History Analysis / TrueNeutral

* They are dedicated to a particular side, but they have tendencies of all alignments at the same time. They may be good in one area and evil in another. They aren't neutral in the sense of not taking sides; it's simply that the sum of their actions is between good and evil and order and chaos. {{Anti Hero}}es and similar characters who live by GreyAndGrayMorality are often this kind of neutral.

* Similarly, animals in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' are not credited with the ability to make moral or ethical distinctions. Since their existence is amoral and they have no way of changing this, all animals are TrueNeutral. Often called "Neutral Hungry", they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone (and aren't tasty). This is the reason why the NonMaliciousMonster sub type of AntiVillain is depicted as TrueNeutral, as it's merely an unthinking beast concerned with surviving rather than a malevolent destroyer.

* These types could also be seen as ''Fence Riding Bastards''. People who just can't make a tough (possibly [[BlackAndGreyMorality morally gray]]) decision. So they try to avoid getting put into that uncomfortable position. Could also be both friend and/or Ally to both protagonist and antagonist. [[TheDitherer Ditherers]] and some {{Actual Pacifist}}s fall into this.

* They are dedicated to a particular side, but they have tendencies of all alignments at the same time. They may be good in one area and evil in another. They aren't neutral in the sense of not taking sides; it's simply that the sum of their actions is between good and evil and order and chaos. {{Anti Hero}}es and similar characters who live by GrayAndGrayMorality are often this kind of neutral.

* These types could also be seen as ''Fence Riding Bastards''. People who just can't make a tough (possibly [[BlackAndGreyMorality morally gray]]) decision. So they try to avoid getting put into that uncomfortable position. Could also be both friend and/or Ally to both protagonist and antagonist. Some {{Actual Pacifist}}s fall into this.

* They are morally cowardly, compromisers, or opportunists. A key component of any UntrustingCommunity; they might ''believe'' that good is better than evil, and they'll follow any laws that aren't too much of an inconvenience or angrily mutter about unjust laws in the TheEvilEmpire, but they just don't have the guts to do anything about it. When the heroes ask about the criminal activities going on, they're not helping, because they know what happens to snitches. They are AllOfTheOtherReindeer. They're the useless masses that villains refer to whenever [[BreakThemByTalking taunt the heroes by declaring that the masses will abandon them in a heartbeat]] (something that [[WhatTheHellTownspeople they typically]] ''[[WhatTheHellTownspeople love]]'' [[WhatTheHellTownspeople doing]], by the way), and it's no accident that True Neutral is the default alignment of humans in almost any fantasy (except the ones where humans don't ''have'' a default alignment).

* They are morally cowardly, compromisers, or opportunists. A key component of any UntrustingCommunity; they might ''believe'' that good is better than evil, and they'll follow any laws that aren't too much of an inconvenience or angrily mutter about unjust laws in the TheEvilEmpire, but they just don't have the guts to do anything about it. When the heroes ask about the criminal activities going on, they're not helping, because they know what happens to snitches. They are AllOfTheOtherReindeer. They're the useless masses that villains refer to whenever [[HannibalLecture taunt the heroes by declaring that the masses will abandon them in a heartbeat]] (something that [[WhatTheHellTownspeople they typically]] ''[[WhatTheHellTownspeople love]]'' [[WhatTheHellTownspeople doing]], by the way), and it's no accident that True Neutral is the default alignment of humans in almost any fantasy (except the ones where humans don't ''have'' a default alignment).

* As the 3rd edition D&D ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' points out, indecisiveness indicates neutrality, and a person who bounces between alignments constantly should also be categorized as True Neutral.

* They are morally cowardly, compromisers, or opportunists. A key component of any UntrustingCommunity; they might ''believe'' that good is better than evil, and they'll follow any laws that aren't too much of an inconvenience or angrily mutter about unjust laws in the TheEvilEmpire, but they just don't have the guts to do anything about it. When the heroes ask about the criminal activities going on, they're not helping, because they know what happens to snitches. They are AllOfTheOtherReindeer. They're the useless masses that villains refer to whenever [[HannibalLecture taunt the heroes by declaring that the masses will abandon them in a heartbeat]] (something that they typically ''love'' doing, by the way,) and it's no accident that True Neutral is the default alignment of humans in almost any fantasy.
* They [[TheUnfettered don't care]] about the conflict between Good versus Evil and OrderVersusChaos. The Neutrals have their own ideals, concerns, goals and needs that are different from either side of the fence, so to speak. These kind will be ''very'' committed to the ObstructiveCodeOfConduct ([[LawfulNeutral but not]] ''[[LawfulStupid too]]'' [[LawfulNeutral committed]]...) This may be explicit in the declaration that they are AboveGoodAndEvil. This can result from a BlueAndOrangeMorality as well.

