Alignment

The deities of Alcirya are aligned into two camps: the forces of Good and the forces of Evil. Each character should choose three parts of their alignment:

  • Lawful, Neutral, Chaotic (How one interacts with the moral code)
  • Good, Neutral, or Evil (How one aligns with the gods; essentially, what side are you on?)
  • Principled, Scrupulous, Unprincipled, Anarchist, Miscreant, Aberrant, or Diabolic (How one acts on a regular basis)

Good: The “good” gods, have one core set of beliefs – the preservation and advancement of society as defined by the sentient beings of Alcirya. A moral code is the center of their beliefs and upon that code a person’s “goodness” can be determined.

Evil: The gods of "evil" are predicated on their desire for self-preservation and power over all things and, subordinately, the dissolution of society as we know it. As a rule, followers of chaos attempt to pervert and subvert the moral code.

Neutral: Neutral Characters that are considered neutral have consigned themselves to one of two attitudes:

  • They care little for the political push and pull of deities beyond themselves and are far more concerned with the strains of their day to day lives – their morality is situational, and they are unwilling to die for either cause.
  • Their ideals are not specifically spoken for by either the gods of law or chaos and they exist to protect and support their cause and beliefs and are willing to accept support from whomever buys in to their goals.
Appollonia Moral Code

The Appollonian society is not hinged upon a religious moral code (they do not believe in the gods), therefore, their code significantly diverges from those stated above. An Appollonian still aligns in terms of good and evil (preservation of society vs. dissolution of society) but they do not adhere to otherworld powers to define their society.

  • Self Control and Discipline is Paramount
  • Reverence of Family and Elders
  • Power and station is to be respected and revered
  • Virtue (the knowledge of what is good, evil, useless, shameful, and dishonorable)
  • Within that scope, a character’s day to day actions should fall within the scope of the descriptions. These descriptions, while they can coordinate with our ideals of “goodness” and “badness”, are completely separate from one’s alignment with Law/Chaos and their adherence to the moral code. It is completely possible, though not likely, that one could be Evil, yet be Principled in their actions – they desire the dissolution of society and the exaltation of personal power, but within the confines of the society in which they live. In effect, they “game” the system.

    Principled

    • Always keep their word
    • Avoids lies
    • Never kills OR attacks unarmed foe
    • Never harms an innocent
    • Never tortures
    • Never Kills for pleasure
    • Always helps others
    • Works well with others
    • Respects authority, laws, self-discipline and honor
    • Never betrays a friend
    • Never break the law UNLESS conditions are desperate

    Scrupulous

    • Keeps word to any other GOOD person
    • Lies only to people of selfish or evil alignments
    • Never kills OR attacks unarmed foe
    • Never harms an innocent
    • Never tortures for pleasure but may use muscle to extract information from criminals or evil people
    • Never kills for pleasure, will always attempt to bring villains to justice alive even if evil
    • Always helps others
    • Attempts to work within the law whenever possible
    • Bends and occasionally breaks laws when necessary
    • Distrust Authority
    • Works with groups, but dislikes confining laws and bureaucracy (red tape)

    Unprincipled

    • Has high regard for life and freedom
    • Keeps word of honor
    • Lies & cheats if necessary (especially to Anarchists or evil persons)
    • Will not kill an unarmed foe (but will take advantage of one)
    • Helps those in need
    • Will not use torture unless absolutely necessary
    • Works with a group, especially if profitable
    • Never harms an innocent
    • Never kills for pleasure
    • Dislikes authority
    • Never betrays a friend

    Anarchist

    • May keep their word
    • Lies & Cheats if he feels necessary
    • Not likely to kill an unarmed foe, but will certainly knockout, attack, or beat up one
    • Never kills an innocent, but may harm or kidnap them
    • Not likely to help someone without ulterior motive
    • Seldom kills for pleasure
    • Uses torture to extract information but not likely for pleasure
    • Doesn't work well in groups; he will do as he d**n well pleases
    • Has little respect for self-discipline or authority
    • May betray a friend

    Miscreant

    • Will not necessarily keep his word to anyone
    • Lies & cheats with anyone
    • Most definitely will attack an unarmed foe; they are the best kind
    • Will use or harm an innocent
    • Uses torture for extracting information and pleasure
    • May kill for sheer pleasure
    • Feels no compulsion to help without some kind of tangible reward
    • Works with others if it will help him attain personal goals
    • Kills an unarmed foe as readily as he would a potential threat or competitor
    • Has no deference to laws or authority, but will work within them if he must
    • Will betray a friend if it serves his needs

    Aberrant

    • Always keeps his word of honor
    • Lies & cheats those not worthy of his respect
    • May or may not kill an unarmed foe
    • Will not kill an innocent particularly a child but will harm or kidnap
    • Never kills for pleasure
    • Will not resort to inhumane treatment of prisoners, but will using torture, although distasteful, is necessary means of extracting information
    • Never tortures for pleasure
    • May or may not help someone in need
    • Will work with others to attain his goals
    • Respects honor and self-discipline
    • Never betrays a friend

    Diabolic

    • Rarely keeps their word
    • Will lie and cheat anyone
    • Will most certainly attack or kill an unarmed foe
    • Will use, harm, and kill an innocent without a second thought for any reason
    • Uses torture for pleasure and information
    • Kills for pleasure
    • Likely to help someone only to kill or rob them
    • Does not work well with groups.
    • Consistently disregards orders to do as he pleases
    • Despises honor, authority, and self-discipline
    • Associates mostly with other evil alignments
    • Betrays friends at anytime

    Free Lands Moral Code

    Selflessness and Service: the idea that you put the needs of your family, friends, and society before your own personal gain. Power of position is for the good of society not self aggrandizement. Stand up for the weak Self-sacrifice, when needed.
    Mercy and Forgiveness: Those in a position of judgement should judge fairly and honestly, erring toward mercy when possible, recognizing that all people can change. Additionally, one should let go of the trivial and not prey upon the faults of others. Instead, allow them to redeem themselves. Charity for the poor Clemency for the repentant.
    Action and Justice: Idleness is destructive and creates needs left unfulfilled. Mete out justice when appropriate – all actions deserve a consequence, good or bad. Be as the gardner and pry the weeds from the soil with diligence and forethought lest your plot go to seed. Produce for the good of you and others. Violence can be expected and is often required.
    Dignity and Virtue: One is responsible to know the difference between good and evil in all things and is responsible for the behavior. One recognizes that society has the right to judge as well and your standing in the society is determined by your actions and piety. Personal freedom Your actions (lying, being disrespectful to your family, defying the gods) can be called to judgement by society.​