Alignment

Alignment represents a character’s attitude toward ethical and moral dilemmas. Consider the following scenarios:

• That Halfling lass just filched a coin from that barman's stash, though from the look on her face, she was clearly desperate. Should I alert the guard or look the other way?

• Aha! This is the piranha meat that frantic merchant girl in Southern Newport asked for, but we never settled on a reward. Shall I deliver it to her free of charge or threaten to withhold it if the coin she offers up doesn't meet my expectations?

How a character handles situations such as these will determine that character's alignment.

Strictly speaking, alignment is divided into two fields. The first measures one's attitude toward ethics (LAWFUL vs. CHAOTIC), and the second measures one's outlook on morals (GOOD vs. EVIL). A character who does not feel strongly one way or the other in either or both of these fields is said to be NEUTRAL. The combination of these two fields is said to be a character’s alignment, such as a LAWFUL EVIL Enchanter or a CHAOTIC NEUTRAL Gnome.

Note: Note that most new characters enter the game with a default alignment of NEUTRAL NEUTRAL, sometimes referred to as TRUE NEUTRAL. The exceptions to this rule are Shadowknights, Paladins, and Frogloks, whose deities are pre-selected.

Alignment Definitions

Good

Goodness is embodied by decency, altruism, and empathy. Giving to charity, helping a stranger in ndeed, lending a hand even without the promise of a reward, or even simply giving a kind word can all be categorized as GOOD conduct.

Evil

Evil is embodied by selfishness, pettiness, and antipathy. Kaezul himself adheres to this ideal; under his reign, the weak in Ikisith are left to fend for themselves such that Kaezul's empire might be stronger. More broadly, the following actions can all be classified as EVIL: abusing an innocent beggar, acting only for self-interest, or turning one's back on a helpless victim.

Law

Lawfulness is embodied by fairness, justice, concern for society, and respect for both rules and authority. This ideal is centered around the idea that individuals may not always know what is best for them, and that the presence of an authority figure or set of definitive rules is essential for resolving conflicts both social and personal. Taking orders from and accepting the judgment of others is equally important to lawfulness. Ruling against oneself despite one's self-interests, trusting in a superior's orders, or summoning the Newport guard to investigate suspicions of illegal trade next door are LAWFUL actions.

Chaos

Chaos is embodied by freedom, self-indulgence, respect for privacy, and disrespect for both rules and authority. This ideal operates under the tenet that no one person's judgment should supersede that of another. Individuals of a CHAOTIC bent are resistant to the idea of conforming or being told what to do. Bribes, white lies, and half-truths are fair game in the eyes of the CHAOTIC. Rebelling against a superior's orders, deliberately upsetting order, picking the pocket of a passing noble, or deliberately tuning out the questionable sounds next door can all be CHAOTIC actions.

Neutral

Neutrality is embodied by a nuanced view of ethics and/or morals, the refusal to see situations in black and white. A person NEUTRAL on matters of LAW vs. CHAOS, for example, may believe that those who adhere blindly to one or the other hold a simple-minded view of the world. Such persons may prefer to remain aloof during times of social upheaval or quiet on matters of morality, letting things fall into place on their own. Completing a quest without weighing in on or becoming entangled in the ethics and/or morals involved can be regarded as NEUTRAL, as can maintaining a moderate balance of both GOOD and EVIL actions along one's journeys.

Degrees of Alignment

Alignment is measured incrementally. For instance, a player who consistently acts in a LAWFUL way will gradually work his or her way up through the following steps:

• NEUTRAL
• LAWFUL
• HIGHLY LAWFUL
• DEEPLY LAWFUL
• GREATLY LAWFUL
• COMPLETELY LAWFUL

Note: CHAOTIC, GOOD, and EVIL all follow the same scale.

Conversely, committing a CHAOTIC act might cause a DEEPLY LAWFUL character to slip back to HIGHLY LAWFUL.

Alignment and Deities

Each deity of Dalaya has his or her own ideology with regard to alignment and each can bless or penalize a follower in the form of a Specialization bonus. The closer the follower's conduct falls in line with the ideals of one's deity, the greater the bonus, which can range from -20% to +20%.

Althuna, the LAWFUL GOOD goddess of the City of Mercy, might grant a +11% Specialization bonus to a HIGHLY LAWFUL DEEPLY GOOD follower, whereas the CHAOTIC EVIL Tarhyl would frown heavily on such an alignment in one of his followers in the form of a -11% penalty.

Quests

For those looking to improve their alignment for an increased deity specialization bonus. Note that while many quests contain dialog options that are NEUTRAL in nature, there are no NEUTRAL alignment shifts; a player looking to achieve a NEUTRAL GOOD alignment, for example, must either avoid LAWFUL and CHAOTIC conduct altogether or simply maintain a balance between LAWFUL and CHAOTIC shifts so that they cancel one another out.

