On the Ethics of the Anti-Hero

Chaotic Neutral

A chaotic neutral character follows his whims. He is an individualist first and last. He values his own liberty but doesn’t strive to protect others’ freedom. He avoids authority, resents restrictions, and challenges traditions. The chaotic neutral character does not intentionally disrupt organizations as part of a campaign of anarchy.To do so, he would have to be motivated either by good (and a desire to liberate others) or evil (and a desire to make those different from himself suffer). The common phrase for chaotic neutral is “true chaotic.” Remember that the chaotic neutral character may be unpredictable, but his behavior is not totally random. He is not as likely to jump off a bridge as to cross it. Chaotic neutral is the best alignment you can be because it represents true freedom both from society’s restrictions and from a do-gooder’s zeal.

–excerpted from the Player’s Handbook, Chapter 6

Hmm, seems pretty accurate – whilst I’m all for individual freedom, I’ve grown to dislike moral imperatives and compulsive do-gooderism as much as I do “the bad guys” – the inferno beckons at the end of both roads. Plus, why go out of one’s way to liberate those who will their own slavery? I fail to see the “virtue” there….

Where do you stand on this, dear reader?

~MRDA~

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6 Responses to On the Ethics of the Anti-Hero

  1. Here is mine.
    Your Character’s Alignment
    Based on your answers to the quiz, your character’s most likely alignment is Neutral.
    Neutral
    A neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. She doesn’t feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos. Most neutrality is a lack of conviction or bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a character thinks of good as better than evil. After all, she would rather have good neighbors and rulers than evil ones. Still, she’s not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way. Some neutral characters, on the other hand, commit themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of neutrality as the best, most balanced road in the long run. The common phrase for neutral is “true neutral.” Neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you act naturally, without prejudice or compulsion.
    –excerpted from the Player’s Handbook, Chapter 6
    Keep in mind the alignment suggested by the quiz is just that: a suggestion. It describes your character no better than a 36-question test would describe you. But it’s a good way to start thinking about how your character acts when confronted with issues of alignment.
    Now that your character has taken the test, make a note of which questions scored in the opposite direction from your overall alignment. These exceptions can tell some interesting tales about your character Are you a good character with a greedy streak? Are you a lawful character who can’t stand the village elders? Don’t just roleplay your alignment — roleplay your alignment exceptions, too. Few characters perfectly embody their alignment choice.
    I’m not surprised becazuse this was the alignment of my last two characters way back when.

  2. cluebyfour says:

    I don’t have to take the quiz to know I’d come out as a Chaotic Good type.
    I have a real problem with authority, I like to do things my own way, and I have no use for people who try to shove around “the little guy”. Independent and a free thinker, but with a fairly strong internal moral code.
    So yeah, I have a little of the do-gooderism in me, tempered by the idea that most people would break the chains of slavery given the opportunity.

    • MRDA says:

      Truth be told, I also posess a fair amount of that raging justice and hate seeing decent people being pushed around and treated like shit. However seeing people in general embracing a very willful ignorance and hive mentality makes me generally throw my hands in the air and sigh: “What’s the point? Better to leave them to mull in their own swamp than fall into the quagmire myself!”
      Also looking at, say Live 8, I can safely say do-goodery means fuck all if it’s nowt but masturbation!
      Independence, self-will and personal ethics – check. Do-goodery – not so evident in the mix – call me the anti-messiah!

  3. cearrdorn says:

    Neutral good or True Good per that quiz.

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