* They are committed to the philosophical or cosmic principle of Neutrality or Balance itself, and they actively seek to preserve the BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil. They only intervene in conflict to prevent the underdog from being wiped out - should their allies gain the upper hand, the True Neutral will probably switch sides ''from the point of view of his friends''; in his eyes, he is keeping true to his own convictions. This can manifest as {{Chronic Backstabbing Disorder}}. StupidNeutral is an extreme version of this.

* Characters with a very low intelligence will be TrueNeutral by default. They are simply too stupid to figure out the consequences of their actions, and are utterly unable to put any planning, motives or logic behind them. Any good or evil they might inflict is therefore completely unintentional.

* They are morally cowardly, compromisers, or opportunists. A key component of any UntrustingCommunity; they might ''believe'' that good is better than evil, and they'll follow any laws that aren't too much of an inconvenience or angrily mutter about unjust laws in the TheEvilEmpire, but they just don't have the guts to do anything about it. When the heroes ask about the criminal activities going on, [[DyingLikeAnimals they're not helping]], because they know what happens to snitches. They are AllOfTheOtherReindeer. They're the useless masses that villains refer to whenever [[HannibalLecture taunt the heroes by declaring that the masses will abandon them in a heartbeat]] (something that they typically ''love'' doing, by the way,) and it's no accident that True Neutral is the default alignment of humans in almost any fantasy.

* They are dedicated to a particular side, but they have tendencies of all alignments at the same time. They may be good in one area and evil in another. They aren't neutral in the sense of not taking sides; it's simply that the sum of their actions is between good and evil and order and chaos. {{Anti Hero}}es and similar characters who live by GrayAndGrayMorality are often this kind of neutral. Often overlaps with SelfishGoodSelfishEvil.

* They [[SomebodyElsesProblem just don't care]] about anything, including their own hygiene or reputation or moral values. [[TheStoner The stereotype stoner character]] who doesn't hate anyone enough to want to hurt them.

* They [[HeroicNeutral just want to be left alone]], to enjoy life for themselves and possibly family, and [[SomebodyElsesProblem let other people do whatever]]. If someone defies that, though, [[{{Villains Act Heroes React}} usually villains]], they'll fight back. They may have once been committed to a cause, but have gone through so much strife and been betrayed or failed so many times that they simply don't care anymore, and will only focus on their own goals and help or hurt other people if they feel like it. This can be a more tempered variant of VigilanteMan.

!!Types:

