I frequently find myself chafing against the axies of alignment where they exist in TTRPGS. I have plotted and planed and I think I have an idea that can alow for additional nuance morality and values with out too much additional mechanical complexity. The following outlines devotion alignment for the Starfall Galaxy setting, replacing the traditional alignment system with the concept of Devotion. Devotion is not a rigid moral axis of Good vs. Evil, but a representation of a character’s core values and their intrinsic connection to the Mana-currents of the cosmos. As in ancient Terran folklore, characters, objects, spells, places, and even entire civilizations can possess one or more Devotion traits.
Devotion and the Cosmos
In the Starfall Galaxy, the material universe (Real Space) and the dimensional hyperspace (Rift-Space) are fundamentally connected. Where a vast congregation of beings in Real Space share a similar emotional or social outlook, a torrent of corresponding Mana forms in Rift-Space. Likewise, where powerful Rift-Storms churn beneath Real Space, the mortal world experiences social and emotional turbulence.
This interconnectedness is the foundation of Devotion. In Real Space, Devotion is expressed as an individual's core values, motivations, and aspirations. In Rift-Space, it manifests as a torrent of corresponding colored Mana. This Mana is the raw energy of intention and when it spills into Real Space, it causes transformations, energetic expulsions, or even compulsive ideation in the beings it affects. Some mortals, by birth or through training, can tap into and manipulate this "intention energy" directly from the Rift.
Devotion Alignment Rule Variation
Virtue and Vice
Devotion is designed to replace the alignment axes of both good/evil and law/chaos. Each Devotion is susceptible to both virtue and vice, with no direct correlation to traditional alignment. A character can use their Devotion to benefit the galaxy or twist it to cause great harm. While a character's alignment can be used as a simple guide (e.g., a "good" character might align with White or Green), you are highly encouraged to deviate from these simple conversions and embrace the full nuance of the system.
White Devotion (Peace): Strives for order, community, and the sanctity of life. Can manifest as selfless sacrifice and healing, or as rigid authoritarianism and the suppression of individual will.
Blue Devotion (Perfection): Seeks knowledge, technology, and flawless execution. Can lead to brilliant innovation and logical foresight, or to cold, unemotional cruelty and the erasure of all imperfection.
Black Devotion (Power): Driven by ambition, self-interest, and the pursuit of power. Can be the source of ruthless efficiency and the ability to get things done at any cost, or of selfish betrayal and a complete disregard for others.
Red Devotion (Freedom): Values passion, instinct, and personal liberty. Can manifest as fiery creativity and a fierce defense of individual rights, or as reckless impulsivity and a complete disregard for consequences.
Green Devotion (Acceptance): Embraces nature, cycles, and the natural order. Can lead to deep wisdom and harmonious coexistence, or to a brutal Darwinism that sees only the strong surviving and the weak being culled.
Colorless Devotion: The Unaligned Nexus
Colorless Devotion occupies a unique space, existing outside the spectrum of the five primary devotions. It is not an absence of a core value, but an enigmatic philosophy centered on three concepts: the Void, Purpose, and Transcendence. This Devotion is most often found in artificial beings, ancient automatons, or individuals who have detached themselves from mortal concerns.
Devotion and Social Interaction
Devotion provides a powerful tool for roleplaying and social encounters.
Affinity: Sharing a Devotion trait with an NPC, or possessing a Devotion with an affinity toward theirs, represents a shared worldview, goals, and motivations. This can grant a bonus to influence, make an impression on, or make a request of that NPC.
Rivalry: Possessing a Devotion trait that is rival to an NPC's represents a fundamental fear, aversion, or anathema to them. This can grant a bonus to coerce or demoralize that NPC.
These elements are not absolute in that it is not uncommon for characters to adopt core values from rival devotions and find themselves in bitter conflict with members of compatible devotions.
You can use devotions prescriptively or descriptively. the behavior cues in these descriptions are intended to help players and GMs to role-play their PCs and NPCs; the descriptions are not intended to dictate character behavior. Unless specific anathema overrides, sporadic actions against devotion should not change a character’s alignment. Adding, losing, or changing a character's devotion should be a deliberate choice by that character’s player; character habits and continual behavioral choices make devotion changes an appropriate consequence of player choices.
Listed below are the five color devotions; each devotion description describes how these devotions typically interact.
White has an affinity with Blue and Green and is rival to Black and Red.
Blue has an affinity with White and Black and is rival to Red and Green.
Black has an affinity with Blue and Red and is rival to White and Green.
Red has an affinity with Black and Green and is rival to White and Blue.
Green has an affinity with White and Red and is rival to Blue and Black.
Colorless is the quality of bein unaligned with any of the Color Devotions; colorless possess neither Affinities nor rivalries
Combining Devotions
A character can select up to two Devotion traits at the start of their journey. Over the course of adventuring, they may gain, lose, or shift Devotions based on their actions and choices. The GM may allow a character to acquire more than two Devotion traits over time. Characters with multiple Devotions are considered to be of all those Devotions simultaneously, and any effect that triggers against one part of their Devotion will affect them fully.
Devotion and Allegiances
Party Composition
Player Characters are free agents there is no reason why any combination of devotions can't exist within a party; in fact, a more diverse collection of devotion traits may contribute to a rich role-playing experience.
Diplomacy, Intimidation checks, and running Influence
Sharing a devotion trait or possessing a devotion trait with an affinity towards an NPC represents sharing similar world views, goals, and motivations with that NPC. this can be mechanically represented as a +1 circumstance bonus to attempt to Influence, Make an Impression, or Request. Similarly, possessing a devotion trait that is rival to an NPC represents something that is a fear, aversion, or anathema to that NPC and makes them susceptible to Intimidation. this could be represented as a +1 Circumstance bonus to Coerce or Demoralize.
Devotion and Organizational Membership
As a Game Master, I would allow PCs to pursue membership in any non-religious organization they would like. Devotion affinities and rivalries can help build the membership of that organization.
Devotion and Religion
In order to take advantage of belonging to a religious order a character must share at least one devotion trait with that religion.
Conclusion
That covers my take on bringing the color pie into a Starfinder 2e game. This is a good way to help your players create nuanced characters and grant GMs flexibility in presenting villains the party may have never encountered otherwise.
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