Alex Vriairu:
Davy Jones:
Alignments are supposed to represent objective truths, rather than some form of partisan ideology.
But that's my very problem with any alignment system no where In any form of existence is there an objective truth, in anything. Ever. Period.
Edit: I cannot even understand how any person could ever think their could be, in real life or game. It is so alien as to be almost if not Literally incomprehensible to me.
So, you don't believe in an objective morality? That there are acts that are universally good or evil? Leave politics out of it, and look at the collective of humanity.
Universally, murder is wrong. The mistreatment of another human being or animal is wrong. Kidnapping, raping, stealing is wrong.
That's what we're talking about in an "objective" sense.
Look at Hitler and Stalin, do you not believe that they were evil men? Or that Mister Rogers wasn't a good man?
In any game, things get simplified for the sake of ease of play. In a game where the disposition of gods matters, because they are
real and their powers manifest through chosen disciples, its useful to have these alignments to guide characters in how they view the world and how they are viewed by others. It's not perfect, but I've found it useful.
Ravidge, you don't have to agree with me, but I will say that someone of GOOD alignment is still forbidden by their code/beliefs from harming even "inherently evil" creatures, if said creatures are not acting on their inherent alignment. To do otherwise is
murder, plain and simple.
The inherent alignment of someone doesn't matter to objective good or evil. If you are good, you don't commit murder. Period. You certainly don't commit genocide, wiping out a village
just because they are inherently evil. And trying to use their inherent alignment as justification is not a useful defense when trying to explain your actions at the end of your life.
Okay, the "women are property" thing. Do you not consider it objectively wrong? I certainly do. It doesn't matter what is approved by a culture or society, and I will say the way women were treated in some societies was a non-good act. It taints them, even if their society believed it was justified or even moral.
You're conflating what the society itself thinks with "objective alignment." They are
two different things. That's why I suggested a faction/societal moral zealotsy as an overlay, because the objective alignment can't be swayed by moral relativism. If your society treats women poorly, your society isn't as objectively good as it thinks.
Anyway, I'm sure you can tell I believe that moral relativism is a cancer on any society. I've said my piece, and I hope I've given you things to consider for your game, should you pursue it. Thanks for letting me opine, and good luck with your game. :)