometimes individual freedoms must be given up for the good of the group. Lawful characters and monsters
often act in predictable ways. Lawful behavior is usually the same as behavior that could be called “good.”

Chaos (or Chaotic) is the opposite of Law. It is the belief that life is random, and that chance and luck rule the world. Everything happens by accident and nothing can be predicted. Laws are made to be broken, as long as a person can get away with it. It is not important to keep promises, and lying and telling the truth are both useful. To a Chaotic creature, the individual is the most important of all things. Selfishness is the normal way of life, and the group is not important. Chaotics often act on sudden desires and whims. They cannot be trusted, their behavior is hard to predict. They have strong belief in the power of luck. Chaotic behavior is usually the same as behavior that could be called “evil.”

Neutrality (or Neutral) is the belief that the world is a balance between Law and Chaos. It is important that neither side get too much power and upset this balance. The individual is important, but SO is the group; the two sides must work together.

A Neutral character is most interested in personal survival. Such characters believe in their own wits and abilities rather than luck. They tend to return the treatment they receive from others. Neutral characters will join a party if they think it is in their own best interest, but will not be overly helpful unless there is some sort of profit in it. Neutral behavior may be considered “good” or “evil” (or neither), depending on the situation.

Example of Alignment Behavior

THE SITUATION: A group of player characters is attacked by a large number of monsters. Escape is not possible unless the monsters are slowed down.

A Lawful character will fight to protect the group, whatever the danger. The character will not run away unless the whole group does.

A Neutral character will fight to protect the group as long as it is reasonably safe to do so. If the danger gets too great, the character will try to save himself (or herself), even at the expense of the party.

A Chaotic character might fight the monsters or might run away. The character will not care what happens to the rest of the party.

JobaTett wrote:I usually don't play pre-AD&D 1e D&D, so I usually have 9 instead of 3 alignments. I don't know how to play Neutral, I can't be Lawful(I'm a Thief), and I thought Chaotic meant evil. So, is Chaotic the same as Chaotic Evil, or can it be more like Chaotic Good?

Distorted Humor wrote:

JobaTett wrote:I usually don't play pre-AD&D 1e D&D, so I usually have 9 instead of 3 alignments. I don't know how to play Neutral, I can't be Lawful(I'm a Thief), and I thought Chaotic meant evil. So, is Chaotic the same as Chaotic Evil, or can it be more like Chaotic Good?

As a note, even Frank M. Said that a Thief can be Lawful if he more of a spy or then a outright robber.

Also, is the party going to see Nailor Gladiolus, or another Master of arms. Just want to confirm before we begin and the plot moves forward.

Jester wrote:Chaotic does not mean you're evil it just means that you don't believe in following the normal rules of society at large. I'll let Distored_Humor answer this question depth but here is what they say about it from the Basic Rules by Frank Mentzer.

Character Alignment

Three basic ways of life guide the acts of both player characters and monsters. Each way of life is called an alignment. The three alignments are named Law, Chaos, and Neutrality. Each alignment has a language that includes hand signals and other body motions. Player characters always know how to speak their alignment language in addition to any others they may know. If a monster is able to speak, it will also be able to use its alignment language.


Players may choose the alignments they feel will best fit their characters. A player does not have to tell other players what alignment he or she has picked, but must tell the DM. Most Lawful characters will reveal their alignment if asked. When picking alignments, the characters should know that Chaotics cannot be trusted, even by other Chaotics. A Chaotic character does not work well with other player characters.


The alignments give guidelines for characters to live by. The characters will try to follow these guidelines, but may not always be successful. If a DM feels that a player is not keeping to a character’s chosen alignment, the DM may suggest a change of alignment or give the character a punishment or penalty.


Law (or Lawful) is the belief that everything should follow an order, and that obeying rules is the natural way of life. Lawful creatures will try to tell the truth, obey laws, and care about all living things. Lawful characters always try to keep their promises. They will try to obey laws as long as such laws are fair and just.

If a choice must be made between the benefit of a group or an individual, a Lawful character will usually choose the group. Sometimes individual freedoms must be given up for the good of the group. Lawful characters and monsters
often act in predictable ways. Lawful behavior is usually the same as behavior that could be called “good.”

Chaos (or Chaotic) is the opposite of Law. It is the belief that life is random, and that chance and luck rule the world. Everything happens by accident and nothing can be predicted. Laws are made to be broken, as long as a person can get away with it. It is not important to keep promises, and lying and telling the truth are both useful. To a Chaotic creature, the individual is the most important of all things. Selfishness is the normal way of life, and the group is not important. Chaotics often act on sudden desires and whims. They cannot be trusted, their behavior is hard to predict. They have strong belief in the power of luck. Chaotic behavior is usually the same as behavior that could be called “evil.”

Neutrality (or Neutral) is the belief that the world is a balance between Law and Chaos. It is important that neither side get too much power and upset this balance. The individual is important, but SO is the group; the two sides must work together.

A Neutral character is most interested in personal survival. Such characters believe in their own wits and abilities rather than luck. They tend to return the treatment they receive from others. Neutral characters will join a party if they think it is in their own best interest, but will not be overly helpful unless there is some sort of profit in it. Neutral behavior may be considered “good” or “evil” (or neither), depending on the situation.

Example of Alignment Behavior

THE SITUATION: A group of player characters is attacked by a large number of monsters. Escape is not possible unless the monsters are slowed down.

A Lawful character will fight to protect the group, whatever the danger. The character will not run away unless the whole group does.

A Neutral character will fight to protect the group as long as it is reasonably safe to do so. If the danger gets too great, the character will try to save himself (or herself), even at the expense of the party.

A Chaotic character might fight the monsters or might run away. The character will not care what happens to the rest of the party.

Distorted Humor wrote:Also, is the party going to see Nailor Gladiolus, or another Master of arms. Just want to confirm before we begin and the plot moves forward.

Jester wrote:

Character AlignmentTo a Chaotic creature, the individual is the most important of all things. Selfishness is the normal way of life, and the group is not important.