Good quests

• Alms for One-Eye Murt
• Bookworm
  • Accessible only to those who have not yet sworn allegiance to one of the three Main Quest factions.
• Conversation with Valath Pirshus
• Council of Innovation quests
  • Inaccessible to those of Blackscale or Silver Crown allegiance.
• Crime and Incompetence
  • Intended for those aligned with the Stormhammers.
• Deepmaster Talain's quests
  • CLR only.
  • This multi-part questline offers opportunities for alignment shifts in all four alignment categories, particularly during the Petitioner Advice portions.
• Fearstone Spies
• Foridin's Troubles
• Krukin's Cuisine
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the day.
• Galak the Morbid's quest 
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Helping Theron Ygnir
  • CLR PAL SHM only.
• The High Price of Knowledge
  • Accessible only to followers of Jayla.
• Historian Fatin's Story
  • Accessible at any level, providing the player is capable of reaching the Djari city in Azzerach, the Forsaken Realm unscathed.
• Ikisith Solo Entry Quest
  • 55+ only.
• Jeffy Truewind
• Keeper Vaj's quest
• Kelethin Liquor Express
• The Lost Package
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the day.
• Main Quest
  • Opportunities for Good alignment shifts are found in the following portions, listed in chronological order:
    1. The Dream
       • Aiding The Victim marks the first possible Good shift for the newly-created character.
    2. Priestess Andrenia's quest
    3. Liberating the Spirits
    4. Seekers of Erimal
       • Seeker Rizze's questions can provide Good alignment shifts if answered appropriately.
    5. Dryads of the Heartland
       • When Researcher Delig asks if the player's ideals match those of the Council of Innovation, saying yes will yield a Good alignment shift (even if the player does not go on to join this faction).
       • Joining the Council of Innovation will yield a Good alignment shift.
• A Mine Divided
  • The player may wish to complete Keeper Vaj's quest (see above) beforehand, as A Mine Divided may result in faction hits that will render the player unable to speak with Keeper Vaj.
• A missing child quest
• Morbid Curiosity
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed both the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Rag Tod's quest
• Rations Distributor Gralak's quest
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Rats!
• Rita Vennford's Ring quest
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the night.
• Roses of Judgment
  • Accessible only to followers of Althuna.
• A Rujik slave's task
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
• Scouting for Kerwyn
• Tides of Blood
  • Accessible only to followers of Tarhansar.
• The Transportation Matrix
  • Requires "kindly" faction with Denizens of Oggok.
  • Illusion: Dark Elf and Watch Captain Bonmig's Tal'Yan Head bounty quest can provide a boost in faction.
• The Trouble With Grobb
  • Accessible only after the player has received a Gemstone of the High Seeker via the Main Quest.
  • This quest involves several dialog options for all four alignment categories.
• Vengeance for Grumb
  • Refusing to assist Grumb yields a Good alignment shift.
• Voleen's Wedding Dish
• Woes of a Mother
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• The Wounded Soldier
  • Accessible at any level, providing the player is capable of reaching A Wounded Hakim Soldier in Azzerach, the Forsaken Realm unscathed.
• Yejhana's Lodestone quest
  • A sub-quest only accessible late in The Vah questline.

