character development

this tumblr is dedicated to helping you develop your characters - especially roleplay characters. you'll find tools, information, tests, and various other information that i have used and implemented for my own characters for almost a decade now.

updates f.a.q. jung's theory the enneagram moral alignment personality disorders sins and virtues psychological disorders schemata templates various tests personal tumblr

lawful good

Lawful Good is known as the “Saintly” or “Crusader” alignment. A Lawful Good character typically acts with compassion, and always with honor and a sense of duty. A Lawful Good nation would consist of a well-organized government that works for the benefit of its citizens. Lawful Good characters may sometimes find themselves faced with the dilemma of whether to obey law or good when the two conflict—for example, upholding a sworn oath when it would lead innocents to come to harm—or conflicts between two orders, such as between their religious law and the law of the local ruler. Lawful good is the best alignment you can be because it combines honor and compassion. Lawful good can be a dangerous alignment because it restricts freedom and criminalizes self-interest.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • friendly. 
  • courteous. 
  • sensitive to the feelings of others. 
  • scrupulous. 
  • honourable. 
  • trustworthy. 
  • reliable. 
  • helpful. 
  • loyal. 
  • respectful of “life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.”
11 months ago | 35 notes
Tagged: #moral alignment #character development #lawful good 

neutral good

Neutral Good is known as the “Benefactor” alignment. A Neutral Good character is guided by his conscience and typically acts altruistically, without regard for or against Lawful precepts such as rules or tradition. A Neutral Good character has no problems with co-operating with lawful officials, but does not feel beholden to them. In the event that doing the right thing requires the bending or breaking of rules, they do not suffer the same inner conflict that a Lawful Good character would. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. Neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • self-reliant. 
  • helpful. 
  • courteous. 
  • kind. 
  • respectful. 
  • sensitive. 
  • friendly. 
  • merciful. 
  • gracious. 
  • humane. 
  • altruistic. 
  • protective of life.
11 months ago | 72 notes
Tagged: #moral alignment #neutral good #character development 

chaotic good

Chaotic Good is known as the “Beatific,” “Rebel,” or “Cynic” alignment. A Chaotic Good character favors change for a greater good, disdains bureaucratic organizations that get in the way of social improvement, and places a high value on personal freedom, not only for oneself, but for others as well. They always intend to do the right thing, but their methods are generally disorganized and often out of alignment with the rest of society. They may create conflict in a team if they feel they are being pushed around, and often view extensive organization and planning as pointless, preferring to improvise. While they do not have evil intentions, they may do bad things (even though they will not enjoy doing these things) to people who are, in their opinion, bad people, if it benefits the greater good. Chaotic good is the best alignment you can be because it combines a good heart with a free spirit. Chaotic good can be a dangerous alignment because it disrupts the order of society and punishes those who do well for themselves.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • unpredictable. 
  • independent. 
  • free spirited. 
  • cheerful. 
  • optimistic. 
  • easy going. 
  • carefree. 
  • helpful. 
  • kind. 
  • merciful. 
  • respectful of personal liberties. 
  • anarchistic.
11 months ago | 100 notes
Tagged: #chaotic good #moral alignment #character development 

lawful neutral

Lawful Neutral is called the “Judge” or “Disciplined” alignment. A Lawful Neutral character typically believes strongly in Lawful concepts such as honor, order, rules and tradition, and often follows a personal code. A Lawful Neutral society would typically enforce strict laws to maintain social order, and place a high value on traditions and historical precedent. Examples of Lawful Neutral characters might include a soldier who always follows orders, a judge or enforcer that adheres mercilessly to the word of the law, and a disciplined monk.Characters of this alignment are neutral with regard to good and evil. This does not mean that Lawful Neutral characters are amoral or immoral, or do not have a moral compass, but simply that their moral considerations come a distant second to what their code, tradition, or law dictates. They typically have a strong ethical code, but it is primarily guided by their system of belief, not by a commitment to good or evil. Lawful neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you are reliable and honorable without being a zealot. Lawful neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it seeks to eliminate all freedom, choice, and diversity in society.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • friendly. 
  • reliable. 
  • responsible. 
  • truthful. 
  • orderly. 
  • loyal. 
  • respectful of authority. 
  • regular. 
  • structured. 
  • rigid. 
  • neat. 
  • methodical. 
  • precise.
11 months ago | 120 notes
Tagged: #lawful neutral #moral alignment #character development 

neutral neutral

Neutral alignment, also referred to as True Neutral or Neutral Neutral, is called the “Undecided” or “Nature’s” alignment. This alignment represents Neutral on both axes, and tends not to feel strongly towards any alignment. A farmer whose primary overriding concern is to feed his family is of this alignment. Most animals, lacking the capacity for moral judgment, are of this alignment. Many roguish characters who play all sides to suit themselves are also of this alignment. Some Neutral characters, rather than feeling undecided, are committed to a balance between the alignments. They may see good, evil, law and chaos as simply prejudices and dangerous extremes. Neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you act naturally, without prejudice or compulsion. Neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it represents apathy, indifference, and a lack of conviction.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • diplomatic. 
  • judgemental. 
  • enigmatic. 
  • aloof. 
  • distant. 
  • self-reliant. 
  • mediatory. 
  • even-handed. 
  • fair. 
  • indifferent. 
  • impartial.
11 months ago | 142 notes
Tagged: #neutral neutral #moral alignment #character development 