# They are morally cowardly, compromisers, or opportunists. A key component of any UntrustingCommunity; they might ''believe'' that good is better than evil, and they'll follow any laws that aren't too much of an inconvenience or angrily mutter about unjust laws in the TheEvilEmpire, but they just don't have the guts to do anything about it. When the heroes ask about the criminal activities going on, [[DyingLikeAnimals they're not helping]], because they know what happens to snitches. They are AllOfTheOtherReindeer. They're the useless masses that villains refer to whenever [[HannibalLecture taunt the heroes by declaring that the masses will abandon them in a heartbeat]] (something that they typically ''love'' doing, by the way,) and it's no accident [[HumansAreBastards that True Neutral is the default alignment of humans in almost any fantasy.]]
# They [[TheUnfettered don't care]] about the conflict between Good versus Evil and {{Order versus Chaos}}. The Neutrals have their own ideals, concerns, goals and needs that are different from either side of the fence, so to speak. These kind will be ''very'' committed to the ObstructiveCodeOfConduct ([[LawfulNeutral but not]] ''[[LawfulStupid too]]'' [[LawfulNeutral committed]]...) This may be explicit in the declaration that they are AboveGoodAndEvil. This can result from a BlueAndOrangeMorality as well.
# A variant of the TrueNeutral mindset is a character so completely amoral that he acts more like a force of nature than a person. His actions may seem cruel or random, as he can be kind and helpful and then vindictive the next moment, or worse, acts in a manner that [[BlueAndOrangeMorality he considers kind but is horrifically amoral from the point of view of a human]]. Many [[TheFairFolk fairies]] from folklore, i.e. TheWildHunt, fall into this category, as does the Stranger in Mark Twain's tale "The Mysterious Stranger".
# Similarly, animals in ''DungeonsAndDragons'' are not credited with the ability to make moral or ethical distinctions. Since their existence is amoral and they have no way of changing this, all animals are TrueNeutral. Often called "Neutral Hungry", they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone (and aren't tasty). This is the reason why the NonMaliciousMonster sub type of AntiVillain is depicted as TrueNeutral, as it's merely an unthinking beast concerned with surviving rather than a malevolent destroyer.
# They are committed to the philosophical or cosmic principle of Neutrality or Balance itself, and they actively seek to preserve the BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil. They only intervene in conflict to prevent the underdog from being wiped out - should their allies gain the upper hand, the True Neutral will probably switch sides ''from the point of view of his friends''; in his eyes, he is keeping true to his own convictions. This can manifest as {{Chronic Backstabbing Disorder}}. StupidNeutral is an extreme version of this.
# They [[SomebodyElsesProblem just don't care]] about anything, including their own hygiene or reputation or moral values. [[TheStoner The stereotype stoner character]] who doesn't hate anyone enough to want to hurt them.
# These types could also be seen as ''Fence Riding Bastards''. People who just can't make a tough (possibly [[BlackAndGreyMorality morally gray]]) decision. So they try to avoid getting put into that uncomfortable position. Could also be both friend and/or Ally to both protagonist and antagonist. Some {{Actual Pacifist}}s fall into this.
# Characters with a very low intelligence will be TrueNeutral by default. They are simply too stupid to figure out the consequences of their actions, and are utterly unable to put any planning, motives or logic behind them. Any good or evil they might inflict is therefore completely unintentional.
# They just live life by doing whatever everyone else is doing. They'll follow the trends, and follow the law whenever the law is generally followed, but believe that if everyone else is doing it, it can't be wrong, right? They're never the first to do anything, but might get caught up in an IAmSpartacus moment once the TrueCompanions have started the call, or grab a rock once the UntrustingCommunity finds out that there's no HeroInsurance to cover the damage. Can also be called "True Average."
# Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. The same applies to magical constructs or enchanted items that have intellect but no real will of their own, or only the will to fulfill their function, acting only as tools.
# They [[HeroicNeutral just want to be left alone]], to enjoy life for themselves and possibly family, and [[SomebodyElsesProblem let other people do whatever]]. If someone defies that, though, [[{{Villains Act Heroes React}} usually villains]], they'll fight back. They may have once been committed to a cause, but have gone through so much strife and been betrayed or failed so many times that they simply don't care anymore, and will only focus on their own goals and help or hurt other people if they feel like it. This can be a more tempered variant of VigilanteMan.
# They are dedicated to a particular side, but they have tendencies of all alignments at the same time. They may be good in one area and evil in another. They aren't neutral in the sense of not taking sides; it's simply that the sum of their actions is between good and evil and order and chaos. [[AntiHero Anti Heroes]] and similar characters who live by GrayAndGrayMorality are often this kind of neutral. Often overlaps with SelfishGoodSelfishEvil.

# Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. The same applies to magical constructs or enchanted items that have intellect but no real will of their own, or only the will to fulfill their function, acting only as tools. This logic also applies to mindless undead, but some sources define them as Evil by default anyway.

# Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. The same applies to magical constructs or enchanted items that have intellect but no real will of their own, or only the will to fulfill their function, acting only as tools. This logic also applies to mindless undead, but depending on the source, they may also be defined Evil by default.

# Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. The same applies to magical constructs or enchanted items that have intellect but no real will of their own, or only the will to fulfill their function, acting only as tools. The same logically applies to mindless undead, but depending on the source, they may also be defined Evil by default.

# Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. The same applies to magical constructs or enchanted items that have intellect but no real will of their own, or only the will to fulfill their function, acting only as tools. Oddly, mindless undead are NeutralEvil despite the same limitations.

# Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. The same applies to magical constructs or enchanted items that have intellect but no real will of their own, or only the will to fulfil their function, acting only as tools. Oddly, mindless undead are NeutralEvil despite the same limitations.

# Similarly, animals in ''DungeonsAndDragons'' are not credited with the ability to make moral or ethical distinctions. Since their existence is amoral and they have no way of changing this, all animals are TrueNeutral. Often called "Neutral Hungry", they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone (and aren't tasty). This is the reason why the NonMaliciousMonster sub type of AntiVillain is depicted as TrueNeutral, as its merely an unthinking beast concerned with surviving rather than a malevolent destroyer.

# Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. Oddly, mindless undead are NeutralEvil despite the same limitations.

These are the forms and types in which a TrueNeutral character may manifest:

# They aren't dedicated to any side, but they have both kinds of tendencies at the same time. They may be good in one area and evil in another. They aren't neutral in the sense of not taking sides; it's simply that the sum of their actions is between good and evil and order and chaos. [[AntiHero Anti Heroes]] and similar characters who live by GrayAndGrayMorality are often this kind of neutral. Often overlaps with SelfishGoodSelfishEvil.

