If you’re walking in on the middle of this series, there’s an index here.

My first post on ethos, my elevation of a minor ruling to cover the failures of alignment as a concept, wasn’t very concreted in its approach, but working through the GM guidance section I realise ai need to revise ethos before I approach the topics of societies and religions in world-building.

Some examples of ethos in the broad second edition line include:

Protecting the wilderness, Maintain natural cycles, Maintain balance between good and evil, Keep the deeds of ancestors alive, Regard the undead as a mockery of true and noble death, Most individuals actions will not prove significant, Gods manipulate mortals for their own ends, and these games must be put to an end, prayer, rituals, proselytising, symbols/clothing, pilgrimage, healing the sick, deliberating children, caring for the sick, eliminating enemies of the faith, courtesy, honour, valour, generosity, fasting, cannot touch the dead, may not fight on holy days, Magic is suspicious and expected to have negative consequences, Lightning and violent weather changes signify the god’s displeasure, Nights when the stars are hidden precede days of ill fortune, Assign personalities and divine interventions to the phases of the moon, If a weapon breaks in battle, it is a bad omen, Stagnant water is an ill omen, The relationships between people and governments exists naturally, Laws should be made and followed, Strength comes through unity of action., There is no preordained order, Individual actions account for the progression of history. All individuals have freedom of choice and right to do what they want, Those in power are always in the right, The strong should always help the weak, Intentionally inflicting pain is wrong, Ignore the past; only the present is important, Knowledge is free and should never be withheld, Taking risks is foolish and wrong, Every individual should improve the lives of others at every available opportunity, Comforts and pleasures serve only to weaken, All individuals are responsible for their own well-being; reliance on others is wrong, Lying is always wrong, Mercy should be given to all beings, Gods are evil and priests should not be tolerated

Comparing the better ethos in this list, they’re largely following either a this is true, therefore I must do that structure, or a this action must be taken. With that we can write a rule.

All PCs have an ethos. Some classes and heritages will have a list of additional ethos you are required to choose from.

An ethos can be a belief or a stricture.

A belief is a folkway, philosophy or superstition, taking the form of: This action is always the correct action, eg. Mercy must be given to all beings.

A stricture is a ritual, act of service, or behaviour, taking the form of:This is true, therefore I must do that, eg. Gods are evil therefore priests must not be tolerated.

PCs gain experience for following their ethos, at the GM’s discretion. A guideline is if there is great cost, gain 500 XP, at a cost, gain 250XP, and gain no XP for no cost.

If an ethos is observed by an NPC it may provide a bonus or penalty to a reaction roll depending on their own ethos.

There is really only one remaining question with regards to ethos, which is can magical items change your ethos or have ethos? I think the answer to the latter is a solid yes, and the answer to the former is a solid magic can mind control you, if safety discussions have been had and accordingly mind control is allowed in your game.

This has been a part of the Advanced Fantasy Dungeon Series! Let me know your thoughts on ethos, or anything of the sort.

Idle Cartulary

28th May 2022