In quite a few cases across the different editions, this behavior is enforced by class requirements. Though even then it’s still dumb to argue about that unless you’re at the point that the GM has to seriously consider changing your alignment because your actions are so far beyond your character’s on-paper alignment.
Yes, and that’s why there are so many in-person arguments about alignments. Too many groups that I’ve been in have socially enforced thinking about character actions, especially involving the stereotypical party-conflict-initiator, also known as the paladin. At least for the most part the hobby enjoyers have gotten away from the “you’re lawful, so you have to follow the laws even when you’re in an eeeeevil society!” thinking. It had gotten so bad that the game developers actually addressed it in one of the 3.5 splatbooks. Tome of exalted deeds, I think.
It also doesn’t help that the game designers go back and forth about it as well. Reading any of gygax’s diatribes about alignment just leads to conflicting statements and mental damage.
In quite a few cases across the different editions, this behavior is enforced by class requirements. Though even then it’s still dumb to argue about that unless you’re at the point that the GM has to seriously consider changing your alignment because your actions are so far beyond your character’s on-paper alignment.
Yes, and that’s why there are so many in-person arguments about alignments. Too many groups that I’ve been in have socially enforced thinking about character actions, especially involving the stereotypical party-conflict-initiator, also known as the paladin. At least for the most part the hobby enjoyers have gotten away from the “you’re lawful, so you have to follow the laws even when you’re in an eeeeevil society!” thinking. It had gotten so bad that the game developers actually addressed it in one of the 3.5 splatbooks. Tome of exalted deeds, I think.
It also doesn’t help that the game designers go back and forth about it as well. Reading any of gygax’s diatribes about alignment just leads to conflicting statements and mental damage.