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Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:09 pm
by Matthew
Posted this at Dragonsfoot a few minutes ago:

Thought this might be fun to do... turned out to be a total pain, but here are the results for the Monster Manual:
Neutral
Chaotic Evil
Lawful Evil
Lawful Good
Chaotic Good
Neutral Evil
Chaotic Neutral
Neutral Good
Lawful Neutral
Aerial Servant
Bugbear
Beholder
Blink Dog
Djinni
Larva
Su-Monster
Anhkheg
Chimera
Devil
Brownie
Dragon, Brass
Lich
Ant, Giant
Demon
Dragon, Blue
Couatl
Dragon, Copper
Night Hag
Ape
Dragon, Black
Dragon, Chromatic
Dragon, Bronze
Elf
Nightmare
Axebeak
Dragon, Red
Dragon, Green
Dragon, Gold
Giant, Storm
Wyvern
Baboon
Dragon, White
Eye Of The Deep
Dragon, Platinum
Hippocampus
Badger
Ettin
Ghost
Dragon, Silver
Werebear
Baluchitherium
Gargoyle
Giant, Fire
Dwarf
Pegasus
Barracuda
Ghast
Goblin
Halfling
Sphinx, Andro
Basilisk
Ghoul
Hell Hound
Ki-Rin
Titan
Bear
Giant, Frost
Hobgoblin
Lammasu
Treant
Beaver, Giant
Giant, Hill
Imp
Naga, Guardian
Unicorn
Beetle, Giant
Gnoll
Kobold
Shedu
Black Pudding
Groaning Spirit
Wererat
Boar
Harpy
Manticore
Brain Mole
Intellect Devourer
Medusa
Buffalo
Ixitxachitl
Mind Flayer
Bulette
Jackalwere
Mummy
Bull
Lamia
Ogre Mage
Camel, Wild
Leucrotta
Orc
Carrion Crawler
Werewolf
Rakshasa
Catoblepas
Minotaur
Sahaugin
Cattle, Wild
Morkoth
Spectre
Centaur
Naga, Spirit
Wight
Centipede, Giant
Ogre
Wraith
Cerebral Parasite
Peryton
Cockatrice
Quasit
Crab, Giant
Roper
Crayfish, Giant
Salamander
Crocodile
Sea Hag
Dinosaur
Shadow
Displacer Beast
Sphinx, Hieraco
Dog
Spider, Giant
Dolphin
Troglodyte
Doppleganger
Troll
Dragonne
Umber Hulk
Dragon Turtle
Vampire
Dryad
Water Weird
Eagle
Will-O-Wisp
Earseeker
Eel
Efreeti
Elemental
Elephant
Eye, Floating
Flightless Bird
Frog, Giant
Fungi
Gar, Giant
Gas Spore
Gelatinous Cube
Giant, Cloud
Giant, Stone
Gnome
Goat
Golem
Gorgon
Grey Ooze
Green Slime
Griffon
Herd Animal
Hippogriff
Hippopotamus
Hydra
Hyena
Hyena, Giant
Invisible Stalker
Irish Deer
Jackal
Jaguar
Lamprey
Leech
Leopard
Leprechaun
Lion
Lizard
Lizard Man
Locathah
Lurker Above
Wereboar
Weretiger
Lynx, Giant
Mammoth
Masher
Mastodon
Merman
Mimic
Mold
Mule
Naga, Water
Neo-Otyugh
Nixie
Nymph
Ochre Jelly
Octopus, Giant
Otter, Giant
Otyugh
Owl, Giant
Owlbear
Piercer
Pike, Giant
Pixie
Porcupine, Giant
Portugeuse Man-O-War, Giant
Pseudo-Dragon
Purple Worm
Ram, Giant
Rat, Giat
Ray
Remorhaz
Rhinoceros
Roc
Rot Grub
Rust Monster
Satyr
Scorpion, Giant
Sea Horse, Giant
Sea Lion
Shambling Mound
Shark
Shrieker
Skeleton
Skunk, Giant
Slithering Tracker
Slug, Giant
Snake, Giant
Sphinx, Crio
Sphinx, Gyno
Spider
Sprite
Squid, Giant
Stag
Stirge
Strangle Weed
Sylph
Thought-Eater
Tick, Giant
Tiger
Titanothere
Toad, Giant
Trapper
Triton
Turtle
Wasp, Giant
Weasel, Giant
Whale
Wind Walker
Wolf
Wolverine
Xorn
Yeti
Zombie
Notes:

1) Missing: Homonculous (I think they have the alignment of their master or something), Horse (Alignment is "Nil", presumably neutral, but who knows?)
2) "Neutral (Good)", rendered this as neutral. Probably half a dozen cases.
3) "Neutral to Lawful Good" (Gnomes), rendered this as neutral.

