The Laws of Neutrality

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Jump to: navigation, search

By Bailos

In my experience over the years I have compiled some basic caveats to roleplaying a "neutral" character. If we classify on a system based on either Good, Neutral or Evil...and on the alignments of Lawful, Neutral or Chaotic, these "short lists" of concepts apply to those wishing to handle the alignments of either Lawful Neutral, the True Neutral or Lawful Evil.

As I will be working on this in smaller bits and pieces, I will post follow up message or amend this one with new "guidelines" as I go. The first draft of this you see is in no way a finished or complete work.


Guideline #1 -- Religious zeal is a No-No

This is a concept many may disagree with, but in my years of experience and data gathering, a religious conviction is a no-no for any aspirant neutral personality. Why you may ask? Simply put, any type of religion at all promotes a system of morality and behavior, without exception. This of course violates the very idea of neutrality.

So can religion work? You bet it can. I will attempt to explain using my own character, Bailos. Bailos is a member of the Order of the Ebon Skull; a cultlike group of Oblivion/Entropy worshippers. I have never used Bailos to demonstrate any real religious zeal, except as a facade to coerce someone else. So how does he fit in? He sees the religion as a logical thing to accept, not a passion, an inevitability. Here is somewhat poor example, but the best I have off the top of my head; Water is the very thing that sustains all life on the planet, therefore it makes sense to like and accept water as part of life. Get the idea?

The system to which I am speaking revolves around some other core elements of neutrality which I will get to soon.

Guideline #2 -- Duck and Cover!

My next point deals the characters desire to combat. Another point which many of my readers may disagree with, but I think I can convince you to understand my logic. Now then, cutting to the chase. What is the definition of neutral? Not chosing a side, not being much to the left, nor the right. Inbetween. Sticking with this logic, it makes sense that your character isnt one for full scale campaigns on behalf of a dictator or under a banner. This is in no way a limitation to a desire for combat however. Just who you are combating for. Neutral players are generally out for themselves, with perhaps the exception of the Lawful Neutral.

"If one is not sure as the validity of a cause, a nation or a leader, why should I do [such and such action]?" This is the core question that plagues every "neutral" player and every action they take under consideration. Their own best interests must be at the core of their every move. Not necessarily to the point of selfishness though.

No, this does not mean you should NOT join a guild. It simply addresses the fact that a neutral player might not "always be there" for you/a nation/a leader.

Guideline #3 -- Choosing an alignment

When faced with neutrality, you have probably four options to pick from. I will break them all down in my own terms for you [and rather short I mightadd] and of course, the choice is yours. I will order them going right down the chart [Lawful Good to Chaotic Evil]

Lawful Neutral - "A conflict of interest" - Those chosing the lawful neutral alignment are apt to be those of somewhat upstanding moral repute. Perhaps an honest person. Someone willing to stand up and say "now that isn't right" but at the same time they may stoop to something underhanded to 'return to balance'. Imagine perhaps a noblemen coming to rescue a defenseless woman, then afterwards "suggesting" she pay for his armor to be repaired or that she be indebted to him.

The True Neutral - "Oh woe is me!" - True Neutral is probably the absolute toughest alignment to play. Your character must truely be vexed with what exactly is their purpose, and why that purpose is theirs. They really have no clue. This character alignment is also most open to true individuality as it's membes traditionally do not care about public opinion or who they are with. These folks are likely to be self serving types such as a treasure seeker perhaps.

Chaotic Neutral - "I said put the girl down!" - The chaotic neutral player is an interesting one indeed. This would probably be your "robin hood" or whatnot. Your swashbuckling pirate maybe. Out for themselves, probably hanging around a "dangerous bunch". It is a difficult alignment to describe. Characters of this type have a general disregard for property, except their own, and rules. Often times they develop personality complexes or a sense of entitlement.

Lawful Evil - "Your taxes are late!" - It is just as likely that you would not consider this a neutral alignment, as by its very title, it is not. However, practice translates very differently and the end result winds up being very similar to a neutral alignment, which is why I have included. It is also my favorite alignment to play. Your Lawful Evil characters, quite simply, are usually the ones you find in power as "dictators" or "tyrants" or any other adjective that reflects "oppresive". A somewhat dominating personality. This is reflected with charisma. They also justify to themselves quite often, that it is entirely within their place to take advantage of everyone else, should it suit them. A general respect for rules and the nature of humanity, but a "ruthless business mentality" is common to say the least. The prime example is a tyrant Baron that lords of his people. He protects them with a strong military but his people may lack some freedoms and/or be taxed, et cetera.

More indepth explorations of the alignments will be available later. Much more ground to cover!

Personal tools