zu den Alignments aus dem RCS (Anzeigen)Alignments
As mentioned above, alignment is far less a factor in Rokugan than honor. It matters little to most in Rokugan if you are good or evil, so long as you conduct yourself with honor. Alignment is tied to honor in that the lawful/chaotic element of an individual alignment is an indicator if they are likely to adhere to the code of bushido (lawful) or act as they feel appropriate with little regard for the perceptions of others (chaotic). Good versus evil, on the other hand, is somewhat inconsequential. Those who are good will treat others with respect and courtesy within the given confines of their code of honor (a lawful samurai will pay peasants well for their services, while a chaotic monk might help them bring in a harvest). Conversely, evil characters will be disrespectful and violent (lawful samurai will demand services the peasants cannot easily provide or kill those who fail to meet their demands, while chaotic rnaho-tsukai will eradicate entire villages to further their dark plans).
Again, it cannot be overstated that good and evil are largely irrelevant in Rokugan. Throughout the Empire’s history, there have been both evil heroes and good villains. Only one’s actions matter, not the reason one performs them. A samurai who hunts bandits because of a pathological desire to kill others is nonetheless performing a valued and honored service for his lord.
LG
Those who are lawful good are paragons sf virtue and honor.They subscribe fully to all the seven tenet of bushido, serving their lord with zeal and absolute loyalty, and treating everyone with courtesy and compassion. Other samurai look to the lawful good with respect and admiration, and the lower classes are devoted to them for their kinc less.
LE
Although bound by a code of honor, those who are lawful evil believe that honor governs only those prnciples they personally believe in. They are loyal to their own family and clan, and care little for others. They will do whatever it takes to champion their own cause, regardless of the sacrifice. Duty, sincerity, and courage are the tenets of bushido that ley follow
LN
Those who subscribe to an alignment of lawful neutral are governed by a strong internal code. They conduct themselves honorably, but determine for themselves what constitutes good and evil rather than accepting the common view. Lawful neutral implies a strong sense of discipline and self-control. Those of this class who follow the code of bushido place emphasis on the tenets of honesty and courage.
NG
Although they are not necessarily honorable, the neutral good are generally well-regarded by all but the most uncompromising of samurai. They see it as their duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and to aid those in need. Although they serve their lords faithfully, they consider it their primary duty to aid others and will forsake their own honor for the benefit of another if they must. Compassion is the tenet of bushido with which the neutral good most readily identify.
CG
A chaotic good character sees the world in terms of black and white, regardless of society’s rules. These characters decide for themselves what is the appropriate course of action rather than allowing an ancient code to dictate their path.Those who are chaotic good are sometimes considered without honor and somewhat dangerous by other samurai, who are appalled at their blatant disregard for Rokugan’s rigid societal rules.
Honor and Duty
At the same time like and unlike an alignment, the tenets of honor and bushido shape almost every interaction in Rokugan. Even those who are without a shred of honor are usually aware of what it is, and what to expect from those who hold it in high regard. Simply put, the Empire concerns itself far more with questions of “Law and Chaos” than “Good and Evil.” Samurai are expected to behave according to the Emperor’s law, no matter how immoral or wrong it may seem to those of us used to more libertarian laws. The daimyo who did not collect taxes from a few farms in order to let them live better will be dealt with far more severely than the daimyo who allowed some farmers to starve in order to meet his taxes.
This is not to say the culture of Rokuga is a cruel one; compassion is one of the Seven Virtues, after all. Almost all daimyo aspire to rule by Imperial law while maintaining the happiness of their people. However, the central drama of an eastern setting like Rokugan comes when a samurai must compromise his personal views in order to follow the law of his lord. In a western setting, the hero is naturally the loner, the one who fights the status quo and wins.
To put it simply, the drama of Rokugan ultimately becomes tragedy - war, loss, betrayal, and sacrifice cannot be avoided in the life of a samurai. Even those who win out against these forces are haunted by them. A classic example is the samurai who secretly falls in love with someone who becomes an enemy of his family or Clan, and eventually becomes responsible for his love’s death. Though the samurai feels deep sadness and loss, he can do nothing but maintain a stoic face while his lord awards him honor, gifts and titles for his actions.
Though the players should not be constantly tested against situations such as these, the sting of conflict between emotion and duty shouldn’t be something the players (and characters) are ignorant of.