Obviously, I got sick of doing this and so it is not perfectly standardised. I will be along in a bit with the "odd cases" so they can be discussed in more detail. :D

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:44 pm
by Wheggi
Fascinating that there are no specifically LN monsters in the MM. Thank goodness that the modrons in MMII came along to fill that void . . . :roll:

- Wheggi

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:55 pm
by T. Foster
Speaking as someone who's made tons of lists like this in the past (for example), I'm glad you did this one so I didn't have to :)

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:17 pm
by Matthew
Wheggi wrote: Fascinating that there are no specifically LN monsters in the MM. Thank goodness that the modrons in MMII came along to fill that void . . . :roll:

- Wheggi
Heh, heh. Technically, no chaotic neutral types really, either. One of those was a mistake on my part, the other is just listed as "chaotic" (Su-Monster).

[edit] Errors I have noticed... bronze dragon accidentally listed as neutral good and centaur as chaotic neutral.

Odd Alignment Designations

Centaur: Neutral-Chaotic Good
Brass Dragon: Chaotic Good (neutral tendencies)
Efreeti: Neutral (tend towards lawful evil)
Cloud Giant: Neutral (good 50%, evil 50%)
Gnomes: Neutral to Lawful Good
Larva: Evil
Lich: Neutral (Evil)
Bandit (Brigand): Neutral (Chaotic Evil)
Berserker: Neutral
Buccaneer (Pirate): Neutral (Chaotic Evil)
Caveman (Tribesman): Neutral
Dervish (Nomad): Lawful Good (Neutral)
Merchant: Neutral
Pilgrim: Lawful Good, Chaotic Good, Neutral, Chaotic Evil, or Lawful Evil
Night Hag: Neutral (Evil)
Nightmare: Neutral (Evil)
Nymph: Neutral (Good)
Giant Octopus: Neutral (Evil)
Pseudo-Dragon: Neutral (Good)
Rat, Giant: Neutral (Evil)
Sprite: Neutral (Good)
Su Monster: Chaotic
Sylph: Neutral (Good)
Triton: Neutral (Good)
Dire Wolf (Worg): Neutral (Evil)
Winter Wolf: Neutral (Evil)
Wolverine: Neutral (Evil)
Giant Wolverine: Neutral (Evil)
Wyvern: Neutral (Evil)
T. Foster wrote: Speaking as someone who's made tons of lists like this in the past (for example), I'm glad you did this one so I didn't have to :)
Heh, heh; glad it amounts to something. :D

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:30 pm
by Benoist
Wheggi wrote:Fascinating that there are no specifically LN monsters in the MM. Thank goodness that the modrons in MMII came along to fill that void . . . :roll:

- Wheggi
It is strange, in the sense that LN entries could have been both used as allies or opponents to the PCs' efforts, whether they ended up as specific retainers, or hirelings, or minions or chiefs to the opponent forces. LN seems to be such a "kill two birds with one stone" alignment as far as NPCs/Monsters are concerned that it's a bit surprising to not see ANY of them in the MM.

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:49 pm
by Matthew
Odhanan wrote: It is strange, in the sense that LN entries could have been both used as allies or opponents to the PCs' efforts, whether they ended up as specific retainers, or hirelings, or minions or chiefs to the opponent forces. LN seems to be such a "kill two birds with one stone" alignment as far as NPCs/Monsters are concerned that it's a bit surprising to not see ANY of them in the MM.
It might actually shed some light on a developmental strand of AD&D. One of the issues with clerics is though they cannot be neutral, they can be lawful neutral or chaotic neutral, yet the DMG does not seem to give a toss for the thought when it comes to turn undead. However, if at some transitionary period Gygax envisioned only seven alignments, all of which apart from "true neutral" are aligned with good and evil, it would make some sense.

