What alignment was Robin Hood?

[EKKM]

you're arguing that he is chaotic based off a snippet of his experience and ignoring important parts. he does care what others think of him, does not act arbitrarily, and is not irresponsible.

he formed a whole society...how can one say that he is irresponsible or has no concern for regulations?

he acted consistently over time....how can one say that he acts arbitrarily?

Actually I have read most of the tales of Robin Hood, not just the Disney, Errol Flynn and Kevin Costner editions. I won't say I have read the originals as no one is sure where the story originated or if the original inspiration for the stories os one person or several.

Only the later versions of the Robin Hood tales refer to him fighting the illegimate authority of John, the earlier ones make no mention of King Richard (and In fact make reference to King Edward). The Lionheart is only added later, much the same time as other tales of chivalry began to gain popularity (such as Arthur).

The earlier tales are full of examples of his chaotic demeanor.

So before we continue the discussion, we should define which version of Robin Hood we are referring to.


he does care what others think of him - Not a trait of either lawful or chaotic characters, although chaotic characters would be more inclined to not care I will admit.


does not act arbitrarily - several tales have him kidnapping people to dine with him as he doesn't like to eat alone (he would then charge them for the meal of course..); pretty arbitrary


and is not irresponsible - one version of RH has him becoming an outlaw for killing the Sherriff's men because they would not allow him in the King's forest.

he formed a whole society...how can one say that he is irresponsible or has no concern for regulations - so if you are the leader of a thieves guild you are not chaotic? I realize this is abit of a strawman arguement but I think the point is clear.

he acted consistently over time....how can one say that he acts arbitrarily - he has acted consistently chaotic.

Have to go home now, enjoying the discussion though!

[Hafeal]

I am still of the thought RH is of chaotic good nature.

To me neutral indicates a lack of support or disdain for the current Authority. I don't think he fell into this category. I think he would further be chaotic because he acted outside of the established rules of society at the time to bring about change.

Revolutionaries tend to be chaotic - and I think RH was a revolutionary.

I believe his motives were for the betterment of society as a whole and especially the weakest and poorest. I think a fundamental difference between good and evil is that good cares for the weakest and poorest in their society while evil believes in only a survival of the fittest.

[Lorien_the_First_One]

Quoting the description of Lawful Good from the 3.0 PHB, an example of LG is..."a paladin who fights evil without mercy and who protects the innocent without hesitation".

Sounds like both batman and robin hood for me. The "without hestitation" is what makes them break the local laws for the greater good they feel they are serving...doing justice and protecting the innocent in the fight against evil.

[Vardak]

Personally I'd say these questions are all a matter of point of view. Since I own my own home, and am therefore "landed" I'd have to say Robin is Chaotic Evil. He violates the law to serve his own purpose and has little care for who that injures.

Stealing from the rich... good concept only if you happen to be poor.

[spifflove]

"say, aren't you that particularly vain and gnavish sprite, who breaks buttons and makes runs in ladies stockings? Who steals babies and plants changlings?"
" I am that merry wanderer of the night."

[Kistilan]

Peacekeeper

Warmonger!

[Lymnus]

Robin hood, for me, was Chaotic Good

Even though stealing is lawfully incorrect, he gave it to the poor, making it a just act.

[Missing_Minds]

Nuetral = really don't give a **** as long as it suits me

actually, BC, your statement for neutral is really a statement more along the lines of Chaotic Neutral. However, CN is often mistaken/missplaced for CS. Chaotic Stupid.

Robin hood is predominantly a good character. HOWEVER, that is where constancies end. It is really dependent upon which version of Robin of the Hood you are basing your analysis on.

As far as trying to compare him to batman, again, which version, which time, which author's idea? WoTC boards have argued this one to nausea 20+ page threads, multiple times.

[alchilito]

Chaotic Good

[Kistilan]

Chaotic Good

Very well, I accept but no more helping!

[Dexxaan]

Wish I had the time to elaborate in depth....but here goes:

RH could have (and probably was) Lawful Good; yet he finds himself in an environment changed by a Leader to whom he cannot and will not support due to his disagreeing views and morals.

Therefore he must become something he would otherwise never do, and becomes an outlaw out of conviction. Does he remain Lawful Good? Arguably yes, but it is retained in his inner self and not easily shown to others.

He lets his extraverted actions take a course that apparently seem Chaotic, yet he´s executing an introverted plan; and planning is a bit more of a Lawful approach to things.

My opinion : Lawful Good, because he would never steal nor hurt some Baron or Lord that he KNOWS is a supporter and loyal follower of the old ways he himself lived and supported.

