A three-alignment system for D&D

[roseembolism]

For my upcoming Western themed D&D game, I'm tempted to simplify the alignment system to somethng both easier to understand, and more genre appropriate:  I'd reduce everything down to three alignments:

GOOD: You get to wear the white hat: Helpin widders' across the street, tipping your hat, drinkin' sasparilla, etc.  You know what this means: Honest (mostly), loyal, thinking of the better good, clean, reverent, etc..

BAD: The wearer of the black hat.  More than mean, you make your plans to hurt people.  Killin.' stealin' and cheatin' the innocent is a true pleasure.  If there's someone who's going to tie the school marm to the track just to hear her scream, it'll be you.

UGLY: The mean SOB in the grey hat.  Ornery, angry, or just plumb crude and selfish, the Ugly may be a nasty piece of work, he's not malicious, and can be very loyal.  He never hurts anyone who wasn't trying to kill him.  Or looks like he might kill him.  Or if there's a woman involved.  Or for money.  Or if he has a firewater hangover.

Any comments?

Comments

[devonapple.livejournal.com]

Somewhat related question: do we get guns, or is it D&D tech with a Western spin? I may want to put more points into Riding.

As for alignment, I think I can work with this system.

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

It's definitely D&D with a western spin- in fact, I'd rate the technology as more 17th-18th century than 19th. And of course no gunpowder, because I don't want to deal with guns, at least not with the current system. Use crossbows instead.

Ride is always a good idea. Horses are one of those big symbolic things in Westerns.

[racerxmachina.livejournal.com]

Better that they be big and symbolic than their usual role of being big and slightly stinky.