* They are morally cowardly, compromisers, or opportunists. A key component of any UntrustingCommunity; they might ''believe'' that good is better than evil, and they'll follow any laws that aren't too much of an inconvenience or angrily mutter about unjust laws in the TheEvilEmpire, but they just don't have the guts to do anything about it. When the heroes ask about the criminal activities going on, [[DyingLikeAnimals they're not helping]], because they know what happens to snitches. They are AllOfTheOtherReindeer. They're the useless masses that villains refer to whenever [[HannibalLecture taunt the heroes by declaring that the masses will abandon them in a heartbeat]] (something that they typically ''love'' doing, by the way,) and it's no accident [[HumansAreBastards that True Neutral is the default alignment of humans in almost any fantasy.]]
* They [[TheUnfettered don't care]] about the conflict between Good versus Evil and {{Order versus Chaos}}. The Neutrals have their own ideals, concerns, goals and needs that are different from either side of the fence, so to speak. These kind will be ''very'' committed to the ObstructiveCodeOfConduct ([[LawfulNeutral but not]] ''[[LawfulStupid too]]'' [[LawfulNeutral committed]]...) This may be explicit in the declaration that they are AboveGoodAndEvil. This can result from a BlueAndOrangeMorality as well.
* A variant of the TrueNeutral mindset is a character so completely amoral that he acts more like a force of nature than a person. His actions may seem cruel or random, as he can be kind and helpful and then vindictive the next moment, or worse, acts in a manner that [[BlueAndOrangeMorality he considers kind but is horrifically amoral from the point of view of a human]]. Many [[TheFairFolk fairies]] from folklore, i.e. TheWildHunt, fall into this category, as does the Stranger in Mark Twain's tale "The Mysterious Stranger".
* Similarly, animals in ''DungeonsAndDragons'' are not credited with the ability to make moral or ethical distinctions. Since their existence is amoral and they have no way of changing this, all animals are TrueNeutral. Often called "Neutral Hungry", they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone (and aren't tasty). This is the reason why the NonMaliciousMonster sub type of AntiVillain is depicted as TrueNeutral, as its merely an unthinking beast concerned with surviving rather than a malevolent destroyer.
* They are committed to the philosophical or cosmic principle of Neutrality or Balance itself, and they actively seek to preserve the BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil. They only intervene in conflict to prevent the underdog from being wiped out - should their allies gain the upper hand, the True Neutral will probably switch sides ''from the point of view of his friends''; in his eyes, he is keeping true to his own convictions. This can manifest as {{Chronic Backstabbing Disorder}}. StupidNeutral is an extreme version of this.
* They [[SomebodyElsesProblem just don't care]] about anything, including their own hygiene or reputation or moral values. [[TheStoner The stereotype stoner character]] who doesn't hate anyone enough to want to hurt them.
* These types could also be seen as ''Fence Riding Bastards''. People who just can't make a tough (possibly [[BlackAndGreyMorality morally gray]]) decision. So they try to avoid getting put into that uncomfortable position. Could also be both friend and/or Ally to both protagonist and antagonist. Some {{Actual Pacifist}}s fall into this.
* Characters with a very low intelligence will be TrueNeutral by default. They are simply too stupid to figure out the consequences of their actions, and are utterly unable to put any planning, motives or logic behind them. Any good or evil they might inflict is therefore completely unintentional.
* They just live life by doing whatever everyone else is doing. They'll follow the trends, and follow the law whenever the law is generally followed, but believe that if everyone else is doing it, it can't be wrong, right? They're never the first to do anything, but might get caught up in an IAmSpartacus moment once the TrueCompanions have started the call, or grab a rock once the UntrustingCommunity finds out that there's no HeroInsurance to cover the damage. Can also be called "True Average."
* Machines and robots that are limited by their programming are TrueNeutral. Sapient machines capable of independent thought may have other alignments, but a machine whose ethical and moral framework is decided by its programming is inherently incapable of making ethical or moral decisions on its own and thus is inherently neutral. Oddly, mindless undead are NeutralEvil despite the same limitations.
* They [[HeroicNeutral just want to be left alone]], to enjoy life for themselves and possibly family, and [[SomebodyElsesProblem let other people do whatever]]. If someone defies that, though, [[{{Villains Act Heroes React}} usually villains]], they'll fight back. They may have once been committed to a cause, but have gone through so much strife and been betrayed or failed so many times that they simply don't care anymore, and will only focus on their own goals and help or hurt other people if they feel like it. This can be a more tempered variant of VigilanteMan.
* They aren't dedicated to any side, but they have both kinds of tendencies at the same time. They may be good in one area and evil in another. They aren't neutral in the sense of not taking sides; it's simply that the sum of their actions is between good and evil and order and chaos. [[AntiHero Anti Heroes]] and similar characters who live by GrayAndGrayMorality are often this kind of neutral. Often overlaps with SelfishGoodSelfishEvil.