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:20 pm
by Juju EyeBall
Great table. I'm going to format myself a copy to print out.

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:43 pm
by AxeMental
Matt, you are a credit to this site. Thanks! This is something I've always wanted to see. Helpful too see who might mingle.

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:46 pm
by Ron
Funny the absence of LN critters. I would argue that most organized societies would at least tend to Lawful Neutral.

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:32 am
by Falconer
Interesting. In 1977, the 5-alignment grid was in effect (CG, LG, N, CE, LE), but it looks like for this work Gary was starting to feel its constraints and wanted to describe many monsters that didn’t quite snap into the 5-alignment grid. A year later in the PHB he would formalize 9 alignments, with the illustration in the back showing how to designate characters with “tendencies”.

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 6:38 pm
by Matthew
Here is the table rejiggered and standardised to show exactly what is written in the Monster Manual:
Neutral
Chaotic Evil
Lawful Evil
Lawful Good
Chaotic Good
Neutral (Evil)
Neutral (Good)
Chaotic
Evil
Aerial Servant
Bugbear
Beholder
Blink Dog
Djinni
Lich
Nymph
Su-Monster
Larva
Anhkheg
Chimera
Devil
Brownie
Dragon, Brass
Night Hag
Pseudo-Dragon
Ant, Giant
Demon
Dragon, Blue
Couatl
Dragon, Copper
Nightmare
Sprite
Ape
Dragon, Black
Dragon, Chromatic
Dragon, Bronze
Elf
Octopus, Giant
Sylph
Axebeak
Dragon, Red
Dragon, Green
Dragon, Gold
Giant, Storm
Wolf, Dire
Triton
Baboon
Dragon, White
Eye Of The Deep
Dragon, Platinum
Hippocampus
Wolf, Winter
Badger
Ettin
Ghost
Dragon, Silver
Werebear
Wolverine
Baluchitherium
Gargoyle
Giant, Fire
Dwarf
Pegasus
Wyvern
Barracuda
Ghast
Goblin
Halfling
Sphinx, Andro
Basilisk
Ghoul
Hell Hound
Ki-Rin
Titan
Bear
Giant, Frost
Hobgoblin
Lammasu
Treant
Beaver, Giant
Giant, Hill
Imp
Naga, Guardian
Unicorn
Beetle, Giant
Gnoll
Kobold
Shedu
Black Pudding
Groaning Spirit
Wererat
Boar
Harpy
Manticore
Brain Mole
Intellect Devourer
Medusa
Buffalo
Ixitxachitl
Mind Flayer
Bulette
Jackalwere
Mummy
Bull
Lamia
Ogre Mage
Camel, Wild
Leucrotta
Orc
Carrion Crawler
Werewolf
Rakshasa
Catoblepas
Minotaur
Sahaugin
Cattle, Wild
Morkoth
Spectre
Centaur
Naga, Spirit
Wight
Centipede, Giant
Ogre
Wraith
Cerebral Parasite
Peryton
Cockatrice
Quasit
Crab, Giant
Roper
Crayfish, Giant
Salamander
Crocodile
Sea Hag
Dinosaur
Shadow
Displacer Beast
Sphinx, Hieraco
Dog
Spider, Giant
Dolphin
Troglodyte
Doppleganger
Troll
Dragonne
Umber Hulk
Dragon Turtle
Vampire
Dryad
Water Weird
Eagle
Will-O-Wisp
Earseeker
Eel
Efreeti
Elemental
Elephant
Eye, Floating
Flightless Bird
Frog, Giant
Fungi
Gar, Giant
Gas Spore
Gelatinous Cube
Giant, Cloud
Giant, Stone
Gnome
Goat
Golem
Gorgon
Grey Ooze
Green Slime
Griffon
Herd Animal
Hippogriff
Hippopotamus
Horse
Hydra
Hyena, Giant
Invisible Stalker
Irish Deer
Jackal
Jaguar
Lamprey
Leech
Leopard
Leprechaun
Lion
Lizard
Lizard Man
Locathah
Lurker Above
Wereboar
Weretiger
Lynx, Giant
Mammoth
Masher
Mastodon
Merman
Mimic
Mold
Mule
Naga, Water
Neo-Otyugh
Nixie
Ochre Jelly
Otter, Giant
Otyugh
Owl, Giant
Owlbear
Piercer
Pike, Giant
Pixie
Porcupine, Giant
Portugeuse Man-O-War, Giant
Purple Worm
Ram, Giant
Ray
Remorhaz
Rhinoceros
Roc
Rot Grub
Rust Monster
Satyr
Scorpion, Giant
Sea Horse, Giant
Sea Lion
Shambling Mound
Shark
Shrieker
Skeleton
Skunk, Giant
Slithering Tracker
Slug, Giant
Snake, Giant
Sphinx, Crio
Sphinx, Gyno
Spider
Squid, Giant
Stag
Stirge
Strangle Weed
Thought-Eater
Tick, Giant
Tiger
Titanothere
Toad, Giant
Trapper
Turtle
Wasp, Giant
Weasel, Giant
Whale
Wind Walker
Wolf
Xorn
Yeti
Zombie
Notes

