Actually, when I’ve run D&D campaigns, I’ve generally thrown out the alignment system for exactly this reason. I wanted a universe with a much grayer morality, not one where the fundamental laws of the universe tell you if an action is moral or not.
That works with mature players. I think it was invented largely because immature players wanted to have it both ways, both bask in the glory of heroes but also feel free to murder that merchant they just saved and take his gold.
Also, really beware the gray, it can easily creep up in situations like that. Like Shadowrun - no alignment system and basically everybody bad to some extent. In the Shadowrun’s world, you cannot really tell the shades of gray apart.
Actually, when I’ve run D&D campaigns, I’ve generally thrown out the alignment system for exactly this reason. I wanted a universe with a much grayer morality, not one where the fundamental laws of the universe tell you if an action is moral or not.
That works with mature players. I think it was invented largely because immature players wanted to have it both ways, both bask in the glory of heroes but also feel free to murder that merchant they just saved and take his gold.
Also, really beware the gray, it can easily creep up in situations like that. Like Shadowrun - no alignment system and basically everybody bad to some extent. In the Shadowrun’s world, you cannot really tell the shades of gray apart.