[Rav'n]

Neutral Good
A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them.

Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order.

Neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.


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Creatures of neutral good alignment believe that there must be some regulation in combination with freedoms if the best is to be brought to the world--the most beneficial conditions for living things in general and intelligent creatures in particular. Creatures of this alignments see the cosmos as a place where law and chaos are merely tools to use in bringing life, happiness, and prosperity to all deserving creatures. Order is not good unless it brings this to all; neither is randomness and total freedom desirable if it does not bring such good. (1)

Neutral goods value both personal freedom and adherence to laws. They feel that too many laws may unnecessarily restrict the freedom of good beings. They also believe that too much freedom may not protect society as a whole and encourage counterproductive divisions and in-fighting. They promote governments which hold broad powers, but do not interfere in the day-to-day lives of their citizens. (2)

These characters value life and freedom above all else, and despise those who would deprive others of them. Neutral good characters sometimes find themselves forced to work beyond the law, yet for the law, and the greater good of the people. They are not vicious or vindictive, but are people driven to right injustice. Neutral good characters always attempt to work within the law whenever possible, however. (3)

I ask you... does THAT look like Robin?

[Dexxaan]

Per the description....... you may have hit it on the head Rav´n.

[Wizzly_Bear]

Per the description....... you may have hit it on the head Rav´n.

qft, gj rav'n

[Odium]

Chaotic good characters are strong indivualists marked by a streak of kindness and benevolence. They believe in all the virtues of goodness and right, but they have little use for laws and regulations. They have no use for people who "try to push folk around and tell them what to do." Their actions are guided by their own moral compass which, although good, may not always be in perfect agreement with the rest of society. A brave frontiersman forever moving on as settlers follow in his wake is an example of a chaotic good character.

Keeps his word to any other good person (unless it conflicts with his/her plans against neutral or evil characters in which case this would be explained to the good characters unless it may put them in harms way).

Lies only to neutral or evil people (see #1).

Never attacks or kills an unarmed foe, unless of course they are truly evil and need to be done away with.

Never harms an innocent... unless it is unavoidable

Never tortures for pleasure. Threats may be permissible... (Under extreme duress torture for information may be permissable).

Never kills for pleasure (yet destroying evil seems to pleasure them).

Always tries to help others.

Distrusts authority.

Works well in groups, but dislikes confining rules and 'red tape'.

Never takes dirty money or items except in extreme circumstances where the acceptance of money or items is a ruse and contributes to the greater good.

Never betrays a friend, unless that friend betrays them with bad intent.

[Hafeal]

I ask you... does THAT look like Robin?[/b]

Perhaps. Show me your definition of chaotic good.

[arcsonist]

What was the alignment of the other robin hood the one from timebandits?


"Jolly Good".

[Rav'n]

Chaotic Good
A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right but has little use for laws and regulations. He hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do. He follows his own moral compass, which, although good, may not agree with that of society.

Chaotic good is the best alignment you can be because it combines a good heart with a free spirit.

Chaotic good can be a dangerous alignment because it disrupts the order of society and punishes those who do well for themselves.


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While creatures of this alignment view freedom and the randomness of actions as ultimate truths, they likewise place value on life and the welfare of each individual. Respect for individualism is also great. By promoting the philosophy of chaotic good, characters of this alignments seek to spread their values throughout the world. To the chaotic good individual, freedom and independence are as important to life and happiness. The ethos views this freedom as the only means by which each creature can achieve true satisfaction and happiness. Law, order, social forms, and anything else which tends to restrict or abridge individual freedom is wrong, and each individual is capable of achieving self-realization and prosperity through himself, herself, or itself. (1)

Chaotic good characters are strong individualists marked by a streak of kindness and benevolence. They believe in all the virtues of goodness and right, but they have little use for laws and regulations. They have no use for people who "try to push folk around and tell them what to do." Their actions are guided by their own moral compass which, although good, may not always be in perfect agreement with the rest of society. (2)

These characters are basically good, but tend to be selfish and maybe a bit greedy. They tend to hold personal freedom and welfare above anything else. The chaotic good dislikes confining laws, self-discipline, and they distrust authority. (3)

[Rav'n]

... I used to think of Robin as Chaotic Good. The "down with the Kingdom...up with the People"....type of of person.

But by defintion...Chaos would be ...down with the kingd...no wait... Up with the.....uh... Up with Everyone!... Except you... yeah YOU and y...no.... Down with you and up with the three of tem...for now....

[deeathblade]

chaotic good

1. he did what he thought was right in his eyes
2. he also did things that benefited him
3. he also made fun of some people as well