1) Homonculous: No alignment listed, possibly that of their master
2) Centaur: Neutral-Chaotic Good
3) Brass Dragon: Chaotic Good (neutral tendencies)
4) Efreeti: Neutral (tend towards lawful evil)
5) Cloud Giant: Neutral (good 50%, evil 50%)
6) Gnomes: Neutral to Lawful Good
7) Bandit (Brigand): Neutral (Chaotic Evil)
8) Berserker: Neutral
9) Buccaneer (Pirate): Neutral (Chaotic Evil)
10) Caveman (Tribesman): Neutral
11) Dervish (Nomad): Lawful Good (Neutral)
12) Merchant: Neutral
13) Pilgrim: Lawful Good, Chaotic Good, Neutral, Chaotic Evil, or Lawful Evil

DungeonDork wrote: Great table. I'm going to format myself a copy to print out.
AxeMental wrote: Matt, you are a credit to this site. Thanks! This is something I've always wanted to see. Helpful too see who might mingle.
Glad to be of service!
Ron wrote: Funny the absence of LN critters. I would argue that most organized societies would at least tend to Lawful Neutral.
I would think the same, with regard to humans Gygax said:
Strategic Review #6, p. 5 wrote: As a final note, most of humanity falls into the lawful category, and most of lawful humanity lies near the line between good and evil. With proper leadership the majority will be prone towards lawful/good. Few humans are chaotic, and very few are chaotic and evil.
...which I find it easy to agree with in the context even of AD&D.
Falconer wrote: Interesting. In 1977, the 5-alignment grid was in effect (CG, LG, N, CE, LE), but it looks like for this work Gary was starting to feel its constraints and wanted to describe many monsters that didn’t quite snap into the 5-alignment grid. A year later in the PHB he would formalize 9 alignments, with the illustration in the back showing how to designate characters with “tendencies”.
Indeed. It is interesting to note that these "neutral (good)" and "neutral evil" alignments begin to appear over half-way through the volume from "L" onwards, immediately preceded by the "evil" aligned Larva.

Re: Alignment Distribution

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:20 pm
by sepulchre
Matthew wrote:
I would think the same, with regard to humans Gygax said:
Strategic Review #6, p. 5 wrote:As a final note, most of humanity falls into the lawful category, and most of lawful humanity lies near the line between good and evil. With proper leadership the majority will be prone towards lawful/good. Few humans are chaotic, and very few are chaotic and evil.
...which I find it easy to agree with in the context even of AD&D.
I was thinking about humanity and law too, as Aristotle noted, humanity, being a political animal, 'if we are not of the city (that of laws, of politics), then we are either of beasts, or of gods' (which place us in the hold of other alignment possibilities so to speak). Here, Aristotle is talking about being and attachment, 'how' - or more appropriately 'what' one 'is' by both metaphysical and physical association. I think Gygax's thoughts on humanity and alignment fall right in line with this ancient paradigm. Thanks for the good find too!