Evil quests

• Alms for One-Eye Murt
• Betrayed
• Bully Beatdown
  • Accessible only to those who have not yet sworn allegiance to one of the three Main Quest factions.
• Conversation with Valath Pirshus
• Coordinator Malika's quests
  • Accessible only to those in good standing with the Order of the Blackscale.
  • In addition to several minor Evil alignment shifts, this questline yields an Amulet of Blackscale Service.
• Daymare into Night
  • Accessible only to followers of Marlow.
• Decay Lord Grindrun's quests
  • Accessible only to those in good standing among the Cult of Entropy.
• Deepmaster Talain's quests
  • CLR only.
  • This multi-part questline offers opportunities for alignment shifts in all four alignment categories, particularly during the Petitioner Advice portions.
• Fearstone Spies
• Foridin's Troubles
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the day.
• Galak the Morbid's quest 
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Helping Theron Ygnir
  • CLR PAL SHM only.
• Historian Fatin's Story
  • Accessible at any level, providing the player is capable of reaching the Djari city in Azzerach, the Forsaken Realm unscathed.
• Ikisith Solo Entry Quest
  • 55+ only.
• Jeffy Truewind
• Keeper Vaj's quest
• The Lessons of Entropy Quests
  • Accessible only to those in good standing among the Cult of Entropy.
  • All four entries in this questline provide the player with a choice between an Evil or Chaotic alignment shift.
• The Lost Package
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the day.
• Main Quest
  • Opportunities for Evil alignment shifts are found in the following portions, listed in chronological order:
    1. The Dream
       • Aiding The Thug marks the first possible Evil shift for the newly-created character.
    2. Taroceth the Decaying's quest
    3. Something Greedy
    4. Seekers of Erimal
       • Seeker Rizze's questions can provide Evil alignment shifts if answered appropriately.
    5. Tesia's Task
       • Accepting and complying with the bribe from Xilkaz of the Order will yield an Evil shift.
         • This option becomes available only if the player elects to betray Tesia's confidence while investigating the factions of the Heartland Plateau.
    6. Dryads of the Heartland
       • When Xilkaz of the Order asks if the player's ideals match those of the Order of the Blackscale, saying yes will yield an Evil alignment shift (even if the player does not go on to join this faction).
       • Joining the Order of the Blackscale will yield an Evil alignment shift.
• Mandy Wandersong's quests - Part II
  • BRD only.
• Meat Delivery
• A Mine Divided
  • The player may wish to complete Keeper Vaj's quest (see above) beforehand, as A Mine Divided may result in faction hits that will render the player unable to speak with Keeper Vaj.
• A missing child quest
• Morbid Curiosity
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed both the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• One-Wit Russel
• Order of the Blackscale quests
  • Inaccessible to those of Council or Silver Crown allegiance.
• A Plague for All Seasons
  • Accessible only to followers of Gradalsh.
• Rag Tod's quest
• Rats!
• A Rujik slave's task
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
• Scouting for Kerwyn
• Silver Crown Soldier - Faydark treants bounty quest
  • Inaccessible to those of Blackscale or Council allegiance.
• The Transportation Matrix
  • Requires "kindly" faction with Denizens of Oggok.
  • Illusion: Dark Elf and Watch Captain Bonmig's Tal'Yan Head bounty quest can provide a boost in faction.
• The Trouble With Grobb
  • Accessible only after the player has received a Gemstone of the High Seeker via the Main Quest.
  • This quest involves several dialog options for all four alignment categories.
• Vengeance for Grumb
  • Agreeing to murder Deet without questioning Grumb any further yields an Evil alignment shift.
• Voleen's Wedding Dish
• Woes of a Mother
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• The Wounded Soldier
  • Accessible at any level, providing the player is capable of reaching A Wounded Hakim Soldier in Azzerach, the Forsaken Realm unscathed.
• Yejhana's Lodestone quest
  • A sub-quest only accessible late in The Vah questline.

Lawful quests

• Conversation with Valath Pirshus
• Council Junior Researcher - Mercy
  • Inaccessible to those of Blackscale or Silver Crown allegiance.
• Daymare into Night
  • Accessible only to followers of Marlow.
• Deepmaster Talain's quests
  • CLR only.
  • This multi-part questline offers opportunities for alignment shifts in all four alignment categories, particularly during the Petitioner Advice portions.
• Krukin's Cuisine
• Galak the Morbid's quest 
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Helping Theron Ygnir
  • CLR PAL SHM only.
• Historian Fatin's Story
  • Accessible at any level, providing the player is capable of reaching the Djari city in Azzerach, the Forsaken Realm unscathed.
• Keeper Vaj's quest
• Lead Artificier Marynni's quest
• The Lost Package
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the day.
• Main Quest
  • Opportunities for Lawful alignment shifts are found in the following portions, listed in chronological order:
    1. The Dream
       • Telling The Last, "I understand," marks the first possible Lawful shift for the newly-created character.
    2. Seekers of Erimal
       • Seeker Rizze's questions can provide Lawful alignment shifts if answered appropriately.
    3. Dryads of the Heartland
       • Prior to joining any faction, ask Xilkaz of the Order in the Blackscale encampment what he thinks of the Silver Crown Trading Company; he will ask whether the player believes in the power of chaos. Disagree with him to earn a Lawful alignment shift.
       • Prior to joining any faction, ask Trader Valner in the Silver Crown encampment what he thinks of the Order of the Blackscale; he will ask whether the player believes in the word of law. Agree with him to earn a Lawful alignment shift.
       • When Trader Valner asks if the player's ideals match those of the Silver Crown Trading Company, saying yes will yield a Lawful alignment shift (even if the player does not go on to join this faction).
       • Joining the Silver Crown Trading Company will yield a Lawful alignment shift.
• Mandy Wandersong's quests - Part II
  • BRD only.
• A Matter of Faith
  • Accessible only to trueborn Dark Elves who have pledged to any deity.
• A Mine Divided
  • The player may wish to complete Keeper Vaj's quest (see above) beforehand, as A Mine Divided may result in faction hits that will render the player unable to speak with Keeper Vaj.
• A missing child quest
• Newport Ring - Maltar Crow's Bribe
  • Accessible only after the player has completed Newport Ring III.
• Rats!
• The Road to Glory
  • Accessible only to those who have not yet sworn allegiance to one of the three Main Quest factions.
• Roses of Judgment
  • Accessible only to followers of Althuna.
• A Rujik slave's task
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
• Silver Crown Trading Company quests
  • Inaccessible to those of Blackscale or Council allegiance.
• The Transportation Matrix
  • Requires "kindly" faction with Denizens of Oggok.
  • Illusion: Dark Elf and Watch Captain Bonmig's Tal'Yan Head bounty quest can provide a boost in faction.
• The Trouble With Grobb
  • Accessible only after the player has received a Gemstone of the High Seeker via the Main Quest.
  • This quest involves several dialog options for all four alignment categories.
• A visitor from Grobb's quest
  • Accessible only to trueborn Trolls.
• Woes of a Mother
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Yejhana's Lodestone quest
  • A sub-quest only accessible late in The Vah questline.

