Neutral centered alignments are probably the most misunderstood alignments in Dungeons and Dragons and with good reason. Whereas most characters believe in the ideals of either good or evil, neutral characters care nothing for these lofty morals. Instead, their focus lies on law, chaos, or none of the above. Obviously, chaotic neutral characters lean towards the promotion of chaos.
This doesn’t mean that a chaotic neutral character’s actions should be entirely governed by randomness. Rather, chaotic neutrals are simply unpredictable and often exhibit volatile and erratic behavior. They laugh in the face of those who bind themselves to greater authorities or beliefs. After all, a chaotic neutral character believes that these structures are nothing more than restraints created to rob people of their freedom.
10 Best: Freedom For All
Unlike the chaotic evil alignment, chaotic neutrals are interested in the freedom of others as well as their own. When choosing between more freedom for themselves or more freedom for others, chaotic neutrals will usually prefer to elevate their own position; however, they will also extend freedom to others whenever possible.
The chaotic neutral alignment’s obsession with freedom leads to good deeds more often than not in the hands of a capable adventurer.
9 Worst: Who Cares For Good And Evil
Though chaotic neutral characters may default towards good, they won’t sacrifice anything to stand up for it. The same goes for evil. Chaotic neutral characters prefer to enjoy their own freedoms absent from the worries of morality.
As a result, chaotic neutrals see no problem allying with devils, demons, and other evil-minded characters if their alliance results in more freedom for themselves and all people. Have fun explaining that one to the lawful good paladin in your party.
8 Best: The Trick’s On You!
Because chaotic neutrals live to fulfill their own pleasures first and foremost, many enjoy playing pranks on others for entertainment. These tricks are never outright malicious, but they certainly might be annoying.
For example, a chaotic neutral character might get a laugh out of filling another character’s waterskin with urine, temporarily borrowing an item someone holds dear, or briefly withholding information that the party might find useful.
7 Worst: Laws Were Made To Be Broken
Chaotic neutrals are distrustful of organizations, laws, and authorities. Anyone who infringes upon the freedom of others won’t easily win over those of the chaotic neutral alignment.
But the most problematic thing for the rest of the party is that chaotic neutrals will break the law just because doing so seemed opportune. Laws stand for everything that chaotic neutrals despise. In order to voice their disdain, chaotic neutrals purposefully and mindfully break laws even if they stand to gain nothing.
6 Best: Only The Finest
One of the reasons chaotic neutrals value freedom so much is so that they can enjoy the greatest pleasures that life has to offer. Many chaotic neutral characters pursue riches for exactly this reason, which often leads to others characterizing them as greedy. Of course, chaotic neutrals usually don’t see their propensity for pleasure as greedy.
Instead, they will tell you that their hedonism is simply the realization of their deepest desires and fantasies. To them, the goal of enjoying life’s pleasures is no different than a cleric’s goal to spread his religion or a paladin’s goal to purge the world of evil.
5 Worst: Quite Unreliable
Unfortunately for the party, unpredictability can oftentimes lead to unreliability. A chaotic neutral character’s best interests are solely her own.
As a result, if the pursuit of her own goals conflicts with those of the party, plans can quickly fall apart. Just remember, it’s not that your chaotic neutral friend doesn’t love you. They just aren’t shy about how much they love themselves more.
4 Best: You Help Me, I’ll Help You
Despite their unreliability, chaotic neutrals are very practical when it comes to making alliances, forging friendships, and dealing with relationships in general.
It pretty much comes down to you pat my back, and I’ll pat yours. The logic is simple enough for anyone to understand, making chaotic neutrals at least somewhat relatable if you can look past their propensity for pranks and complete detachment from good and evil.
3 Worst: Disorderly Conduct
Due to their ideals of unfettered freedom, chaotic neutral characters can be difficult to work with. If chaotic neutrals feel like they are being ordered around, they will purposefully act out to preserve their freedom no matter the severity of the situation.
When told to bow before the king of a nation, they’ll outright refuse or make a mocking display. This can easily lead to uncomfortable situations as well as upset other characters already insecure in their position. If you haven’t noticed yet, it might be best to convince your chaotic neutral friend that lawful settlements aren’t really for him.
2 Best: Me First
Chaotic neutrals are second in their selfishness only to chaotic evil characters. In other words, the chaotic neutral alignment allows you to always put your character first while still avoiding actions that might severely harm others.
For all of its whimsy, this quality makes the chaotic neutral alignment quite appealing to any character solely concerned with acquiring wealth, renown, and power.
1 Worst: Chaos Reigns Supreme
Every alignment has a darker side. In the case of chaotic neutrals, it’s when you begin to view the law’s existence as a pestilence on the land. While all chaotic neutrals view the law as a ploy to rob people of their freedom, many would still agree that law has its uses.
However, with enough bad experiences with law enforcement, a chaotic neutral character might begin to believe that law is more insidious than even the chaos demons promise. A chaotic neutral character who leads a crusade against law endangers the balance of all things and could very well leave a mark on the world for the worst.
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