ALIGNMENT AND THE ALWAYS RULE

-Inspired by Keith Martin and Stewart MacWilliam of Palaestra

     In StormWorld, Alignment is chiefly a tool for roleplaying, not a game mechanic, per se. This has many implications for the standard d20 rules: what about class alignment requirements, or spells that detect or influence alignment? When does alignment influence the game?

     This does not mean we are chucking Alignment, merely diminishing its influence in the game — providing a large gray area between good vs. evil and law vs. chaos. For the player-characters and almost all NPCs, a character's motivations, background and actions determine their alignment, not the other way round. The only time alignment, especially the concern with evil or good, comes into game-play is when the game deals with diabolic, perhaps irredeemable evil or otherworldly, angelic good — so called, big "E" evil and big "G" good. In simple terms, "Evil" is a fundamental element of the universe; "evil" is culturally relative.

     In StormWorld we will use the "Always" rule to determine if standard alignment rules apply — such as when spells like detect evil or protection from good are effective. If the alignment description for a spell or character class, etc. uses the word "always" then apply the standard alignment rules. For example, paladins are always lawful good. Therefore paladins must conform to the alignment rules and, in turn, can be affected by protection from good spells.

Goblins, on the other hand, are listed as usually neutral evil. Therefore, protection from evil does not function on goblins. If an individual goblin, to continue the example, was a half-fiend or vampire, then she would fall under the Always rule. Detect evil and protection from evil would then affect her as per the standard d20 rules!

     Yes, this means that characters could meet a lawful evil priest of the Elian Church that still has spells — this does not mean that the priest is not in trouble with the church, or won’t be condemned upon his death. In fact, the characters might well be the instruments of the Church in harrowing out such a fiend! It’s just not going to be as easy as casting a spell to prove! Just because a non-standard alignment is “legal” in the StormWorld game, does not mean that it will be common among NPCs – or tolerated by powers and institutions (or the DM).