chaotic neutral

Chaotic Neutral is called the “Anarchist” or “Free Spirit” alignment. A character of this alignment is an individualist who follows his or her own heart, and generally shirks rules and traditions. Although they promote the ideals of freedom, it is their own freedom that comes first. Good and Evil come second to their need to be free, and the only reliable thing about them is how totally unreliable they are. Chaotic Neutral characters are free-spirited and do not enjoy the unnecessary suffering of others, but if they join a team, it is because that team’s goals coincide with their own. They invariably resent taking orders and can be very selfish in their pursuit of personal goals. A Chaotic Neutral character does not have to be an aimless wanderer; they may have a specific goal in mind, but their methods of achieving that goal are often disorganized, unorthodox, or entirely unpredictable. Chaotic neutral is the best alignment you can be because it represents true freedom from both society’s restrictions and a do-gooder’s zeal. Chaotic neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it seeks to eliminate all authority, harmony, and order in society.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • unreliable. 
  • independent. 
  • greedy. 
  • inconsistent. 
  • unpredictable. 
  • selfish. 
  • disorderly. 
  • anarchistic. 
  • self-centred. 
  • confusing. 
  • unfettered. 
  • free. 
  • individualistic.
11 months ago | 202 notes
Tagged: #chaotic neutral #moral alignment #character development 

lawful evil

Lawful Evil is referred to as the “Dominator” or “Diabolic” alignment. Characters of this alignment see a well-ordered system as being easier to exploit, and show a combination of desirable and undesirable traits; while they usually obey their superiors and keep their word, they care nothing for the rights and freedoms of other individuals and are not averse to twisting the rules to work in their favour. Examples of this alignment include tyrants, devils, undiscriminating mercenary types who have a strict code of conduct, and loyal soldiers who enjoy the act of killing. Lawful Evil characters may sometimes find themselves faced with the dilemma of whether to obey law or evil when the two conflict. However, their issues with Law versus Evil are more concerned with “Will I get caught?” versus “How does this benefit me?” Lawful evil creatures consider their alignment to be the best because it combines honour with a dedicated self-interest. Lawful evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents methodical, intentional, and frequently successful evil.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • cruel. 
  • vengeful. 
  • proud. 
  • callous. 
  • hostile. 
  • taciturn. 
  • malevolent. 
  • calculating. 
  • merciless. 
  • domineering. 
  • commanding. 
  • organized. 
  • respectful of authority and power.
11 months ago | 129 notes
Tagged: #lawful evil #moral alignment #character development 

neutral evil

Neutral Evil is called the “Malefactor” alignment. Characters of this alignment are typically selfish and have no qualms about turning on their allies-of-the-moment. They have no compunctions about harming others to get what they want, but neither will they go out of their way to cause carnage or mayhem when they see no direct benefit to it. They abide by laws for only as long as it is convenient for them. A villain of this alignment can be more dangerous than either Lawful or Chaotic Evil characters, since he is neither bound by any sort of honour or tradition nor disorganised and pointlessly violent. Examples are an assassin who has little regard for formal laws but does not needlessly kill, a henchman who plots behind his superior’s back, or a mercenary who switches sides if made a better offer. Neutral evil beings consider their alignment to be the best because they can advance themselves without regard for others. Neutral evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents pure evil without honour and without variation.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • unfeeling. 
  • uncaring. 
  • insensitive. 
  • unkind. 
  • uncooperative. 
  • self-reliant. 
  • cruel. 
  • depraved. 
  • corrupt. 
  • immoral. 
  • vicious. 
  • destructive.
11 months ago | 163 notes
Tagged: #neutral evil #moral alignment #character development 

chaotic evil

Chaotic Evil is referred to as the “Destroyer” or “Demonic” alignment. Characters of this alignment tend to have no respect for rules, other people’s lives, or anything but their own desires, which are typically selfish and cruel. They set a high value on personal freedom, but do not have any regard for the lives or freedom of other people. They do not work well in a group, as they resent being given orders, and usually only behave themselves out of fear of punishment. It is not compulsory for a Chaotic Evil character to be constantly performing sadistic acts just for the sake of being evil, or constantly disobeying orders just for the sake of causing chaos. They do however enjoy the suffering of others, and view honour and self-discipline as weaknesses. Serial killers and monsters of limited intelligence are typically Chaotic Evil. Chaotic Evil beings believe their alignment is the best because it combines self-interest and pure freedom. Chaotic Evil is the most dangerous alignment because it represents the destruction not only of beauty and life but also of the order on which beauty and life depend.

TRAIT STRUCTURE

  • violent. 
  • cruel. 
  • capricious. 
  • malicious. 
  • untrustworthy. 
  • unreliable. 
  • heartless. 
  • volatile. 
  • inconsistent. 
  • uncaring. 
  • unfeeling. 
  • deceitful. 
  • discourteous. 
  • selfish.
11 months ago | 126 notes
Tagged: #chaotic evil #moral alignment #character development