Chaotic quests

• Conversation with Valath Pirshus
• Council Junior Researcher - Mercy
  • Inaccessible to those of Blackscale or Silver Crown allegiance.
• Deepmaster Talain's quests
  • CLR only.
  • This multi-part questline offers opportunities for alignment shifts in all four alignment categories, particularly during the Petitioner Advice portions.
• Galak the Morbid's quest
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Krukin's Cuisine
• Helping Theron Ygnir
  • CLR PAL SHM only.
• Historian Fatin's Story
  • Accessible at any level, providing the player is capable of reaching the Djari city in Azzerach, the Forsaken Realm unscathed.
• Keeper Vaj's quest
• The Lessons of Entropy Quests
  • Accessible only to those in good standing among the Cult of Entropy.
  • All four entries in this questline provide the player with a choice between an Evil or Chaotic alignment shift.
• Kelethin Liquor Express
• Lead Artificier Marynni's quest
• The Lost Package
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the day.
• Main Quest
  • Opportunities for Chaotic alignment shifts are found in the following portions, listed in chronological order:
    1. The Dream
       • Telling The Last, "My choice is my own," marks the first possible Chaotic shift for the newly-created character.
    2. Seekers of Erimal
       • Seeker Rizze's questions can provide Chaotic alignment shifts if answered appropriately.
    3. Tesia's Task
       • Prior to joining any faction, ask Xilkaz of the Order in the Blackscale encampment what he thinks of the Silver Crown Trading Company; he will ask whether the player believes in the power of chaos. Agree with him to earn a Chaotic alignment shift.
       • Prior to joining any faction, ask Trader Valner in the Silver Crown encampment what he thinks of the Order of the Blackscale; he will ask whether the player believes in the word of law. Disagree with him to earn a Chaotic alignment shift.
       • Accepting the bribe from Xilkaz of the Order but only *pretending* to comply with his request will yield a Chaotic shift.
         • This option becomes available only if the player elects to betray Tesia's confidence while investigating the factions of the Heartland Plateau.
• Mandy Wandersong's quests - Part II
  • BRD only.
• A Matter of Faith
  • Accessible only to trueborn Dark Elves who have pledged to any deity.
• A Mine Divided
  • The player may wish to complete Keeper Vaj's quest (see above) beforehand, as A Mine Divided may result in faction hits that will render the player unable to speak with Keeper Vaj.
• A missing child quest
• Morbid Curiosity
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed both the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Newport Ring - Maltar Crow's Bribe
  • Accessible only after the player has completed Newport Ring III.
• A Plague for All Seasons
  • Accessible only to followers of Gradalsh.
• Rag Tod's quest
• A Rujik slave's task
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
• Tides of Blood
  • Accessible only to followers of Tarhansar.
• The Transportation Matrix
  • Requires "kindly" faction with Denizens of Oggok.
  • Illusion: Dark Elf and Watch Captain Bonmig's Tal'Yan Head bounty quest can provide a boost in faction.
• The Trouble With Grobb
  • Accessible only after the player has received a Gemstone of the High Seeker via the Main Quest.
  • This quest involves several dialog options for all four alignment categories.
• A visitor from Grobb's quest
  • Accessible only to trueborn Trolls.
• Woes of a Mother
  • 55+ only.
  • Accessible only after the player has completed the Ikisith Solo Entry Quest.
  • Requires a minimum of Dubious faction with The Gruplok.
• Yejhana's Lodestone quest
  • A sub-quest only accessible late in The Vah questline.
• Yrda the Fence's quest
  • BRD ROG only.
  • Portions of this quest may only be completed during the night.

Factions of the Heartlands

Faction	Alignment
Council of Innovation	GOOD
Order of the Blackscale	EVIL
Silver Crown Trading Company	LAWFUL

See also

What alignment means