Alignment
Alignment is a general measure of a creature's motivations and morals. While mostly used as a guide for roleplaying as a creature, alignments are also tied to universal forces of good, evil, law, chaos, and neutrality. These forces are constantly at war with each other (represented best by the celestial wars between demons and devils, between celestials and demons, etc.). Alignment shows how a given creature aligns with the larger forces at play, and what happens to their soul after they die.
Alignments
Alignment is a combination of two factors: one identifies morality (Good and evil), and the other describes attitudes toward society and order (law and chaos). Neutrality is the middle ground of each. The societal spectrum is listed first, and the moral spectrum is listed second.
Lawful Good
Lawful Good creatures obey both societal law and a consistent personal code, and can be counted on to make choices for the greater or greatest good. Lawful Good creatures typically seek justice and freedom for others and themselves, but are also known to be selfless when it comes down to it. Gold dragons, paladins, and most dwarves are lawful good, for example.
Neutral Good
Neutral Good creatures believe in finding the greater good in the balance between law and chaos, doing the best they can to help others according to their needs. Law is important, but is not always just or best for a given scenario. Many celestials, some cloud giants, and most gnomes are neutral good, for example.
Chaotic Good
Chaotic Good creatures act as their conscience directs, with little regard for what others expect, but generally strive to do good. Often chaotic good creatures act spontaneously and serendipitously. Copper dragons, many elves, and unicorns are chaotic good, for example.
Lawful Neutral
Lawful Neutral creatures act in accordance with law, tradition, or personal codes, with little regard for morality, acting with neither good or evil intent. Many monks and some wizards are lawful neutral, for example.
Neutral Neutral (True Neutral)
True Neutral creatures prefer to steer clear of moral questions and don't take sides, doing what seems best to them at the time. True Neutral creatures are typically very objective. Lizardfolk, most druids, and many humans are truly neutral, for example.
Chaotic Neutral
Chaotic Neutral creatures follow their whims, ignoring any rules, even their own, holding their personal freedom above all else. These creatures typically seek opportunity and personal pleasure above all else. Many raiders and thieves are chaotic neutral, for example.
Lawful Evil
Lawful Evil creatures methodically take what they want, within the limits of a code of tradition, loyalty, or order, even if it hurts others. These creatures are typically characterized by ambition and strategy. Devils, blue dragons, and hobgoblins are lawful evil, for example.
Neutral Evil
Neutral Evil creatures do whatever they can get away with, without compassion or qualms, to satisfy their own desires or needs. Many cavern elves and some cloud giants are neutral evil, for example.
Chaotic Evil
Chaotic Evil creatures act with arbitrary violence, spurred by their greed, hatred, or bloodlust, uncaring for any rules. These creatures are known for their deceit and vices. Demons and red dragons are chaotic evil, for example.
Unaligned
Most creatures that lack the capacity for rational thought do not have alignments-they are unaligned. Such a creature is incapable of making a moral or ethical choice and acts according to its bestial nature. Sharks are savage predators, for example, but they are not evil; they have no alignment.
Shifting Alignment
While a character's alignment is decided during character creation, it might shift during play as the creature acts outside of their alignment. Typically an alignment shift occurs because of a major character-changing event. For example, a creature with an alignment of Chaotic Evil might shift away from evil as it learns to extend compassion to others.
